#GuestSpeaker: Amanda Henderson from Gloss Creative

^{Photography by Caroline McReddie}

Last week we had one of those rare and inspiring conversations where everything just clicked. ✨

We had the honour of welcoming Amanda Henderson, the founding Creative Director & visionary of Gloss Creative, for a special Guest Speaker session with our Group 30 learners & trainer, Melissa Rettore. 

As part of our Certificate IV in Interior Decoration (MSF40122) and our Short Course in Visual Merchandising, we aim to engage with and learn from our industry friends and professionals who are the true masters of their craft.

^{Celebrating the work of Nipa Doshi - Mecca x NGV Women in Design Commission 2025. Design by Gloss Creative. Photography by Annika Kafcaloudis}

In our chat with Amanda, we unpacked the art & science of storytelling through design & visual merchandising, and discussed how the true creative magic in concept development doesn’t just begin with mood boards or material samples.

It starts with words.

It's the ideas that then direct the research, the countless imperfect scribbles in journals or on random pieces of paper, the brainstorm conversations, the notes in your phone & detailed mind maps. 

It should feel messy and exciting before you start refining. It's about using your left and right brain, by putting pen to paper, and encouraging a fluid and organic exploration of thoughts and ideas.

It’s then an intentional pause..

..A small reset, or even a morning neighbourhood walk, to let the ideas really simmer before anything visual takes shape.

Rest is essential for creativity and the design process. #CreativeRenewal

Visual merchandising and brand expressionism, is the opportunity to 'turn the volume right up' on all of your ideas. And these ideas can only come, when we rest.

We also chatted about the challenges of doing the actual work. Great design and doing great work isn’t just about doing more work! 

Working hard is about thinking deeper, dreaming bigger, working smarter, and letting the meaning drive the making.

^{Mecca Fragrance Lounge Sydney, 2024. Design by Gloss Creative. Photography by Kyle Ford & Esteban La Tessa.} 

From her beginnings designing iconic window displays for Sportsgirl to managing VM nationally at Country Road. Amanda and her multidisciplinary team at Gloss Creative, continuously design and create some of Australia’s largest and most iconic installations, activations and memorable events. 

Amanda generously shared insights from her dream career built on intuition, collaboration, and emotionally charged storytelling. She emphasised the responsibility we have as designers & decorators to constantly seek creative & sustainable solutions, for either permanent or temporary displays, spaces and events. Collaborating and partnering with local creatives and artisans brings more than just soul, it is the substance and integrity of the work. #CreativeBrilliance

_{Installation Design winner at the Australian Interior Design Awards, 2025. Chadstone x Azuma Makoto Kids Activation 2024 - in partnership with NGV .} 

_{Design by Gloss Creative.  Photography by Marcel Aucar}

At Design School, we are all about doing what you love as well as what you are good at, and we consistently encourage our community to utilise their creative networks to build the connections, because Together Everyone really does Achieve More!

Team work makes the dream work, and don't forget to laugh and smile along the way.

Amanda’s honesty, humour, and heart encouraged our students to truly reflect on how good design isn’t just seen - it’s felt.

A powerful reminder that some of best designs, events and visual merch, whilst mostly temporary, tells a story and evokes an emotion that remains long after the display comes down or the lights turned off. 

Thank you, Amanda.

Your knowledge, experience, and 'compound interest' will forever influence us. We'll continue to value the creative process of exploring written ideas, trusting our instincts, being transparent all while honouring the need to create space to pause, and always design for the feels!

In good design, we trust.

 _{Lucky's Marquee - Victoria Spring Racing Club (2024) Design by Gloss Creative. Photography by Marcel Aucar}