Emerging tech, shifting expectations

Audience members at Design Outlook 2025 seated and listening attentively to a presenter, with soft lighting and greenery in the foreground.

As AI reshaped industries, businesses demanded more from design, and creativity met scale, the role of design was redefined. Design Outlook 2025 brought together Australia’s design community to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

DO25 was an experience designed for action. Through cutting-edge presentations, hands-on workshops, and bold discussions, we explored what’s next for design.

We explored:

  • Designing responsibly in an AI-driven world.
  • Keeping innovation alive in structured design systems.
  • Making sharper, faster decisions in a changing landscape.

What we explored

Presenters

Mindy Nam

Mindy Nam

User Experience Designer, City of Melbourne

Watch presentation
Welcome to DO25
Simon Banks

Simon Banks

International Speaker & Author, Recovering Artist, Simon Banks

Amanda Morkos

Amanda Morkos

Director of Design, TAFE NSW

Laura Kostanski

Laura Kostanski

Strategic Design Principal, CSIRO

Corey Lee

Corey Lee

Designer Advocate, Figma

Ryan Hayward

Ryan Hayward

Founder, Insert Frame

Watch presentation
Design like a start up
Alex Burke

Alex Burke

CEO, Optimal

Watch presentation
Fireside chat
Prarthana Johnson

Prarthana Johnson

Director of User Experience, Cochlear

Watch presentation
Fireside chat
Julia Suh

Julia Suh

Chief Impact Officer, Tobias Australia

Carlos Chavez

Carlos Chavez

Head of Digital Customer & User Experience , Team Global Express

Andrea Castano

Andrea Castano

Product Design Manager, REA

Sarah D'Sylva

Sarah D'Sylva

Co-Founder + Circular Strategist, Hyloh

Watch presentation
Patriarchy vs the planet
Vida Asrina Dhulst

Vida Asrina Dhulst

Head of Digital Experience Design, Medibank

Dhruv Sharma

Dhruv Sharma

Product Design Lead, Belong

Bonnie Stonestreet

Bonnie Stonestreet

Media and Design Professional

Renee Lim

Renee Lim

UX Designer, TwoCollaborate

Watch presentation
From rubics to reality
Georgia Cohn

Georgia Cohn

Product Designer, Atlassian

Watch presentation
Calculated creativity
Kimberley Kam

Kimberley Kam

Product Designer, NAB

Susan Wolfe

Susan Wolfe

Founder & Principal, Leapfrog Studio

Event format

Dynamic presentations and deep, focused conversations provoked new ideas and left lasting impressions.

Corey Lee presenting on stage at Design Outlook 2025, wearing a headset mic and gesturing mid-talk against the event’s bold blue backdrop.

Inspiring presentations

Attendees dove into transformative presentations that challenged the status quo and ignited powerful discussions. These sessions didn’t just explore ideas, but they catalysed actionable solutions.

Attendees posing with playful sunglasses in the Torii photobooth at The Outlook 2025, smiling in front of a backgdrop.

Engaged networking

Participants built meaningful connections over sustainable meals, drinks, and immersive experiences. The networking sessions fostered collaboration and left people inspired.

Grant Show, Mindy Nam, and Jeddi Kyne enjoying drinks at The Outlook 2025 afterparty at Sofitel’s Sofi’s Lounge.

Social wrap-up

The day ended with drinks, canapés, and conversations that extended the event’s discussions in a more relaxed setting, offering space for continued inspiration and lasting connections.

Location and accessibility

Stage setup at Design Outlook 2025, Sofitel Melbourne; featuring a beige couch, bold blue panels, and event branding in the background.

The event was held on the 3rd floor of Sofitel Hotel at 35 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. It was a 7-minute walk from Flinders Street Station.

Upon arrival at the ground floor, reception staff were available to direct guests to the event space. The floor was accessible by both escalator and elevator.

For interstate and international guests, the hotel offered wheelchair-accessible rooms, with staff on hand to assist with any specific needs.

Event partners

Principal Partners
Major Partners
Partners
Supporters