For the first time, the Vivid Sydney Minds program brings together a line‑up of leading thinkers shaping the way we design and experience our cities. 

Vivid Sydney has gradually gathered a broad cross-section of creative industries since its inception as a smart light festival in 2009. Initially focused on art and light projections, the annual highlight on Sydney’s winter calendar has drawn in the worlds of music, ideas and food as it has stretched across the harbour city.

In 2026, architecture and design will take its place centre stage at Vivid Sydney, which runs from 22 May to 13 June. 

This year’s Vivid Minds program – the new talks and ideas component of Vivid Sydney – will welcome leading international architects, designers and researchers to share insights from their respective processes. Equal parts education and inspiration, the program provides unrivalled access to those shaping global design discourse. 

Two standout speakers will offer their distinct perspectives on the intersection of architecture, design culture and human experience.  

US academic Joshua Vermillion to tackle AI in architecture

Design and innovation expert Joshua Vermillion promises to cut through the noise surrounding AI’s impact on creativity with a provocative keynote presentation at the State Library of New South Wales. Reframing the conversation away from a human-verses-AI struggle, the award-winning US architect, designer and researcher will outline a vibrant future where machines aren’t tools, but “true creative partners”.

Drawing on his research, as well as his creative practice with intelligent technology, for publications such as Architectural Digest and Harper’s BAZAAR, Vermillion will present a journey through the growing role of robotics, AI and machine learning in architecture and design. He will touch on contemporary experimental projects, speculative design research and real-world examples. 

From algorithmic design systems to robotic fabrication and AI-driven workflows, designers in attendance can expect to learn how to engage critically and creatively with intelligent technologies – and how these tools are opening new possibilities for innovation, ethics and expression. 

Creative Machines: Rethinking Design in the Age of AI, featuring Joshua Vermillion, will take place at the State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, on Saturday 30 May 2026. Buy tickets here.

Hear from brand design expert Debbie Millman of the Design Matters podcast

Exclusive to Vivid Sydney, US designer, best-selling author, educator and curator Debbie Millman will unpack the life-shifting insights into creativity, success and connection she’s unearthed across her career and with Design Matters – one of the most acclaimed and longest-running podcasts in the world.

Since its debut in 2005, Millman has interviewed more than 700 of the world’s most creative and influential people. She’s had in-depth conversations about the pivotal choices and challenges in the lives of guests such as Marina Abramović, Gloria Steinem, Neil DeGrasse Tyson and (her wife) Roxane Gay.

At its core, Design Matters explores how inspirational figures have designed their lives, centred what matters most and navigated the natural conflicts that come while in pursuit of art, knowledge, family, connection, justice, innovation and beauty.

Millman’s keynote will thread together those revelations, as well as lessons learned during her remarkable career – including finding inspiration outside of work, as explored in her most recent book Love Letter to a Garden.

Designing What Matters: How Creativity Shapes a Life, featuring Debbie Millman, will take place at the State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, on Thursday 11 June 2026. Buy tickets here.

More to love at Vivid Sydney 2026

There’s plenty on – both free and ticketed – at Vivid Sydney 2026. The full program spanning Light, Music, Minds and Food hopes to pull back the curtain on creativity at a time of unprecedented transformation.

Lead image: Fluid Geometries of Paint, an AI-generated spatial imaginary created by Joshua Vermillion.

This article was edited on 4 May 2026 to remove mention of a cancelled event.