The Fremantle Design Week Conversation Series presents ten talks across two days, with designers and design thinkers sharing ideas on everything from architecture to tattoos. Pick a session or two, grab a day pass, or come for the whole weekend!

Ticket prices

One talk: $15.
One-day pass: up to 5 talks $50
Weekend pass: all talks $90

An early bird 15% discount will be automatically applied on individual sessions through to September 25. Early bird discount does not apply to day or weekend passes.

Students and concession card holders use code FDWCONCESSION for 10% discount on individual sessions.

Saturday 15 October, 2022

10:00am – 10:45am

Conversation 1: Designing Design Week
with Joseph Dennis & Gabi Fountain

Award-winning local communications designers Joseph Dennis and Gabi Fountain were tasked with creating the FDW visual branding. Their eye-catching design reflects the city's maritime history and includes a bespoke typeface called - guess what? - FDW Port. Join Joseph and Gabi as they talk us through the evolution of FDW's identity and give an insight into creative collaboration.

11:00am – 11:45am

Conversation 2: Follow the Money
with Meri Fatin, Adam Carrel & Eugene Hooks

Award-winning journalist Meri Fatin leads this conversation on how money - ours and others - drives the design of better products, buildings and systems. Adam Carrel from Climate Change & Sustainability Services at EY is joined by Eugene Hooks from Living Edge in this timely and surprising exploration of corporate and individual choices. If we follow the money, we can see there is some good news on climate change.

1:00pm – 1:45pm

Conversation 3: Fashion Critical
with Lisa Piller, Leith Groves, Luka Rey & Nita-Jane McMahon

Fashion is fun but the fashion industry generates huge amounts of waste and can be exploitative. Close to home, who is making a difference and how can we buy better? Join fashion designer and educator Lisa Piller in conversation with three local fashion creatives each offering a different take on sustainable clothing. Retailer, stylist and vintage fashion collector Leith Groves is joined by made-to-order swim-wear designer Luka Rey and designer/pattern-maker Nita-Jane McMahon in a conversation on how to be both fashion- and future-conscious.

2:00pm – 2:45pm

Conversation 4: Designing with Sound
with Ned Beckley & Josh Hogan

Sound is powerful - it influences the way we feel and can trigger our deepest memories. What does a sound designer do and what kind of design decisions do they make? Take an aural journey with award-winning local sound designers Ned Beckley and Josh Hogan of Envelope Audio, whose work spans everything from film scores and video games to public art.

3:00pm – 3.45Pm

Conversation 5: The New Australian Dream
with Michelle Blakely & Jonathan Lake

Affordable housing — we all want it, but what does it really mean? The Australian Dream of owning a house and land is now out of reach for many, especially the young, and homelessness is on the rise. In this timely conversation, architects Michelle Blakeley and Jonathan Lake discuss why quality housing should be available to everyone and how that can be achieved. They'll share their work on different housing models, from modern communes to Michelle's 'My Home' project, which is providing vulnerable people with pre-fab 'tiny homes' on vacant government land.

Sunday 16 October, 2022

10:00am – 10:45am

Conversation 6: Cities for Families
with See Design Studio

Family-friendly cities make space for everyone. What makes space family friendly? Local landscape architects See Design will share their work on playspaces and explore making cities for little people as well as big ones.

11:00am – 11.45pm

Conversation 7: Who's afraid of density?
with Matt Delroy-Carr, Kate Fitzgerald, Jimmy Thompson

Do you fear or embrace density? We need higher density to make our city sustainable, but what are our options? In this inspiring conversation, architects Kate Fitzgerald, Matt Delroy-Carr and Jimmy Thomson will explore doing infill and density well, the meaning of ‘liveability’, and how to choose your next home, whatever your stage in life. From affordable, small-house plans to the award-winning ‘Jimmy’s House’, be inspired by thoughtful, sustainable design.

1:00pm – 1.45pm

Conversation 8: Tattoo You
with Anya Brock, Carla Adams and guest tattoo artist

What's behind a tattoo? Humans have been inking their bodies for thousands of years, yet in Western culture it's only relatively recently that tattoos have lost their social stigma. Join artists Anya Brock and Carla Adams and a guest tattoo artist as they delve into the history of tattooing and the design evolution of today's tattoos. Carla will share her personal tattoo story in an exploration of how people use tattoos to express themselves.

2:00pm – 2.45PM

Conversation 9: Local icon: Brian Klopper
with Simon Anderson

Architect Brian Klopper is synonymous with Fremantle and for many was the first architect they knew by name. His distinctive houses, with their rustic palette of recycled brick, steel and timber, are models for sustainable design and demonstrate a continuous commitment to architectural innovation. Klopper sadly passed away in 2021. Simon Anderson will revisit Klopper's works and discuss its relevance today.

3:00pm – 3.45pm

Conversation 10: What Is Enough?
with Emma Williamson, Jill Birt and Jen Lowe

In a world of abundant choices yet dwindling resources, what is enough? Join three design thinkers as they respond to Fremantle Design Week's big question. Emma Williamson of The Fulcrum Agency joins architect Jill Birt, and Jen Lowe of Ohlo Studios, to consider what's enough money, enough design and enough stuff.

About Fremantle Design Week
This event is part of Fremantle Design Week, which celebrates design through an engaging program of exhibitions, talks, workshops and site visits in Fremantle from 14—21 October, 2022. The event connects audiences with designers, explores new perspectives and shares ideas for making life better. Immerse yourself in the port city - design lives here. See the full program!