Blogs

If you've spent any time scrolling through design content lately, you've likely felt it.

Beautiful projects blur together. Kitchens, bathrooms and interiors from opposite sides of the world start to look remarkably similar. Trends spread at lightning speed, inspiration is increasingly algorithm-driven, and originality can feel harder to find.

It's a challenge, according to keynote speaker Dana Tomić Hughes, that is shaping the future of design.

Founder and editor of Yellowtrace, one of the world's most respected and trusted design resources, Dana has spent more than fifteen years cultivating an extraordinary editorial perspective on global design. Through her work as a publisher, researcher and commentator, she has become known for helping designers look beyond trends to understand the deeper shifts shaping the profession.

At the 2026 ACFA x KBDi Conference, Lincoln Sentry are proud to sponsor the following session:

Everything Looks the Same — Until You Know What to Look For

The design world has a problem. Everything is starting to look the same—and most of us can feel it, even if we don't yet have the language for it.

In this session, Dana will share what's emerging on the other side of algorithmic sameness.

Drawing on her Sightline research and fifteen years of global editorial work, Dana will map six interconnected design territories that are pushing back against flatness and give attendees the filters, language and perspective to apply them in practice.

Importantly, this is not a trend forecast.

Instead, it's a framework for understanding where design is heading, why certain ideas resonate, and how designers can sharpen their lens for evaluating their own work and that of others.

An interior designer turned publisher, Dana has earned international recognition for her contributions to design discourse. She has been named by AD Germany among the Top 200 True Global Influencers in the design world and recognised by Vogue Living as one of the most visionary female creatives on the planet.

Known for translating complexity into clarity, Dana brings the same rigour, warmth and irreverence to the stage that have made Yellowtrace a trusted resource for designers worldwide.

For anyone seeking a fresh perspective, deeper insight and a more nuanced understanding of the forces shaping contemporary design, this session is not to be missed.

Join Us in Sydney

Dana's keynote presentation is just one of the highlights of the 2026 ACFA x KBDi Conference, taking place on Friday 14 August at the Hyatt Regency Sydney.

Explore the full conference program, discover the complete speaker line-up, and secure your conference and gala tickets today.