Since my design journey began about 2 years ago everything has been and is still about learning. I’m a law student and it can be overwhelming combining a challenging degree with a self-directed education in a different path.
One of the things that has helped me learn on the go and discover interesting things about the scope and nature of the design industry is podcasts.
I stumbled on the first design podcast I ever listened to on Get Clever’s Instagram page. I enjoyed their content so I decided to give the podcast a listen. I enjoyed the first episode I listened to; an interview with Elena Frampton of Frampton Co. A few episodes in, I realized there had to be more design podcasts and I did a few Googles, read some listicles and the rest is history.
Over the past 2 years I’ve listened to quite a number of design podcasts. I’ve truly enjoyed exploring design through this medium. It also helps that I am interested not only in interior design but also in product design, visual communication and critical theory. I have discovered a number of podcasts that combine these and more.
I believe good recommendations offer a place to start from. This is not less true in this context where a lot of these podcasts have hundreds of episodes which may cause option paralysis. I should mention that most of the podcast links are to Apple podcasts but I believe that they are also on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Here’s a list of my favourite design podcasts with an episode you can start with.
CLEVER
Let’s start from the beginning, shall we? Clever is hosted by Amy Devers (a designer and award winning TV personality) and Jamie Derringer (founder of design Milk) The podcast takes an interview-style approach with a different guest for every episode. The guests come from all walks, from artists to information architects. The podcasts is an exploration in to designers’ process and their journey to now.
Start with the first episode I listened to!
Interior Designer-Elena Frampton
THE OBSERVATORY
Jessica Helfand and legendary graphic designer Micheal Bierut (both co-founders of the Design Observer host this weekly conversational podcast about visual design, typography, pop culture and everything in between.
What I enjoy most about the podcast is the wealth of knowledge that both of the hosts have as a result of their decades-long careers. They start the podcast by stating that the podcast will dive into what’s on their minds and in the air. Truly, no topic is off-limits and these are amazing minds to get into.
I’d have to recommend this episode from which I discovered an archive of Christmas cards sent to Charles and Ray Eames.
Episode 117: Truth and Youghurt
STUDIO 400
I’ve listened to every episode of this podcast and you should too. It is one of the few Nigerian design podcasts and it is an absolute gem. Hosted by Oluwaseeto, the podcast takes both monologue and interview styles.
The podcast is an inquisition in to the state of Architecture in Nigerian today. The scope is broad addressing topics from architecture education to housing and even conversations with established Nigerian architects.
I’ve recommended this podcast quite a number of times and here are my most recommended episodes.
Is there a Nigerian Architecture? (1)
Is there a Nigerian Architecture? (2)
AN AFRICAN CONQUERING THE WORLD
I discovered this podcast on Studio 400. They had an episode with the host of this podcast -James Inedu George (Thinker and Architect).
The podcast is majorly monologue style but in recent times has evolved into a conversation between James and the members of his firm-HTL Africa
James is a brilliant and well researched architect with his ideas on the state of art, design and architecture and what they should be.
The episodes are short and for a good reason because they usually require you to pause for a think. You won’t always agree with him and he doesn’t mind that either.
You can start with this episode which got me thinking.
AFRICA DESIGN RADIO
This is another podcast which I’ve listened to nearly episode. The podcast is hosted by Chibueze Ewuzie a design activist. The podcast explores design across the African continent through interviews and conversations with design professionals and thought leaders. The podcasts highlight the specific issues Africa faces and how design can be used to overcome them.
You should listen to this episode in conversation with one one of my favorite product designers Lani Adeoye
The Heritage Series with Lani Adeoye
BUSINESS OF DESIGN
I believe everyone who runs a design business should listen to this. The podcast is hosted by Kimberly Seldon who is a designer and founder of Business of design which provides operations and business development resources for interior designers. The podcast does the same with episodes on pricing, project management, and business insurance.
You should listen to this episode on Commercial Vs. Residential Design.
Commercial Vs. Residential with Two Fold Interiors
SCRATCHING THE SURFACE
Jarrett Fuller hosts this podcast which I think everyone should listen to at least once. The podcast is an interview- conversation style podcast that is centred around theory, critique and design.
Scratching the Surface offers thoughtful but informal conversations between the host and writers, critics, academics, designers and activists among others. I’ve found this podcast helpful for a lot of thought that has been integral to forming my design philosophy. A good number of the guests also have non-traditional routes and that has given me a lot of comfort in my journey as a law student turned designer.
You should listen to this episode with Willo Perron, an amazing designer with no formal design education.
MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
This podcast dedicated to furniture design and is hosted by Danny Cheung. Product/Industrial design is a huge interest of mine and this is one of the podcasts dedicated solely to it.
The podcast is majorly in interview-style with furniture experts giving insights into the history, design, manufacturing and marketing of furniture.
It is one of my dreams to go to the Milan Furniture Fair that’s why I recommend this episode that’s all about it and so much more about what makes Italy a furniture design haven.
Salone -Why Italians Do It Better
99% INVISIBLE
99% invisible is hosted by Roman Mars. This is another podcast I believe everyone should listen to. It is an incredible podcast about design, architecture and how it operates in our daily lives.
It is one of the top-ranked podcasts across platforms and it’s for a good reason. The podcast is a weekly reminder that design is in everything.
I love this episode about the design that goes in sounds that machines make.
Sounds of the Artificial World.
MONOCLE ON DESIGN
Monocle on Design is a podcast by Monocle – one of the top design magazines (in my opinion) hosted by Nolan Giles. The podcast mirrors the magazine’s breadth-all of the design world from fashion to cars to packaging. It is an amazing way to discover design news, stories and talent from every place you can think of.
The podcast episodes come in a range of styles; interviews, monologues and conversations. I especially enjoy their Monocle Extra episodes which are under 10 minutes. It is great for when I want to learn something but don’t have the time or bandwidth to listen for long periods.
I’d have to recommend one of those Monocle Extra episodes with the founder of one of my favourite lighting brands: Bocci.
Recently, I have listened to two design podcasts that have been creeping up on my top 10 list. The first is Business of Home which is hosted by Dennis Fuller. This podcast is an interview-style podcast but with a different set of guests. Entrepreneurs and leaders of businesses utilized by interior and architectural designers. Think an interview with the founders of The Expert or insights in to Food 52’s acquisition of Schoolhouse.
Another is Design Time by Domino Magazine hosted by Jessica Romm Perez. It is another conversational/interview-style podcast with top designers around the world. I especially love the episodes with some of my favourite designers; Brigette Romanek, Kelly Wearstler and Beata Heuman.
A lot has happened since my last blog post. First is a lot of time has passed, it’s been nearly 6 weeks. I did anticipate that I’d be too busy to blog and that’s the reason I blogged a lot in January. In other news, I was interviewed for a piece on Apartment Therapy on what cosy means around the world. Read it here. Finally and most remarkable of all is that Francis KĂ©rĂ© won the Pritzker Prize. It is well deserved and you can see why here. It is monumental, seeing that he is the first African to win the illustrious prize.
That will be all for this post. Until next time.
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