Permanent Collection

Never Sit Still Opens The Design Conference With “Wonder, Divinity, and Chaos”

Posted on Tuesday, July 21, 2026

The Design Conference opened earlier this month in Brisbane, Australia, with these maximalist, over-the-top titles from the crew at Never Sit Still in Sydney that they describe as “a balance of wonder, divinity, and chaos”.

Mike Tosetto, director/founder at Never Sit Still: “The brief was broad, with one guiding ambition: leave the audience of designers, founders, artists, and cultural leaders feeling a sense of divine euphoria about what they do and the power of their own creation.

“The sequence is equal parts mythology, dreamscape, and acid trip.”

“Our narrative explores a simple idea: without inspiration there is no creation, and without creation there is nothing. Visually, we set out to create something unfamiliar: a world that felt mythical, ethereal and surreal.

“The sequence is equal parts mythology, dreamscape, and acid trip, elevated by a god-like voice over that pushes the film beyond the conventions of a typical conference opener.

“To bring it all to life, we combined Cinema 4D, Houdini simulations, frame-by-frame cel animation, classic motion graphics, and motion capture. We studied horse movement. We built bespoke tools. We filmed practical elements. We set things on fire and completed over 500 hours of rendering.”

Watch the making of video

Images

A glowing, purple winged horse flies in space, with bright, multicolored flames forming a heart shape above and behind it—an electrifying vision that sets the tone for an unforgettable Design Conference Opening. Stars and cosmic clouds swirl in the dark background, embodying the creative energy to Never Sit Still. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A surreal digital artwork inspired by Never Sit Still Opens The Design Conference 2026 features abstract shapes, neon lights, and swirling forms against a blue background, creating a futuristic, dreamlike scene. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A glowing, abstract purple creature hovers over a dark, rocky landscape with the elegant white script word “Helion” across the image, perfectly capturing the imaginative spirit of The Design Conference and echoing the innovative aesthetic championed by Never Sit Still. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A surreal, digital landscape features a mountain erupting pixelated, colorful blocks under a space sky with a large planet and glowing crystals scattered on the unusual terrain—an imaginative homage to bold design inspired by Never Sit Still and The Design Conference. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A collection of colorful, abstract 3D shapes and sculptures—reminiscent of the innovation showcased at The Design Conference—is displayed against a dark, starry background, creating a vibrant and futuristic scene with various textures, forms, and glowing effects that embody the spirit of cutting-edge design. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Credits

Client: The Design Conference

Production: Never Sit Still
Studio Director: Mike Tosetto, Renee Connellan
Producer: Darcy Green
CD: Zoe Crocker
Project Lead: Jordan Booker
Script: Gregor Stronach
Creative Team: Zoe Crocker, Jordan Booker, Howe Tom, Max Cao, Mulanne Phan, Jonathan Pui, Jordan Sykes, Sylvia Leo, Jaron Lione, Louise Walker, Katrina Che, Chantelle Micallef, Allegra Thadea, Sophie Allen, Louise Walker

Sound: Antonio Rossell del Turco
Voice Over: Colin Cassidy

Stephen Price

Stephen is the co-founder/CD of Stash Media Inc. and the executive editor of Stash Magazine and the Stash Permanent Collection.
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Category: CG, Featured, Motion Design, Titles, VFX · Tags: Antonio Rossell del Turco, Mike Tosetto, Never Sit Still, Renee Connellan, The Design Conference