Design Groups Sydney

SydDT #129: Community Social

SydDT is a diverse community of 10,000+ members started in 2015. Our monthly meetup is one of the top design thinking meetups globally. The SydDT community is known for being **fun, welcoming, and inclusive**. Come join us for some fun conversations with interesting people in and around the design community. More details closer to the date... **EVENT SPONSORS** This event is brought to you by... contact us if you're keen to support the SydDT community. We take photos and record our events for documentation and promo purposes. Just let us know if you prefer not to be featured.

SydDT #130: The Hidden Performance Skills of Great Designers

Designers spend years learning how to shape products, services, and experiences. But some of the most important design work happens live, in the room: * facilitating conversations * navigating uncertainty * building trust * uncovering perspectives * creating energy * driving alignment * helping people feel safe enough to contribute honestly Great facilitators don’t just run workshops, they shape emotion, attention, participation, atmosphere, and human connection in real time. In this Sydney Design Thinking Meetup, we’ll explore what designers can learn from experts who work at the extreme edge of live human experience design. Joining us will be: [Pamela Pilawa](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-pilawa-27096baa/) A Sydney-based performer blending clowning, physical theatre, storytelling, and teaching across cultures and languages. [Pamela’s work ](https://pamelapilawa.com/)explores presence, emotional authenticity, courage, vulnerability, improvisation, and audience connection. Pamela will share perspectives from the world of clowning and performance — including: * how to stay present under uncertainty * responding authentically in the moment * reading audience energy * embracing failure and imperfection * building trust and connection quickly * why vulnerability can be a leadership strength Because sometimes the difference between a good workshop and a transformative one isn’t the methodology. It’s the human presence in the room. [Wai Yin Vicente Kwok](https://www.linkedin.com/in/wai-yin-vicente-kwok/) Creative Director and Founder of [Wai Yin Designs](https://www.waiyindesigns.com/), with more than 20 years of international experience across theatre, film, immersive events, entertainment, and experiential activations — including large-scale themed experiences at Universal Studios Singapore. Wai Yin will explore how environment, atmosphere, spatial design, and intentional setup influence participation, behaviour, emotion, and outcomes. Drawing from theatre, live entertainment, and immersive experience design, she’ll share how: * environments shape interaction * atmosphere influences engagement * physical space changes collaboration dynamics * intentional staging can reinforce purpose * experiences can be orchestrated to support desired outcomes Because workshops, co-design sessions, and facilitation environments are experiences too. And like any experience, they can be intentionally designed. Together, we’ll explore: * facilitation as performance * the role of presence in leadership and design * designing environments for participation * improvisation and adaptability * balancing structure with emergence * how designers can become more effective facilitators of human interaction This session isn’t about becoming performers. It’s about learning from experts whose craft depends on understanding people in real time.... **EVENT SPONSORS** This event is brought to you by... contact us if you're keen to support the SydDT community. We take photos and record our events for documentation and promo purposes. Just let us know if you prefer not to be featured.

BONDI PAVILION X WAVERLEY ART PRIZE  

BOND: Pt 3 - Femme fatale with Kymberlee

Step into a world of espionage through a three-part fashion photography workshop in deconstructing and icon - James Bond 007 through a fearless female lens. This isn’t your typical shoot — it’s a cinematic, high-fashion rebellion. **Reimagine. Redefine. Reload**. **PART III – Femme Fatale** Explore the dark glamour of the femme fatale. This shoot dives into complex characters, bold silhouettes, and the seductive art of menace. We’ll craft visuals that blur the line between danger and desire. **Who it’s for:** Photographers, stylists, models, and creatives looking to push boundaries and elevate their visual style. We are no longer taking payments via PayPal - tickets can only be purchased through **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1994252541034)**, **[Humanitix](https://events.humanitix.com/bond-shoot-three-femme-fatale-city-location)** or the **[Print & Pixel website](https://printpixel.org/event/bond-femme-fatale-aug-26/)** Payment must be made before your attendance is confirmed.

Updated ! SSP TUE - CITY LIGHT & SHADOWS IN MONOCHROME : Kings Cross

Explore the light, shadows, architecture and street life of Kings Cross, Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay on a monochrome photography walk following the City of Sydney’s “Passion: Sydney’s Wild Side” cultural route.(see Photos for details) Coffee before the walk and an optional group pub lunch afterwards. **First meeting point:** For those who like coffee, from 10:00 am ### Tropicana Caffe 227 Victoria St, Darlinghurst NSW **Second meeting point** (Walk starting point): The Coca-Cola Sign, at 10:30 am **Group lunch** Lunch time: Approximately 12:00–12:15 pm Location: **Potts Point Hotel,** 33-35 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point NSW 2011 **Photography theme: City Light and Shadows** During this walk, look for: **Pools of light:** Wait for a person to walk through a brightly lit section of pavement while the surrounding area remains in shadow. ↳ **Silhouettes:** Photograph people against bright walls, windows, the sky or reflective surfaces. Exposure compensation may help preserve the highlights and turn the person into a strong graphic shape. **Layers and framing:** Use doorways, railings, stairways, tree branches and architectural openings to divide the frame or surround your subject. **Human gestures:** Street photography can include people as important subjects. Look for an expressive stride, a conversation, an unusual interaction, a moment of solitude or a figure whose position completes the composition. ↳ **Tonal contrast:** Search for scenes containing very bright and very dark areas. In monochrome photography, separation between tones can be more important than the original colours. **Textures and traces of history:** Weathered walls, stone steps, iron fences, old façades, signs and pavement details can communicate the character of the neighbourhood. **Suggested shooting areas** **The Cross and Darlinghurst Road** The walk begins amid the visual intensity of Kings Cross. Look for shopfront reflections, signs, traffic, pedestrians emerging from the station and contrasts between older façades and contemporary street life. This is a good place to practise **layered compositions**. Rather than photographing one person against an empty background, try combining foreground reflections, a middle-distance subject and architectural detail farther away.↳ A slower shutter speed can introduce movement into passing pedestrians or vehicles, while a faster shutter speed can isolate gestures and brief interactions. **Victoria Street and 202 Victoria Street** As we move away from the commercial centre, the visual rhythm changes. Terraces, apartment entrances, balconies, fences and trees create repeated lines and alternating patches of light and shade. Look for people entering and leaving buildings, figures partially hidden by trees, and subjects framed by gates or doorways. In monochrome, small differences in texture—paint, brick, stone, foliage and clothing—can become important. **Butler Stairs and McElhone Stairs** The stairways are among the strongest locations for our theme. Steps, handrails and retaining walls naturally produce leading lines, repeating geometry and deep shadows. Try photographing: \*a single person ascending or descending the stairs * shadows cast across the steps \*a figure positioned between railings↳ * a high-angle or low-angle composition \*the contrast between a sunlit landing and a darker staircase Be considerate here, as the stairs are public access routes. Keep camera bags close and leave space for residents and pedestrians. **Embarkation Park** The park provides a visual transition from the dense streetscape to a more open environment. Trees can create broken or dappled shadows across paths, walls and people. Look for small figures within larger compositions and relationships between people, foliage, surrounding buildings and open sky. This can be an opportunity to make quieter photographs rather than concentrating only on dramatic contrast. **St Vincent’s College, Challis Avenue and surrounding streets** The institutional architecture, mature trees and residential streets offer strong vertical lines, formal façades and framed views. Challis Avenue may provide opportunities to photograph café activity, local residents, deliveries and everyday interactions. Watch for people passing between sun and shade or appearing briefly between parked cars, trees and building entrances. **Yellow House** Around Yellow House, consider the relationship between the neighbourhood’s artistic history and its present-day appearance. Instead of making only a straightforward record of the building, look for fragments, details, reflections and human activity nearby.↳ A person walking past an unusual façade can give the image scale and turn an architectural photograph into a street photograph. **Elizabeth Bay House and nearby streets** This section introduces more formal heritage architecture and landscaped surroundings. Columns, gates, windows, paths and symmetrical elements can be used as compositional frameworks. Try waiting for a person to enter a carefully arranged architectural composition. The human subject does not need to dominate the frame; a small figure can provide scale, contrast and narrative. **Kingsclere, Tusculum and Wayside Chapel** These locations bring together different layers of the area’s architectural and social character. Look for contrasts between grand buildings and ordinary street activity. At Wayside Chapel and the surrounding streets, approach photography with particular sensitivity and respect. Do not photograph people who may be vulnerable or experiencing distress merely for visual effect.↳ Strong street photography is not only visually interesting—it should also recognise the dignity of the people being photographed. **Orwell Street and Llankelly Place** This area offers narrow streets, pedestrian movement, café activity and changing light between buildings. It may be one of the best locations for using shop windows and reflections. Experiment with: * photographing through glass \*combining reflections with people inside or outside * waiting for several figures to occupy different parts of the frame \*underexposing slightly to preserve bright highlights * using narrow passages to create depth **Fitzroy Gardens and Darlinghurst Road** Near the end of the walk, Fitzroy Gardens provides opportunities for candid moments involving people sitting, walking, talking or moving between the trees and surrounding streets.↳ As we return to Darlinghurst Road, the busier environment gives us another chance to work with pedestrians, signs, traffic and strong graphic contrasts. Consider how your photographs from the end of the route differ from those taken at the beginning.

Gupshup aur Itwaar ki chai - Sun 26 Jul

Gupshup aur Itwaar ki chai :) The location in the event is incorrect (sorry, that is a glitch in the app!). The correct location is Ambi’s North Sydney

COCKLE BAY CIRCLES

The Odyssey (2026) + dinner/drink afterwards

Central / Surry Hills Classic Film Photography

The challenge for today is to capture street images around Central Station, Belmore Park and Surry Hills. Look for the unusual and let your images tell a story. If you feel comfortable enough you could ask a subject for their portrait. The meet up point is the cafe outside the country platforms at 10 am. It is next to the Eternity Cafe. I would recommend monochrome film at 400 ASA or ISO. Hp 5 by Ilford works well as well as Kodak Tri X. It gives a grain effect similar to mid 20th Century film emulsions. I would consider developing the negatives and getting the images scanned to your computer which you can then upload to the meetup page or Instagram. If you have an image, you particularly like you can pick up the negatives from your camera store later. I would recommend Digi Direct at Bondi Junction or Super 8 at Newtown. It is more challenging using film but that is part of the fun. If you don't own a film camera there are two stores in Newtown that sell refurbished 35 mm film cameras or alternatively you can buy a disposable film camera on line or try the two retail stores I suggested earlier. Why not give it a try as there will be more film events in the future.

TRELAWNEY & THE BRADLEY RESIDENCE MOSMAN

Life Drawing on Saturday MORNINGS in Marrickville with fantastic models

WELCOME IN 2026 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- We're back up and running our weekly Saturday life drawing sessions Join us each Saturday for Drawn Together - Sydney life drawing group for a dynamic and inspiring life drawing session in Marrickville. Whether you are a seasoned artist or a beginner, this event offers the perfect opportunity to have fun practicing figure drawing a in a supportive and creative environment. Go to our [booking page](https://www.scratchartspace.com/book/#!/Saturday-MORNING-Life-Drawing-Untutored/p/221095835) to see who we have booked to model. Immerse yourself in a morning of creativity and artistry as you sketch, draw, and bring your ideas to life. Connect with fellow art enthusiasts, exchange techniques, and explore the world of life drawing. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your skills, unleash your creativity, and be part of a vibrant community dedicated to creating and perfecting our art. Book online [here](https://www.scratchartspace.com/book/#!/Saturday-MORNING-Life-Drawing-Untutored/p/221095835).

Claude Certified Consultants: Coffee Catch Up

Thursdays hit different with coffee and good company. Whether you're Claude Certified or still working towards it, pull up a chair, bring your questions or your latest build, and let's talk shop over a brew. You can learn more about us by visiting code.sydney and vibecamp.au.