Join us for an exclusive evening soirée to unwind and celebrate with fellow attendees. Enjoy cocktails, conversation, and connections as we celebrate all things design with the support of Lexus, and with our special guest. This is your chance to mingle, reflect on the day’s discussions, and toast to the future of design in a relaxed, elegant atmosphere. Access is included in your Design Conference ticket.

Director-designer Mardo El-Noor explores his journey from musician (EMI, Sony Music) to award-winning commercial director, revealing how music videos became his creative playground. Drawing on over 30 videos for artists like The Cranberries and Shapeshifter, Mardo shares his unique process: breaking down ads (like for McDonald’s and Toyota) into rhythmic structures. This cross-disciplinary talk demonstrates how visual storytellers can translate sound into structure, turning passion projects into commercial success, and proving that the fastest route to new opportunities is daring experimentation.

Join us for an exclusive Monday evening walking tour of the new IKEA store at Sylvia Park. This guided experience offers an insightful look at the history of the iconic brand and how it translates its philosophy to life in Aotearoa. We’ll hear directly about the New Zealand research that shaped the store layout and product localisation, addressing the unique needs of our people and place. Discover how thoughtful design and the concept of democratic design influences everything from furniture to store strategy. Finish the tour with networking and a taste of Sweden, complete with IKEA snacks at the café.

Designer Bec Snelling (Snelling Studio) shares her journey of transforming her globally recognised brand to commit entirely to regenerative local production in Aotearoa. Drawing on her fine arts training and experience evolving the studio, she explores why design must return to its roots: focusing on quality, craft, and material integrity. Bec will detail how her multidisciplinary practice works with local artisans to produce objects and furniture intended to last for generations, using high-tech and traditional methods in harmony. This is a powerful, personal conversation on how place-based making fuels authenticity, elevates our national design identity, and creates long-term commercial and cultural value.

Join journalist and Creative Director of NZ Fashion Week Dan Ahwa and Porter James Founder Joshua Heares (ex-advertising) for a cross-disciplinary fireside chat. They explore the transition from media strategy to tangible product, asking: How does the “editorial eye” for composition and cultural narrative translate to building an enduring brand? This conversation delves into how a love for art, fashion, and the local landscape informs the creation of intentional objects and spaces. Discover how curating the modular wardrobe or the garden demands the same clarity of purpose and commitment to a truly well-designed life.

Join Frances Shoemack, founder of Abel, for a candid conversation exploring her journey from idea to internationally recognised fragrance house. She’ll reflect on the essential role of design in shaping Abel’s distinctive brand identity and sustainability values while driving global growth. Expect insights on balancing creativity with business realities and the unique challenges of scaling from New Zealand to the world. This session invites the audience into a personal dialogue on design-led entrepreneurship and the power of building a purpose-driven business with heart.

In an age of digital disconnection, our shared physical spaces hold new power. Drawing on Linehouse’s philosophy, Briar Hickling explores how design can transform the mundane into meaningful moments of connection. Sharing projects like M Stand and the Cartel Brewery, she illustrates how to create compelling narratives within environments, turning daily rituals—from the morning coffee to the shared meal—into performative acts. By embracing whimsy and celebrating the unscripted, we design spaces deeply rooted in empathy, identity, and the art of human-centred storytelling.