The agIdeas festival has come of age, staking out its place as a must-see calendar event, growing from humble beginnings 19 years ago to last year’s sold-out audience of 10,500.

Creative Director Ken Cato promises this year’s program will intrigue, educate, illuminate and inspire professionals and the public alike.

International leaders and home-grown talent will examine what is happening today across the design spectrum in illustration, industrial design, graphic design, film, branding, product design and landscape architecture.

“Each year, our brief evolves, but in essence we always aim for those at the top of their field from across design disciplines internationally,” says Cato. “agIdeas offers access to the brightest minds in design today, providing insights into why design is difference.”

This year’s festival sees the introduction of a commemorative limited edition book profiling event speakers, product features and interviews with designers.

The International Design Forum spread over three days will feature presentations from International luminaries, Studio Access – visiting Melbourne’s leading design studios – and full-day workshops with international design masters.

Up and coming talent will have its moment in the sun with the student design expo Futures, and the New Star design competition and exhibition.

Networking and relationship building opportunities will abound at Advantage, the business breakfast forum, the gala dinner ‘disCourse’ and at the after-party ‘uNite’.

agIdeas International Design Week will take place at Melbourne’s Arts Centre from 4-7 May.

Visit the website for more information.

agideas.net