Our People

The Design Foundation is a not for profit organisation that was established in 1991 to raise awareness about the power of design by exploring the differences within design and that design can make, through the agIdeas events and now the broader Ideas on Design program.

Philosophy

Great design is a creative problem solving strategy that results from the synergy between the rational and the intuitive, based on a deep understanding and focus on its end user.
It is strategic and creative allowing for innovative solutions that help us to see, interpret and be in our world differently.
Design links creativity with strategy for innovation, providing opportunities to improve productivity and economic prosperity, and preserve and improve our standard of living allowing for innovative solutions that help us to see, interpret and be in our world differently.
Great design comes from people who are capable of seeing differently, drawing on diverse knowledge and expertise and combining the rational and the intuitive.
Great designers require an understanding of the multiplicity of human existence, the desire to draw on knowledge and research across disciplines and have diverse, disruptive and adaptive creative practices.
Great design comes from a community that demands a world that looks and works better.
Firms that apply design as a strategic business capability generally out perform those that don’t.
Any community that wants to make the most out of its future in a world of limited resources needs a strong design culture at its core.
Our aim is to contribute to a strong and vibrant design culture.

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Ken Cato AO

Ken Cato AO is Chairman of the Design Foundation and is responsible for founding the agIdeas programs. With an international reputation, Ken is also the Chairman of Cato Brand Partners, a design firm that he established in Melbourne in 1970. As a graphic designer, his work has earned him a worldwide reputation and encompasses all facets of corporate and brand management and design. He has won numerous international and Australian design awards, and his work is represented in museums and galleries throughout the World. He is a long-standing member of Alliance Graphic Internationale and is a past AGI President (1997 – 2000). [View full bio …]

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Kristin McCourtie

Kristin McCourtie is the Manager and Director of the Design Foundation, responsible for the main vision of Design Foundation programs and initiatives. Kristin has been key to the organisation and development of the agIdeas program, fundraising, strategic development of future events, organising and coordinating staff and volunteers and networking: liaising with the design community, educational institutions, industry, government, sponsors and the public. Kristin has been part of the Design Foundation since 1999.

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Simon Taylor

Simon Taylor is a Director at the Design Foundation, assisting the Managing Director in developing the main vision of Design Foundation programs and future initiatives. Simon holds a diploma in horticulture, degree in landscape architecture and Master’s in visual arts. His broad range of private and public commissions throughout the Asia Pacific region have included parks and gardens, sculptures and installations, festivals and special events, and theatre and film sets. Simon has been involved with Design Foundation since 2012.

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Aaron Down

Aaron is the Design and Marketing Manager at the Design Foundation. Aaron works closely with the Managing Director on the design, strategy, marketing and production of the Ideas on Design programs. Aaron also assists in creating a consistent voice to communicate with our audience through our social media channels. He also oversees our secondary school Educator’s Resource Kit.

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Chloe Lucchesi

Chloe Lucchesi is Lead Producer at the Design Foundation and responsible for co-ordinating and producing a number of our events in 2017. She was a key member of the team that presented IOD26 in Foshan, China – the first Ideas on Design program to be held outside Australia.