This creative business end of the festival represents a huge opportunity, and big business, by bringing dozens of conferences and meetings to Sydney at the same time.

It fosters cross-pollination between different sectors: scientists meeting animators, architects meeting start-up entrepreneurs, advertising minds meeting artists and designers… At the same time it offers endless inspiration for anyone interested to broaden their minds and flex their creative synapses. Here, we give you an Architecture & Design guide to the stellar line up at VIVID Ideas 2014

Just some of the keynote speakers at Vivid Ideas signature events include:

EAMES DEMETRIOS [USA]

Grandson of Ray and Charles, Eames Demetrios is custodian of the Eames’ legacy across design, art and film as well as being an artist immersed in creating alternate histories and alternate geographies of the world. Eames will speak on what we can learn from modern design (sold out) and leads a masterclass on Storytelling to Generate Fresh Perspectives.

CANDY CHANG [USA]

New Orleans artist, urban designer and placemaker renowned for the projects that activate forgotten spaces and foster community spirit such as I Wish This Was… and Before I Die….Limited tickets available to Candy’s masterclass Offering Art to the City.

PENELOPE SEIDLER

Architect, partner and wife of the late Harry Seidler and a champion of modernism in Australia. Penelope is joining a panel of esteemed designers and interior specialists including Russel Koskela, Sibella Court on Australian Interiors.

ADAM GOODRUM

Furniture, product and interior designer Adam Goodrum joins a panel of industry experts at Designer’s Den. Young and emerging designers are invited to pitch their concepts and products to the panel who will share advice on development and getting to market.

SKYLER TIBBITS [USA]

Architect, designer and computer scientist is founder of the Self-Assembly Lab at MIT where he is pioneering 4D Printing using ‘intelligent’ materials. Join Skylar for his jkeynote session on Shaping the Future of Manufacturing as well as his masterclass with Jeffrey Koh on Engineering for Intelligence.

GADI AMIT [USA]

Designer, entrepreneur and founder of NewDealDesign, Gadi Amit is a pioneer in the wearable technology space. As well as championing change through design he is wary of where design decisions can lead us. Join him for his keynote on Designing Devices We Love and a masterclass on Inventing an Icon.

OUR TOP PICKS FOR MUST-SEE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN EVENTS

THE CITY AS A CANVAS: TRANSFORMATIONS THROUGH LIGHT

A first-hand look at how technologies such as 3D mapping, large-scale projections and architectural lighting can transform buildings and landmarks. Industrial and lighting designer Ruth McDermott creates site specific installations and lighting products inspired by the environment. She joins Leo Warner of the UK’s 59 Productions and others in this session to explore how 3D mapping, large scale projections and architectural lighting can transform our cityscapes.

Saturday 24 May, 3:30-5:00pm
Vivid Ideas Exchange – Level 6, MCA, Sydney.

MAKING ICONIC HOUSES

An intimate interview with Grand Designs Australia’s Peter Maddison and editor-author Karen McCartney on the different house styles that developed across the country from the 1950s to the beginning of the 21st century – dictated by climate, materials and the sheer inventiveness of the architects.

Sunday 25 May, 2:30-3:30pm
Museum of Sydney

VIVID IDEAS
vividsydney.com/ideas