The Crit #7: Michael Marriott
Have you ever wondered what designers think about their own work, and what their reflections on Christmas, materialism, and gift-giving might be? Well, thanks to our festive episode of The Crit, now you know!
Every fortnight on the podcast, Disegno’s editor-in-chief Oli Stratford invites a leading designer to discuss the highlights and lowlights of their career. Each episode, they’ll tell us what worked best; what failed; what pushed their career to new heights; what feedback most shaped their practice; and what they feel needs to be redesigned.
To celebrate festive season, this week our guest will also be asked about their favourite gifts and Christmas decorations, and what they would most like to redesign about the holiday.
At the end of the episode, to complete their crit, they’ll be asked to give themselves a grade for their career to date: fail, pass, commendation or distinction.
It’s a design-school crit, delivered every fortnight! Subscribe to the show here, or sign up wherever you get your podcasts from.
Our seventh guest on The Crit is Michael Marriott, accompanied by show host Oli Stratford.
Episode #7: Michael Marriott
For our festive episode of The Crit, we welcomed designer, curator, writer and educator Michael Marriott into the studio to explore his interest in resourcefulness and moderation in design and discuss his views about Christmas.
Growing up with a father who sold ornate Regency antiques, Marriott developed a fascination for well-made and long-lasting furniture and a distaste for anything too elaborate, always aiming to design objects which capture the simplicity and utility of vintage tools.
Working across objects, furniture and spaces, Marriott has collaborated with SCP, the ICA, Design Museum, Venice Biennale, Jasper Morrison and Paul Smith, and developed small batches of products for his online shop WoodMetalPlastic.
Listen to the episode to hear Marriott review his career to date, from creating sweetly political stickers to his dream of restyling electric cars, and learn about what he would most like to redesign about Christmastime.
Show Notes: Michael Marriott
Best design: Olá
Worst design: Sardine Tin Drawers
Most successful design: Fusilli book stand
Most impactful feedback: Craft is just making something with care
Dream design: Electric Car
This episode of The Crit was recorded at Uncommon Holborn.
The Crit’s graphics were created by Leonhard Rothmoser.
The Crit’s music was created by Yuri Suzuki and Team Suzuki.