In 2005 Banham began a series of forum events discussing the social role of typography and graphic design. Known as "Character" these events were held alongside the State of Design Festivals attracting up to 500 people at a time. These events took a different form each year. First appearing as an open discussion format looking into the branding of cities (2005), The politics of graphic design (2005), The role of accident in design (2006) and 26 Letters a Second – typography and the moving image (2007) which featured the Australian premiere of "Helvetica", including a discussion with Gary Hustwit who was brought out for the event. In 2008 The fifth Character event saw the publishing of "Characters and Spaces" in partnership with the State of Design Festival. This free booklet, bound within the festival program, featured one city block of Melbourne's design secrets from the stories behind corporate identities through to art and architecture. Character 6 (2010) saw the Australian premiere of the documentary film "TypeFace" from Chicago, along with a discussion on the 'slow design' movement in graphic design and the resurgence in craft.