A research-focused event for people working in design

Kaupapa (purpose) is to connect, inspire and provoke.

Explore...

How research acts as navigator for design in Aotearoa New Zealand today and finds its path in the waters ahead. Honour indigenous wisdom and consider the challenges and opportunities of emerging tech.

Lose yourself in...

Stories from the forefront of design research – Speakers from diverse categories sharing; challenging contexts, changing environments, creative approaches and engaging outputs.
Workshop activities designed and facilitated to; enable connection, surface collective insight, spark provocation and dialogue.
A relaxed vibe and flow, with time and space for kai, kōrero and to be together.

Find yourself with...

Curious minds committed to translating insight from human behaviour into thoughtful design.
Colleagues who lean towards research with a richness of experience and cultural awareness over surface level metrics.
Familiar faces and future friends from design research, UX, CX & innovation – physical, digital & social.

If you care about how research informs the design of products, services, brands and experiences in Aotearoa ... you'll be in great company.

Know...

All day, into the evening for socials.
In person only. No remote. No recordings.
Catered breaks and lunch.
Heaps of parking.
Following Monday 28th is Labour Day.
Limited to 100 attendees
Tickets are $455 NZD incl GST.

VOICES & AGENDA:

Eight talks by senior design research practitioners – Lessons learned and stories to share from; entertainment, energy, healthcare, mobility, AI, social innovation and accessibility.

Speakers: Emma Alderson, Kris Lane, Danny Neill, Ruth Brown, Emily Blumenthal, Chandra Harrison, Emma Pittar and Lalao Rokotoniaina.

Two talks exploring design research from a Te Ao Māori perspective; Ways of engaging and using culturally sound practices in your research work, and principles of wayfinding in a framework for navigating complexity rooted in indigenous wisdom.

Speakers: Kataraina Davis, Rachel Knight and Roimata Taniwha-Paoo.

Two interactive workshop sessions led by creative and respected facilitators; Mark Bunzten, Lee Ryan and Richard Shed. Designed experiences, to surface and explore what matters most in our design research community today and tomorrow. One will be focused around AI, the other exploring values and agency in your work.

FAQ

An event with no name?
We aim to build connection, not a brand.

Who’s behind this?
Nick and Aysu are collaborating with experienced colleagues – who care equally about the role of research and insights to design in NZ – to make this conference fly. We have no corporate sponsors behind the event and no promotional intent.

I work in (insert job title/industry here), will this be relevant to me?
The event is industry agnostic but the audience will have curiosity in common.
Content will be most relevant for people who care about how insights inform how products and services are developed. If you include your customer/user in your design or strategy as you bring a product or brand to life, you’ll be inspired and engaged.

Who’s speaking? What topics?
All speakers will be working in/from Aotearoa representing a mix of categories – e.g healthcare, tech, energy etc..
Workshops are being designed around topics of today, with an eye on the future.
We’ll keep this page and ticket-holders updated as we lock things in…

Why no recording or streaming?
We’re prioritising in-the-moment presence to encourage a high-trust atmosphere for open sharing and dialogue on the day.

What’s included in the ticket price
Your $455 covers; access to the event, all talks and activities, morning/afternoon tea, lunch, good vibes and an all-you-can-eat view of the Waitemata. There will be no ‘merch’ but we hope you enjoy what you take away in your heart, noggin and puku.

Anyone for afters?
A cash bar will open after the final session of the day. Venue closes at 9pm.

Take note?
There’s enough branded stationery in the world. Bring an open mind and your favourite note-taking tools.

Access?
Plenty of free parking, or take a scoot or bike along the waterfront from the city.

We’ll be on the first floor, which can be accessed via the lift inside the front door of the building.

What’s with all the arrows?
The general theme of the day is ‘navigation’ – how design research acts as navigator in Aotearoa today and finds its path in the waters ahead. Plus, Nick speaks fluent arrow – lingua franca of visuals when describing connections, relationships, momentum…

...How fitting for such a gathering of the curious commons.