Semi-Permanent creative conference

The global design
Creative conference Semi-Permanent has developed into a vital stopover on the global design circuit, procuring the cream of the creative crop and hosting an impressive swathe of events from exhibitions and workshops and master classes to launches and parties
(Image credit: press)

It may be called Semi-Permanent, but the annual design festival down under is making quite a mark on the creative calendar. Concieved in Australia and popping up in all major cities across the country, it now has an international reach, bringing its programme to London, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore. Kicking off this year in Sydney, the conference brings in a stellar list of international speakers, including local graphic designer Vince Frost, New Zealand photographer Derek Henderson, Web/ Digital agency, Hi-ReS, along with Wallpaper's very own Art Director, Meirion Pritchard.

The brainchild of creative gurus, Murray Bell and Andrew Johnstone (of influential online creative hub, Design is Kinky), in just a decade, Semi-Permanent has developed into a vital stopover on the global design circuit, procuring the cream of the creative crop and hosting an impressive swathe of events from exhibitions and workshops and master classes to launches and parties, including a new webcast system called 'Hangout', where participants can interact with guest speaker Roman Coppola (son of celebrated film director Francis Ford Coppola) from the US.

The event takes place over two days and covers all aspects of the creative spectrum from photography to typography, architecture and fashion. The next stop is Auckland, New Zealand where Pritchard will also be speaking.

GMUNK, motion graphics


(Image credit: press)

GMUNK, motion graphics, Los Angeles
One of the guest speaker's at this year's Semi-Permanent conference in Sydney, Bradley G Munkoqitz has over a decade of experience as a design director for the motion graphics industry

David Alan Harvey


(Image credit: David Alan Harvey)

David Alan Harvey, photographer, New York
New York-based Harvey has shot stories around the world, published two major books and became a full member of Magnum in 1997

The realm of fashion


(Image credit: Bec Parsons & Bart Celestino)

Bec Parsons & Bart Celestino, fashion photographers, Sydney
Since joining forces in 2005, Bec Parsons and Bart Celestino have reshaped the realm of fashion photography with their iconic imagery

Benja Harney


(Image credit: press)

Benja Harney, paper engineer, Sydney
Self-taught, Benja constructs and engineers high-end pop-up books and paper construction

Derek Henderson


(Image credit: Derek Henderson)

Derek Henderson, photographer, New Zealand
New Zealand-born Henderson has a penchant for turning the ordinary everyday into mysteriously beautiful scenes

Kelli Anderson


(Image credit: Kelli Anderson)

Kelli Anderson, artist, New York
Based in New York, Anderson is an artist, designer and printmaker

Meggs


(Image credit: Meggs)

Meggs, artist, Melbourne
David ‘Meggs’ Hooke is known for stencils and poster art on the streets of Melbourne

Roman Coppola


(Image credit: press)

Roman Coppola, film director, USA
Roman Coppola is the son of celebrated film director Francis Ford Coppola and will be broadcast directly via the new webcast system and the Google Hangout session. Roman was assistant director on the Life Aquatic, and is currently directing his first feature film

Luca Ionescu


(Image credit: press)

Luca Ionescu, typographer, Sydney
Sydney based design studio specialising in Lettering Typography and illustration

The Monkeys


(Image credit: press)

The Monkeys, advertising, Sydney
The Monkeys create provocative ideas that live within advertising, entertainment and technology

Bec Winnel


(Image credit: Bec Winnel)

Bec Winnel, illustrator/ artist, Melbourne
Originally working as a graphic designer, the self-taught artist is currently embarking on his first year as a full-time artist

Production studio


(Image credit: press)

Where There's Smoke, production studio, Sydney
WTS is focused on developing inspirational content within the areas of youth, pop culture and lifestyle

Vince Frost


(Image credit: Vince Frost)

Vince Frost, Graphic Designer, Sydney
With an international range of clients including Nike and The Independent newspaper, British-born, Sydney-based Frost runs creative studio Frost Design, working on anything from postage stamps to magazines, identities, TV advertising and online

Meirion Pritchard


(Image credit: Meirion Pritchard)

Meirion Pritchard, Art Director, Wallpaper*
Pritchard is the Art Director of Wallpaper*, where he continues to push the creative boundaries of print, working to ensure the brand retains its identity across its events, products and collaborations. in 2011, he also directed Wallpaper's first monthly iPad editions

Lauren Ho is the Travel Director of Wallpaper*,  roaming the globe, writing extensively about luxury travel, architecture and design for both the magazine and the website. Lauren serves as the European Academy Chair for the World's 50 Best Hotels.

Read more
Michael Bierut portrait by Andrew Zuckerman
‘The people who succeed are the ones who are curious’: graphic designer and Honorary RDI Michael Bierut
Clock at Stockholm Design Week
A postcard from Stockholm Design Week 2025
Sou Fujimoto sketch for Salone Del Mobile 2025
Salone Del Mobile 2025: Paolo Sorrentino, Robert Wilson, Sou Fujimoto and Pierre-Yves Rochon amongst this year's contributors
Faye Toogood portrait and model design
‘The world doesn’t necessarily need any more chairs’ and other design quotes to take into 2025
Ensemble 2 exhibition designTO toronto
Toronto’s DesignTO 2025 highlights – design and art to see across the city
two men in blue and black pictured together
Year in review: top 10 art and culture interviews of 2024, as selected by Wallpaper’s Hannah Silver
Latest in Design & Interiors
vases PAD Paris
At PAD Paris, Omar Chakil’s new alabaster works for Galerie Gastou fuses Egyptian heritage and contemporary design
Pierre Yovanovitch
Pierre Yovanovitch’s set and costumes bring a contemporary edge to Korea National Opera in Seoul
Brera_Design_Apartment
Milan Design Week 2025: step inside this Brera Design Apartment before the crowds
1967 Simonne Renvoize & Rodney Sumpter
This nostalgic exhibition dives into a century of British surfing
Guilherme Wentz piece, Objects for Silence
Brazilian designer Guilherme Wentz’s new collection creates sanctuary at home
Rooms-Am-Tacheles-Vignettes-
At Berlin's storied Am Tacheles, three renowned design studios create interiors inspired by Herzog & de Meuron's architecture
Latest in Feature
lean lui guide to hong kong
A local’s guide to Hong Kong, by photographer Lean Lui
people at watch show
What can we expect from Watches and Wonders 2025?
Perfume Genius Glory album artwork
Inside the visual universe of Perfume Genius
art works
Don’t miss these five artists at Art Basel Hong Kong
best hotels hong kong
Where to stay in Hong Kong
jewellery
Bold colours and tactile textures: inside Bottega Veneta's second fine jewellery drop