The 19th podcast features Jonathan Ellery. We sat down in his beautiful London studio to talk about the origins of Browns and explore the fascinating overlap between his work as both a designer and an artist.

Jonathan reflects on the early days of Browns, which he founded in 1998 with two partners. The studio quickly built an international reputation through magazine features and word of mouth, long before the era of social media. Over time, Jonathan continued to develop the studio into the independent and respected practice it is today.

He also shares the inspirations behind his creative journey, from growing up in Cornwall studying art and design and discovering the possibilities of a creative career. The conversation moves through studio culture, publishing, and the relationship between design and art, highlighting Jonathan’s passion for thoughtful, independent, and meaningful creative work.

I really enjoyed my conversation with Jonathan and the whiskey that followed. A huge thank you to Jonathan for taking the time to share his stories, perspectives, and experiences so openly. It was a genuine pleasure spending time in his studio and hearing about his journey.

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