Design Agency 3: Going Places

Is design really taking us places?

How are designers telling stories of places beyond google maps and street signs? Moderated by Bec Nally, Design Agency 3 considers how Communication Design can be a tool for mapping the complex relationships between people, peoples, and their environments—reflecting on how the industry might capture the spirit of a place, amplify diverse voices, and contribute to deeper understandings. This event encourages designers to build their capabilities and capacities to appreciate place in more detail, and to support more socially intelligent narratives through design.

Presented by the RMIT University Communication Design program, in partnership with Solid Lines and AGDA, this event builds on the momentum of the inaugural panel held at last year’s Referendum, calling upon emerging and existing designers to engage with responsible practice, now more than ever.

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Speakers:

is a proud Yorta Yorta man passionate about his people and culture. He has worked with many of Melbourne’s most iconic performing arts companies, museums and festivals. As a producer he supports his people’s creativity by building frameworks that complement cultural expressions. Jason is influenced by anything and everything that stimulates his spirit and soul, and he works to inspire the same passion amongst his community and peers. Jason is also Creative Director of the Yalinguth app.

is a community arts producer, filmmaker and applied social researcher. Over the past 20 years she has worked with diverse communities across Australia and the Asia Pacific region. She has produced arts projects and delivered participatory arts training in Vietnam, the Philippines, PNG and across Australia – supporting people to tell their stories, and gain confidence and skills in media production. Most recently Zoë has been part of the team behind the award winning AR storytelling app, Yalinguth. She also works as a design and evaluation consultant in community/international development.

is a visual communication and information design researcher who advocates for Indigenous sovereignty and leadership in land management. Respectful collaboration and co-design are essential to the ongoing process of decolonisation and form the core of her exploration into the role of design and designers in these initiatives. For the past decade, she has partnered with Firesticks Alliance, an Indigenous network supporting the revival of cultural burning practices. Her contributions to this work have been recognised by the International Institute of Information Design (IIID).

, from the Western Arrarnta and Luritja people in Central Australia and Kokatha people in South Australia, was taught by his Elders and given permission to paint in the Western and Central Desert art style. In recent years, he has explored digital designs and new colour palettes, blending traditional and contemporary techniques. In 2022, he co-founded Solid Lines, a First Nations agency dedicated to representing First Nations illustrators. In 2023, Solid Lines won the top Indigenous Design Award at the Good Design Awards.

Moderator:

(Bec), Educator in the Communication Design program at RMIT University, is committed to responding to First Nations sovereignty through design, as a non-Indigenous designer with familial connection to lutruwita/Trouwanna/Tasmania and Irish citizenship. Bec is also the Creative Director of Public Journal, a Communication Design practice in Yálla-birr-ang/Collingwood.

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Design Agency is a forum for sharing work, conversations, and provocations, tackling the connections of communication design with community, culture and Country.

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

Tickets are free for First Nations peoples, RMIT students and staff.

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The Capitol Theatre, 113 Swanston Street,
Birrarung-ga (Melbourne) VIC 3000
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General Admission $40
AGDA Members $20
Students $5
RMIT Staff and Students: free (code: RMITCD)
First Nations peoples: Free

Groups of 4-7 $30 each
Groups of 8-12 $25 each
Groups of 12+ $20 each

Host or Publisher RMIT Communication Design