The Design Convention Assessment (2024)
The Design Convention, hosted yearly in Brisbane (Meanjin), Australia is a “splendidly confronting expertise that introduces you to your dream future, the best way to grasp it and the connections that may make it a actuality.”
This advertising wank apart, what it actually means is that this occasion is a spot to hear topical shows and join with others.
It’s a 3-day expertise of talks, discussions, workshops, experiences for creatives out there each in individual and streaming on-line.
Right here’s my expertise and recap of the occasion:
The Design Convention Assessment (2024)
Matthew Haynes, CEO of The Design Convention
Patrick Guerrera, The Design Convention
Mat Voyce, The Design Convention
The Particulars
- What it’s: 3 Day Convention
- Who’s it for: Designers, Creatives, Strategists, Model Designers, Model Managers, Enterprise House owners, Mission Managers, College students, Entrepreneurs, Freelancers,
- When: June 5-7, 2024
- Venue: Hybrid (Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane) and On-line Streaming
- Time Zone: Australian Japanese Customary Time (AEST)
- Worth: $148-$742
The Audio system & Subjects: Various
Jacob Cass, James Barnard, Mat Voyce, Kiel from Pennybridge
The curation of the audio system and talks was glorious.
There was a balanced cross-section of disciplines reaching from model to animation to illustration to packaging to web sites to storytelling and rather more. This made for an various and fascinating combine of shows as nobody presentation was even remotely comparable.
The matters of this occasion have been targeted on model, burnout, collaboration, tradition, design considering, digital, dignity, experimentation, failure, development, illustration, inclusivity, management, movement, optimism, packaging, drawback fixing, resilience, self-care, start-ups, storytelling, technique, transformation, and wellbeing.
This stated, I did get uninterested in seeing speaker/company reels, particularly as some dragged on. Maybe there’s a rule of 30 seconds most per reel?
The Expertise: Immersive
Julie Solvstrom, The Design Convention 2024
One of the simplest ways to explain the expertise of The Design Convention is immersive.
From the talks, to the dwell panels, the Q&As, and after-hours experiences, you felt linked to every of the audio system and attendees. You felt like that you simply belonged there and also you have been a part of the tribe.
Networking was pure and simple and this really made the occasion for me.
From connecting with the audio system within the halls, or having a beer with everybody after the occasion, the dialog flowed simply and also you simply felt like associates. The audio system weren’t on a pedestal nor did they act that manner.
I additionally had a variety of folks method me saying they adopted me on-line, they have been grateful and that they cherished our JUST Branding Podcast. In order that type of recognition is all the time good too!
Whereas the three days was a fire-hose of knowledge, there was sufficient down-time between every block of speaker shows to recharge, verify your emails or should you’re like me, have a fast nap within the solar to get better from the night time earlier than.
Total, the expertise is immersive, however manageable.
The Manufacturing: World-Class
Assume Packaging, The Design Convention 2024
The manufacturing degree of the occasion is world-class. From the brilliantly vivid display to the crisp audio, to the general branding of the occasion, I couldn’t fault the manufacturing in any respect.
The break-away rooms for the workshops have been OK however the projectors in every room have been strange, so there may be room for enchancment there.
The Workshops: Deep & Clear
The Design Convention: Workshop with Pennybridge
The workshops have been fairly probably my favourite a part of the occasion, simply behind the networking side.
The workshops run parallel to the principle shows and every speaker hosted their very own workshop which was an non-obligatory improve out there for $89-$150 relying on while you purchased the ticket.
They have been hosted in smaller breakaway rooms and customarily had 15-30 folks in every room so it made for an much more immersive expertise.
I loved these since you received to ask questions on the fly and go deeper on every matter.
Those I attended have been targeted on inventive enterprise and there was no gate-keeping of knowledge. It was real worth with out the veil.
Should you’re attending the convention, I extremely suggest signing up for some workshops.
Stay Panels + Q&A Discussions: Interactive
Stay Q&A Panel at The Design Convention 2024
After every block of speaker shows there was a dwell interactive Q&A and the viewers may submit questions by way of a handy QR code which made for some fascinating discussions.
There have been additionally dwell panel discussions in between the principle speaker shows. I personally didn’t attend these as I most popular networking as a substitute.
The Experiences / Events: Loud
Felons Barrel Corridor Get together
After the occasion ends, you will have the chance to move out to ‘dine with the audio system’ at Felons Brewing Co, which I extremely suggest doing as you get the prospect to talk-shop together with your favourite audio system in addition to community with different creatives.
The second night time didn’t have a deliberate occasion however I heard many frolicked on the bars close to the lodge. I as a substitute met up with an outdated good friend.
The final night time is the ‘after-party’, an all-expenses paid occasion at Felons Barrel Corridor, full with meals, DJ and an enormous disco ball. Once more, one other nice alternative to talk-shop together with your friends, let your hair down and lose your voice (from shouting over the music).
The Location: Brisbane Powerhouse
The Brisbane Powerhouse is an very best venue for a design convention, mixing industrial allure with trendy facilities. Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, it provides picturesque views and quick access to public transport.
Personally, I discovered myself renting a scooter every day to trip alongside the board stroll to and from the lodge which was a pleasant technique to journey.
Scootering alongside Brisbane River Boardwalk
Scooter parking in entrance of The Brisbane Powerhouse
The place to Keep?
Lodge Pool, Ovolo The Valley
Should you’re questioning the place to remain, I like to recommend staying the place the solid and crew keep, which this 12 months was on the Ovolo lodge.
That is so you possibly can join with them at breakfast and in addition trip collectively right down to the occasion which was a fast 8 minute Uber away or quarter-hour by way of scooter.
The Ovolo was central, had a strong breakfast (though it was the identical each morning) and total, was an incredible expertise!
Constructive Suggestions
The Web site: The web site’s person expertise wants enchancment. Whereas the location seems to be lovely, the hierarchy of knowledge is irritating and the circulate of shopping for tickets shouldn’t be intuitive.
Working example, on the Schedule web page, you cannot see details about every presentation, or buy a ticket for a workshop. There was no button to purchase or perhaps a hyperlink to search out out extra. I’ve recorded the expertise which was notably worse on cellular than desktop.
The workshops occasions: The workshops have been held similtaneously the principle shows so should you needed to attend a workshop, you’ll miss out on a number of dwell speaker shows. Though they do provide replays on-line I would favor sooner or later, to have much less cross-over.
Food and drinks: I’d have preferred to have seen a complimentary espresso station to gas our consideration spans. As a substitute you needed to line up with dozens of others, order your $6(!) espresso and wait whereas only one barista made all the coffees.
At lunch time there was only one meals truck which meant enormous traces & ready round simply to get a feed. A number of extra meals choices can be appreciated particularly since there weren’t too many choices close to by.
A Few Key Takeaways
To summarise 3 full days into a number of bullet factors is little bit of a disservice however right here’s what got here to thoughts:
Burnout and Psychological Well being is an actual problem proper now. Creatives are feeling the financial and business pinch. Audio system and attendees weren’t afraid to debate this overtly.
AI is our co-pilot. I observed much less worry about AI, with many coming to phrases with it being a software. AI was extra of a footnote at this convention, in distinction with Adobe Max or SXSWSydney which was a key focus.
We’re all figuring it out as we go. Each inventive has their very own distinctive journey and it’s by no means as linear as one might imagine. Benefit from the course of.
Reels are fairly actually the spotlight reel usually compressing many years of prime tier work into 30 seconds or so. Don’t examine your work or value to focus on reels. Comparability is the thief of pleasure.
Take workshops. You get to study at a a lot deeper degree.
We’re all on this collectively. Join and assist each other, authentically.
Be snug with the uncomfortable.
Collaboration is the important thing. Attain out to others. Discover complimentary talent units.
Being good at your craft shouldn’t be going to chop it for 99% of us. We should grasp many various abilities and present up constantly to excel.
Create work that you simply wish to be paid for.
Have enjoyable.
The Design Convention Assessment Abstract
Richie Meldrum, The Design Convention
The Design Convention, held yearly in Brisbane (Meanjin), Australia, is a dynamic 3-day occasion geared toward designers, creatives, strategists, model managers, enterprise house owners, and college students. Held June 5-7, 2024, on the Brisbane Powerhouse and out there on-line, it featured a various vary of audio system in a wide range of disiplines. The occasion covers varied matters similar to model, burnout, collaboration, design, and extra.
The convention provides a mix of talks, workshops, dwell panels, and Q&A classes. Workshops are notably participating, providing deep dives into inventive matters. Networking is a spotlight, with alternatives to attach with audio system and attendees in a relaxed setting.
Regardless of minor drawbacks like the web site’s person expertise and restricted meals choices, the general manufacturing is world-class, that includes vivid screens and crisp audio. The Brisbane Powerhouse, with its industrial allure and scenic river views, gives a super venue. Staying on the close by Ovolo lodge is beneficial for its comfort and networking alternatives.
In abstract, The Design Convention is an immersive and well-curated occasion, excellent for these trying to study, community, and get impressed within the design business.
Shout out to Matthew Haynes for pulling this collectively 12 months after 12 months and all the time constantly bettering!
Be taught extra about The Design Convention right here.
You may get the full convention video-on-demand replay right here.
