Everywhere we look, we see the fruits of a designer's labour. Our buildings, the books we read and films we watch, the signs we see all around - nearly everything in our society has the design touch on it. This May, Melbourne will be celebrating the works of these unseen heroes, promoting design and encouraging the public to get involved and support the industry. If you love all things visual, make sure your holiday accommodation is booked for May 11-17 to celebrate Melbourne International Design Week.

Melbourne International Design Week

This exciting week of activities and events was created by Design Matters, an organisation dedicated to highlighting, promoting and building design all across Victoria. It consists of a series of events hosted by both local and international companies, each hoping to promote their work and build collaboration between communities, design sectors and industries.

The industries that have gotten involved are varied, with events featuring architectural and interior design, photography, art and illustrations, fashion, furniture, graphics, social media, film and animation, and game design.

So what are a few of the events you should look out for?

Interior design

Love the way buildings look and feel inside, and can't get enough of gazing online and in magazines at what's being showcased around the world? The Australian Interior Design Awards are being hosted on May 15, and could be your best opportunity to see our country's greats being recognised for their talent.

Entertainment design

For some, creating visual works of art is to entertain others. But how do you get into the entertainment industry as a designer? The Entertainment Design Masterclass, featuring artists who have worked on such video games and films as Assassin's Creed and The Hobbit trilogy, will put you in the perfect situation to learn the answer to this question, and plenty more. It will run from May 11-17.

Multi-discipline

Being able to work with multiple different design disciplines could set you apart from the competition. The International Design Forum will be exploring this theme through a fantastic line-up of industry speakers and master classes in a spectacular one-day event. It will take place at the famous Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre on May 14.

Making a change

Design is powerful. We humans are a very visual breed, and when we see something - a message - that impacts us heavily, it can cause us to change. If you are interested in the social activism prospects of design, make sure you attend Oxfam's Make Trouble: Design for Change event on May 15. This evening runs for two hours and features a mixture of presenters speaking about how design can affect change, and how you could be a part of it.

Melbourne tourist information

When you're visiting Melbourne for International Design Week, there are a few things you'll need to know.

First off, getting between each event could be made a lot easier if you come prepared with the city's myki digital ticketing card. Myki can be used on all of the city's buses, trams and trains, and can be purchased from over 800 different retailers across the city. If you intend to travel a lot, myki offers a seven-day pass so you don't have to keep topping up.

As for your Melbourne accommodation itself, Mantra has a range of hotel options available both within the CBD and its surrounds. If you want a contemporary, stylish and comfortable hotel to stay in during the week, that is also nearby the venues you intend to visit, rest assured knowing Mantra has you covered.