Monocle on Design

Monocle

Everything you need to know about the world of design, from furniture to fashion and craft to architecture. Expect fresh stories, new finds and designers and all the latest news from the world’s most exciting studios.

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100 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes100

Newest first

April 7 · 28 min
Just deserts: Exploring AlUla’s pioneering design residencies with curator Emily Marant
Emily Marant discusses how residencies, cultural infrastructure and site-specific creation are redefining AlUla. Plus: Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton on the new flat-pack Eames house and Salone del Mobile 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 31 · 26 min
What is ‘Hyakkō’? A deep dive into Japan’s thriving craft scene with curator Nagata Takahiro
At a Japan House exhibition in London, curator Nagata Takahiro details the practice and philosophy of craftspeople working across Japan today. Plus: Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton flick through the new issue of Monocle and discuss some of their favourite design pieces. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 24 · 35 min
Simone Brewster on the narrative of objects. Plus: the Dominican Republic’s rising design scene
Nic Monisse joins Simone Brewster at the London Design Museum to discuss her latest exhibition. Then: Gregory Scruggs explores the Dominican Republic’s booming design scene. Plus: our take on this year’s Pritzker Architecture Prize. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 19 · 44 min
Matter and Shape, part two: Architecture and Genius Loci, Larger Than Life, Through the Looking Glass
The final part of our series from design salon Matter and Shape with Dan Thawley and Nic Monisse. We blur the boundaries between inside and out with Jayden Ali and talk about scale and sculpture with Birkenstock 1774. Plus: Connecting jewellery, interiors and object design with Repossi and Sabine Marcelis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 17 · 30 min
Co-design and luxury hospitality: Sour’s Pinar Guvenc and GA’s Jessica Morrison on the creative process
Sour's Pinar Guvenc discusses how local community is helping shape better buildings. Then: GA’s Jessica Morrison on what luxury hospitality means in 2026? Plus: Nic and Grace dissect designers from a month of fashion weeks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 12 · 38 min
Matter and Shape, part one: Investigating Editions, New Cultural Landscapes and Olfactory Oral
Across a two-part series, we recap design salon Matter and Shape. We hear from three brands editing new and archival works, talk cross-cultural pollination with Villa Hegra and consider how we can design with scent. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 10 · 33 min
What can Korean craft teach us about our possessions? Hyo Jung Lee on her book ‘Jeong’
Korean craft has long been overlooked. We speak to author Hyo Jung Lee about her book exploring the full scope of the country’s design practice. Plus: Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton discuss the design landscapes of Cape Town and Marrakesh. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 3 · 28 min
Do local materials make objects better? Emmie Massias on the rise of Vietnamese design
Design in Ho Chi Minh is on the up: we speak with one designer who is using the city’s signature restaurant stools as a canvas. Plus: Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton pick highlights of The Monocle 100 from the March issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 24 · 30 min
Is it time to go back to human-centred design? TF Chan on Collect 2026
As London craft-and-design fair Collect gets under way, Nic Monisse chats with director TF Chan about the philosophy of “fewer, better things”. Plus: buttons and handles are coming back to our vehicles but will Nic and Grace Charlton give them the green light? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 18 · 24 min
New Materials: Range Rover
We speak to Phoebe Lindsay, Materiality Senior Manager for Range Rover. Hear how the storied automaker uses materials to shape emotions and tell stories. Plus, taking a holistic approach to design strategy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 17 · 31 min
Honouring brand legacy with the Pantone Colour Institute and the Louis Kahn Foundation
How do you pick a unique brand colour and does it matter? Pantone Color Institute’s vice-president joins to discuss. Then: Tallinn architecture students pay homage to Louis Kahn. Plus: Nic and Grace on brand collaboration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 11 · 19 min
Defining Brand: Range Rover
We speak to Will Verity, Brand Design Chief for Range Rover, at Design Miami. Hear how sound, scent and space shape our experience of brand. Plus, drawing inspiration from the colour black and modernist architecture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 10 · 32 min
Japan’s future plazas with Met Team Architects and sculpture as jewellery with Giles Miller
As Japan’s train designs race into the future, their plazas return to nature. Ryuma Takahashi speaks to the architect behind new plans for Iida station. Then: Giles Miller on sculpture as jewellery, plus our view on new proposals for Washington Dulles airport. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 3 · 31 min
Telling stories through design with Andu Masebo and creative studio Birch
How do designers tell stories with their work? London-based designer Andu Masebo discusses his social approach to “simple, efficient objects”. Then: James Allen of creative studio Birch explains how strategy-design in the luxury space requires well-researched taste. Plus: Nic and Grace on 25 years of the Serpentine Pavilion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
January 27 · 31 min
Nichecraft and placemaking with Luca Nichetto and David Galullo
Italian designer Luca Nichetto on nichecraft and the limits of treating design as purely collectible. Then: The office’s future with Rapt Studio’s David Galullo. Plus: Nic and Grace on Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Arts Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
January 20 · 31 min
How does a city affect design? Miminat Shodeinde and Joris Laarman on process and place
We round-up Paris Dećo Off and Maison&Objet. Then: collectable design with London-based creative Miminat Shodeinde. Plus: Dutch designer Joris Laarman on drawing inspiration from nature. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
January 13 · 30 min
Design in Dubai with ARDH Collective and Some Kind of Practice
The best of Dubai Design Week. Nic Monisse talks with ARDH Collective co-founders Alyina Ahmed and Max Tettamanzi on turning waste into building materials. Then: Exploring courtyards with Some Kind of Practice’s Omar Darwish. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
January 6 · 30 min
Taking design cues from nature with Altere Studios and Tom Kundig
Grace Charlton explores how good design can assist new year workouts with Alberto Lambert, CEO and founder of Altere Studios. Plus: making the practical beautiful with American architect Tom Kundig. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 30, 2025 · 30 min
The best of 2025
Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton share thier favourite moments from across 2025 on Monocle on Design and pick out what they're looking forward to in the year ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 23, 2025 · 30 min
Moving forward via tradition with Tekla. Plus: Balkrishna Doshi at the Vitra Design Museum
Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton on where to get your last-minute design Christmas goodies. Plus: Grace talks to the Tekla team about their new London shop. Then: We explore Balkrishna Doshi's work at the Vitra Design Museum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle on Design

Just deserts: Exploring AlUla’s pioneering design residencies with curator Emily Marant

What is ‘Hyakkō’? A deep dive into Japan’s thriving craft scene with curator Nagata Takahiro

Simone Brewster on the narrative of objects. Plus: the Dominican Republic’s rising design scene

Matter and Shape, part two: Architecture and Genius Loci, Larger Than Life, Through the Looking Glass

Co-design and luxury hospitality: Sour’s Pinar Guvenc and GA’s Jessica Morrison on the creative process

Matter and Shape, part one: Investigating Editions, New Cultural Landscapes and Olfactory Oral

What can Korean craft teach us about our possessions? Hyo Jung Lee on her book ‘Jeong’

Do local materials make objects better? Emmie Massias on the rise of Vietnamese design

Is it time to go back to human-centred design? TF Chan on Collect 2026

New Materials: Range Rover

Honouring brand legacy with the Pantone Colour Institute and the Louis Kahn Foundation

Defining Brand: Range Rover

Japan’s future plazas with Met Team Architects and sculpture as jewellery with Giles Miller

Telling stories through design with Andu Masebo and creative studio Birch

Nichecraft and placemaking with Luca Nichetto and David Galullo

How does a city affect design? Miminat Shodeinde and Joris Laarman on process and place

Design in Dubai with ARDH Collective and Some Kind of Practice

Taking design cues from nature with Altere Studios and Tom Kundig

The best of 2025

Moving forward via tradition with Tekla. Plus: Balkrishna Doshi at the Vitra Design Museum