A new podcast series, Solid Yarns - co-produced by Solid Lines (Australia's first Indigenous-led illustration agency) and RMIT University - explores how First Nations artists and industry leaders are reshaping the future of design in Australia.
The five-part series shines a light on respectful collaborations, cultural protocols, and the power of storytelling in contemporary design. Supported by the Alastair Swayn Foundation, Solid Yarns brings together First Nations creatives and non-Indigenous partners to reflect on landmark projects across branding, publishing, architecture and public art.
For industry partners, Solid Yarns offers practical insights into how to brief, commission, and collaborate with First Nations creatives in ways that are culturally safe, respectful, and creatively rewarding. For First Nations artists, the series shares lived experiences of navigating commercial practice-what has worked, what hasn't, and how to establish fair and empowering professional relationships.
Through storytelling and dialogue, Solid Yarns highlights the importance of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), cultural safety, and collaboration built on trust. Listeners gain concrete strategies, reflections, and inspiration for reshaping Australia's design industry to better reflect and respect First Nations sovereignty and creativity.
Producer Janak Rogers, an Associate Lecturer in Podcasting at RMIT's School of Media and Communication, described the process as transformative: "What I learned through making Solid Yarns is that the act of listening itself is powerful. These conversations are not just about projects, they're about building relationships, respect, and new ways of working together."
Emrhan Tjapanangka Sultan, artist and co-founder of Solid Lines, said: "Too often First Nations creatives are invited in at the end of the process. This podcast shows what's possible when we are collaborators from the start, with cultural safety and ICIP at the centre."
Emrhan Tjapanangka Abbott-Sultan, First Nations consultant, artist, and co-founder of Solid Lines
Episode one revisits the history-making moment when the Aboriginal Flag was translated into a new digital genmoji form. "The flag is powerful because it represents survival. It's a symbol that can never be erased," said Sultan. Psembi Kinstan, Chief Creative Officer of DDB Group, added: "We all can be proud of that flag and we all should feel the ability to use it as Australians-in a respectful way, of course."
From there, the series journeys into projects with Australia Post, HarperCollins, and BKK Architects, opening a dialogue on what it takes to do cross-cultural work well. As Tyrown Waigana reflected, "Respect feels like giving me flexibility and valuing my opinion as a professional-not just shifting the brief mid-way."
For clients, the podcast reveals how cultural safety and respect transform projects. Mond Qu of United Make explained: "Working with First Nations artists is about curiosity and respect. It's not tokenistic-it's about building real relationships over time."
In episode three, Gudanji/Wakaja artist and designer Ryhia Dank shares how she both wrote and illustrated the children's book Learning Country, blending typography and place-based storytelling. "Keeping our stories and telling our stories is how we keep our culture and our language alive," she said. Her client, Mark Campbell of HarperCollins, reflected: "It's a privilege to be invited to work with someone whose culture is ultimately Australian-it completely changes how you see your country."
Episode four shifts focus to large-scale public projects, including a striking 38-metre-long installation at RMIT's Super Labs. For artist Enoki (Darcy McConnell), it was a chance to showcase First Nations STEM knowledges: "I wanted to draw on knowledges that aren't really well known, bringing First Nations science and STEM to the surface."
For BKK Architects, who commissioned the work, embedding respect was non-negotiable. Practice Manager Missy Saleeba explained: "The most respectful thing we can do is start with Country-identify Traditional Owners, reach out, and build relationships."
All episodes are now live on major podcast platforms.
Solid Yarns Podcast logo, artwork created by Tyrown Waigana.
