
Monocle on Design
103 episodes — Page 1 of 3
Is collectable design on the rise at Salone del Mobile? A selection of highlights from Milan Design Week 2026
The rise and rise of Brazilian design with Jig. Plus: touring the Rietveld Schröder House in Utrecht.
Just deserts: Exploring AlUla’s pioneering design residencies with curator Emily Marant

What is ‘Hyakkō’? A deep dive into Japan’s thriving craft scene with curator Nagata Takahiro
At a Japan House exhibition in London, curator Nagata Takahiro details the practice and philosophy of craftspeople working across Japan today. Plus: Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton flick through the new issue of Monocle and discuss some of their favourite design pieces. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simone Brewster on the narrative of objects. Plus: the Dominican Republic’s rising design scene
Nic Monisse joins Simone Brewster at the London Design Museum to discuss her latest exhibition. Then: Gregory Scruggs explores the Dominican Republic’s booming design scene. Plus: our take on this year’s Pritzker Architecture Prize. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matter and Shape, part two: Architecture and Genius Loci, Larger Than Life, Through the Looking Glass
The final part of our series from design salon Matter and Shape with Dan Thawley and Nic Monisse. We blur the boundaries between inside and out with Jayden Ali and talk about scale and sculpture with Birkenstock 1774. Plus: Connecting jewellery, interiors and object design with Repossi and Sabine Marcelis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Co-design and luxury hospitality: Sour’s Pinar Guvenc and GA’s Jessica Morrison on the creative process
Sour's Pinar Guvenc discusses how local community is helping shape better buildings. Then: GA’s Jessica Morrison on what luxury hospitality means in 2026? Plus: Nic and Grace dissect designers from a month of fashion weeks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matter and Shape, part one: Investigating Editions, New Cultural Landscapes and Olfactory Oral
Across a two-part series, we recap design salon Matter and Shape. We hear from three brands editing new and archival works, talk cross-cultural pollination with Villa Hegra and consider how we can design with scent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can Korean craft teach us about our possessions? Hyo Jung Lee on her book ‘Jeong’
Korean craft has long been overlooked. We speak to author Hyo Jung Lee about her book exploring the full scope of the country’s design practice. Plus: Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton discuss the design landscapes of Cape Town and Marrakesh.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do local materials make objects better? Emmie Massias on the rise of Vietnamese design
Design in Ho Chi Minh is on the up: we speak with one designer who is using the city’s signature restaurant stools as a canvas. Plus: Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton pick highlights of The Monocle 100 from the March issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it time to go back to human-centred design? TF Chan on Collect 2026
As London craft-and-design fair Collect gets under way, Nic Monisse chats with director TF Chan about the philosophy of “fewer, better things”. Plus: buttons and handles are coming back to our vehicles but will Nic and Grace Charlton give them the green light? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Materials: Range Rover
We speak to Phoebe Lindsay, Materiality Senior Manager for Range Rover. Hear how the storied automaker uses materials to shape emotions and tell stories. Plus, taking a holistic approach to design strategy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Honouring brand legacy with the Pantone Colour Institute and the Louis Kahn Foundation
How do you pick a unique brand colour and does it matter? Pantone Color Institute’s vice-president joins to discuss. Then: Tallinn architecture students pay homage to Louis Kahn. Plus: Nic and Grace on brand collaboration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defining Brand: Range Rover
We speak to Will Verity, Brand Design Chief for Range Rover, at Design Miami. Hear how sound, scent and space shape our experience of brand. Plus, drawing inspiration from the colour black and modernist architecture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan’s future plazas with Met Team Architects and sculpture as jewellery with Giles Miller
As Japan’s train designs race into the future, their plazas return to nature. Ryuma Takahashi speaks to the architect behind new plans for Iida station. Then: Giles Miller on sculpture as jewellery, plus our view on new proposals for Washington Dulles airport.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Telling stories through design with Andu Masebo and creative studio Birch
How do designers tell stories with their work? London-based designer Andu Masebo discusses his social approach to “simple, efficient objects”. Then: James Allen of creative studio Birch explains how strategy-design in the luxury space requires well-researched taste. Plus: Nic and Grace on 25 years of the Serpentine Pavilion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nichecraft and placemaking with Luca Nichetto and David Galullo
Italian designer Luca Nichetto on nichecraft and the limits of treating design as purely collectible. Then: The office’s future with Rapt Studio’s David Galullo. Plus: Nic and Grace on Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Arts Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does a city affect design? Miminat Shodeinde and Joris Laarman on process and place
We round-up Paris Dećo Off and Maison&Objet. Then: collectable design with London-based creative Miminat Shodeinde. Plus: Dutch designer Joris Laarman on drawing inspiration from nature.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Design in Dubai with ARDH Collective and Some Kind of Practice
The best of Dubai Design Week. Nic Monisse talks with ARDH Collective co-founders Alyina Ahmed and Max Tettamanzi on turning waste into building materials. Then: Exploring courtyards with Some Kind of Practice’s Omar Darwish.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking design cues from nature with Altere Studios and Tom Kundig
Grace Charlton explores how good design can assist new year workouts with Alberto Lambert, CEO and founder of Altere Studios. Plus: making the practical beautiful with American architect Tom Kundig. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best of 2025
Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton share thier favourite moments from across 2025 on Monocle on Design and pick out what they're looking forward to in the year ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moving forward via tradition with Tekla. Plus: Balkrishna Doshi at the Vitra Design Museum
Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton on where to get your last-minute design Christmas goodies. Plus: Grace talks to the Tekla team about their new London shop. Then: We explore Balkrishna Doshi's work at the Vitra Design Museum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to spot timeless design and make DIY chic with SCP and MG&Co
We speak with British designer Sheridan Coakley of SCP about his journey into furniture-making and his philosophy about what makes design last. Then: Matilda Goad of MG&Co on elevating DIY. Plus: Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton give us the Monocle view of the Pantone colour of the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Design Miami with Jen Roberts and Moderne Gallery
Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton report from Miami. Plus: Grace discusses the rise of collectible design with Design Miami’s CEO, Jen Roberts. Then: Nic explores the work of George Nakashima with Moderne Gallery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Making the bed: The importance of design for our bedrooms with Thuma and Rise & Fall
What are the key ingredients to a well-designed bedroom? Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton discuss their must-haves. Then: modern bedroom-furniture maker Thuma on moving into the living room space. Plus: clothing and homeware brand Rise & Fall on why good ideas begin between the sheets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yinka Ilori and Kjetil Thorsen on the role that design can play in shaping mood and memory
British-Nigerian designer Yinka Ilori discusses childhood joy and co-design with Nic Monisse. Then: Snøhetta’s Kjetil Thorsen talks about creating heritage architecture. Plus: gift recommendations for design enthusiasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The aesthetics of functionality with Nifemi Marcus Bello and Wes Anderson
We discuss usage with Lagos-based designer Nifemi Marcus Bello and explore a new book on Wes Anderson’s approach to colour. Plus: Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton consider how good design can help us enjoy our A to B. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Designers on Sofas’ special: Why the couch is so often overlooked, with Ilse Crawford and Eran Chen
To celebrate the release of ‘The Monocle Book of Designers on Sofas’, editors Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton discuss their highlights from the book, featuring interviews with designer Ilse Crawford and architect Eran Chen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rethinking timekeeping for the 21st century with luxury watchmakers Ressence
Benoît Mintiens, founder of luxury watchmakers Ressence, explains the out-of-the-box thinking that goes into reimagining the mechanics of timekeeping for the modern day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frieze Connect’s Charlene Prempeh on the unexpected effects of good art and design
Nic Monisse discusses the social benefits of good art and design with Frieze Connect’s Charlene Prempeh. Then: New Delhi-based craft entrepreneur Vikram Goyal tells us about the search for a “modern Indian design language”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘A fingerprint isn’t a flaw’: Michael Anastassiades on the art of small details
Cypriot born London-based design pioneer Michael Anastassiades discusses the importance of noticing smaller details. Plus: furniture maker Seitz unpacks the concept of “slow living” in Switzerland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extra: ‘Bad Language’
Photographer Max Creasy discusses the relationship between architecture and pictures, and his new exhibition at the Architectural Association in London.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Driving Forward: Range Rover
We speak to Andy Wheel, Director of Production Design at JLR at Range Rover House Daylesford. Hear how a strong brand identity and an innovative approach to design continue to drive the brand forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lessons learned
We reflect on what can be gleaned from years of design discussion and studio visits, featuring highlights from Do Ho Suh, Faye Toogood and Bisila Noha. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extra: St Wolfgang station, home to the Schafberg cog railway
We visit Austria’s St Wolfgang station. In addition to being the starting point for the vertiginous Schafberg cog railway, it has also received accolades from the highest levels of the architectural community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artek at 90, Michael Bennett and Dennis Cheung
We celebrate Finnish brand Artek at 90 and athlete-turned-spatial designer Michael Bennett shares how creativity can be found everywhere. Plus: Dennis Cheung, a Hong Kong-based designer, on how he is taking cues from bamboo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extra: Dulwich Picture Gallery
We venture to South London’s Dulwich Picture Gallery to marvel at the new pavilion and more recent developments at the UK’s first purpose-built public art museum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British Ceramics Biennial, October issue preview and Vienna Design Week
We visit the ninth edition of the British Ceramics Biennial and preview the October issue of Monocle. Plus: A stopover at Vienna Design week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extra: Emre Arolat
In a conversation recorded at Monocle’s most recent Quality of Life Conference, Turkish architect Emre Arolat discusses the design of the Sancaklar Mosque on the outskirts of Istanbul. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

London Design Festival, Studio Brière and Katie Treggiden
Our highlights from London Design Festival, including everything from material innovation to new furniture and design circularity with journalist Katie Treggiden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extra: POV Budapest
We visit the second edition of the design conference in the Hungarian capital. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helsinki Design Week at 20, London’s Open House Festival and Zurich Design Weeks
Helsinki Design Week turns 20 this year and we explore this year’s Open House Festival in London. Plus: An interview with the founder of furniture organisation H100 at Zurich Design Weeks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extra: Willie Williams
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.

Quality of Life Conference design round-up
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.

Extra: Hyu Lim
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.

World Design Congress and the ‘Richard Rogers: Talking Buildings’ exhibition
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.

Extra: Dharma Taylor
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.

Obin, haptic feedback and the conclusion to our summer series
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.

Extra: Cabin Fever 2025
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.

Summer schools
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.