Diadem

Diadem We are an integrated design and project management practice operating across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, on projects that connect people to place.

For more than 20 years we have helped people navigate and engage with branded spaces around the world. For more than 20 years we have helped people navigate and engage with branded spaces around the world, enhancing not only brands but the experiences of end-users in airports, shopping centres, workplaces, universities and beyond. We design, procure and manage with a multi-disciplinary approach th

at meets the individual needs of each project. With our global insight, technical expertise, trusted experience and proven processes, we’re able to create innovative solutions that add value and deliver certainty from the beginning. Our collaborative approach safeguards the interests of clients, preserves the integrity of designs, and delivers smarter outcomes for all. Integrated mindset
Whether we are engaged for all or part of a project, we consider each element from every perspective. Our services can be broadly described as design, procurement and project management. However, it is our integrated mindset which is unique to Diadem, and which delivers enduring value for clients long after our work is complete. When we are engaged to design, we also consider procurement and management factors such as how to realise those designs best in terms of time, cost and quality. When we work in procurement, we ensure fit-for-purpose specifications are matched with appropriate suppliers. As project managers, the focus of our work is to uphold the integrity of the design. We are many specialists, with one holistic approach. Integrated team
The Diadem team comprises around 80 strategic, creative and technical specialists who work across six offices, providing support and services to local and international projects. Clients value our people for their expertise, creative thinking and independent advice.

The strongest brands aren’t necessarily the loudest. They’re the most recognisable.At today’s dTalks - Thinkerbell, Tom ...
28/08/2026

The strongest brands aren’t necessarily the loudest. They’re the most recognisable.

At today’s dTalks - Thinkerbell, Tom Wenborn shared how distinctive brand assets, behavioural science and consistent experiences work together to build lasting brand meaning. From Cadbury and Patagonia to airports, hotels and retail environments, the session explored how brands earn a place in people’s minds through repetition, consistency and every interaction along the way. Whether it’s a colour, a sound, a material, a space or a ritual, every interaction shapes perception.

One idea that particularly resonated with our team was that “an ad should be the last place a brand shows up”. The most powerful expressions of a brand often happen through the spaces people move through, the products they use, the services they experience and the small details they encounter every day.

For those of us working in branded environments, it’s a valuable reminder that every touchpoint is an opportunity to reinforce meaning, shape behaviour and create memorable experiences.

Thanks, Tom, for an engaging session and for sharing a fresh perspective on how brands come to life beyond traditional communications.

We’re thrilled to share that World Square is a finalist in the Best Awards in the Environmental Graphics category.This p...
18/08/2026

We’re thrilled to share that World Square is a finalist in the Best Awards in the Environmental Graphics category.

This project transformed wayfinding across Sydney’s iconic mixed-use precinct, creating a clearer, more intuitive and brand-connected experience for the thousands of people who move through the site each day.

From reimagined laneways and improved navigation to a cohesive signage family inspired by World Square’s brand identity, the project demonstrates how a creative signage system can shape both movement and experience.

Congratulations to our team, collaborators and client for helping bring this vision to life.

View our entry: https://bestawards.co.nz/graphic/environmental-graphics/diadem-2/world-square/

Recently, our dTalks series welcomed the team from Solid Lines, a First Nations-led artists agency dedicated to creating...
13/08/2026

Recently, our dTalks series welcomed the team from Solid Lines, a First Nations-led artists agency dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for First Nations artists while championing culturally safe creative practice.

Through an insightful and generous presentation, Solid Lines shared the story behind the agency, the importance of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), and the role it plays in connecting artists, communities, and clients through respectful collaboration.

We heard how the agency was established to address the lack of pathways for First Nations creatives in the commercial design industry, while ensuring that artists are represented fairly and that their cultural knowledge and stories are protected.

A key discussion centred on what good collaboration looks like: engaging artists for their unique creative practice, lived experience, and visual language, not simply because they identify as First Nations. The team shared practical guidance around briefing, community consultation, cultural protocols and creating the conditions for culturally safe outcomes. They also unpacked the importance of place, transparency and ensuring the right voices are involved throughout the process.

The conversation around ICIP was particularly valuable, exploring the responsibilities that come with commissioning, licensing and using First Nations artwork, and why ongoing education is critical for both clients and creatives. It challenged us to think more deeply about cultural appropriation, attribution and how we can contribute to more respectful and equitable creative industries.

A huge thank you to Mae, Steph and Emrhan for sharing their knowledge and experiences with us. We came away with a deeper understanding of how thoughtful engagement, consultation and cultural respect can lead to stronger creative outcomes for everyone involved.

What if signage could improve more than navigation?Commissioned to design and develop wayfinding for the Gold Coast Heal...
11/08/2026

What if signage could improve more than navigation?

Commissioned to design and develop wayfinding for the Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct, Diadem recognised an opportunity to create something more than a directional system. Through collaboration with stakeholders, the project evolved into a landmark site-identification system that could communicate the precinct’s vision for innovation, health and future-focused industry.

Inspired by biomimicry, the concept explored whether a structure could emulate the way a tree interacts with its environment, drawing in pollutants, filtering them, and returning cleaner air. While this air-filtration vision remained conceptual, it informed the design thinking behind a distinctive sculptural form that reflects the precinct’s commitment to research, wellbeing and innovation.

The result is a landmark signage concept that demonstrates how wayfinding and place identity can work together to tell a richer story about place, purpose and aspiration.

Read the case study https://diadem.co/projects/gold-coast-health-knowledge-precinct/

Thank you to everyone who visited our studio at Aldersgate House for Open House Melbourne 2026. We welcomed an impressiv...
27/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who visited our studio at Aldersgate House for Open House Melbourne 2026. We welcomed an impressive number of curious visitors through our doors over the two days.

It was brilliant sharing how what we do shapes the cities we move through, and even better were the thoughtful questions and conversations that came out of it.

A huge thank you to our incredible team for making it happen. Your passion for design and generosity with your time made this weekend possible.

Here’s to more open doors and great conversations about design ahead.

Look Up: Brisbane EditionLast week, we took Look Up north, bringing together a fantastic group of property, design and d...
23/07/2026

Look Up: Brisbane Edition

Last week, we took Look Up north, bringing together a fantastic group of property, design and development leaders to explore the stories behind some of Brisbane's most recognisable sky signs and city-shaping landmarks.

From iconic rooftop signage to the creative, technical and logistical challenges involved in bringing these projects to life, the evening sparked plenty of conversation about the role well-considered brand signage plays in shaping the city's identity.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the walk & talk, shared insights along the way, and continued the discussion over rooftop drinks afterwards. It’s always rewarding to bring together people who are passionate about the built environment and the stories hidden in plain sight ‘above our heads’.

We especially appreciated feedback from attendees, with one guest noting that the tour offered a rare opportunity to pause and see the city from a different perspective, while connecting with industry peers.

21/07/2026

Tours start this Friday — don’t miss out!

Our studio at Aldersgate House opens for Open House Melbourne in just a few days. Spots are limited and filling fast, so grab your tickets now if you haven’t already.

Step inside a working design studio and see how design shapes the cities we move through — with guided tours from our designers and directors, live project insights, and hands-on stations for all ages.

405–407 Collins St, Melbourne
Friday 24 & Saturday 25 July

Book now — https://openhousemelbourne.org/event/diadem-at-aldersgate-house/

We’d love to see you there!

Last week, we welcomed The Jacky Winter Group to Diadem for an inspiring dTalks session, where we were taken behind the ...
15/07/2026

Last week, we welcomed The Jacky Winter Group to Diadem for an inspiring dTalks session, where we were taken behind the scenes of one of Australia’s most respected artist agencies and introduced to the creative practices of illustrators Carla McRae and Eirian Chapman.

From global commercial projects and large-scale murals to personal passion projects and creative side ventures, the presentation offered a fascinating look into how artists collect inspiration, develop ideas, and build sustainable creative careers. We especially loved hearing about the value of observation, curiosity and “collecting” — from everyday moments and colour combinations to travel, photography and unexpected references.

A huge thank you to The Jacky Winter Group for generously sharing their work, creative processes and perspectives. It was a timely reminder that great ideas often start with paying attention to the world around us and staying open to inspiration from unexpected places.

13/07/2026

We're taking part in Open House Melbourne 2026!

Diadem is opening our studio doors at the beautiful Aldersgate House for Open House Melbourne this July. Come see where the design happens — from concept sketches and strategy mapping to full-scale signage prototypes and fabrication samples.

Guided tours led by our designers and directors will reveal how design shapes everyday experience. Learn how thoughtful design fosters clarity, confidence, and dignity, helping cities care for the people who move through them — plus a fun, hands-on activity for kids and adults alike.

405–407 Collins St, Melbourne
Friday 24 & Saturday 25 July

Bookings required — https://openhousemelbourne.org/event/diadem-at-aldersgate-house/

See you there!

07/07/2026

We’re thrilled to share that RMIT UP has won Gold at the Melbourne Design Awards 2026 in the Environmental Graphic Design category.

Located within a nine-level learning environment in Melbourne’s CBD, RMIT UP supports a diverse student cohort from around the world. Our challenge was to create a signage and wayfinding experience that was intuitive, welcoming and easy to navigate regardless of language familiarity.

A key part of the solution was the integration of original student artwork throughout the building. Working with RMIT Fine Art students’ pieces, we curated and reimagined large-scale installations that transform circulation spaces into memorable landmarks, helping students orient themselves while celebrating the creativity and individuality at the heart of the RMIT community.

These artworks became more than feature graphics — they became part of the navigation experience itself.

Alongside a comprehensive signage and wayfinding program, the project included the immersive Innovation Garden, which began as a regulatory glazing requirement and became a memorable visual landmark, creating an environment where communication design, art and architecture work together to guide, reassure and inspire.

Thank you to RMIT UP and Scape Australia for their trust and collaboration, and congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this project to life.

We’re proud to see a project recognised that demonstrates how art, wayfinding and placemaking can come together to create a stronger sense of belonging for students.

To learn more, https://betterfutureawards.com/mel26/project.asp?id=38909

Better Future Design Awards

Address

Level 5/405 Collins Street
Melbourne, VIC
3000

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+61396706767

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