#AlmightyPeople - Matthew Haynes / The Design Conference

Can you tell us a bit about yourself: your background, what drew you into design, and how did the Design Conference start?

I grew up obsessed with the idea that creativity could change the way people feel — not just what they see. Design gave me a language to understand the world, and eventually a way to build experiences that bring people together.

The Design Conference began as a small experiment in 2010: could we create an event that gave people permission to be honest, vulnerable and ambitious in equal measure? Fifteen years on, it has grown into a global ecosystem, but the intent is still the same — help creatives find clarity, courage and connection.

With the Almighty and The Design Conference partnership, how do you feel our shared values have complemented each other?

Almighty champions wellness, balance and community. TDC champions vulnerability, honesty and creative permission. Together, those values create a space where people feel both held and energised — where the work, the craft and the human being behind it all matter equally.

It’s rare to find a partner who aligns with the emotional side of creativity. Almighty understands that great work comes from people who feel supported, nourished and connected.

Community seems central to both Almighty and the Conference. Can you share a memorable moment when the Design Conference helped strengthen the creative community?

Strengthening the creative community is at the heart of our purpose, so it actually feels a little strange to single out one particular moment. What this question stirs up in me, however, is the feeling I get when I’m in service to the community — a sense of universal flow and abundance.

For me, serving creatives is divine work. It gives my life structure, meaning and a deep sense of fulfilment. The Conference isn’t just about talks or workshops; it’s about creating an environment where people feel supported, seen and inspired. Every time that happens — whether in a big moment or a quiet exchange — the community grows stronger.

What are some challenges you’ve faced in fostering collaboration and connection amongst designers, and how did you overcome them?

Designers often arrive carrying imposter syndrome or industry fatigue. The challenge is creating an environment where people feel safe enough to drop their guard.

We design the conference like a narrative: intentional pacing, shared rituals, no backstage barrier, extended breaks, real conversations, and a culture of honesty from the stage. When leadership models openness, collaboration becomes the natural outcome rather than something forced.

Can you share a story or highlight from this year’s event that encapsulates the spirit of TDC?

This one is difficult, because the last 18 months have been incredibly testing. My partner and I welcomed our first child during TDC 2024, and the emotional stretch of becoming a parent while also producing the Conference tested my resolve in every possible way one could imagine.

What stands out to me isn’t a single moment from the stage — it’s the realisation that the lessons shared at TDC, from 2011 until now, have quietly become the pillars that helped me thrive.

In the moments where I felt overwhelmed, the purpose behind TDC kept me striving for excellence. It reminded me why this work matters — not just to the audience, but to me personally.

Creating the TDC experience continues to be one of the great privileges of my life.

Looking ahead, what emerging trends in design excite you?

Personally, I’m most excited about the renewed love for in-real-life events. I believe personal connection is everything, and TDC is living proof of that. For years we were sold the idea that phones and technology would make our lives easier, yet the opposite has unfolded. Digital dopamine addiction is real, and we’re only just beginning to understand the cost.

I think one of the most important “design trends” of the next decade will be designing for presence — so we as humans can live wonderful, fulfilling lives. #forest #gump

In that sense, IRL experiences aren’t just a format. They’re an antidote.

Finally, what legacy do you hope the Design Conference will leave for the creative community, and what would you like Almighty people to take away from our collaboration?

I’m not sure about legacy, because I genuinely feel like I’m only just getting started. Where I am today has very little bearing on where my imagination tells me I could be in the future.

When I was playing baseball for the Cleveland Indians, I could never have imagined I’d one day be the CEO of The Design Conference. And following that thread, it would feel foolish to assume where I’ll be next — or what impact the work we’re doing today will ultimately have on me, on you, or on the community.

What I do know is this: whatever unfolds will be beautiful, important and necessary. If Almighty people take anything from our collaboration, I hope it’s the sense that creativity and wellbeing aren’t luxuries — they’re foundations for a meaningful life, and when we invest in them, we elevate each other.

Wellbeing and creativity often go hand in hand. How do you see design playing a role in personal or collective wellness, and how does the Design Conference help support that?

I think the best way to answer this is to take the heavy lifting away from the definition of design and repurpose it into the idea of being present. When we’re present, everything has more purpose. And if we intentionally design the way we’re present — with ourselves, our friends and our family — everything becomes easier, more aligned, and time slows down.

It’s in those moments that life truly opens up to us. Not only can we smell the roses, but we develop enough self-awareness to influence the environment in which they grow.

Brisbane has been a great hosting city for the Design Conference. What are some of your favourite spots?

What I love most about Brisbane is the clear winter skies, the beautiful ambient temperature and the warmth this environment brings to our attendees from New Zealand, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. It’s one last hurrah before they return to the freezing cold — and they don’t let it go to waste.

In that setting, the food tastes better, the wine tastes better and the company feels richer. Add our venue partner into the mix and you get the holy trinity of a perfect conference experience.

Shout out to Brisbane Powerhouse.

Last book, podcast or film that lit a creative spark for you?

To be fair, I don’t usually look for inspiration in typical creative materials. I get far more clarity from getting up in the dark, paddling out for a dawn surf and thinking about life while I watch the sun rise. I have ADHD, so quiet and solitude help my best thoughts find their way through the noise.

That said, I’m currently reading the Bible. I’m halfway through Matthew McConaughey on the Joe Rogan Experience, and I recently paid to stream One Battle After Another.

What’s your go-to creative fuel: coffee, tea, juice or something else entirely?

My fuel is routine. Routine allows me to dedicate my bandwidth to the exceptions, not the rules. When the foundations of my day are consistent, my mind is free to create.

I wake. I walk. I stretch. I pray. I meditate. I eat. I be Dad. I work from 8–12. I eat. I work again from 1–5. I be Husband. I fast. I go to bed.

This rhythm is my focus. It’s how I stay grounded so my goals can manifest at the quantum level.

What’s one non-negotiable in your daily routine?

To be kind to myself. Life is a wild journey, and I need to remind myself that good things are coming — no matter how long it feels like I’ve been holding my breath. It’s always darkest before the dawn, and giving myself compassion in those moments keeps me moving forward with purpose.