The Crit

Jon Marshall, industrial designer and partner at Pentagram, visits the studio to discuss the importance of trusting the process, the experience of moving from a designer to a creative director role, and the pleasures of seemingly intractable design problems.Jon's picks for his crit were:Best design: Honda. A Great JourneyWorst design: Exhibition design for UNIQLO Most successful design: Yoto Most impactful feedback: Daniel Weil telling him to trust the process (and all feedback from his wife)Dream design: A range of cookware inspired by Richard Sapper’s La Cintura di Orione for AlessiThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlene Prempeh, founder of A Vibe Called Tech, joins The Crit for our 2025 holiday episode, examining the pleasures and importance of “good enough” work; the porous barrier between commercial and artistic practice; and answering a series of festive questions about redesigning the holidays!.Charlene's picks for her crit were:Best design: Now You See Me: 100 Years of Black DesignWorst design: A project with a beauty brand during Black History Month(Best holiday gift: An advent calendar)Most successful design: We Are All They(Best holiday decoration: A wooden star, made by her son)Most impactful feedback: Non-existent feedback, teaching her to listen to her instincts when something feels wrongDream design: The Golden Stool(Dream design change for the holidays: Food design)The CritGraphics: Leonhard Rothmoser Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spandana Gopal, founder and creative director of the Tiipoi homeware brand, visits the studio to discuss rejecting exoticised portraits of India's design and craft traditions; the need to prioritise ethical, community-focused production; and the challenges of translating global sales of local craft into a thriving domestic market.Spandana's picks for her crit were:Best design: General ItemsWorst design: “Silly candles”Most successful design: Tiipoi, thriving as a business and abiding by its principlesMost impactful feedback: Mentorship by Simon Alderson, cofounder of twentytwentyoneDream design: Rice cooking equipment for AlessiThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ab Rogers, creative director of the Ab Rogers Design studio, joins the podcast for a discussion focused on the architecture of healthcare, the horrors of wackiness, the need to welcome new people into architecture and design, and the creative potential for delight in everyday spaces.Ab's picks for his crit were:Best design: Maggie’s at The Royal MarsdenWorst design: Waiting room at the Charing Cross Hospital breast unitMost successful design: Tate Modern Public Concourses or Comme des Garçons ParisMost impactful feedback: Aric Chen describing his work as “wacky”Dream design: A culture-centred health hubThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Material researcher and designer Ori Orisun Merhav sits her crit, exploring the ethos, experimentation and commitment to bio-inclusive co-creation that underpin her creations with lac, a natural polymer produced by insects.Ori's picks for her crit were:Best design: Something yet to come within Made by Insects Worst design: The daily failures of material researchMost successful design: Lac chandelier for Design Sediments Most impactful feedback: Nacho Carbonell’s advice to “Become the insect”Dream design: A space and mindset to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration in material researchThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Designer and artist Samuel Ross, founder of fashion brand A-Cold-Wall*and design studio SR_A, visits the studio to discuss the challenges of working as an innovator within internal teams, the influence of architecture on his work, and creating designs that speak to a particular generation of British culture. Samuel's picks for his crit were:Best design: Partnership with Nike GroupWorst design: Designs where Ross’s team hasn’t managed to convince the client to adopt new processes Most successful design: SR_A Hublot TourbillonsMost impactful feedback: Provocative feedback from Kohler toilet Dream design: Ethical and accessible garment production or creating public communal spaces through urban planningThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Futures designer Nick Foster sits his crit to mark the launch of his new book Could Should Might Don't, exploring the limitations of futurism, and the need for more mundane, rounded design thinking within the realm of the tech giants.Nick's picks for his crit were:Best design: Google’s Selfish LedgerWorst design: Early-career, “thirsty could” design workMost successful design: Projects that have left stakeholders with a better understanding of the breadth of what design is Most impactful feedback: “Are you sure?”Dream design: Black MirrorThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danish designer Lise Vester visits the studio to discuss the impact of neuroaesthetics, hospices and CBT therapy on her work, as well as the role that designed sensory experience can have on improving people's everyday wellbeing.Lise's picks for her crit were:Best design: Dream View BenchWorst design: Silhouette CutleryMost successful design: Idea Generator Chandelier Most impactful feedback: Receiving feedback about how her Dream View collection changed people’s mindsetDream design: Working within healthcare facilitiesThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Benjamin Hubert, founder and creative director of Layer, joins The Crit to discuss moving beyond personality-driven aesthetics, creating objects for pets, his relationship with the media, and his desire to do more pro bono design work. Benjamin's picks for his crit were:Best design: LayerWorst design: Diamond ChairMost successful design: Dog toys for Earth Rated Most impactful feedback: A Financial Times article Dream design: Pro bono design work for charities, NGOs or community groupsThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomoko Azumi, founder of TNA Design Studio, visits the studio to talk about designing furniture for small spaces, the differences between the design industry in Japan and the UK, creating a space for the UK Supreme Court, and the importance of making models by hand. Tomoko's picks for her crit were:Best design: Flow Chair for Ercol and a trolley for the UK Supreme Court Worst design: Chairs for the UK Supreme CourtMost successful design: LEM stool for La Palma Most impactful feedback: The V&A and the Crafts Council putting pieces from her graduation show in their permanent collections Dream design: DIY kits for paper modelling The CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo Barnard, founder and creative director of Morrama, a London-based design agency, joins the podcast to discuss customer feedback, failed shelving, the formation of a studio, and product design's social and environmental responsibilities.More information about Morrama's new book, From people to planet; lessons from a design agency, can be found here.Jo's picks for her crit were:Best design: Morrama Worst design: A flat-packed shelving unit made while at secondary school Most successful design: Angle razor Most impactful feedback: Customer reviews for Wild refillable deodorant Dream design: A waste systemThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Bates, design director of consumer tech company Nothing, visits the studio to discuss the difficulties of innovating in the smartphone category, the perils of spec creep, the joy of design references from the past, and the importance of carving out your own niche.Adam's picks for his crit were:Best design: Headphone (1)Worst design: A vacuum cleaner for the Japanese marketMost successful design: Dyson Supersonic and Phone (1) Most impactful feedback: “Carve your niche” and “You look like you're having too much fun”Dream design: A cameraThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Designer and artist Paul Cocksedge joins The Crit for a conversation about communicating through coal, financing an art practice, engendering material wonder in diverse audiences, and the case for redesigning London's streets.Paul's picks for his crit were:Best design: Coalescence Worst design: ManuscriptMost successful design: Please Be Seated Most impactful feedback: Ingo Maurer saying he believed in Paul Dream design: Redesigning LondonThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Designer Nipa Doshi of Doshi Levien is our latest guest, visiting the studio to talk about the importance of sketching, the challenges of moving between continents, the need for plural approaches and aesthetic in design, and the case for greater sensitivity in the design of healthcare.Nipa's picks for her crit were:Best design: Charpoy for MorosoWorst design: None (the importance of selectivity) Most successful design: Colour system for Kettal and Quilton sofas for HayMost impactful feedback: “ There's always a way to make a good idea.” —Jonathan LevienDream design: A hospital and mammogram machineThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Designer Nina Tolstrup, one half of Studiomama, joins The Crit to talk small-scale living, new cutlery typologies, furniture made from leftover pallets, and the importance of local manufacturing and distribution.Nina's picks for her crit were:Best design: Pallet ProjectWorst design: Bio-Plastic Cutlery ToolMost successful design: 13m2 HouseMost impactful feedback: “Just try it”Dream design: A furniture system for small space livingThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Experience designer, artist and filmmaker Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian makes a flying visit to The Crit, discussing bouncing sound waves off the moon to create music mixed with the sounds of the Big Bang, to redistributing wealth to community groups using funding ring-fenced for Brexit celebrations. Nelly's picks for her crit were:Best design: Piccadilly Un:Plugged Worst design: University of the Underground (the early years)Most successful design: Tour de MoonMost impactful feedback: Fiona Raby telling her that she needed to overcome her anxiety about public speaking because it was going to become a big part of her work Dream design: A rocket, a sex toy, or toys for McDonald’s Happy MealsThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Osgerby – cofounder of Barber Osgerby, Universal Design Studio and Map Project Office – visits the studio to reflect on the challenges of forging an emotional connection with users and audiences through design, as well as speculating on who might play him in a film of his life.Jay's picks for his crit were:Best design: Double SpaceWorst design: Everything he designed while studying architecture at the Royal College of Art Most successful design: Olympic TorchMost impactful feedback: People writing to him to express how much they loved the Tip Ton chairDream design: A permanent outdoor sculpture or installationThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Designer Andu Masebo joins The Crit to discuss designing objects that tell stories about their own creation, his love of harsh feedback and his dream of redesigning the creative education system.Andu's picks for his crit were:Best design: Making RoomWorst design: Union ChairMost successful design: Candleholder No.12Most impactful feedback: His wife saying a design was disgustingDream design: Creative education systemThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Pearson from Pearson&Lloyd joins The Crit to discuss, amongst other things, using design to improve communal spaces which many people might regard as an unfortunate necessity, from airplane interiors to A&E wards.Luke's picks for his crit were:Best design: Virgin Atlantic upper class seat or Flow X stairlift Worst design: Homer office workstation for Knoll Most successful design: A Better A&E Most impactful feedback: A client saying that Pearson Lloyd’s design had catapulted their business forwardDream design: Trams The CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at Uncommon Holborn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Designer and educator Ilse Crawford stops by the studio to talk about her work creating products and spaces centred around communication, material provenance and wellbeing: a concept focused on creating healthy systems and understanding the psychology and physiology of space. The founder of the Studioilse collective of architects, designers journalists and filmmakers, Ilse speaks about the importance of the client-designer relationship, and the potential of the design field to integrate measurable values such as increased quality and revenue, alongside unmeasurable values including communicating care, trust, and generosity.Ilse's picks for her crit were:Best design: Sinnerlig lamp for Ikea or Ett HemWorst design: The Anna Freud CentreMost successful design: Cathay Pacific business loungeMost impactful feedback: A user of the Refettorio Felix community kitchen saying that the space's beauty showed that someone caresDream design: Care homesThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at Uncommon Holborn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.