Saturday Indesign 2026: Reflections on Design

Saturday Indesign brought together leading designers, makers and brands at Reece Rosebery for a day of conversations about design, creativity, craftsmanship and business growth.

Through our Reflections on Design panel and workshop series, guests heard directly from the founders and leaders behind Australian brands including Sussex, Zuster, Robert Gordon and our Reece Rosebery neighbours Few & Far, gaining unique insights into the experiences, values and expertise that shape the products they create.

Here are five takeaways on how to build a great design brand and business that stayed with us.

1. Know your customer 

For Bobby Gordon of Robert Gordon, great products begin with understanding the people who use them. Drawing on generations of experience in Australian ceramics, he spoke about the importance of honesty, integrity and designing with the customer in mind.

2. Build a team that complements your strengths 

Vanessa Katsanevakis from Sussex reflected on the value of surrounding yourself with people whose skills balance your own. Combining creative vision with operational expertise has helped shape the growth of the family-owned Australian tapware brand.

3. Give yourself permission to learn 

Fleur Sibbel from Zuster shared a reminder that resonates with business owners and creatives alike: every decision is made with the information available at the time. Mistakes are part of the process. Learning, adapting and evolving are all part of building a successful brand.

4. Stay connected to your 'why' 

For Tara Solberg of Few & Far, maintaining a clear sense of purpose has been key to navigating growth. Staying true to the vision and values that inspired the business from the beginning continues to influence every decision today.

5. Never lose the human touch 

Across every conversation, one message stood out: people remember how products and spaces make them feel. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, craftsmanship, personal connections and meaningful experiences remain as important as ever.

“Craftsmanship is really what our brand has been built on, so I place a lot of emphasis on that… There’s nothing better than having that actual physical experience, a product, or the way that a particular space makes you feel – they’re the things that you remember.”

Tara Solberg, Few & Far

What do these lessons mean for your next project? 

Whether you're designing a bathroom, renovating a home, launching a product or building a business, these insights offer a practical framework for making better decisions. Start by understanding who you're creating for and what matters most to them. Surround yourself with people whose skills complement your own, and don't be afraid to learn as you go. Every successful designer, maker and entrepreneur started without all the answers. Stay connected to the purpose behind your project, because a clear vision helps guide decisions when challenges arise. And finally, remember that great design is about more than aesthetics. The products, spaces and experiences people connect with most are often the ones that feel thoughtful, personal and human. Together, these principles are a reminder that lasting design is built on empathy, collaboration, curiosity, purpose and craftsmanship.

Behind the products 

Beyond the panel discussion, workshop sessions offered a rare look behind the scenes of Australian design and manufacturing. Guests explored the inner workings of Sussex tapware, the design thinking that informs product development at Zuster, and the processes that bring ideas to life at Robert Gordon.

One of the day's highlights was Robert Gordon's live glazing demonstration, showcasing the skill, precision and expertise involved in creating handcrafted ceramic basins. It was a powerful reminder that the products we choose for our homes are often shaped by decades of knowledge, craftsmanship and dedication.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Reflections on Design. From big ideas and honest conversations to behind-the-scenes demonstrations, the day was a celebration of Australian design, craftsmanship and creativity. Most of all, it was a reminder that the best products start with passionate people, and that great design is always driven by the stories behind it.