Monocle on Design

The designer discusses his work at the National Theatre’s production of ‘Inter Alia’ in London – and how to strike the balance between performer and technology onstage, including with previous collaborators David Bowie and U2.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recap of the design-minded discussions at this year’s conference, including Bofill Taller de Arquitectura and a lighting masterclass from Santa & Cole and Marset. Plus: the importance of craft and context for any project. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

California-based designer Hyu Lim discusses his brand, Maju, the lamp series inspired by both his Singaporean heritage and the design systems that he encountered while working in the tech industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Design Council’s CEO, Minnie Moll, previews the World Design Congress at London’s Barbican Centre. Plus: Abe Rogers discusses his curation of the ‘Richard Rogers: Talking Buildings’ exhibition at Sir John Soane’s Museum.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multidisciplinary maker Dharma Taylor reflects on the similarities between producing fashion and designing textile and furniture works. We also discuss her contribution to the ‘Dwellings, Rehomed’ exhibition at London’s Design Museum.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesian textile and fashion powerhouse Obin discusses bringing batik to contemporary audiences. Plus: Sam Hecht of Industrial Facility discusses haptic feedback and the last instalment of our summer series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We visit the architectural summer school run by the studio Hello Wood. Helena Kardová reports from this year’s one-of-a-kind adventure, which took place in a former textile factory in the town of Česká Kamenice, Czechia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hear from Alexander von Vegesack, founder of Domaine de Boisbuchet – an international research centre for design and architecture in southwest France that hosts workshops for students and professionals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vincenzo Latronico’s new novel ‘Perfection’ is a launchpad for Monocle’s associate editor, Grace Charlton, to explore ideas of materialism.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist, illustrator and writer Rob Lowe, also known as Supermundane, joins us in the studio for another instalment of our summer series. Plus: the team discusses the link between architecture and landscape. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The printmaker and poster designer is celebrated at the Poster House in New York in an exhibition that charts the pioneering work of the creative. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A review of the ‘Pictograms’ exhibition at Japan House in London. Then: we remember the late, great Robert Wilson. And: we kick off our summer series highlighting design essentials for the season.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We head to Portugal to meet João Xará, one of the co-founders of this design collective, to discuss why the group formed and the power of experimentation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Design Museum in London explores how we might design beyond human needs in its latest exhibition. Then we visit the showroom of Portuguese furniture brand Branca and sit down with interdisciplinary designer Bolaji Teniola.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s associate editor of design and fashion, Grace Charlton, muses on the importance of enjoying good design rather than the performance of merely owning it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re in Japan to visit furniture manufacturer Karimoku. Then we consider the use of concrete in Austrian architecture and the team behind ‘Slop Magazine’ discuss graphic design and client relationships.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lagos-based artist’s exhibition, ‘You will wonder if we would have been friends’, is on at The Noguchi Museum in New York. Ogunbiyi’s artworks playfully blur the line between functional design and art.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lulu Harrison, winner of The Ralph Saltzman Prize 2025, discusses her ‘Thames Glass’ project. We also head to Lisbon’s Made in Situ gallery to see its ‘Xisto’ collection. Plus: Romanian designer Bogdan Ciocodeica.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The celebrated architect discusses the future of mobility and his project, ‘Gateway to Venice’s Waterways’, at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Didiet Maulana, founder of Ikat Indonesia, discusses bringing historical textile techniques to a contemporary audience. Plus: Nordic design news and we hear from the founder of collectible design brand Hamrei. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writer Christopher Beanland considers the cultural and architectural impact of cars in shaping our built environment.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We visit the studio of wood artist Darren Appiagyei, find out why Portland, Oregon, has become a mass-timber hub and design organisation Material Cultures shares why timber isn’t the only vital woodland resource. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First held in 1975, the event has grown into one of the world’s most respected poster-design competitions, drawing submissions from top talent across the globe. Petri Burtsoff reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hear from a global cohort of creatives at Copenhagen’s de facto design week, 3 Days of Design.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second photographic survey from independent publishing house Zupagrafika considers the building style that dominates much of Eastern Europe. Architectural historian Kateryna Malaia tells us more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.