DIRECTOR NEXUS DESIGNS

At Nexus Designs, Sally’s creative and strategic direction guides the multidisciplinary teams in Product Development and Visual Communication. With over three decades of experience in Melbourne’s design industry, she specializes in design strategy, product analysis, concept development, and art direction, focusing on visual language and audience perception. Sally is committed to improving the built environment, mentoring emerging talents, and creating innovative, impactful designs. Her work spans diverse industries and applications, with a particular interest in regenerative product development.

Sally’s design achievements have earned numerous industry awards, including Dezeen Awards Longlisting and a Graphis Gold award. In 2025, she was awarded a Fellowship of the Design Institute of Australia for her contributions to Australian design. A frequent speaker at major design events like Melbourne Design Week and Décor + Design, Sally is recognized for her transformative influence and dedication to creating distinctive, meaningful design.

EDITOR INTERIORSAU, ARCHITECTURE MEDIA & CERAMICIST

Cassie Hansen is editor of InteriorsAu and prior to this was the editor of Artichoke magazine for more than ten years. She is an active contributor to design media through writing, editing, presentations and participation in awards juries, including the Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards, the Retail Design Institute Awards, the Australasian Graduate of the Year Awards, Vivid Emerging Designers Awards, and the Eat Drink Design Awards. Cassie has written for a range of publications, including Houses, Landscape Architecture Australia and Kitchens + Bathrooms. She has a degree in creative industries, majoring in journalism and creative writing.

Cassie is also a ceramicist, creating midfire and stoneware vessels and objects that combine wheel-thrown and hand-built elements. Her work is inspired by her interest with the simplified forms and linear qualities of various architecture periods and movements, as well as the shadows and compositions captured in architectural photography. In 2023, she was awarded the $10,000 Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize and mentorship.

PRINCIPAL, KENNEDY NOLAN

Patrick Kennedy is a founding partner of Kennedy Nolan. He helped establish and continues to lead the practice’s distinctive design direction. Patrick has delivered a number of public lectures on design around Australia and New Zealand and has taught in the Masters program at the University of Melbourne.  He has been a juror for the Australian Institute of Architects, the New Zealand Institute of Architects and many other design competitions.  Patrick is an active member of the Australian Institute of Architects, serving on Committees and most recently was on the editorial committee for The Australian House: The Robin Boyd Award.  He is a founding member of the Boyd Circle and is also on the board of the Robin Boyd Foundation and the Affinity Quartet.