Solid Yarns: Collaborating with Respect
Researcher
Dr Nicola St John
Published
21 Oct 2025
Funding
Design Audio
Solid Yarns is a podcast series developed through a collaboration between Solid Lines, Australia’s first Indigenous illustration agency, and RMIT University and supported by the Alastair Swayn Foundation
Have you ever wanted to work with a First Nations artist? Or are you a First Nations creative wondering how to break into the design or commercial art industry?
First Nations art and design is more popular than ever, but it can be tricky territory. Who owns cultural knowledge? What sort of permissions do you need? What’s it like to work with an artist who’s off Country? And how do we break stereotypes around what First Nations art is, or should be?
Solid Yarns is a podcast about how First Nations creatives and industry partners can work together. Each episode features a First Nations creative in conversation with their client, unpacking a project brief and sharing stories behind the work.
Solid Yarns explores the challenges and insights that emerge when First Nations design practices meet industry projects, inviting new ways of listening, learning, and designing together.
Developed by Solid Lines in partnership with RMIT University and supported by the Alastair Swayn Foundation.
