In a world obsessed with growth, how do we celebrate our commitment to remaining purposefully small?
There is often pressure on businesses to grow bigger, sell more, and be more prolific. The thirst for the new in the design industry is insatiable and unsustainable. What if the goal is no longer growth? What if small is the result of careful intention rather than a perceived failure or lack or aspiration?
Plyroom and Coco Flip host an evening of conversation and community to explore what it means to be intentionally ‘small’. The event brings together a panel of designers and thought leaders each with a unique perspective on this topic, share personal experiences and explore alternatives to the growth treadmill many businesses find themselves on.
Alice Blackwood (Moderator)
Alice Blackwood is an editor, journalist, communications strategist, and currently Editor of Indesign magazine. With over ten years’ experience in architecture, design, and media, Alice is a passionate supporter of the Australian design community, profiling the faces and forces behind top projects, innovative products, and industry initiatives.
Fatuma Ndenzako
African-born and Melbourne-raised, Fatuma Ndenzako is one half of the clothing label Collective Closets. She’s a designer, business owner, food lover, mum, and passionate believer of conscious fashion. Her label is a harmonious marriage between her two cultures playing on the silhouettes and aesthetics of contemporary Melburnian and African fashion.
Andrew Davies
As CEO Andrew is responsible for the growth of the B Corp community in Australia and New Zealand. With experience across large and small businesses, in ASX-listed, family-owned, and start-up models, Andrew is passionate about the role business can and should have in improving the world, contributing positively to change, and enriching the lives of everyone in our community.
Monique Woodward
Monique Woodward co-founded Melbourne-based architecture practice WOWOWA in 2010. With a team of twelve, Monique was an AIA Emerging Architect Prize winner, co-curator of the 2019 National Conference Collective Agency, and currently sits on the AIA VIC Chapter Council. WOWOWA is BCorp certified meeting a world standard for environmental and social sustainability.
Elise Heslop
Furniture designer Elise Heslop is passionate about keeping things simple. Since 2013 the director of Melbourne-based furniture studio Plyroom has created pieces that are intentionally modest and uncomplicated, with a focus on small-scale production and honest natural materials.
Kate Stokes
Kate Stokes is the founder and director of Melbourne-based furniture and lighting design studio Coco Flip. An advocate of slow design, Kate designs products with personality and works closely with local manufactures to create high-quality, lasting pieces.