Our favourite design events of 2023
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At Local Peoples, we understand the importance of gathering inspiration to fuel our ever-evolving ideas. In 2023, we looked far and wide to spark our creativity – from robust panel discussions to insightful exhibitions, and everything in between. Here’s our wrap up of our favourite creative events of 2023.
Now or Never
A kaleidoscope of art, sound, and technology, Now or Never awakened the senses and welcomed the brightest thinkers, performers, and artists in a vivid array of audio-visual installations, discourse, and live performances. Spanning sixteen exciting days, Melbourne’s favourite historic buildings and music venues were transformed into a hub of innovation and adventure, stirring days of expansive wonder, curiosity, and excitement.
Living Cities Forum
“How do we account for rapidly changing environmental conditions?” This was just one of the many important questions being interrogated at this year’s Living Cities Forum. From Spain, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Canada, and Namibia, Living Cities Forum harnessed leading voices across the globe in architecture, urban design and planning to provoke how we might shape and improve our cities. A Local Peoples stand out was Carles Baiges Camprubi, one of the founding members of architecture cooperative, Lacol.
Festival of Urbanism
If like us, you have a penchant for all things placemaking then the Festival of Urbanism was for you. This year, The Festival of Urbanism, based in New South Wales, brought to the fore the many issues surrounding how we view, relate to, and understand urban spaces. From density concerns, biodiversity conservation to the emerging struggles over street spaces, The Festival of Urbanism invited leading researchers, policy makers, industry experts and community leaders to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing Australia’s urban landscape. We’ll definitely be bookmarking this one in 2024!
Rising Festival
Melbourne’s Rising Festival has grown quite the following since its recent inception two years ago, and this year was no different, boasting an impressive lineup of 400 artists, 185 events, and 12 world premiers. From the night trade, ice rink, and 10,000 kazoos, to experimental sounds and hypnotic theatre and dance performances, there was something to delight and excite everyone at Rising this year.
Image Copyright: Damien Raggatt 2023
Design Outlook 2023
Design Outlook 23 (DO23) continued to make a significant impact on the Melbourne design community this year. The event took place at Fed Square in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, and brought together designers, creatives, and thought leaders to explore the latest trends and ideas in the design industry.
The diverse lineup of presenters provided valuable insights. Vinita Israni delved into the concept of courage and its connection to creativity, urging individuals to step out of their comfort zones. Jonathan Lau explored the Japanese concept of “Ikigai” and the pursuit of doing what one loves. We particularly enjoyed conversations around defining creativity, divergent thinking intellect, and the ability to transform the mundane into something interesting.
Melbourne Design Week
Every creative’s staple, and much loved here at Local Peoples is Melbourne Design Week. From art book fairs, walking tours, exhibitions, panel discussions, and more, Melbourne Design Week had something for everyone this year. In 2023, it rolled into its seventh year, and was underpinned by the timely provocation ‘Design the world you want’, enticing the creative industry to utilise innovative thinking to address and respond to the pressing issues facing today’s society. We especially loved Assemble Papers discussion on how we might redesign our housing system towards creating fairer, and more equitable homes.
