Design Thinking Geelong: Strategic Design for Community Leaders

Applying the power of strategic design to address persistent challenges and explore hard to reach opportunities in Geelong.

What problems do we observe in Geelong?
As leaders, how might we apply Strategic Design to address these?

Strategic design combines design thinking and strategic planning to address complex problems and create innovative solutions. It involves interdisciplinary collaboration, a human-centered approach, and holistic view of systems to drive meaningful change and achieve sustainable outcomes.

As we look to the future as a UNESCO City of Design, this event will help to strengthen your capability as a leader and designer to imagine, communicate, and create new ideas and solutions for a better Geelong, and a better world.

You will be challenged, coached, and supported in this program to look beyond design as just a styling or innovation process, to see its power enabling transformation and change.

This event will be delivered in three parts, across multiple venues:

Session 1: 9am to 12:30pm - Exploring Strategic Design Fundamentals for Geelong
Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Campus, School of Architecture and Built Environment

Led by David Spear (Spearhead), Lisa Bennetto (Fruitful) and Lauren Carnegie (Committee for Geelong) you will explore the core theory and practice of Strategic Design and consider its potential in Geelong, featuring a panel discussion and Q&A with subject matter experts and influential leaders:

Ali Wastie – CEO, City of Greater Geelong
Dr David Halliwell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Partnerships, Deakin University
Michael Johnston – CEO, Committee for Geelong
Tracey Slatter – CEO, Transport Accident Commission; and Chair of the Barwon Regional Partnership

Session 2: 1:30pm to 5:00pm - Applied Strategic Design Studio Workshops for Geelong (by invitation only)
Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Campus, School of Architecture and Built Environment

Facilitated by David Spear (Spearhead), Lisa Bennetto (Fruitful) and Lauren Carnegie (Committee for Geelong) workshop participants will apply Human Centred Design and Design Thinking techniques to explore new and emerging solutions to some of our community’s most pressing growth challenges and opportunities.

URBIS - Urban Design Challenge: Density Done Well
SCAADA Environmental and Sustainability - Environmental Design Challenge: World Class Water Sustainability
TAC - Vulnerable Road User Design Challenge: Safer Trips More Often
Enterprise Monkey - Empowering Geelong's SMEs with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Session 3: 5:30pm to 7:00pm - Workshop Outcomes, Geelong Design Leaders Forum Launch and Networking
Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Campus, School of Architecture and Built Environment

Connect with event partners and network over light refreshments to hear about the Strategic Design Challenge Workshop outcomes and proposed next steps. Learn more about the Geelong Design Leaders Forum and how to stay connected and engaged with this powerful network!

This event is proudly brought to you by Principal Sponsor, the City of Greater Geelong, and design challenge partners URBIS, TAC, Scaada Environmental and Sustainability, and Enterprise Monkey. The event is a Geelong Design Leaders Forum initiative supported by foundation partners Spearhead Strategic Design and Innovation, Fruitful Communications, Deakin University, Geelong Chamber of Commerce, and the Committee for Geelong.

We hope to see you there! Book your tickets now (places are limited).

If you’re a current or emerging leader with a genuine commitment and passion for Geelong and its communities to reach their full potential, don't miss this event!

This event is part of Geelong Design Week 2024, an initiative of Geelong UNESCO City of Design and the City of Greater Geelong. With over 60 events, this year’s program is shaping up to be the biggest and most exciting yet, featuring a diverse range of events and experiences that celebrate innovation, creativity, and community, showcasing why Geelong is Australia’s only City of Design.

If you feel you may need a ticket price concession to attend this event, please contact us and we will give your request consideration.

Contact the host of Design Thinking Geelong: Strategic Design for Community Leaders