What we’re about
Welcome to Adelaide Design Thinking (AdlDT), a vibrant monthly gathering aimed at fostering innovative solutions through the principles of human-centred design. Launching in 2025, we draw inspiration from the successful Sydney Design Thinking community, which boasts over 10,000 members. Our mission is to cultivate a collaborative environment where designers, product managers, technologists and thinkers from varied backgrounds can converge to tackle complex challenges, share insights, and drive positive change for individuals, businesses, and Australia. Expect engaging talks, Q&A, interactive workshops, and ample networking opportunities in a relaxed setting.
To bring you this meet up we've spoken to 30+ designers, product managers, developers, and business analysts on what they'd like to see in an Adelaide design and digital community. Our mission is to create a thriving creative community here in South Australia. We look forward to creating this further with you over 2025! Each meetup audience will be curated to make sure we have a mix of new people, as well as the committed regulars.
We invite professionals from all areas — ranging from experience designers, researchers, service designers, startup founders, product people, consultants, academics, anthropologists, architects, software engineers, project managers, engineers, and many other roles. Get involved to understand what others are doing and see what's possible. We’d also love to hear from you if you’re keen to speak – or if there’s someone you think we should invite to speak.
Thanks and see you in 2025!
Adelaide Design Thinking (AdlDT) Organising Team
Natasha Ballantyne Ben Pecotich Maria K John Robinson
Upcoming events
3
Australia Design Thinking SXSW Sydney Meetup
Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, Sydney, AUWe’re stoked Sydney Design Thinking is part of SXSW Sydney again this year. This time with a twist 😃
We’re doing this one as the Australia Design Thinking (AusDT) collective!
This will be a casual and interactive meetup for anyone interested in design thinking and design in general. A great chance to meet some people in and around the Sydney design community and beyond… catch up with old friends and make some new ones.We’ll be in The Ideas Dome in the middle of Tumbalong Park.
Great news… this is a free event as part of SXSW Sydney Unlocked, so you DON’T need a SXSW Sydney pass to attend. Come and hang out!Your hosts will be Natasha Ballantyne from Adelaide Design Thinking, William Stuart from Byron Design Thinking, Rachel Zhang from Melbourne Design Thinking… and Ben Pecotich from Sydney Design Thinking.
Why not come for the whole week of SXSW Sydney? Check out the full SXSW Sydney program. Contact Ben for a 10% discount on your pass. See you there!
2 attendees- A$5.00
AdelaideDesignThinking#05: UX Horror Stories
Scyne Advisory, Level 5, 50 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, AU### UX Horror Stories
Event Details
Date: Thursday, November 6
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Scyne Advisory, Level 5, 50 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA
Format: Panel speakers followed by interactive and participatory discussion
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We're excited to bring you the fifth Adelaide Design Thinking meet up, our last event for 2025!🎤 We'll be running a panel on UX Horror Stories (a Halloween special!) 👻🧙 Could you be one of our panelists? We are looking for speakers! Share your story via this form and your details.
We're excited to announce our MC and first panelist - who will bring their expertise and learnings to help you navigate some sticky UX situations.
✨ Simon Woods - Back by popular demand Simon is our MC for the evening! He is a UX leader and design strategist with experience across fintech, retail, healthcare, and SaaS. He is currently working for a start up where he has helped establish and scale the company’s first dedicated design and research function, elevating UX maturity and embedding user-centered practices across teams. Previously, Simon was a Lead UX/UI Instructor at a Melbourne university, mentoring aspiring designers. He is passionate about making design more accessible, fostering collaboration, and ensuring research-driven decision-making shapes meaningful user experiences.
✨ Leanne Majhu - A regular attendee and supporter of our Adelaide Design Thinking meet ups we are excited to have Leanne as our first panelist announcement! Leanne is a design leader specialising in building frictionless user centred services. She has worked with universities in both Australia and the UK, and previously was the Creative Director for the BBC leading a large multidisciplinary team to shape and deliver UX strategy and overall creative direction across major services. Leanne delivered major projects for the BBC which were audience centred, inclusive, accessible and award winning. She is passionate about designing user experiences, leading teams and developing their strategic, personal and team objectives through best practice UXD.
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Want to speak? We support both experienced and first time speakers. Form closes on the 24th October and our evaluation team will be in touch by the 28th October if you are successful for the panel! 😃
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EVENT SPONSORS
This meetup is brought to you by Aplo, Dynamic4, Encode Talent and Scyne Advisory.Any questions please reach out to our organising team
Natasha Ballantyne, Ben Pecotich, Maria K & Carla Raymond32 attendees - A$5.00
AdelaideDesignThinking#06: 1 Year Anniversary MeetUp
Scyne Advisory, Level 5, 50 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, AU### Topic announcement coming soon!
Event Details
Date: Thursday, February 19
Location: Scyne Advisory, Level 5, 50 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA
Format: Guest speaker followed by Q&AWe're excited to return in 2026 for our one year anniversary of the Adelaide Design Thinking meet up. Join us for an evening of inspiration and conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!
#### Key Topics of Discussion:
- Guest Speaker
(Announcement coming soon) - Q&A
- Networking
EVENT SPONSORS
This meetup is brought to you by Aplo, Dynamic4, Encode Talent and Scyne Advisory.Any questions please reach out to our organising team
Natasha Ballantyne, Ben Pecotich, Carla Raymond & Simon Cook3 attendees - Guest Speaker
Past events
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