Celebrating design excellence, innovation and creativity across the region, Geelong Design Week amplifies our UNESCO Creative City of Design title.
There are a great number of landmarks, people and events synonymous with the Geelong name for both locals and from the outside tourist perspective.
Our waterfront-leading urban planning design, mapped by roads and a bold bollard trail, is designed to lure people into its breath-taking views with design elements of the historic carousel, the promenade, an award-winning designed skate park and come Christmas our famous Floating Christmas Tree adding to the charm. Within the city, the architectural gems of the Geelong Library Dome, the bluestone National Wool Museum and a more recent addition with the golden drapes of the Geelong Arts Centre are marvels from the outside whilst housing some of the best arts experiences in the state.
The regions ability to repurpose industrial sites into creative and technological hubs, as well as hospitality delights is a major shift forward in sustainability and cyclical design evolutions to ensure activity across our region.
It’s these innovative design concepts that led to Geelong being named the UNESCO Creative City of Design in 2017, instilling guiding principles of embracing a design mindset, nurturing creative talent and fostering a design culture. These are all on showcase each year during the city’s annual Geelong Design Week.
Geelong Design Week
- When: 21 – 30 November
- Program: See the full program here
Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here.
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Taking place from Thursday 21 November until Saturday 30 November, Geelong Design Week spotlights our cities forward design thinking and practices through by offering a vibrant array of workshops, exhibitions, and talks that highlight cutting-edge innovation, sustainable practices, and creative problem-solving across multiple design disciplines. Over ten days the 2024 Geelong Design Week program will offer more than 70 events aimed at fostering extensive community engagement and international collaboration, further reinforcing Geelong’s reputation as a global leader in creativity and design excellence.
Geelong Design Week will bring businesses, designers, creatives, industry leaders, design enthusiasts, students and the community together to showcase design projects, stories and talents from across our region and beyond. A combination of both online and in-person events, projects and events will be offered across the City of Greater Geelong, with each one feeding into one of the four areas of focus highlighted for Geelong as the UNESCO City of Design. They have been identified as Built and Natural Environment; Arts, Design and Creativity; Education, Research and Knowledge; and Sustainability and Circularity.
From free to ticketed events, 2024 is Geelong Design Weeks most ambitious program, following on from Geelong Design Week 2023 which attracted 17,288 attendances, up 172 percent from the previous year, and saw attendees from outside of our region inject $1.6 million revenue alone into our local economy.
Ali Wastie, CEO of the City of Greater Geelong said Geelong Design Week 2024 would be our biggest yet, acknowledging the breadth of design explored under the program.
“Design is broader than we often think and impacts us on a day-to-day basis, from housing and buildings, product creation, fashion, video games and networks, to gardens, art, graphic design, advertising and sustainability,” Ms Wastie says.
“Good design is accessible and inclusive of all in the community, regardless of age or ability. Geelong harnesses design to address a wide range of challenges, from social and environmental issues to enhancing communication and creating innovative products, fostering solutions that are both creative and impactful. We’re thrilled to unveil a program that truly reflects Geelong’s design excellence and innovative spirit. Our program has a diverse range of events that will interest community members of all ages and backgrounds, including families. This is a chance to learn more about our environment, discover unique cultural insights and Geelong’s notable design heritage, and look at the future of technology, inventions and innovations. We can’t wait to show off our design chops, celebrate homegrown solutions and support our growing design
community.”
Geelong Design Week Program Highlights
Designing Djilang
Explore the way Wadawurrung Culture has been embedded into Djilang (Wadawurrung name for Geelong) through design. This insightful walk with Corrina Eccles, Wadawurrung Woman and Cultural Strengthening General Manager, will take you through Central Djilang to look at ways Wadawurrung Culture has been embedded into the urban environment and to learn more about the Wadawurrung aspirations for Wadawurrung Country. Expect to discuss the development of Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct, the significance of Johnstone Park and more.
MOTEL
This comedy act will have you in stitches. Take a spin through Aussie holidays of the past with MOTEL, the acclaimed live show from comedian and self proclaimed design nerd Tim Ross and musician Kit Warhurst (yes, it’s Myf’s brother!). This show sold out instantly thanks to its sentimental, nostalgic and of course hilarious flavour, diving into motel culture in Australia.
Architect’s Homes – Building Tours
Do you love reading Architectural Digest or watching design shows like The Block to get a sneak peak inside other people’s homes? Well this is the real life version on that!
Step inside one of Anglesea’s most exciting piece of architecture, Burnt Earth Beach House. This is a rare opportunity to step inside John Wardle’s latest house, a showcase of fine detailing, materiality and space. Over in Barwon Heads, take the grand tour of Office MI-JI and AB House, exploring the award-winning architecturally designed home.
Speed Date with an Architect
We all know the concept of speed dating but this is next level for those wanting advice on their building or renovation project without the wallet pain. In this unique event, homeowners, renovators, and design enthusiasts can meet one-on-one with expert architects and town planners to discuss their current or hypothetical projects. Get free advice from an expert in a quick 10 – 15 minute chat!
Do you want to build a fatberg?
Presented by Barwon Water and The Indirect Object at their pop up Pooseum of Modern (f)Art!, Do you want tot build a fatberg? takes you into the underground beyond the flush. Fatbergs are the result of items beside the three P’s (pee, poo and paper) being flushed down the toilet, entangling into a giant mass that causes chaos for our waterways. This interactive event will see participants of all ages having fun to create a giant reproduction fatberg.
Human by Nature – Understanding Biophilic Design
Explore how biophilia, our deep connection to nature can inform and improve every aspect of our daily lives. Biophilic design takes this idea and harnesses nature’s design patterns to transform living and working spaces for the better. This worldwide design movement is gaining increasing importance and will be explored in depth during Human by Nature – Understanding Biophilic Design. Through a presentation and interactive workshop learn practical and simple ways to apply these design ideas to your home and garden, large or small, owned or rented.
McGlashan Everist Walking Tour
A showcase of our cities best, you’ll want to wear comfy shoes for the McGlashan Everist Walking Tour. This guided walking tour through Geelong’s city centre highlights iconic projects by McGlashan Everist including architectural landmarks such as the Geelong Carousel, Deakin University, The National Wool Museum and more. The tour will conclude within Deakin Waterfront, where you can unwind with a drink and engage in a lively discussion about the design legacy of McGlashan Everist. This event offers a unique opportunity to explore the city’s built heritage while celebrating the lasting impact of local design.
Talking art – Louise Saxton and Jason Smith
Two key figures in the design world combine for a deep discussion about art. Geelong Gallery Director & CEO, Jason Smith, and Melbourne-based artist, Louise Saxton, will lead a conversation, discussing Saxton’s practice and new self- published monograph ‘LOUISE SAXTON cut & pinned’. Louise Saxton creates complex assemblages repurposing discarded materials, transforming antique and vintage needlework into contemporary works of art. Saxton’s recently acquired work ‘REST―the sleeping hermaphrodite’ (2018-21) is displayed in the Geelong Gallery exhibition ‘The Sweet Spot―Between Art & Design’. A Geelong Contemporary fundraising event.
That’s just the tip of the Geelong Design Week iceberg. Explore the full Geelong Design Week program here.
