The Crit #44: Stephen Burks and Malika Leiper
The Crit, a fortnightly podcast from Disegno, asks designers to look back over their careers, reflecting on their proudest achievements and the missteps they’ve learned from along the way.
For those new to the show, each episode sees Disegno’s editor-in-chief Oli Stratford invite a guest to Kef Music Gallery to look back on their past projects. Our guest reveals 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 forty-fourth guests on The Crit are Stephen Burks and Malika Leiper, accompanied by show host Oli Stratford.
Episode #44: Stephen Burks and Malika Leiper
Stephen Burks and Malika Leiper are the partners behind Stephen Burks Man Made, a nomadic studio whose work lies at the intersection between craft, community and industry.
From designing furniture, lamps and altars inspired by traditional Southeast Asian spirit houses to creating sculptures that pay homage to African American ancestors, Stephen Burks Man Made’s work challenges the design industry’s focus on the global North, instead centring spirituality, craft and cultural heritage.
The studio was founded by Burks, who has a background in industrial design, with Leiper joining in 2020 and bringing her experience in art, architecture and urbanism to help steer the studio’s focus towards community and cultural conservation.
In their crit, Burks and Leiper talk about running a nomadic studio, questioning what radical design means today, and their dream of designing a glasshouse and a TV.
Show Notes: Stephen Burks and Malika Leiper
Best design: Shelter in Place
Worst design: Not being able to find the right partners to create mass-produced products
Most successful design: The design of their nomadic studio
Most impactful feedback: To always be of service
Dream design: A glasshouse and a TV
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.