The Crit #15: Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian
Have you ever wondered how designers truly view their own work, and what they think about success, failure, and the lessons they have learned along the way? Disegno’s new editorial podcast, The Crit, has the answers!
Each fortnight, Disegno’s editor-in-chief Oli Stratford invites a leading designer to reflect on their career. Our guest will 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.
At the end of each 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 fifteenth guest on The Crit is Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, accompanied by show host Oli Stratford.
Episode #15: Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian
For our fifteenth episode of The Crit we welcomed experience designer, artist and filmmaker Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian into the studio for a discussion about the role of optimism and imagination in critical design.
With topics ranging from totalitarian regimes and nightlife to Armageddon and orchestras formed of space scientists, Ben Hayoun-Stépanian’s work often uses futuristic scenarios and community engagement to communicate messages about human rights, social justice and equity.
She is also the founder of the University of the underground, a tuition-free, pluralistic and transnational university based in the basement of nightclubs, and has worked widely with institutions and brands from NASA and the United Nations to Ikea and Mattel, ventures that have led to her receiving her own Barbie and Lego figurines modelled after her.
Listen to the episode to hear Ben Hayoun-Stépanian review her career to date, from bouncing sound waves off the moon to create music mixed with the sounds of the Big Bang to redistributing wealth to community groups using funding ring-fenced for Brexit celebrations.
Show Notes: Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian
Best design: Piccadilly Un:Plugged
Worst design: University of the Underground (the early years)
Most successful design: Tour de Moon
Most impactful feedback: Fiona Raby telling her that she needed to overcome her anxiety about public speaking because it was going to become a big part of her work
Dream design: A rocket, a sex toy, or toys for McDonald’s Happy Meals
This episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery London.
The Crit’s graphics were created by Leonhard Rothmoser.
The Crit’s music was created by Yuri Suzuki and Team Suzuki.