Design Discord

In this episode of Design Discord, host Fernando Mastrangelo sits down with Lewis Wexler of the acclaimed Wexler Gallery in Philadelphia, for one of the most candid and wide-ranging conversations about the art and design world you’ll hear anywhere. Lewis traces his journey from a $17,000 a year job at the front counter of Christie’s in the 1980s, where he had no connections and no pedigree, throug...

Jill Singer, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Sight Unseen, joins Fernando Mastrangelo to talk about 17 years of defining American design. From establishing OFFSite, the fair of the season, to launching the Design Hot List, Sight Unseen became the platform that shaped an entire era of design. Topics covered: Sight Unseen's origin story at i-D magazine Bootstrapping a design platform with no m...

In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando Mastrangelo sits down with Holly Howard — founder of Ask Holly How and the new AI-powered platform Pyramid.work — for one of the most inspiring and practical conversations we’ve ever had. Holly’s journey is unreal: from training at the Joffrey Ballet, to becoming a music therapist who worked with Oliver Sacks’ methods, to managing legendary Williamsburg...

Fernando Mastrangelo interviews Jean Lin, founder of Colony Gallery in New York, about her incredible journey from Hurricane Sandy relief work to creating a groundbreaking gallery that supports independent designers. Jean reveals the details behind Colony’s co-op inspired model — affordable monthly fees paired with a low 15% commission — and why she’s stayed committed to this approach for over 12...

In this refreshingly honest episode of Design Discord, Fernando Mastrangelo sits down with David Michon, the sharp, eloquent voice behind For Scale , the buzziest Substack in the design world right now. David shares how he went from writing for Monocle and Icon to creating his own independent platform for real design criticism. Together they unpack why so many design magazines feel identical, why...

Laura Young of The Future Perfect joins Fernando Mastrangelo on Design Discord for a wide-ranging conversation covering her full career path, the evolution of one of design’s most respected galleries, and what’s actually in or out right now. From RISD and chaotic auction-house days to co-leading The Future Perfect across New York, LA, Miami, and San Francisco, Laura opens up about building a busin...

Join Fernando Mastrangelo on Design Discord for an in-depth conversation with Ashlee Harrison, powerhouse in collectible design. From helping establish Carpenters Workshop Gallery in the US to launching her own private salon Thirty8East in a historic Upper East Side brownstone, Ashlee brings unparalleled insight into the world of functional sculpture, curation, and cultural storytelling. Topics in...

Zesty Meyers (co-founder of R & Company) joins Fernando Mastrangelo for a raw, inspiring conversation about his incredible 30+ year journey in the design world. From performing with molten glass as part of the legendary B Team, to starting what later became R & Company with just $200 at the Chelsea Flea Market, to shaping the modern collectible design market — this episode is packed with p...

In this episode of Design Discord, hosts Fernando Mastrangelo and Alyssa Gerasimoff celebrate the end of the year with the first annual Design Discord Awards. They discuss their selections for various categories, including best fair, booth, interior designers, and galleries, while reflecting on the challenges of making these choices. They also highlight designers to watch in 2026 and discuss their...

Should you hire a PR firm… or are you just paying someone to spam editors? Rebecca Goldberg — co-founder of Dada Goldberg, the most dialed-in design PR agency in New York — finally pulls back the curtain. We ask every question designers are dying to ask about PR: - What does real PR actually cost these days? - When is the right moment to pull the trigger? - Does PR actually move the needle on sale...

By popular demand, our favorite overseas correspondent Julia Haney-Montanez is BACK and fresh off the fair floors! She was on the ground at PAD London and Design Miami Paris spilling the tea straight from the dealers’ mouths: collectors are officially over uncomfortable concept pieces and torture chairs. They want livable luxury, pieces you can actually sit on, live with, and love. Comfort is the...

In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando sits down with Chen Chen and Kai Williams of the Brooklyn-based namesake studio. If you’re not already familiar with their work, get ready. We talk about how their partnership formed, what it’s been like building a practice in New York, and how their experimental approach has evolved into a studio that balances artistic risk with business. The conversati...

In this episode of Design Discord, we dive deep with Julia Haney-Montañez, founder of The Design Release, to unpack the tough choices designers face today: where to show their work in a post-COVID world. From her time curating the Architectural Digest Design Show to building her own platform, Julia shares sharp insights on how trade fairs have lost their pre-COVID spark and why designers are turni...

In this episode of Design Discord, we sit down with interior designer Cara Woodhouse to talk about what it really takes to build a lasting, fulfilling career in design. With a formal background in interiors, years spent at top design firms, and multiple businesses under her belt before launching her namesake studio, Cara brings deep experience and hard-won perspective to the conversation. From her...

In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando and Alyssa answer your questions. From whether an MFA is worth it to how to actually get the attention of galleries, interior designers, and press—they dig into the gritty realities of building a creative career today. The conversation covers the role of social media, the financial pressures of working in design, and what visibility really looks like in...

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/LObYYbK3Wzo In this episode of Design Discord , Alyssa and Fernando reflect on their week in New York City – where they saw it all: Collectible, Duet, The Armory, The Future Perfect, and more. The conversation dives into the evolving language around “collectible design,” the challenges facing emerging designers, and the gap between curatorial intent and market ex...

In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando and Alyssa sit down with Jen Kaplan, Alyssa’s co-founder at Erria, to talk about what it really means to build a platform for independent makers. They get into the complexities of designing for both buyers and sellers, the technical challenges behind creating a marketplace from scratch, and what it takes to rethink logistics, onboarding, and product disc...

In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando and Alyssa take a closer look at the disconnect between design education and the realities of creative work. Through personal stories and recent experiences with students, we explore what’s missing from most design programs, and what young designers really need to succeed. The conversation covers the importance of hands-on learning, the limitations of ac...

In this episode of Design Discord, Alyssa and Fernando sit down with designer and organizer Chris Held to talk about his journey—from founding the annual exhibition Jonald Dudd to launching the experimental showroom DUDD HAUS in Philadelphia. Chris shares what it’s taken to build alternative spaces for design, and how collaboration, community, and experimentation have shaped his approach. The conv...

In this episode of Design Discord, Alyssa, Fernando, and special guest Mika Rosique, Fernando’s wife and longtime Sales Director of Fernando Mastrangelo Studio dive into the often-overlooked side of the design world: sales. They unpack Mika’s path into the role, the value of building a strong client management system, and what it takes to maintain real, lasting client relationships. The conversati...

In this episode of Design Discord , Alyssa and Fernando sit down with Oliver Pelle of New York City based lighting and design studio Pelle to talk about the long game of building a creative practice. From navigating the pressure to market yourself, to balancing originality with commercial viability, Oliver shares his perspective on what it really takes to sustain a design career over time. The con...

In this episode of Design Discord , co-hosts Alyssa Gerasimoff and Fernando Mastrangelo unpack the complexities of creativity—its rhythms, constraints, and the shifting relationship between passion and recognition. They reflect on how success can both fuel and hinder creative growth, the role of education in shaping their paths, and the tension between personal fulfillment and market demands. The...

In this bonus episode of Design Discord , Fernando, Alyssa, and special guest Mika (Fernando’s wife) reflect on what they saw during NYCxDesign. They cover ICFF, Wanted, Shelter, and a few standout independent exhibitions. They talk through the dynamics of booth presentations, the rise of ceramics in contemporary design, and the value of connecting directly with makers. The conversation also touch...

In this episode of Design Discord , Alyssa Gerasimoff and Fernando Mastrangelo dive into the evolving landscape of design fairs, with a focus on the growing scene in Mexico. They discuss the distinct visual language of Mexican designers, notable voices shaping the region’s creative culture, and their own experiences engaging with design in Mexico. The conversation expands to the broader challenges...

In this kickoff episode of Design Discord , hosts Alyssa Gerasimoff and Fernando Mastrangelo sit down to talk about their own paths in design and why they feel this podcast and transparent conversation about the industry need to exist. Fernando and Alyssa reflect on the challenges emerging designers face today—from visibility in the market to the realities of fabrication—and the need for more open...