Where could design take you?

There’s no one way to build a career in design. This session brings together five people from different areas of design to share the twists and turns that have shaped their journeys. Hear honest stories about getting started, changing direction, finding opportunities and learning from things that didn’t go to plan.

Then join the conversation as our speakers come together for a panel discussion and audience Q&A, offering different perspectives, practical advice and the chance to ask the questions you’ve been wondering about.

Whether you’re starting out, considering your next move or simply curious about where a career in design can take you, come along for an honest look at the many paths a career can take.

About our speakers

Darren Richardson

Co-founder of Gardiner Richardson and creative director

He is a collaborative designer and innovator with over 30 years’ specialist knowledge in corporate identity and brand creation.

With a career spanning three decades and involving the creation of global brands in the aviation, automotive, transport, tourism as well as FMCG sectors, he has both a diverse and extensive knowledge in building compelling brands.

Darren is an associate member of Chartered Society of Designers as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts.

Loukia Kyriakidou

Freelance art director and character designer

Managing a successful freelance career, Lucy's art has helped bring a number of games to life, from small indie games to more recently Murals, Winter Burrow and Disney's Illusion Island, where she got to reimagine her fashion idol, Minnie Mouse. While she has found a new adventure in art direction, character design is her first and forever love and is very proud of her 2020 Game Dev Heroes award in the Art & Animation category.

Henry Davison

Founder and Director, Kyloe design Ltd, Co-founder, Under One Roof Collective

Henry studied Product and Furniture Design at Northumbria University, taking a year out to work as a backpack designer for Berghaus before returning to finish his degree. In his final year, anoppotunity to carry out a full shop fit for a cafe led to founding Kyloe Design, specialising in high-end bespoke joinery. Alongside this, he co-founded Under One Roof, a platform championing emerging designers and makers through online sales and exhibitions.

Ade-Lee Adebiyi

Senior Product Designer, Unity

Ade-Lee Adebiyi is a North East-based Product Designer working in Unity’s Graphics team, helping make complex creative tools easier to use. His experience spans product design, design leadership and freelance work, bringing together an interest in how things work and how people experience them.

For Ade-Lee, a career in design means continually learning, asking questions and being willing to start again in unfamiliar territory. He’ll share the decisions, changes in direction and lessons that have shaped his journey, with an honest look at building confidence while still figuring things out.

Mélissa Bourseau

Senior User Researcher, NHS Business Services Authority

Melissa Bourseau is a Senior User Researcher with over ten years of experience in service design, user research and innovation across public, private, and third-sector organisations. Passionate about creating inclusive and accessible services, she specialises in user-centred research, systems thinking, and stakeholder collaboration. Melissa has led and contributed to national and international programmes supporting health, transport, energy, water, real estate, arts and cultures and community initiatives, helping organisations design services that improve lives and strengthen communities.

About the venue

You can find further details about this venue here.