Unveiling Themes in User Interviews: The Empathy Flower Process in Human-Centred Design

This workshop equips attendees to identify patterns in qualitative data using empathy-led analysis. Participants learn practical techniques for theming interviews and improving research depth through collaborative exercises, boosting their confidence in translating user stories into actionable insights.

Megan Davis, Spendlove and Lamb

Communicating Complexity through Gamification

This workshop uses games and play to simplify and communicate complex ideas. Sixto Tantiongco and City of Melbourne’s Data Experience team will demonstrate how gamification fosters learning and engagement, equipping participants with tools to explain systems, processes and data through interactive storytelling.

Sixto Tantiongco, City of Melbourne

Duration: 2 hr 30 mins

Build Your Own GenAI Equity Partner

Kristin introduces an interactive design session focused on equity in AI. Participants will create a conceptual GenAI tool rooted in inclusive principles, learning how to embed equity-first thinking into machine-led interactions and digital services.

Kristin de la Fuente, Torii

Connected Strengths

Alexander Clarke introduces strength-based methods for building resilient teams. Participants engage in reflective exercises to identify personal and collective strengths, learning how to create psychologically safe environments that encourage growth, trust, and improved team dynamics.

Alexander Clarke, NIB

Revisiting the Future

Bridgette Engeler leads a session on critical futures and speculative design. Participants reflect on past imagined futures and use them to critique present systems, developing strategies for more resilient, imaginative, and intentional future-making.

Bridgette Engeler, Swinburne University of Technology

Multimodal AI Apps Designing for Apps That Can See, Hear, and Speak

This workshop focuses on designing with multimodal AI. Participants explore how to build experiences that integrate voice, vision, and language, gaining insights into emerging UX patterns and prototyping techniques for next-gen AI interfaces.

Joshua Crowley, General Assembly

Design with Neuroscience for the Brain

Mohsin Memon presents the AFERR Model to align design with neuroscience. Attendees explore how human cognition impacts user experience and leave equipped with strategies to design more intuitive and effective products.

Mohsin Memon, Evivve

Unlock Your Product Potential: A Maturity Model for Product Development Excellence

This session provides a maturity model for scaling design leadership. Participants evaluate their current practices, uncover growth areas, and gain tools to embed design more strategically across product teams and organizational structures.

Leigh Barnett, Symplicit

Prototype Tomorrow: An Introduction to Futures Design

Sheree Hannah presents a hands-on introduction to Futures Design. Attendees learn tools for signals scanning, scenario building, and speculative prototyping to better navigate uncertainty and prepare strategically for multiple possible futures in their own teams and organisations.

Sheree Hannah, Designit

Using Service Design to optimise your Work System

Katherine Farrell introduces a systems thinking approach to improving team workflows. Participants explore the Work System Method to assess tools, processes, and collaboration, gaining strategies for optimizing how work is scoped, structured, and delivered across complex service environments.

Katherine Farrell, Atlassian

How to run workshops that actually work

Amanda Brown and Tegan Henderson will share a tactical framework for running impactful workshops. Participants learn how to define outcomes, manage group dynamics, and drive clarity and follow-through—ensuring their workshops deliver alignment, insight, and results, not just vibes and Post-its.

Tegan Henderson, Mantel Group

Duration: 2 hr 30 mins

Designing with a Systems Mindset: Elevating Impact through Complexity

Jess Taylor guides participants through systems thinking in design. This hands-on session helps attendees map complexity, identify leverage points, and drive more sustainable outcomes, especially in community and social sector work.

Jess Taylor, Independent