Editor, journalist and communications strategist, Alice Blackwood specialises in design and the creative industries. Currently, she is the editor of Indesign Magazine and Managing Editor of Cubes Magazine, with Indesign Media. Alice is an expert in her field, continuously learning as she becomes a temporary specialist through interviews and conversations within respective fields.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 5 WORDS?

I lot of people tell me I’m calm, but I often feel restless. I think I’m curious and open-minded. I’m always hungry to grow and learn, it’s the journalist in me!

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST LIKE IN ANOTHER PERSON?

Looking at friends working in the creative industry, I admire their bravery and inventiveness. They come up with beautiful ideas and fearlessly present them to the world. Ultimately, they are able to harness their creativity and inventiveness, turning it into a business opportunity through their entrepreneurial spirit.

HOW DOES ART, CULTURE AND DESIGN IMBUE YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?

In all aspects of my life, from what I wear, to the art on my walls and the furniture. Everything I live with carries significance; any one object has a story. There exists a captivating aspect to surrounding ourselves with beautiful yet functional things that hold deep meaning.

WHAT SOCIAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSE ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT / INVOLVED IN?

I’m passionate about the environment, full stop. It is an important discussion topping the agenda in all architecture and design conversations. While moderating a panel on Adaptive Reuse during Melbourne Design Week 2023, one of our panellists, a professor of Architectural Engineering, noted that the cities of 2050 are largely built, so how do we bring these up to speed? How do we adaptively reuse buildings in ways that are going to save materials, reduce embodied carbon and conserve the environment, while simultaneously addressing how people live within those spaces? I want to find out.

WHAT IS THE BEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD?

As a journalist, I find that every day on the job presents a unique learning experience. Through interviewing and conversing with people, I become a temporary specialist in their respective fields, as they impart their expertise and I have to report with skill, knowledge, and factual correctness. Each person I interview and learn from serves as a source of inspiration and stimulation, keeping my passion alive even after 20 years in the field.

WHICH 3 PRODUCTS FROM K5 FURNITURE ARE YOUR FAVOURITE, AND WHY?

My favourites are the Café Tattoo by Zanat.
Why? Because the craftsmanship evident in the finishing of these pieces is so exquisite – the hand carvings embellish these minimalist pieces in such an artful way.

Walsh Street Sofa – Boyd Collection by K5 Furniture (by Robin Boyd Australian architect). Why? Because it represents beautiful, functional design that is manufactured locally; and proceeds of the sale go to the Boyd Foundation which is devoted to increasing community awareness, understanding and engagement with Australian architecture and design. Australian architecture and design deserve to be talked about, recorded/remembered and honoured.

Tinnef Table by Skandiform. Why? Because I really like its tabletop, which is made of 100 per cent recycled content – and it simply looks good!

Zanat - Café Tattoo, Boyd Collection - Walsh St Sofa, Skandifrom – Tinnef Table

IF YOU RAN OUR WORLD FOR A DAY... WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD YOU IMPLEMENT/CHANGE/CREATE?

Small shifts that edge us towards global change: I’m fascinated by the strength of possibility proposed by the ‘3.5 per cent rule’ which basically states that, in order to enact societal change, you need a shift in 3.5 per cent of the population. Given that climate change often feels like a global challenge too big to solve, making smaller, localised, 3.5 per cent shifts in population behaviour may be the little thing from which big things grow…

Implement a four-day working week: I can highly recommend it!

AI governance: AI is here, its new and exciting, and developing faster than our wildest imaginings. Will we adopt AI in ethical, responsible ways that serve the interests of humanity (and hopefully the environment), or harness it only for personal gain? Listen to this podcast with ex-Google officer Mo Gawdat.

HOW DO YOU SPEND TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK TO CREATE BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE?

Having children has significantly clarified my priorities, even though balancing work and parenting leaves little room for other personal time. But that's okay because children have a way of grounding you in the simple things, you suspend time – your million-miles-an-hour mentality, your impatience – and sometimes that’s the best way to be. As a business mentor once advised, "the best time you can spend working is away from work," allowing your mind to disconnect and let ideas simmer, that’s when the good things come to you.

WHAT POSITIVE TRENDS ARE YOU LOVING AT THE MOMENT WHETHER IT BE TRAVEL, FASHION, FURNITURE, ARCHITECTURE, FOOD OR OTHER?

In my job I’m constantly watching and listening to better understand the directions in which society is taking us and I’m fascinated by this dichotomy right now in which, on the one hand we are tackling the power and potential of AI; and then on the other hand there is this move back to a ‘fundamental’ way of living and designing, an approach which embraces low-tech principles and essentially goes back to the basics in how we design, in order to respect and conserve the environment. Are these two forces mutually exclusive or might their paths converge for a common cause, like tackling climate change?

IN THIS RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD, HOW ARE YOU IMPROVING / CONTRIBUTING TO OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT?

I recently interviewed a lecturer specialising in environmental philosophy and global ethics, and we spoke about how humanity can affect positive change on the environment at a very small individual scale. We can all take action by adopting simple, climate positive practices.

I’m also very aware that, as an editor and an active member of the media, I have an opportunity and responsibility to give exposure to this global imperative, to bring about change through lively discourse and critical analysis. Here are 7 things we’ve done recently at Indesign Media to give airtime to sustainability.

IF YOU WOKE UP TOMORROW AS THE LEADER OF YOUR COUNTRY, WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE THINGS YOU WOULD ADDRESS?

Only three things? Ok:

Government accountability on national sustainability commitments
Affordable, accessible childcare to help get women back into the workforce!
‘Yes’ it’s a no-brainer: First Nations Voice to Parliament

IF YOU DIDN'T END UP IN YOUR CAREER, WHAT OTHER JOB WOULD YOU LOVE TO DO AND WHY?

I would love to be a jeweller, that’s my secret wish. One of my jobs early in my career was with a craft and design organisation, where I developed a passion for Australian made jewellery and that has only grown over the years. I think jewellers have this amazing imagination and sense of detail – to work at such a macro scale. And of course, I love to support Australian designers and makers.

IF YOU COULD YOU GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO INSPIRE OUR “I AM WOMAN” READERS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Never apologise for what you aspire to and what you want. Dream big and just go for it!

WHAT IS ONE UPCOMING EXCITING PROJECT OR EVENT YOU HAVE THAT YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH US?

Well, we are working on our INDESIGN Magazine 90th edition, it is really important to us as we’re shifting the magazine to a highly curated bi-annual publication, and we are launching this with the theme of ‘City Futures’.

In this edition we’re tackling topics of City Planning, Climate, and Precinct Life, giving space to designers, developers and city planners, who are expert in their field, to share their projects, insights, opinions and ideas. It will be a beautiful and very big edition – for an editor, it is the ultimate labour of love!

The magazine will be released on 10th August at the INDE.Awards 2023 Gala.

WHAT WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE WOULD YOU LIKE TO THANK AND WHY?

So many women in my life! My mother who birthed me and rolled the waves of complex mother-daughter relationships and instilled in me the values I carry today. And thanks to all my women friends who are so smart, edgy, adventurous, and inventive, not to mention selfless and nurturing.

ALICE BLACKWOOD