The Crit

Designer and educator Ilse Crawford stops by the studio to talk about her work creating products and spaces centred around communication, material provenance and wellbeing: a concept focused on creating healthy systems and understanding the psychology and physiology of space. The founder of the Studioilse collective of architects, designers journalists and filmmakers, Ilse speaks about the importance of the client-designer relationship, and the potential of the design field to integrate measurable values such as increased quality and revenue, alongside unmeasurable values including communicating care, trust, and generosity.Ilse's picks for her crit were:Best design: Sinnerlig lamp for Ikea or Ett HemWorst design: The Anna Freud CentreMost successful design: Cathay Pacific business loungeMost impactful feedback: A user of the Refettorio Felix community kitchen saying that the space's beauty showed that someone caresDream design: Care homesThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at Uncommon Holborn

Sound designer, musician and artist Yuri Suzuki, the creator of The Crit's jingle, joins us in the studio for a discussion about using sound as a means to shape human interactions and public spaces. Yuri's picks for his crit were:Best design: Sonic BloomWorst design: Devices for a performance in Japan with visually impaired dancersMost successful design: OTOTOMost impactful feedback: Jesper Kouthoofd from Teenage engineering admiring his playful approach to design Dream design: Sounds for electric vehiclesThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at Uncommon Holborn

Australian furniture designer Trent Jansen visits The Crit to discuss his deep collaborations with indigenous Australian artists and designers, working together to make collectible design pieces and public furniture which tell stories about Australian history and culture. Trent's picks for his crit were:Best design: Kurunpa Kunpu Worst design: Shelving systemMost successful design: Balit-dhan Balit-nganjinMost impactful feedback: Learning about the landscape and its stories from indigenous Australian collaborators Dream design: Public furniture and spaces The CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at Uncommon Holborn

Architect Katy Marks from Citizens Design Bureau joins The Crit the studio to explore her passion for designing welcoming and inclusive spaces, from community-led housing and cultural venues such as the Manchester Jewish Museum to the conservation of listed buildings. She also shares the story of -Unobra, her design for a one cup asymmetrical bra for post-mastectomy bodies, which was informed by her own experiences as a breast cancer survivor.

Designer, curator, writer and educator Michael Marriott joins The Crit to discuss making stickers that are sweetly political, his dream of restyling electric cars, and what he would most like to redesign about Christmastime.Michael’s picks for his crit were:Best design: OláWorst design: Sardine Tin Drawers Most successful design: Fusilli book stand Most impactful feedback: Craft is just making something with care Dream design: Electric CarThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at Uncommon Holborn

Ceramic artist, researcher and writer Bisila Noha joins The Crit to discuss her interest in challenging Western ideas about art and craft, honouring the contributions of women of colour to these disciplines, and the importance of finding different ways to design and make with clay.Bisila's picks for her crit were:Best design: Baney ClayWorst design: Two-Legged Vessel Most successful design: Her writing practiceMost impactful feedback: Receiving trust, respect and encouragement from curator Jareh DasDream design: ToiletsThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at Uncommon Holborn