Welcome to Indesign’s ‘Customer Experience’ issue. In this issue, we’re fascinated by the paradigm shifts taking place in hospitality and retail design – all led by the way we consume. Join thought-leaders Ingrid Richards and Adrian Spence, Ryan Russell and Byron George, Koichi Takada all explore this new ‘customer experience’ epoch. Stephen Todd unpacks the experience economy in retail and hospitality, sharing the precedents in this space and exactly how they’re doing it. We look at two hospitality projects that consider inclusivity and diverse cultural perspectives in their design, and David Congram investigates the rise of the prosumer.

National Museum of Qatar by Koichi Takada Architects, photo by Tom Ferguson.

We can all attest to the fact that Australia has a lot of design events – we’re incredibly lucky! However, to date, there has not been a commercial design event that has allowed us to openly and collaboratively address the increasingly fragmented specification chain within Australia’s design, development and construction industries. Nor the design products that offer highly technical features tailored to unique needs. FRONT changes all that. It’s a two-day event that puts the emphasis on bringing people from all areas of specification together in one dedicated location. FRONT is where you can meet designers, architects, suppliers, property developers, consultants and end-users to share your ideas and experience, and build purposeful, connective relationships geared towards mutual growth and outcome.

Taking place at Barangaroo in Sydney, 29-30 August, FRONT also presents the very latest in high-performing fit-for-purpose products for workplace, education, healthcare and hospitality contexts. Take the conversation off-stand and use FRONT’s well-appointed communal spaces to talk shop. Expand your knowledge through the FRONT Forum, encompassing two full days of keynote lectures, panel discussions and CPD presentations. 

UOVO by Superstructures, Honourable Mention in The Object category of the INDE.Awards. Photo by Daniel Chia.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the very deserving winners of INDE.Awards 2019. Are you keen to enter INDE.Awards 2020? Next year marks two decades in design for Indesign Media Asia Pacific – that’s 20 years of supporting and celebrating our region’s outstanding design community. We can’t wait to officially launch INDE.Awards 2020 – it’s a special commemorative edition that will celebrate the best of the decade. Stay tuned for our program launch!

Grab a copy of the new issue now!