Design Leadership 2024 – Melbourne

April, 2024

Aron Tucker smiling and listening during a roundtable discussion, seated at a table with water glasses and notebooks, surrounded by other attendees.

Pina Starchenko seated and attentively listening during a Design Leadership session, surrounded by other attendees.

Group of people smiling and chatting around a table during a workshop or roundtable session.

Woman in a ruffled top speaking with animated gestures during a discussion at a roundtable.

Close-up of hands holding a phone, capturing a group photo of smiling event attendees outdoors.

Woman laughing while putting on cactus-shaped earrings, wearing glasses and a blazer.

A woman with blonde hair, wearing a light peach blazer over a white top, sits thoughtfully with her hand resting on her chin. She appears focused, looking towards the right side of the frame. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing her contemplative expression during what seems to be a conference or meeting setting.

A woman with blonde hair wearing a striped shirt, smiling and sitting in a crowd at Design Leadership

A man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a light-coloured T-shirt, sitting at a table during the Design Leadership event, holding a pen and looking thoughtful

Themes we explored

The new design leader

Amidst a dynamic environment, we delved into the state of design leadership, exploring the shifting nature of our roles and expanding scopes that defined the forefront of the design discipline.

Navigating applied AI

Going beyond theoretical discussions, we demystified the practical applications of AI in design, addressed success stories, ethical considerations, and outcomes to guide our community toward responsible and impactful integration.

Design’s bright future

Looking ahead, we explored the next frontiers for design. We embraced the challenges with curiosity and foresight, shaping a path that resonated with our evolving industry and helped answer the big question: what comes next?

Presenters and Table hosts

Tim Dawson

Head of Innovation Practice, City of Melbourne

Pina Starchenko

Head of Design Operations, NAB

Andrew Lamont

Experience Design Director, Slalom Build

Sammi Hinds

Design Consultant, Independent Consultant

Kris Washusen

Lead Design Practitioner

David Bradford

UX Chapter Lead , Telstra

Iva Halacheva

Principal Service Designer, MMSG

Elaine Tan

Co-founder, The Outlook

Event format

An intimate group of established design leaders came together to discuss and explore three key themes impacting and shaping the world of design teams. It was an event not to be missed.

An attendee speaking with another person during a break at Design Leadership 2025 in Melbourne, seated outdoors with a glass of water on the table.

Lunch networking

A delicious and sustainable lunch was served on arrival, followed by networking before the session officially kicked off.

Smiling attendee in glasses and a black jumpsuit stands in a warmly lit room at The Outlook, with a softly focused audience in the background.

Presentations

Attendees heard in-depth presentations from several of Australia’s design leaders, followed by Q&A sessions covering highly relevant topics for design leaders.

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

Roundtables

Several facilitated and focused roundtables followed each presentation, giving participants the chance to dive deeper into the content and learn from other design leaders.

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.

Wrap-up drinks

To close the day, we shared drinks and canapés, wrapping up the event with more connection and conversation.

Location and accessibility

DO Design Leadership Melbourne was hosted in the bright and centrally located Cargo Hall at Southbank. These rooms featured floor-to-ceiling windows with views out to the huge alfresco terrace and Yarra river.