The Crit

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.

Sound designer, musician and artist Yuri Suzuki, the creator of The Crit's jingle, joins us in the studio for a discussion about using sound as a means to shape human interactions and public spaces. Yuri's picks for his crit were:Best design: Sonic BloomWorst design: Devices for a performance in Japan with visually impaired dancersMost successful design: OTOTOMost impactful feedback: Jesper Kouthoofd from Teenage engineering admiring his playful approach to design Dream design: Sounds for electric vehiclesThe 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.

Australian furniture designer Trent Jansen visits The Crit to discuss his deep collaborations with indigenous Australian artists and designers, working together to make collectible design pieces and public furniture which tell stories about Australian history and culture. Trent's picks for his crit were:Best design: Kurunpa Kunpu Worst design: Shelving systemMost successful design: Balit-dhan Balit-nganjinMost impactful feedback: Learning about the landscape and its stories from indigenous Australian collaborators Dream design: Public furniture and spaces 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.

Architect Katy Marks from Citizens Design Bureau joins The Crit the studio to explore her passion for designing welcoming and inclusive spaces, from community-led housing and cultural venues such as the Manchester Jewish Museum to the conservation of listed buildings. She also shares the story of -Unobra, her design for a one cup asymmetrical bra for post-mastectomy bodies, which was informed by her own experiences as a breast cancer survivor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.