This year, I took the hop, skip and jump from our Melbourne HQ to WongDoody Sydney Studio to partake in the very first and much-anticipated SXSW to be held outside of Austin, Texas since its inception in 1987. What awaited me was a week filled with remarkable experiences, ground-breaking insights, and the opportunity to witness the evolution of the creative and technological industry in Australia.
One of the standout moments of the SXSW Sydney adventures had to be the electric performance the Led Zeppelin cover band on the main stage. Their electrifying performance transported the audience back in time, capturing the essence of Led Zeppelin's iconic sound. The atmosphere was electric, and it set the tone for the exciting week ahead.
Moments before that was a topic close to my heart a "B-Corp Talk: Pioneering Meaningful Social Impact" (in a Japanese Garden no less) with Leigh McLeod from Canva, Sunil Puranikmath from Telstra and Dept.’s Jessica White. The discussion surrounding B Corporations and their commitment to social and environmental responsibility was inspiring. Who knew it was a small family company that makes all the brownies for Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream that areB-Corp certified. It's heartening to see the corporate world and some of Australia’s most influential and largest brands like a Telstra embracing such values, reflecting a growing trend in Australia towards conscious capitalism.
The world of augmented and virtual reality was explored in-depth at the "Innovators in Augmented & Virtual Reality Meetup." This session showcased the cutting-edge advancements and immersive AR and VR technology, demonstrating their transformative potential across various industries. No longer a ‘gamers’ tech, I heard so many ideas floating around the room and discussing the possibilities and how it can change elements of your life with a room of like-minded designers, creators and technologists inspired a thirst to talk more with our client on the possibilities we can unleash.
A great talk on "Designing Fast Without Breaking Things" was both informative and practical. Framed in like our Lean Coffee and Design Sprint approach, it shed light on the importance of rapid design processes while maintaining quality, a concept that resonated with the dynamic nature of the industry.
Next up one of my passion projects I could truly say is printed in my DNA, the "New to Renew: Circular Revolution" session emphasized sustainability and circular economy practices, reflecting the industry's commitment to environmental responsibility and ethical consumption. Hearing more on a topic I’ve been researching and exploring in every aspect of enterprise, business, consumerism and everyday my life was uplifting and inspiring to see so many others embracing change.
A significant highlight of the event was Nicole Kidman's appearance in the "Spotlight" session, where she discussed her venture, Blossom Films. The journey from acting to producing, and the dedication to telling meaningful stories, was inspirational. Like most creative people, where your journey begins, is rarely where you finish. Hearing the story of how it has morphed and reshaped over the years into a film studio translates across tracks of the week and our lives.
David Droga's talk did his usual inspirational presentation he’s famous for on "Generation AI: Exploring the Future of Tech-Powered Creativity" delved into the intersection of technology and creativity. Demonstrating the immense potential of AI and technology in shaping the future of creative industries, something we’ve all discussed many times in a opinion pieces and articles of late.
The technology halls on the upper floors of the convention can were a hub of innovation, showcasing the latest advancements in various fields. I’m sure we spotted a Barbie Moon Rover drive past us.
"Shooting hoops with AI and Amazon" was a unique experience, demonstrating the synergy between technology and sport. It was a glimpse into the opportunities, ideas and revenue streams sports could and should tap into. AI could change the way players play, our interactions with the sports we love and what these enhancements could translate into our daily lives in unexpected ways.
The technology and innovation space were a testament to the rapid progress and technological prowess of Australia's creative sector.
To celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, Chance the Rapper graced the event speaking in his charity Social Works in Chicago. His presence symbolized the evolution of music and how it continues to inspire and unite people from diverse backgrounds.
The after parties were many, and drinking a cold drink in a walled Japanese garden while dancing to a DJ cutting the decks like a person possessed was electric and a memory I look to for some time.
Having the opportunity to experience SXSW in Sydney 2023 was nothing short of extraordinary. The event exuded a vibrant and innovative atmosphere, showcasing Australia's growth and advancement in the creative and technological industries. From music to virtual reality and sustainability to celebrity insights, SXSW Sydney offered a glimpse of a future where creativity and technology intertwine seamlessly. It's evident that Australia is on the cusp of being at the cutting edge of global innovation, andI can't wait to see where this journey takes us in the years to come.
James leads our creative and design work across WongDoody AUS/NZ. Through his creative and strategic leadership role, he provides mentoring direction for all WongDoody AUS/NZ studios, growing brand exposure in the region to drive growth, while also expanding into new global, regional and industry sectors. James has advised Adobe on software and won a multitude of global awards over the years for his creative thinking and design excellence, and has also been nominated by his peers to judge for Cannes Lions and the esteemed Webby Awards.
This year, I took the hop, skip and jump from our Melbourne HQ to WongDoody Sydney Studio to partake in the very first and much-anticipated SXSW to be held outside of Austin, Texas since its inception in 1987. What awaited me was a week filled with remarkable experiences, ground-breaking insights, and the opportunity to witness the evolution of the creative and technological industry in Australia.
One of the standout moments of the SXSW Sydney adventures had to be the electric performance the Led Zeppelin cover band on the main stage. Their electrifying performance transported the audience back in time, capturing the essence of Led Zeppelin's iconic sound. The atmosphere was electric, and it set the tone for the exciting week ahead.
Moments before that was a topic close to my heart a "B-Corp Talk: Pioneering Meaningful Social Impact" (in a Japanese Garden no less) with Leigh McLeod from Canva, Sunil Puranikmath from Telstra and Dept.’s Jessica White. The discussion surrounding B Corporations and their commitment to social and environmental responsibility was inspiring. Who knew it was a small family company that makes all the brownies for Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream that areB-Corp certified. It's heartening to see the corporate world and some of Australia’s most influential and largest brands like a Telstra embracing such values, reflecting a growing trend in Australia towards conscious capitalism.
The world of augmented and virtual reality was explored in-depth at the "Innovators in Augmented & Virtual Reality Meetup." This session showcased the cutting-edge advancements and immersive AR and VR technology, demonstrating their transformative potential across various industries. No longer a ‘gamers’ tech, I heard so many ideas floating around the room and discussing the possibilities and how it can change elements of your life with a room of like-minded designers, creators and technologists inspired a thirst to talk more with our client on the possibilities we can unleash.
A great talk on "Designing Fast Without Breaking Things" was both informative and practical. Framed in like our Lean Coffee and Design Sprint approach, it shed light on the importance of rapid design processes while maintaining quality, a concept that resonated with the dynamic nature of the industry.
Next up one of my passion projects I could truly say is printed in my DNA, the "New to Renew: Circular Revolution" session emphasized sustainability and circular economy practices, reflecting the industry's commitment to environmental responsibility and ethical consumption. Hearing more on a topic I’ve been researching and exploring in every aspect of enterprise, business, consumerism and everyday my life was uplifting and inspiring to see so many others embracing change.
A significant highlight of the event was Nicole Kidman's appearance in the "Spotlight" session, where she discussed her venture, Blossom Films. The journey from acting to producing, and the dedication to telling meaningful stories, was inspirational. Like most creative people, where your journey begins, is rarely where you finish. Hearing the story of how it has morphed and reshaped over the years into a film studio translates across tracks of the week and our lives.
David Droga's talk did his usual inspirational presentation he’s famous for on "Generation AI: Exploring the Future of Tech-Powered Creativity" delved into the intersection of technology and creativity. Demonstrating the immense potential of AI and technology in shaping the future of creative industries, something we’ve all discussed many times in a opinion pieces and articles of late.
The technology halls on the upper floors of the convention can were a hub of innovation, showcasing the latest advancements in various fields. I’m sure we spotted a Barbie Moon Rover drive past us.
"Shooting hoops with AI and Amazon" was a unique experience, demonstrating the synergy between technology and sport. It was a glimpse into the opportunities, ideas and revenue streams sports could and should tap into. AI could change the way players play, our interactions with the sports we love and what these enhancements could translate into our daily lives in unexpected ways.
The technology and innovation space were a testament to the rapid progress and technological prowess of Australia's creative sector.
To celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, Chance the Rapper graced the event speaking in his charity Social Works in Chicago. His presence symbolized the evolution of music and how it continues to inspire and unite people from diverse backgrounds.
The after parties were many, and drinking a cold drink in a walled Japanese garden while dancing to a DJ cutting the decks like a person possessed was electric and a memory I look to for some time.
Having the opportunity to experience SXSW in Sydney 2023 was nothing short of extraordinary. The event exuded a vibrant and innovative atmosphere, showcasing Australia's growth and advancement in the creative and technological industries. From music to virtual reality and sustainability to celebrity insights, SXSW Sydney offered a glimpse of a future where creativity and technology intertwine seamlessly. It's evident that Australia is on the cusp of being at the cutting edge of global innovation, andI can't wait to see where this journey takes us in the years to come.
James leads our creative and design work across WongDoody AUS/NZ. Through his creative and strategic leadership role, he provides mentoring direction for all WongDoody AUS/NZ studios, growing brand exposure in the region to drive growth, while also expanding into new global, regional and industry sectors. James has advised Adobe on software and won a multitude of global awards over the years for his creative thinking and design excellence, and has also been nominated by his peers to judge for Cannes Lions and the esteemed Webby Awards.
This year, I took the hop, skip and jump from our Melbourne HQ to WongDoody Sydney Studio to partake in the very first and much-anticipated SXSW to be held outside of Austin, Texas since its inception in 1987. What awaited me was a week filled with remarkable experiences, ground-breaking insights, and the opportunity to witness the evolution of the creative and technological industry in Australia.
One of the standout moments of the SXSW Sydney adventures had to be the electric performance the Led Zeppelin cover band on the main stage. Their electrifying performance transported the audience back in time, capturing the essence of Led Zeppelin's iconic sound. The atmosphere was electric, and it set the tone for the exciting week ahead.
Moments before that was a topic close to my heart a "B-Corp Talk: Pioneering Meaningful Social Impact" (in a Japanese Garden no less) with Leigh McLeod from Canva, Sunil Puranikmath from Telstra and Dept.’s Jessica White. The discussion surrounding B Corporations and their commitment to social and environmental responsibility was inspiring. Who knew it was a small family company that makes all the brownies for Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream that areB-Corp certified. It's heartening to see the corporate world and some of Australia’s most influential and largest brands like a Telstra embracing such values, reflecting a growing trend in Australia towards conscious capitalism.
The world of augmented and virtual reality was explored in-depth at the "Innovators in Augmented & Virtual Reality Meetup." This session showcased the cutting-edge advancements and immersive AR and VR technology, demonstrating their transformative potential across various industries. No longer a ‘gamers’ tech, I heard so many ideas floating around the room and discussing the possibilities and how it can change elements of your life with a room of like-minded designers, creators and technologists inspired a thirst to talk more with our client on the possibilities we can unleash.
A great talk on "Designing Fast Without Breaking Things" was both informative and practical. Framed in like our Lean Coffee and Design Sprint approach, it shed light on the importance of rapid design processes while maintaining quality, a concept that resonated with the dynamic nature of the industry.
Next up one of my passion projects I could truly say is printed in my DNA, the "New to Renew: Circular Revolution" session emphasized sustainability and circular economy practices, reflecting the industry's commitment to environmental responsibility and ethical consumption. Hearing more on a topic I’ve been researching and exploring in every aspect of enterprise, business, consumerism and everyday my life was uplifting and inspiring to see so many others embracing change.
A significant highlight of the event was Nicole Kidman's appearance in the "Spotlight" session, where she discussed her venture, Blossom Films. The journey from acting to producing, and the dedication to telling meaningful stories, was inspirational. Like most creative people, where your journey begins, is rarely where you finish. Hearing the story of how it has morphed and reshaped over the years into a film studio translates across tracks of the week and our lives.
David Droga's talk did his usual inspirational presentation he’s famous for on "Generation AI: Exploring the Future of Tech-Powered Creativity" delved into the intersection of technology and creativity. Demonstrating the immense potential of AI and technology in shaping the future of creative industries, something we’ve all discussed many times in a opinion pieces and articles of late.
The technology halls on the upper floors of the convention can were a hub of innovation, showcasing the latest advancements in various fields. I’m sure we spotted a Barbie Moon Rover drive past us.
"Shooting hoops with AI and Amazon" was a unique experience, demonstrating the synergy between technology and sport. It was a glimpse into the opportunities, ideas and revenue streams sports could and should tap into. AI could change the way players play, our interactions with the sports we love and what these enhancements could translate into our daily lives in unexpected ways.
The technology and innovation space were a testament to the rapid progress and technological prowess of Australia's creative sector.
To celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, Chance the Rapper graced the event speaking in his charity Social Works in Chicago. His presence symbolized the evolution of music and how it continues to inspire and unite people from diverse backgrounds.
The after parties were many, and drinking a cold drink in a walled Japanese garden while dancing to a DJ cutting the decks like a person possessed was electric and a memory I look to for some time.
Having the opportunity to experience SXSW in Sydney 2023 was nothing short of extraordinary. The event exuded a vibrant and innovative atmosphere, showcasing Australia's growth and advancement in the creative and technological industries. From music to virtual reality and sustainability to celebrity insights, SXSW Sydney offered a glimpse of a future where creativity and technology intertwine seamlessly. It's evident that Australia is on the cusp of being at the cutting edge of global innovation, andI can't wait to see where this journey takes us in the years to come.