Lex Talk Design

Bernadette Wilson on community, collaboration and the politics of space in Australian architecture

Tue, 06 May 2025 06:00:00 +1000

In this episode of Lex Talk Design, host Renee Ballard speaks with architect Bernadette Wilson about her diverse career in architecture, her insights on the politics of space, and the supportive nature of the Australian design community. They discuss the importance of education in architecture, the intersection of music and design, and the challenges of delivering projects in a collaborative environment. Bernadette shares her experiences and thoughts on how architects can navigate their careers while maintaining a strong sense of community and support.

Bernadette Wilson has worked on all sides of the architecture industry.
The importance of community and support in the Australian design industry.
Projects often get canceled or end up on the cutting room floor.
The politics of space influences architectural design and hierarchy.
Education plays a crucial role in shaping architects' careers.
Music and architecture share similarities in rhythm and harmony.
Good design is felt intuitively; you know when it's right.
Australian architects often punch above their weight internationally.
Designers can be hired for their distinct style or for their ability to deliver to a brief.
The architecture profession can be a tightly knit community.

Connect with Bernadette Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadette-wilson-2936611a/

Follow Monash University: https://www.instagram.com/monasharchitecture/

Lex Talk Design Podcast, where we speak with all the talented creatives and creators about the business of design.

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Creative Producer, Desmond Chung, on how AI is reshaping the creative industry, the impact of the democratisation of media, and how his love of pop culture shapes his work

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +1000

Today’s guest is Desmond Chung. Desmond is based in Hong Kong, where he is the Vice President of Creative Management with blockchain and web3 specialist brand, Collectiv. Before arriving at this role, Desmond has spent the past ten years working in all areas of content creation and media production throughout Asia.

Desmond Chung’s career is anything but linear. He studied finance/law in Tasmania, Australia, moved to Hong Kong over ten years ago, where he’s VP Creative Management with blockchain and web3 specialist brand, Collectiv.

In our episode, Desmond shares his experiences working in content creation across television, film and online platforms. He introduces me to the term, democratisation of tech, and we cover what’s different in the commercial creative landscape between Hong Kong and Australia. We also delve into what is a blockchain game, where Desmond valiantly tries to explain to me what it is, using layman terms.

About Desmond Chung:
Desmond’s career is peppered with countless achievements, some of them include his time as Creative Director of Talon Sports where he grew the esports and gaming platform’ s social media following up to over 600K followers. He’s produced live online-tournaments, that clocked-up over 10 million liveview streams and then, capitalising on the momentum, Desmond successfully secured sponsorship deals with Paris Saint-Germain football club and Nike.

Shifting away from the gaming landscape, Desmond has also worked in film and television production, strategising, shooting and producing ad campaigns for global brands such as Qantas and apple, and he’s also currently working on a new film project.
Follow Desmond Chung: https://www.instagram.com/teslaink/
Connect with Desmond Chung: linkedin.com/in/desmondchung
More about Collective: http://collectiv.co

Lex Talk Design Podcast
We’re speaking with all the talented creatives and creators about the business of design.
Subscribe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency
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Jo Kellock, CEO Design Institute of Australia, on how Australian design can lead product development, boost the economy and reduce waste

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +1000

Jo-Ann Kellock, CEO of the DIA shares her insights and strategy for how Australian design can lead product development, boost the economy and reduce waste. Jo-Ann Kellock has served as Chief Executive
Officer of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) since 2015. Jo has
spearheaded initiatives to enhance Australian designers' competitive success
while leading organisational restructuring efforts. With over twenty years as a
design advocate, Jo-Ann brings extensive leadership experience from previous
roles including Executive Director of the Council of Textile & Fashion
Industries of Australia and the Australian Design Alliance. Her
career spanning business, education, and not-for-profit sectors provides a
comprehensive understanding of design through practice, education, and
commercial application. In 2014, the DIA recognised her outstanding industry
contributions with an Honorary Fellowship.

Follow Jo Kellock:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-kellock-54725220/

Follow the DIA:

https://www.instagram.com/design_institute_au/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/design-institute-of-australia/posts/?feedView=all

Lex Talk Design Podcast

We’re speaking with all the talented creatives and creators about the business of design.

Subscribe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency

Subscribe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lex-talk-design/id1797431854

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Follow: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/

Content Creator David Leigh Dodd & ‘I Am Not Kate Moss’ icon, Denise Ohnona, on going viral

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +1000

A photographer, videographer and viral content creator, David Leigh Dodd, is an Australian who is living the dolce vita in Rome, Italy. David gives us a masterclass in how to approach making content, from what goes in, and more importantly, what to take out.

During our interview, David shares his love of pop culture and how it inspires his creative collaborations. He has worked with everyone from Paris Hilton, to the cast of Muriel’s Wedding, to rock legend, Wendy James.

Joining us later in the call, is one of his greatest collaborators, British model-icon, Denise Ohnona. Denise is the woman behind ‘I Am Not Kate Moss’ and she shares with us her career in creating witty and wickedly funny moments, in the spirit of positive parody.

Follow David:

https://www.instagram.com/davideographystudio/

https://www.instagram.com/doddywood/

Follow Denise:

https://www.instagram.com/iamnotkatemoss/

Lex Talk Design, where we speak with all the talented creatives and creators. about the business of design.

New podcast out every Tuesday: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2454031

Subscribe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency

Subscribe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lex-talk-design/id1797431854

Subscribe Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0DKAN5j9xUy0FeOuFpWACJ?si=jIVjXJtDS3uOPJybeJzL8A

Follow: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/

Creative Director Tamzyn Adding, founder of Miss Lolo & The Beige Epidemic, on the joy of colour

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +1000

Tamzyn Adding could also be known as the Queen of Colour. Her designs are renowned for being bold and balanced. A New Zealander who now lives in Queensland, Australia, Tamzyn draws inspiration from everything around her. Her creative process blends intuition, and technical know-how, to create stunning, vibrant designs.

A natural entrepreneur, Tamzyn has navigated the complexities of the business world and gained valuable insights into both the challenges and rewards of creative enterprise. Offering advice to aspiring creatives, she shares the importance of perseverance and authenticity as key to long-term success.

Tamzyn shares how she uses colour to inspire a sense of freedom, positive energy and good mental health to the world.

https://thebeigeepidemic.com
https://www.instagram.com/the_beige_epidemic/

Design Strategist - Renee Ballard talks 2025 retail design predictions

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Retail design direction will split into two distinct categories, those who use AI and those who don't. In 2025, Renee predicts we'll see two distinct trends in retail design emerge; brands that rely on AI for design direction, with their stores reflecting the latest (global) trends. And brands that will double-down on their commitment to solely express their unique DNA in 3D.

Follow Lex Design Agency: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/

Samantha Hobbelen, Event Designer and Founder of Sapia Creative, on how she balances the brief, the vision and the budget, when creating luxury events around Australia.

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +1100

With over 15 years experience in the events' industry, Samantha Hobbelen is the creative force, and founder, behind Sapia Creative. Samantha is a natural entrepreneur, and she shared with us how she's applies her creativity, both conventionally and unconventionally, in building her brands. Samantha also took us through her creative process; how she starts with the big picture vision, and then, if ever an obstacle hits - she utters - how can we reverse engineer this? Until she's brought that vision to fruition. And finally, we also shared our mutual love for Thomas Jolly's 2024 Paris Olympics' Opening Ceremony.

https://www.sapiacreative.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/sapiacreative/

Business Adviser - Damian O'Donnell shares what designers get right and wrong in business

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +1100

With over 30 years as a CPA accountant, business owner and business adviser, working from Melbourne, Australia, Damian O'Donnell has worked with countless clients and companies, streamlining their finances and helping them to fortify their future. Damian has worked with all sorts of industries, including the design and creative fields, so he has firsthand insight into what makes our industry unique, and where we can watch out for common mistakes we all make.

Connect with Damian O'Donnell: linkedin.com/in/damian-o-donnell

Ruby Shields - Interior Designer, on making the move from advertising to interior design

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Chatting with Ruby was a great reminder to fall in love with design, and fall-in with the community who loves what you love. Ruby has not wasted a second since joining the Australian design industry. She's won the Dulux 37th Colour Award in the student category, and was a two-time finalist in the 38th Dulux awards. She was also honoured as a Design Institute of Australia - Graduate of the Year, and named in the ‘30 Under 30’ cohort of 2023. Ruby's design style includes a fearless use of colour, signature, rich textures, and for her talent in create striking sculptural forms, within the built environment.

Follow Ruby Shields: https://www.instagram.com/_studio.shields/

Ruby Shields' Studio: https://studioshields.com.au/

Why we’re talking to creatives and creators about the business of design

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 11:00:00 +1100

Hello and welcome to Lex Talk Design. I’m your host, Renee Ballard and I’m a Design Strategist with Lex Design Agency. We specialise in retail design, but that’s only one part of the vast and varied world of the creative industries. We’re speaking with all the talented creatives and creators, to find out their unique perspective, and firsthand experience, of working in the business of design. We're based in Sydney, Australia, but we'll be talking with architects, interior and industrial designers, visual communicators, trend forecasters, finance people, industry associations, curators and educators, all around the world. Launching March 2025, subscribe now to find out how the (design) sausage is made!