On Saturday 6th September 2025, Melbourne will once again play host to Saturday Indesign, a one-day celebration of creativity, collaboration and connection across the architecture and design industry. Alongside immersive showroom activations and exclusive product launches, this year’s program will see the return of the much anticipated Design Discussions series – a schedule of free panel talks curated by the Indesign Editorial team.

Bringing together leading architects, interior designers and industry innovations, the Design Discussion series tackles the most relevant topics shaping our field today – from the journey of emerging designers to the real design capital of Australia. With limited seating available, these sessions are your chance to hear fresh perspectives, learn from industry leaders and join conversations that matter.

Designed to inspire, challenge and connect, the Design Discussion series is an unmissable part of the Saturday Indesign experience. Explore the full schedule of design discussions below and make sure to head to our what’s on page to discover everything that’s happening on Saturday 6th September. Alongside our Design Discussion series, our exhibitors will be hosting an array of their own showroom talks throughout the day. Be sure to check them out here. 

Saturday Indesign Design Discussions 2025

9:30am – 10:00am

Arthur G, Richmond

Storytelling In Colour

Colour is an essential part of any design, but how and why do designers and suppliers make their choices around it? This panel will explore different ways of thinking about colour, from the idea of timeless classics to more trend-specific applications. How do designers use colour to express their core ideas and tell stories about their work, and what other considerations do they use in making colour design choices?

On this panel: Mardi Doherty (Studio Doherty), Iva Foschia (IF Architecture), Bek Sheppard (Bek Sheppard), Elaine Puyleart (Designs of the Time)

10:00am – 10.30am

Winnings, Richmond

Served With Style: The New Language of Hospitality In Residential Design

As residential design increasingly borrows from the hospitality playbook, how are elements traditionally found in restaurant and commercial spaces, like open kitchens, banquette seating, mood lighting, and service-minded flow, being reimagined to create warmth, intimacy, and functionality in the modern home? What design insertions or qualities are essential to make this hybrid space feel authentically residential rather than overtly commercial?

On this panel: Dillon Counsel (Travis Walton Architecture), Michael Drescher (DKO), Jessica Ellis Coulter (Jessica Ellis Studio)

10:30am – 11:00am

Design Precinct | Havwoods | DECO | Klaro Industrial Design, Richmond

Melbourne Vs Sydney: Where Is The Design Capital Of Australia?

Just like Saturday Indesign, the focus of the design community in our region often swings between the two most populous cities of Australia. Which city has the right to call itself the centre of design culture? Melbourne is said to be more sophisticated, Sydney more beautiful – but where are the new, powerful ideas born and where do they take hold? With varied Antipodean experiences, hear from our panellists as they weigh in.

On this panel: Luke Stokes (Gray Puksand), Georgina Wilson (Georgina Wilson Architects), David Hicks (David Hicks)

11:00am – 11:30am

King Living, Richmond

The Evolution Of Design: What Does The Future Hold?

In a rapidly changing world, design is becoming increasingly multidisciplinary. Designers are taking inspiration from, and forging experience in, all kinds of different areas – from technology and architecture to industrial or interior design. As the boundaries between disciplines continue to blur, we hear from an exciting panel with highly varied experiences across the design world. The conversation will be about more than aesthetics, instead look at how design is being redefined on a global scale in our era.

On this panel: Brahman Perera (Brahman Perera), Chris Cooke (King Living), Ryan Russell (Russell & George) 

11:30am – 12:00pm

SBW, Collingwood

When Do Emerging Designers Stop Being ‘Emerging’?

Architects can still be classed as emerging well into middle age, so the cliché goes. Does the same hold for other parts of the design world, such as furniture-makers? This engaging panel will explore where, how and why the design community draws the line between those on the way up and those who have already ‘made it.’ How do you establish a reputation and what makes a designer move from apprentice to master?

On this panel: Dean Norton (Dean Norton), James Flaherty (Placement), Jacqueline O’Brien (Placement) and more to be announced!

1:00pm – 1:30pm

Living Edge, Richmond

The Future Of Work In A World Of Change

We all know that the workplace has been changing rapidly in recent years, but what else does the future hold? As hybrid commercial spaces, co-working, technology shifts and other workplace evolutions continue – and accelerate – this panel will consider what it all means for good design. From furniture and office layout to questions of circular economy and reuse, we ask what it means to design for longevity in today’s changing workplace.

On this panel: Chris Hagan (NaughtOne), Freya Robinson (FK) and more to be announced!

Saturday Indesign returns to Melbourne on 6th September 2025. Register now and check into 10+ showrooms on the day to be in with the chance to win over $55,000 worth of prizes. Don’t forget to pick up your limited edition Saturday Indesign tote bag, proudly sponsored by DECO, to carry all your bits and bobs – available at all participating exhibitor locations.

Want to keep the party going once the showrooms close their doors? Tickets are now also on sale for the Saturday Indesign Official Afterparty, supported by ABI Interiors and Woodcut Signorino! Don’t miss out, grab your tickets to the industry’s hottest party here.