Flying home from Coolum, where I had been a relatively passive participant at the recent fourth AGDA conference, I was accompanied by opposing emotions of intense inspiration and agitation. The contrast of my thoughts was to weigh upon my mind constantly, sometimes for hours at a time, until I came to realise that such patterns of thought are not uncommon after occasions of significant interaction and education.

How can highs and lows of the mind co-exist in a purposeful manner without sending one into a schizophrenic spin? Maybe this kind of duality of mind is a good place for designers to occupy. If my memory serves me correctly, this 'ambiguity' of perception is something to be encouraged in the actual outcomes of designers, according to the words of Massimo Vignelli during a talk he gave at the National Gallery of Victoria during the late 1980's.

As a means of explanation to these comments, I should explain that the output from the presenters at the conference had the effect of inspiration, both in terms of business attitude and design achievements, an outcome which is probably expected from such a function, as well as the said effect of agitation when I was confronted with the apparent success of these individuals in the same terms. So throughout and after the event, I found myself engaged in a processes of self-evaluation (lows) and self-motivation (highs), processes which I now appreciate are desired and valuable outcomes from such an experience. As a note of encouragement, it was terrific to learn that many others, some of them presenters at the conference themselves, had experienced similar emotions during the three-day calender of activities.

This notion and theme of duality extended into many of my encounters during the event. For example, one day I found myself corroborating Sydney designer Andrew Lewis' notion that good designers should be able to prepare for 'one concept' presentations rather than leaving a selections for a client to choose from, averting the risk of clients 'choosing the wrong design'. Indeed this is the practice of my own company. London's Lynn Trickett, however, during an informal pool-side chat, suggested that such practices can tend to exclude clients from the very projects which they in fact own, ultimately detracting from the collaborative power of a healthy client and designer relationship. Both positions seem exclusive of each other yet seem perfectly reasonable at the same time yet many designers place themselves firmly in one camp or the other.

By way of general comment, I wish to say that the capabilities of the presenters as presenters was very encouraging as was the level of practice they carried with them. From my perspective, their diversity of experience and willingness to enlighten others proved to be a most valuable personal and business resource.

The administration of the event was most professional. The rhythm of presentation, being alternated from indoor to outdoor sessions, and from large group presentation to smaller workshops, made the educational aspects of the conference easy to digest. In addition, the general timing and inclusion of meals and leisure time only heightened the packaged experience of being in such a splendid location.

Special mention should be made of the welcome presence of all sponsors involved in the program. Without the support of these organisations, the level of expertise achieved within the event would have been very difficult to achieve.

In short, it is clear that the conference's transition from being a local event to now being a national event is greatly warranted and much appreciated by all how have benefited from the input of the Queensland chapter and councils in recent years.

Finally, congratulations must go to Martine Zajacek, AGDA Queensland President, and Al Sim, AGDA Queensland Councillor, for all of their efforts in rallying the resources of the Queensland members for what will be remembered by many people as a formative event for AGDA and all of its members.

John Frostell

AGDA Victoria President