Designing a Community

11 years of leading IxDA Sydney

A Story of Grassroots Design Leadership, Mentorship, and Legacy
Role: Co-founder, Local Leader, Organiser, Host
Period: 2011 – 2022

Overview

From a single meetup in 2011 to over 160 events by 2022, IxDA Sydney grew into one of the most active and respected design communities in the world. As Local Leader for over a decade, I co-led and expanded the chapter, fostering a culture of generosity, learning, and inclusion through talks, mentoring, portfolio reviews, and community collaborations.

A wide shot of a very large, wide room with approximately 150 people watching a speaker at the left of the image. Everyone is seated but some at the back are standing. The room is very full and people are all paying attention to the speaker at the lectern.
IxDA Sydney became a hub for connection, mentoring, and idea exchange.

How It Started

I attended IxDA Sydney’s first meetup in December 2011 and quickly became an organiser. Within a year, I stepped into a co-lead role and began helping shape its future. Together with Katja Forbes and other volunteers, we reimagined the chapter into a dynamic, regular fixture of the Sydney design scene. Our goal was to create a community of knowledge sharing that would appeal to everyone in the industry; from students to seasoned department heads. It started as a meetup to foster discussion through presentations, but we rapidly expended across workshops, mentoring, and being the primary Experience Design community.

My Contributions

As Local Leader (2012–2022), I…

  • Organised over 160 events, including monthly presentations, workshops, and social mixers
  • Ran mentoring programs and portfolio review nights, often with 50+ reviews per evening
  • Created an annual “Mega Meetup” aligned with UX Australia, featuring international speakers
  • Produced and grew our YouTube channel (85+ talks) and supported a mentoring podcast
  • Built a digital infrastructure: website, email list, media library, comms templates, mentoring policies
  • Secured sponsorships from Atlassian, CommBank, Macquarie Bank, various recruiters, and local design studios
  • Consistently advocated for a regional IxDA conference in Oceania
A screengrab from the IxDASydney YouTube channel showing 26 video thumbnails.

Mentoring & Inclusion

Mentoring was central to the community.

  • I hosted mentoring nights, organised portfolio review evenings, and promoted accessible venues
  • I supported mentees both formally and informally – as part of IxDA, through Leapfrog Studio, and ADPList
  • I championed peer mentorship, encouraging knowledge-sharing across experience levels
  • I helped embed a culture where new designers felt welcome and experienced designers could give back
  • Outreach included adding first-time presenters to each roster
The corner of a meeting room where a portfolio review is being held. There are two small tables with two people at each table, deep in conversation

The Legacy

IxDA Sydney thrived as a platform for learning, connection, and advocacy. Even when COVID-19 forced events online, we adapted with virtual reviews and podcasts. In 2022, I stepped back after 11 years, proud of the community we built and the new leadership taking it forward. Though IxDA Global folded in 2024, the impact of IxDA Sydney continues through the relationships, mentorships, and memories we forged and the other groups we supported through it all.

Reflection

This wasn’t just event organising – it was community building. IxDA Sydney became a space where people found their voice, forged careers, met mentors, challenged norms, and stayed curious. I’m deeply proud of the role I played in that story.