Design Conversations https://designconversations.net/ en-AU Except where otherwise noted, content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Geoff Fitzpatrick Design Conversations is a podcast series aimed at recording an oral history of designers and design practices in Australia, from the twentieth century to the present day.

Each episode is a one-on-one conversation with an eminent design practitioner, in which they detail and elaborate on their careers. The series strives to cover most of the design disciplines currently practiced, and examine the motivation, inspiration and hard work that brought recognition.

]]> episodic Geoff Fitzpatrick mail@designconversations.net false Dialogues with eminent Australian designers Design Conversations is a podcast series aimed at recording an oral history of designers and design practices in Australia, from the twentieth century to the present day. Each episode is a one-on-one conversation with an eminent design practitioner, in which they detail and elaborate on their careers. The series strives to cover most of the design disciplines currently practiced, and examine the motivation, inspiration and hard work that brought recognition. full 19 2026 Mimmo Cozzolino: Graphic designer & photographer Mimmo Cozzolino: Graphic designer & photographer Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2026/episode-019-mimmo-cozzolino/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2026/episode-019-mimmo-cozzolino/ Mimmo Cozzolino reflects on his journey from Herculaneum, Italy, to becoming a celebrated Australian graphic designer, describing how his birthplace instilled a deep respect for history that later led him to create the book Symbols of Australia and pursue a career bridging design and cultural heritage.

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]]> 2838 false false Mimmo Cozzolino reflects on his journey from Herculaneum, Italy, to becoming a celebrated Australian graphic designer, describing how his birthplace instilled a deep respect for history that later led him to create the book Symbols of Australia and pursue a career bridging design and cultural heritage. graphic-design,art,photography,design-education,illustration,typography Geoff Fitzpatrick Mimmo Cozzolino full 18 2025 Robyn Lindsey: Designing across retail, corporate & sustainability Robyn Lindsey: Designing across retail, corporate & sustainability Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2025/episode-018-robyn-lindsey/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2025/episode-018-robyn-lindsey/ Robyn Lindsey is an interior and experience designer with over four decades of practice across retail, corporate, hospitality and residential sectors. She studied Interior Design at RMIT and holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial Studies from Swinburne. From 1990 she spent three decades at Geyer Design, progressing to Director and Partner and serving as Global Strategy and Design Leader overseeing the firm’s expansion into Asia. In 2021 she established her own independent practice. She was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement in the 2020 Architecture and Design Sustainability Awards.

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]]> 1981 false false Robyn Lindsey is an interior and experience designer with over four decades of practice across retail, corporate, hospitality and residential sectors. She studied Interior Design at RMIT and holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial Studies from Swinburne. From 1990 she spent three decades at Geyer Design, progressing to Director and Partner and serving as Global Strategy and Design Leader overseeing the firm’s expansion into Asia. In 2021 she established her own independent practice. She was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement in the 2020 Architecture and Design Sustainability Awards. design-management,interior-design,sustainability Geoff Fitzpatrick Robyn Lindsey full 17 2025 Louise Dann: A journey through design, culture & sustainability Louise Dann: A journey through design, culture & sustainability Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2025/episode-017-louise-dann/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2025/episode-017-louise-dann/ In this episode of Design Conversations, Geoff chats with Louise Dann, a globally experienced strategic planner and designer, about her remarkable journey through the world of Australian and international design.

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]]> 1280 false false In this episode of Design Conversations, Geoff chats with Louise Dann, a globally experienced strategic planner and designer, about her remarkable journey through the world of Australian and international design. design-management,interior-design,design-education Geoff Fitzpatrick Louise Dann full 16 2024 Rina Cohen: Interior designer Rina Cohen: Interior designer Thu, 11 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2024/episode-016-rina-cohen/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2024/episode-016-rina-cohen/ Rina Cohen is an interior designer who has been in practice for more than thirty years, and is an award winning designer specialising in the field of residential design. She is a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia and winner of the KBDI Certified Designer of the Year in 2023.

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]]> 1925 false false Rina Cohen is an interior designer who has been in practice for more than thirty years, and is an award winning designer specialising in the field of residential design. She is a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia and winner of the KBDI Certified Designer of the Year in 2023. interior-design Geoff Fitzpatrick Rina Cohen full 15 2024 Colin Wood: Design publisher Colin Wood: Design publisher Tue, 11 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2024/episode-015-colin-wood/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2024/episode-015-colin-wood/ Colin Wood was the legendary publisher of Design World, a major publication on design issues between 1983–1995. It was a roller coaster ride that was to spawn Design Ink. Currently Colin publishes the Art & Design Education Resource Guide, and the next publication will be the 41st edition.

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]]> 2608 false false Colin Wood was the legendary publisher of Design World, a major publication on design issues between 1983–1995. It was a roller coaster ride that was to spawn Design Ink. Currently Colin publishes the Art & Design Education Resource Guide, and the next publication will be the 41st edition. design-publishing Geoff Fitzpatrick Colin Wood full 14 2022 Dario Zoureff: Interior & furniture designer Dario Zoureff: Interior & furniture designer Fri, 14 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2022/episode-014-dario-zoureff/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2022/episode-014-dario-zoureff/ Dario Zoureff is a pre-eminent interior and furniture designer, with a memorable catalogue of residential and commercial furniture designed over several decades. He was born in Vienna in the 1930s and came to Australia at the age of nine. He studied interior design at the Royal Melbourne Technical College in the 1950s, and began a sixty-year practice thereafter.

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]]> 2496 false false Dario Zoureff is a pre-eminent interior and furniture designer, with a memorable catalogue of residential and commercial furniture designed over several decades. He was born in Vienna in the 1930s and came to Australia at the age of nine. He studied interior design at the Royal Melbourne Technical College in the 1950s, and began a sixty-year practice thereafter. interior-design,furniture-design Geoff Fitzpatrick Dario Zoureff full 13 2021 Phillip Zmood: Automotive designer Phillip Zmood: Automotive designer Tue, 26 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2021/episode-013-phil-zmood/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2021/episode-013-phil-zmood/ Phillip Zmood studied Industrial Design at RMIT, and began his career with General Motors Corporation in 1965 as a designer. Soon after he became the General Manager of the Mid/Luxury Car Division of Holden/GM International Operations (USA) leading and contributing to future design programs.

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]]> 2899 false false Phillip Zmood studied Industrial Design at RMIT, and began his career with General Motors Corporation in 1965 as a designer. Soon after he became the General Manager of the Mid/Luxury Car Division of Holden/GM International Operations (USA) leading and contributing to future design programs. industrial-design,automotive-design Geoff Fitzpatrick Phil Zmood full 12 2021 Mary Featherston AM: Interior & furniture designer, early childhood environmental designer Mary Featherston AM: Interior & furniture designer, early childhood environmental designer Tue, 14 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2021/episode-012-mary-featherston/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2021/episode-012-mary-featherston/ Mary Featherston, together with her husband Grant, have been seminal figures in Australian Design, delivering high-profile projects over decades in mid-century Australia. Mary has been celebrated in the field of children’s early-learning environments, working with schools, childcare centres and museums, and she continues as a consultant and advocate in this sphere.

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]]> 2780 false false Mary Featherston, together with her husband Grant, have been seminal figures in Australian Design, delivering high-profile projects over decades in mid-century Australia. Mary has been celebrated in the field of children’s early-learning environments, working with schools, childcare centres and museums, and she continues as a consultant and advocate in this sphere. interior-design,furniture-design,exhibition-design Geoff Fitzpatrick Mary Featherston full 11 2021 Jeffrey Newman: Industrial Design Council of Australia Jeffrey Newman: Industrial Design Council of Australia Mon, 13 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2021/episode-011-jeff-newman/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2021/episode-011-jeff-newman/ Jeffrey Newman is an industrial designer, who trained in the fourth intake of students for the Industrial Design Diploma at RMIT in the mid 1950s. Jeff established his initial freelance design practice immediately after graduation, and later, following a period at Thorn Electrical, he eventually accepted a position in Myer Store Planning under Don Ward.

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]]> 3391 false false Jeffrey Newman is an industrial designer, who trained in the fourth intake of students for the Industrial Design Diploma at RMIT in the mid 1950s. Jeff established his initial freelance design practice immediately after graduation, and later, following a period at Thorn Electrical, he eventually accepted a position in Myer Store Planning under Don Ward. design-management,industrial-design Geoff Fitzpatrick Jeffrey Newman full 10 2021 David Terry: Industrial Design Council of Australia & industrial designer David Terry: Industrial Design Council of Australia & industrial designer Tue, 24 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2021/episode-010-david-terry/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2021/episode-010-david-terry/ David Terry trained in Industrial Design at RMIT, and then under architect Don Ward at Myer, where he made major contributions to the development of Myer Chadstone and then to Farmers in Sydney. David was engaged by the Industrial Design Council of Australia for several years and eventually became a State Director.

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]]> 3289 false false David Terry trained in Industrial Design at RMIT, and then under architect Don Ward at Myer, where he made major contributions to the development of Myer Chadstone and then to Farmers in Sydney. David was engaged by the Industrial Design Council of Australia for several years and eventually became a State Director. industrial-design,interior-design,product-design Geoff Fitzpatrick David Terry full 9 2021 Don Goodwin: Conran design director Don Goodwin: Conran design director Wed, 03 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2021/episode-009-don-goodwin/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2021/episode-009-don-goodwin/ Don Goodwin played a significant design role as an Associate Director of the Conran Design Group in London in the sixties, and then in Australia with Carl Nielsen, and later as Principal of Goodwin Design. Additionally, he became National President of the Design Institute of Australia and was recognised with a Life Fellowship.

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]]> 5189 false false Don Goodwin played a significant design role as an Associate Director of the Conran Design Group in London in the sixties, and then in Australia with Carl Nielsen, and later as Principal of Goodwin Design. Additionally, he became National President of the Design Institute of Australia and was recognised with a Life Fellowship. industrial-design,graphic-design,illustration,design-management Geoff Fitzpatrick Don Goodwin full 8 2021 Robert Miller Smith: Dean & design educator Robert Miller Smith: Dean & design educator Sun, 31 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2021/episode-008-robert-miller-smith/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2021/episode-008-robert-miller-smith/ Robert Miller Smith has been a major contributor to the design profession in Australia and internationally, both in the field of visual communications and design education. From the London College of Printing, to Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, to University of South Australia and then to Swinburne University, he has had an extraordinary career and shares those experiences along the way.

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]]> 3880 false false Robert Miller Smith has been a major contributor to the design profession in Australia and internationally, both in the field of visual communications and design education. From the London College of Printing, to Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, to University of South Australia and then to Swinburne University, he has had an extraordinary career and shares those experiences along the way. design-education,graphic-design,illustration Geoff Fitzpatrick Robert Miller Smith full 7 2020 Roger Putnam: Furniture designer Roger Putnam: Furniture designer Mon, 17 Feb 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2020/episode-007-roger-putnam/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2020/episode-007-roger-putnam/ An influential figure in the field of furniture design and manufacture, Roger began his career in London in the sixties, as assistant to the renowned English designer Robin Day. He trained at RMIT in Interior Design and did post graduate studies at the London College of Furniture, before returning to Australia.

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]]> 1862 false false An influential figure in the field of furniture design and manufacture, Roger began his career in London in the sixties, as assistant to the renowned English designer Robin Day. He trained at RMIT in Interior Design and did post graduate studies at the London College of Furniture, before returning to Australia. furniture-design,interior-design,gallery-consultancy,facilities-management Geoff Fitzpatrick Roger Putnam full 6 2020 Kathy Demos: Design director Kathy Demos: Design director Mon, 03 Feb 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2020/episode-006-kathy-demos/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2020/episode-006-kathy-demos/ One of the most influential figures in Australian design, Kathy Demos has been responsible for steering the course of design in Australia, and internationally, by her skilled direction of major programmes, events and consultancies for the past few decades.

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]]> 2798 false false One of the most influential figures in Australian design, Kathy Demos has been responsible for steering the course of design in Australia, and internationally, by her skilled direction of major programmes, events and consultancies for the past few decades. interior-design,product-design,design-direction Geoff Fitzpatrick Kathy Demos full 5 2017 Ted Worsley: Industrial designer & educator Ted Worsley: Industrial designer & educator Fri, 17 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2017/episode-005-ted-worsley/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2017/episode-005-ted-worsley/ Ted Worsley was a student in Australia’s inaugural Industrial Design course commencing in 1947. The Industrial Design Diploma at Melbourne Technical College (now RMIT University) was also attended by Clem Meadmore, later to become an internationally renowned sculptor.

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]]> 3404 false false Ted Worsley was a student in Australia’s inaugural Industrial Design course commencing in 1947. The Industrial Design Diploma at Melbourne Technical College (now RMIT University) was also attended by Clem Meadmore, later to become an internationally renowned sculptor. industrial-design,design-education Geoff Fitzpatrick Ted Worsley full 4 2017 Ian Howard: International connections Ian Howard: International connections Sun, 01 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2017/episode-004-ian-howard/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2017/episode-004-ian-howard/ A renowned leader in the field of furniture manufacture and design, Ian Howard was the Founder and Managing Director of Aristoc Furniture in mid century Melbourne; he then established Herman Miller Australia, and finally Co Design, the preeminent commercial furniture company in Australia in the 1970s. Ian established design activity at the centre of his enterprises, with the hiring of designers such as Grant Featherston and Fred Lowen.

See the full show notes for more details.

]]> 2811 false false A renowned leader in the field of furniture manufacture and design, Ian Howard was the Founder and Managing Director of Aristoc Furniture in mid century Melbourne; he then established Herman Miller Australia, and finally Co Design, the preeminent commercial furniture company in Australia in the 1970s. Ian established design activity at the centre of his enterprises, with the hiring of designers such as Grant Featherston and Fred Lowen. design-management Geoff Fitzpatrick Ian Howard full 3 2017 David Lancashire: Artist, designer & illustrator David Lancashire: Artist, designer & illustrator Wed, 23 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2017/episode-003-david-lancashire/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2017/episode-003-david-lancashire/ A major artist and graphic designer, David Lancashire is still working in his practice, which spans signage/way-finding, graphic design, illustration, landscape design and mentoring. Lancashire’s career began in the UK where he received an exceptional grounding in illustration and commercial art before launching his almost sixty-year career in Australia.

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]]> 2216 false false A major artist and graphic designer, David Lancashire is still working in his practice, which spans signage/way-finding, graphic design, illustration, landscape design and mentoring. Lancashire’s career began in the UK where he received an exceptional grounding in illustration and commercial art before launching his almost sixty-year career in Australia. art,graphic-design,illustration,landscape-design Geoff Fitzpatrick David Lancashire full 2 2017 Ian Howard: Aristoc & beyond Ian Howard: Aristoc & beyond Fri, 02 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2017/episode-002-ian-howard/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2017/episode-002-ian-howard/ A renowned leader in the field of furniture manufacture and design, Ian Howard was the Founder and Managing Director of Aristoc Furniture in mid-century Melbourne; he then established Herman Miller Australia, and finally Co Design, the preeminent commercial furniture company in Australia in the 1970s. Ian established design activity at the centre of his enterprises, with the hiring of designers such as Grant Featherston and Fred Lowen.

See the full show notes for more details.

]]> 5162 false false A renowned leader in the field of furniture manufacture and design, Ian Howard was the Founder and Managing Director of Aristoc Furniture in mid-century Melbourne; he then established Herman Miller Australia, and finally Co Design, the preeminent commercial furniture company in Australia in the 1970s. Ian established design activity at the centre of his enterprises, with the hiring of designers such as Grant Featherston and Fred Lowen. design-management Geoff Fitzpatrick Ian Howard full 1 2017 Max Robinson: London & beyond Max Robinson: London & beyond Fri, 19 May 2017 00:00:00 +0000 https://designconversations.net/episodes/2017/episode-001-max-robinson/ https://designconversations.net/episodes/2017/episode-001-max-robinson/ A contemporary artist and graphic designer, a poet and prose writer, Max Robinson had a sixty-plus year career in the UK and Australia. Renowned for his design work on numerous record covers for World Record Club and his contribution on the decimal currency council with Gordon Andrews and Harry Williamson, Max was also the designer of Australia’s first ten-dollar note.

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]]> 2788 false false A contemporary artist and graphic designer, a poet and prose writer, Max Robinson had a sixty-plus year career in the UK and Australia. Renowned for his design work on numerous record covers for World Record Club and his contribution on the decimal currency council with Gordon Andrews and Harry Williamson, Max was also the designer of Australia’s first ten-dollar note. art,graphic-design,illustration,writing Geoff Fitzpatrick Max Robinson