Episode 10: Chris Forecast
Baking Sustainability into All Design Thinking

October 2023  |  44 minute listen

We speak to our very own Chris Forecast, who reveals some unexpected back stories from his journey into design. From conceptualising a cardboard coffin in teenage hood, through to designing for today’s big-name brands. Chris also talks of his intent to “bake sustainability into all design thinking”, telling us of the potential silver bullet that is re-use, also quoting: “It’s not waste, it’s resource.”

Episode 9: John Gleason
Elevating Design to A Strategic Business Competence with An Emphasis On The Business of Design

August 2023  |  55 minute listen

John Gleason is President of the consultancy ‘A Better View Strategic Consulting’. He’s been consulting for 16 years and before that he ended a 20-year stint at Procter and Gamble as Director of Business Partnership across Global Design. He is the guy you want to talk to if you want to buy or sell design more effectively. He gives advice on using designer super-powers and a designer approach (Design Thinking) to deliver strategic value to brands.

Episode 8: Dominika & Elsie
Doing ‘Beauty’ Responsibly, By Design

August 2023  |  51 minute listen

Bybi beauty co-founders Elsie Rutterford and Dominika Minarovic give us a glimpse into their shared world as ‘clean beauty insiders’. From marketing gurus to beauty trail blazers, they talk about their shared passion for wellness and how it inspired the unique Bybi formula. Cooking up a new, natural recipe for the skincare industry, we discuss their passion for bringing ‘an enjoyable moment’ to the naturals space and delivering responsibility over sustainability.

Episode 7: Mark Van Iterson
How To Make Good Design Happen

July 2023  |  50 minute listen

We speak to Global Design Director, Portfolio at The Heineken Company, Mark Van Iterson. We discuss the full experience of design and the importance of rational in implementable, multi-dimensional design. He tells us how he bridges the gap between strategy and creativity and the vital role human intuition plays when using data to justify design, telling us; “Data always reflects the past, not the future.” He also gives us some tips into creating iconic design, using Strongbow Cider as an example of what brand assets can do when given the chance.

Episode 6: Nick Hall
Sustainability, Circularity & Designing Our Way Out of Catastrophe

June 2023  |  49 minute listen

“Just because it’s been done before like ‘a’, doesn’t mean ‘b’ is not the right way.” From chartered surveying to cocktails to chartering new territories within sustainability; Founder of Tails cocktails and the UK’s first circular venture studio Etsaw Ventures, Nick Hall talks about the importance of imaginative design and backing ideas of consequence. We also discuss the potential gains to be had within becoming more circular and the importance of simply trying. As a very wise man once said; “Don’t let perfection be the enemy of good.” – Nick’s Dad.

Episode 5: Steve Honour
Finding Untapped Potential in Design and Designers

March 2023  |  48 minute listen

“Design should be about challenging expectations.” Head of Single Malts at Diageo, designer Steve Honour talks about his alternative routes into the creative industry and the significant role Dyslexia has played in his career. He opens our minds to the potential strengths of Dyslexia, also sharing with us some innovative thinking into design, finding new talent and embracing different minds.

Episode 4: Dr Lara Ramdin
What It Really Takes To Make A Brand More Available! Questioning Innovations & Designing For The Future 

March 2023  |  55 minute listen

We hear “You suck at innovation; I unfortunately have to tell businesses this all the time.” A story of curiosity and collaboration, from beauty to beer, Innovation expert and future thinker Dr Lara Ramdin discusses her experience within product and business innovation. We talk about the importance of design thinking and the value of stopping to think; Are we asking the right question? We also cover innovate ideas within sustainability and why packaging keeps her up at night, with thoughts around designs role in making sustainable products more widely accessible.

Episode 3: Minnie Moll
Designing Our World Better

March 2023  |  35 minute listen

Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.” Chief Executive of the Design Council and leader of the Design For Planet Mission, Minnie Moll quotes Henry Ford; A perfect summary of her belief in how design minds can shape and re-shape the world around us. Minnie shares her journey from front of house at an advertising agency, to becoming a strategic adviser on design. She shares with us the importance of having an ‘empty chair’, quite literally, at the table for the planet, and how it should be part of every design discussion.

Episode 2: Catherine Conway
Normalising Reuse Packaging Design

February 2023  |  55 minute listen

“The profits of packaging are privatised, and the costs socialised.” Social entrepreneur and Founder of Unpackaged, Catherine Conway covers how she began before single-use was even a thing, from a market stall to a political mission and how her design partners have been fundamental to the future of the project and the battle for a reusable world. 

Episode 1: Atoshi George
Consumer Curious Science & Design

January 2023  |  42 minute listen

Head of scientific UK & L’Oreal, Atoshi George talks about the role of curiosity, empathy and creativity in the world of science. We discuss how the consumer-centric approach to marketing, science and design at L’Oreal compares to her previous employment at Unilever and we cover how ‘demanding a little bit of magic’ can change how value is perceived by consumers, to help make sustainability more desirable.