DO Design Leadership

Design Leadership

March 20 • In person, Sofitel Melbourne

Our design leadership roundtable returns for the 3rd consecutive year, bringing together Australia’s top design leaders in a day-long, tried-and-tested format.

202404-DO-Leadership-Mel-064.jpg A photograph of attendees at DO Design Leadership

Uniting design leaders

Australia’s top design leaders gather to connect, collaborate, and address the unique challenges of leadership in a half-day, focused format.

Knowledge exchange

With a focus on in-depth presentations, facilitated discussions, and networking, this roundtable offers a platform for meaningful knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Future of design leadership

Join fellow design visionaries to explore new perspectives, share insights, and collectively advance the future of design leadership in Australia.

Event partners

Plus

All-day catering
Auslan interpreters
Closed captions
Networking
Sustainable conference
Freebies
Afterparty
Roundtables
Present at Design Leadership

The call for presentations is open

Redefining design leadership for the future

Amy Sheppard speaking into a microphone during a discussion at a leadership event. She is wearing a patterned black and white dress and gesturing with one hand. The background includes soft lighting and a floral arrangement, adding a professional and warm atmosphere to the setting.

Can design leaders truly balance creativity, business impact, and team culture in a constantly evolving world? Join us to uncover strategies that empower leaders to navigate complexity and shape the future of design.

This day-long event brings together Australia’s top design leaders to explore new approaches, share insights, and prepare for the next era of the discipline.

Key topics include:

  • Leading teams through resource and culture challenges.
  • Ensuring consistency amidst constant change.
  • Exploring emerging trends and technologies shaping design’s future.
  • And much more!

Let’s redefine what it means to lead in design and inspire the next generation of leadership.

Event format

There’s a lot to love about this format: it maximises impact through a mix of dynamic presentations and deep, focused conversation to provoke new ideas and leave lasting impressions.

Jon speaking at a Design Outlook event, dressed in a light gray suit and a white shirt. He holds a small clicker in his hand and gestures confidently while addressing the audience. The background features abstract purple and blue shapes, creating a vibrant and modern atmosphere.

Inspiring presentations

Dive into transformative presentations that challenge the status quo and ignite powerful discussions. Our presentation sessions are designed to not just explore ideas but to catalyse actionable solutions.

A lively moment in a café-like setting with four women chatting around a wooden table near large windows. One stands smiling in a green t-shirt, while another seated in a striped top and blazer laughs warmly. The setting feels modern and friendly, with an urban view outside.

Engaged networking

Build meaningful connections over sustainable meals, drinks, and immersive experiences. Our networking sessions foster collaboration and leave you inspired.

A group of people sitting at a table during a conference, with a blonde woman in a denim jacket smiling in the centre

Facilitated roundtables

Engage in deep, focused discussions with peers, exploring diverse perspectives and generating actionable ideas. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to co-create solutions and challenge the status quo.

Guests networking during drinks after an event, engaging in lively conversations in a stylish indoor venue. The space features warm wooden accents, high-top tables with stools, and a softly lit backdrop, creating a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere to conclude the event.

Social wrap-up

Unwind with drinks, canapes, and conversations that extend the day’s discussions in a more relaxed setting, offering space for continued inspiration and lasting connections.

Themes

Design Leadership roundtables will dive into the most pressing themes shaping the field today, viewed through our core perspectives: design leadership, design impact, design at scale, and envisioning design’s future.

Tickets

We pride ourselves on the value for money we offer for our tickets at each of our events, and Accessibility and Inclusion is no exception.

A helping hand

$1+

Tickets at a price that you name, no questions asked. Limited availability.

Earlybird

$395

On sale until Dec 20 or sold out.

General Admission

$495

On sale until sold out - make sure you check our partners page for discounts and offers.

For all ticketing information, view our ticketing terms and conditions.

Program

We’ve created a program that balances just the right amount of presentation time with just the right amount of discussion time. We’ll cover highly-relevant topics with your industry peers.

Our MC will open the session and share their perspectives on outcomes for the day and frame the session of presentations and in-depth roundtable discussions

Join us for a morning of presentations from prominent design leaders across APAC who'll explore our three themes through in-depth presentations.

Join us for networking over a nourishing lunch

As the design industry recovers from waves of redundancies, organisations are starting to rebuild, but with an emphasis on contingent and mixed resource teams. ​Leaders are tasked with creating a resilient team culture and achieving high performance amidst resource constraints, remote work, and a surge in contingent workers. ​

This is a time of redefinition, where practice leadership must bridge the gaps between core teams and temporary staff, foster a shared sense of purpose, and inspire results.

Design has a seat at the table—but​ design leaders face the challenge of delivering measurable impact, not only in brand and customer experience but in bottom-line results. ​

​So, as we focus on performance metrics, how can we preserve the values that have always been core to design: inclusivity, accessibility, and empathy?​

Afternoon tea will be served and some time for networking

As we peer optimistically into the future, the next chapter of design promises both excitement and challenge. ​​Design is being called upon to address complex global issues, leverage new technologies, and help organisations adapt in real time. ​

​Leaders must explore the emerging frontiers of design, including its expanding roles in society and business, its relationship with technology, and the evolving skill sets required to thrive. ​Join us for networking over a nourishing lunch

Our MC will close the session and recap everything we covered

Join us for drinks and networking

Location

A close-up of a person’s hands holding a smartphone horizontally, capturing a group photo of people posing together in an outdoor covered area. The person’s hands feature bright red nail polish and tattoos of a sun and crescent moon on their fingers. The smartphone screen shows a clear image of the group, framed by blurred background elements in the real scene.

DO Design Leadership Melbourne will be hosted in the bright and centrally located Cargo Hall at Southbank. 

These rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views out to the huge alfresco terrace and Yarra river.