The Crit

Designer, curator, writer and educator Michael Marriott joins The Crit to discuss making stickers that are sweetly political, his dream of restyling electric cars, and what he would most like to redesign about Christmastime.Michael’s picks for his crit were:Best design: OláWorst design: Sardine Tin Drawers Most successful design: Fusilli book stand Most impactful feedback: Craft is just making something with care Dream design: Electric CarThe 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.

Ceramic artist, researcher and writer Bisila Noha joins The Crit to discuss her interest in challenging Western ideas about art and craft, honouring the contributions of women of colour to these disciplines, and the importance of finding different ways to design and make with clay.Bisila's picks for her crit were:Best design: Baney ClayWorst design: Two-Legged Vessel Most successful design: Her writing practiceMost impactful feedback: Receiving trust, respect and encouragement from curator Jareh DasDream design: ToiletsThe 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.

Stefan Diez, founder of Diez Office, joins The Crit to discuss the importance of elegance and joyfulness in sustainable design, and his work convincing major manufacturers to deviate from standard commercial manufacturing methods to cater for circular products.Stefan’s picks for his crit were:Best design: Ayno lamp or Boa tableWorst design: Couch or an unnamed wardrobe projectMost successful design: Plusminus or New OrderMost impactful feedback: Designing shouldn’t always be easyDream design: Royalties payment systemThe 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.

Seetal Solanki from Ma-tt-er is the latest designer to join The Crit, discussing her work mapping materials in Bali and fostering community Nigeria, to using quizzes and memes as an educational exercise. Seetal's picks for her crit were: Best design: Desa Potato Head or 16/16 residency Worst design: An unnamed restaurant window displayMost successful design: Materials Personality Quiz Most impactful feedback: You need to own itDream design: The education system 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.

What do designers think about their own work? Which project are they most proud of; what early design do they regret; and what would they most like to design in the future? The Crit, a new podcast from Disegno, has the answers!This week, Martino Gamper joins The Crit as his retrospective Before, After and Beyond opens in London, sharing memories from his success with a self-initiated stool, to the impassioned critique he received from Enzo Mari.Martino's picks for his crit were: Best design: Arnold Circus StoolWorst design: An unnamed wooden chair for an Italian furniture brand Most successful design: Design is a State of MindMost impactful feedback: Enzo Mari’s criticism that some of his work was neither craft nor industryDream design: An anonymous, ubiquitous object or detailThe 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.

What do designers think about their own work? Which project are they most proud of; what early design do they regret; and what would they most like to design in the future? The Crit, a new podcast from Disegno, has the answers!This week, Bethan Laura Wood joins The Crit to talk everything from toothpaste-inspired handles and explorations into the aesthetic potential of laminate, to feminist salons and the importance of learning how to edit.Bethan's picks for her crit were: Best design: Kaleidoscope-o-ramaWorst design: Entwined light Most successful design: Super Fake or ToothpasteMost impactful feedback: If you carry everything, it ends up being nothingDream design: A dog bed for WilmaThe 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.

What do designers think about their own work? Which project are they most proud of; what early design do they regret; and what would they most like to design in the future? The Crit, a new podcast from Disegno, has the answers!This week, Yinka Ilori comes on The Crit to discuss being tempted to buy his chairs back, the career advice Tracey Emin gave him in M&S, and the importance of joy and self belief.Yinka's picks for his crit were: Best design: Colour PalaceWorst design: Okra chair Most successful design: If Chairs Could TalkMost impactful feedback: Don’t rush, take your time and build your body of workDream design: Sculpture park 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.

This month, hosts Oli Stratford and India Block recap a trio of reports that examine Urban Heat Islands, reducing the carbon emissions of touring exhibitions, and building safer cities for birds. In products and projects they discuss the Bilboquet lamp by Philippe Malouin for Flos, football kits inspired by William Morris and conclude with an interview with Olivier Lacrouts, one half of Studio d-o-t-s, discussing their School of Phyto-Centred Design.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following a discussion of the sudden flurry of product design in cinema, this episode of The Crit sees the co-hosts unpack the unsettling allegations made against top architect David Adjaye, give their first impressions of Meta's new social media platform Threads, and discuss the opening of Young V&A, a museum revamp that's been overshadowed by the removal of LGBTQ+ content. This month's exclusive interview takes the form of a conversation with Paul Simmons, co-founder of Timorous Beasties, about pushing the technical boundaries of wall coverings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Crit, hosts Oli Stratford and India Block celebrate their June birthdays and reflect on the month’s design goings-on. They discuss the merits and pitfalls of augmented reality headsets to exhibitions about email newsletters, to handy fold up sofas. Also featured is a teaser for the new issue of Design Reviewed, plus an exclusive interview with designer Ilona Gaynor about her research into the politics and labour of sleeping. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We take a journey to ethics town in this episode of The Crit, discussing the dubious developments around Adidas’s Yeezy range and the human rights abuses connected to mega-city Neom. In brighter news, we highlight some products and projects including Transformers by Konstantin Grcic, the Kyora balancing board by Studiomama, and the opening of the Farrell Centre in Newcastle. We end with a special treat – an interview with designer Jean Lee about Ladies & Gentlemen Studio’s new exhibition, Public Access. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this edition of The Crit hosts Oli Stratford and India Block discuss notable moments during Milan Design Week 2023. This episode was recorded at Convene, 22 Bishopsgate. Thank you to everyone at Convene for their kind support. If you’d like to find out more about Convene’s workplaces in London and further afield simply visit convene.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new year, a new episode of The Crit. This episode, the hosts discuss the amusing, confusing and inspiring tech products from Las Vegas’ consumer Electronics show; the rise of the pet apparel market and Front’s forward thinking design practice. Also included is a discussion of a Virtual Power Plant Partnership project, a nostalgic reflection on Sony’s Walkman releases and a special mention of Special Project’s interface design for a digital therapy service called SlowMo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s December, which means the annual round-up episode of The Crit is out, looking back on design stories of note in 2022. In honour of the launch of Disegno’s new publication – Design Reviewed – we have updated the format of this year’s annual review. Design Reviewed is organised around 10 categories, each of which correspond to a different design output, so we’ve borrowed these same sections for this special episode of the podcast. Listen on for discussions of Elf bars, Dall-E, beyond human design, the year’s design villains and heroes, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of The Crit looks back on design news in October, including sad happenings around The Line in Neom; the opening of Battersea Power station; the Kakao outage in South Korea; and Coperni’s spray-on dress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate the upcoming launch of Disegno’s September issue, The Crit’s co-hosts give a behind-the-scenes view of some of the most topical pieces from the new issue, with sections exploring the Tolix Chaise A, a contested masterplan in Auroville, the unionisation movement in architecture, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July was marked by somber news from the design world, with reports of a final spilt between Jony Ive and Apple, the frightening data fall out from the overturning of Roe vs Wade, and the death of Dezeen founder Marcus Fairs. Also included in this episode is a look at the Stirling prize building nominees in the UK, a new game shaped by the feline perspective, and a move towards universal design principals from Pottery Barn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Returning in full force after Disegno’s editorial team ventured out to the Salone De Mobile, this month’s Crit explores what a two-year hiatus has done to the design fair behemoth; reflects on the publication and ramifications of the Bartlett report; debates the sentience of an AI chatbot and its effect on the public imagination; and examines a series of new projects and products. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A special episode sees The Crit travel to the Eden Project in Cornwall to meet artist Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, whose Pollinator Pathmaker project explores interspecies design and questions whether creative practice can make things better, and for whom?[Featuring sound design from Nick Ryan] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking back over March, Disegno’s editorial team discuss diversity and Marsha Ramroop’s exit from RIBA; Diébédo Francis Kéré and his selection as the 2022 Pritzker Prize laureate; Frida Escobedo’s appointment to design the new Met extension; and Santiago’s newly appointed heat officer. Also included in the episode are projects and products including Radical Acts at Harewood House, the Dyson Zone headphones, Plusminus by Stefan Diez, and Queer Spaces: An Atlas of LGBTQIA+ Places and Stories by Adam Nathaniel Furman and Joshua Mardell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.