Stories
Colour Blur
Maharam’s new textile collection by fashion designer Sander Lak avoids recognisable patterns or images, and instead focuses on the sensory experience of colour.
The Crit #11: Ilse Crawford
Ilse Crawford joins The Crit to discuss creating healthy systems and understanding the psychology and physiology of space.
Ancestors in the Making
In Disegno #38, Malika Leiper and Najha Zigbi-Johnson reflect on Stephen Burks Man Made’s Ancestors series, which uses design as a form of spiritual armour.
The Crit #10: Yuri Suzuki
Yuri Suzuki joins The Crit to discuss his interest in using sound design to shape human interactions and public spaces.
A Personal Promise
Faye Toogood’s guest of honour installation at the January 2025 edition of Maison & Objet is a personal manifesto for embracing the emotional and sensual aspects of her work.
The Crit #9: Trent Jansen
Trent Jansen joins The Crit to discuss his interest in design as a form of anthropology and social commentary, through collaborating with indigenous artists to make works exploring Australia’s history and culture.
Dot-to-dot
Disegno’s talk series at the 2025 Stockholm Furniture Fair will bring together designers and architects such as Ini Archibong and Alison Brooks to explore how practitioners infuse their work with cross-cultural and multidisciplinary themes.
The Crit #8: Katy Marks
Katy Marks joins The Crit to discuss her interest in creating designs which are welcoming and inclusive, from theatres and museums to a one-cup asymmetrical bra for breast cancer survivors.
Reloading the Canon
Jomo Tariku’s solo show aims to expand the design canon by displaying his furniture designs alongside the African artefacts which inspired them.
It Rings a Bell
Map Project Office and Father explore sound, memory and ritual with a concept work that records and plays audio overlaid with the ringing of a bell.
The Crit #7: Michael Marriott
Michael Marriott joins The Crit for our Christmas episode, discussing his interest in resourcefulness and moderation in design and reflecting on how to embrace the joy of festive season while steering clear of materialism.
The Past is the Future
In Disegno #37, Sheila Ngọc Phạm traces the history of written Vietnamese and explores the designers and type foundries working to make typefaces more inclusive.
Health and Safety
Liang-Jung Chen explores flexible barriers and their role demarcating public space as part of the Emerging Designer Commission at the V&A.
The Crit #6: Bisila Noha
Bisila Noha joins The Crit to discuss her career to date, reflecting on her experiences learning from pottery communities around the world and making work which honours the contributions of women of colour to art and crafts.
A Guardian
Textile artist Mair Cook reimagined USM’s Haller system as a soft lamp for breastfeeding at night for The Aram Gallery’s Adaptations exhibition.
A Personal Investment
Manufracture, Faye Toogood’s Guest of Honour Installation at the 2025 Stockholm Furniture Fair, sees the designer open up her personal archive as she grapples with the complexities of contemporary production.
The Crit #5: Stefan Diez
Stefan Diez joins The Crit to discuss his career to date, reflecting on his interest in technically complex, circular designs that are both playful and elegant.