30UNDER30 Bali Retreat 

Australian Design Review’s 2026 30UNDER30 cohort gathered in Bali for a three-day retreat, the culminating experience of a mentorship and career development program designed to support the next generation of leaders and innovators in the built environment.

Designer Rugs was proud to be one of many sponsors supporting the program, which brings together emerging interior and product designers with industry leaders, practice founders and suppliers to foster connection, insight and professional growth. We were honoured to have two representatives in attendance, joining an inspiring group of established designers, mentors and fellow sponsors at one of the world’s most thoughtfully designed eco-retreats.

The 30UNDER30 retreat offers something increasingly rare: time. Time to step away from the pace of practice, reflect on individual journeys, and engage meaningfully with peers navigating similar paths. 

Across the program, sessions moved seamlessly between structured panel discussions and informal exchange. Conversations explored evolving approaches to leadership, the discipline of design direction, and the questions that shape a creative career. Sustainability remained a central theme, with lifecycle thinking and material responsibility embedded in the perspectives of this generation. 

For us, the true value of the experience lay in this shared proximity. Spending time alongside peers and mentors who are shaping the future of Australian design sharpened our perspective on what we create, who we create for, and how we contribute to a more connected design community. The 30UNDER30 Bali retreat reaffirmed a simple truth: creativity thrives in connection. 

To follow the journeys of this year’s cohort, explore the full program at Australian Design Review. We look forward to continuing these conversations and championing the next generation of design talent.