Freya Bolton

Freya Bolton, co-director of the materials-focused design studio and workshop Mitre and Mondays, joins the podcast to reflect on the value of hands-on fabrication for conceptual thinking; adapting to the constraints and lifespan of different projects; the importance of not becoming buried in details to the detriment of a project; and the value of working as a studio, not an individual.Freya's picks for her crit were:Best design: A sculptural lighting piece for Common Knowledge, or the display of Future Observatory: Mineral at the Design MuseumWorst design: Hay-stuffed, ackee fruit seating or any design that requires CT1 to succeed Most successful design: Wood for the TreesMost impactful feedback: “It’s not a Swiss watch; it’s a bike shelter. Get on with it.” Dream design: A canteen restaurant concerned with food systems or a water fountainThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deborah Cook, Head of Costume at celebrated animation studio Laika, joins the podcast to discuss how her background in sculpture informs her designs, the challenges of designing for non-human anatomies, and the importance of creating dark and eerie stories for children.Deb's picks for her crit were:Best design: Costumes for Kubo and the Two StringsWorst design: When she comes up with a range of options and her least favourite costume gets picked Most successful design: Coraline's costume Most impactful feedback: A standing ovation at the Wildwood premiere Dream design: Making her own sculptures for the art world The CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at the Design Museum in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Burks and Malika Leiper, the partners behind nomadic studio Stephen Burks Man Made, join the podcast for a discussion about questioning what radical design means today and challenging the industry’s focus on the global North.Stephen and Malika's picks for their crit were:Best design: Shelter in PlaceWorst 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 serviceDream design: A glasshouse and a TV The CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexandra Gerber, a London-based industrial designer whose work explores cross-pollination between industries, joins the podcast for a discussion about design as a form of cultural expression, the gendering of objects, and the allure and complexities of working with biomaterials.Alexandra’s picks for her crit were:Best design: Up shelvingWorst design: Installation of A Meaningful OrderMost successful design: A Meaningful Order Most impactful feedback: When people say her work is not feminine Dream design: Tableware and cutleryThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Nathaniel Furman, an artist and designer, joins the show to discuss the history of colour in architecture, the challenges of viral design and his dream of designing a skyscraper facade.Adam’s picks for his crit were:Best design: Croydon Colonnade Worst design: Glowbules Most successful design: Gateways Most impactful feedback: Architect Terry Farrell telling him to listen more Dream design: A skyscraper facade, a train station or a religious space The CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon Ardern, cofounder of design and experiential futures company Superflux, joins the podcast to reflect on the importance of emotion and sensory feedback, the difficulties of engaging gallery visitors, and his dream of designing a living experiment. Jon’s picks for his crit were:Best design: Mitigation of Shock Worst design: Dynamic Genetics vs Man Most successful design: Uninvited Guests Most impactful feedback: A person who said their exhibition had prepared them for living through the pandemic and inspired them to grow vegetables on their balcony Dream design: A living experiment The CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Miller, a partner at Pentagram, joins the podcast to reflect on the challenges of integrating different design media into a single practice, as well as drawing narrative and tempo into graphic design.Hugh's picks for his crit were:Best design: At the End of the World, Plant a Tree by SO/LOWorst design: All work is flawed when viewed by its creatorMost successful design: TDC65 Competition CampaignMost impactful feedback: A teacher who taught him to listen to and analyse musicDream design: The British Airways brand identityThe CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leyu Li, a London-based food designer, joins the podcast to discuss using social media in her work, the challenges and opportunities involved in food design, and the pleasures of doing commercial work. Leyu's picks for her crit were:Best design: cM Donald's Worst design: F.A.M Supper Club Most successful design: Broccopork, Mushchicken and PeafMost impactful feedback: Someone commenting on her TikTok saying her work is “So Goldsmiths” Dream design: Hana no Hana bakery The CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

London-based industrial designer John Tree visits the studio to talk about the challenges of mobile phone design, his belief in the social potential of industrial design, the opportunity to completely reconceive electric vehicles, and the importance of not obsessing over your business card. John's picks for his crit were:Best design: Billet chairWorst design: A mobile phone for SamsungMost successful design: Apex lampMost impactful feedback: His friend Chopper from Rosie Lee saying that it’s not enough to be a good designer, you have to get your work out thereDream design: Electric vehicles The CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

London-based designer Tessa Silva joins the podcast to discuss making objects out of milk protein, understanding the possibilities and limitations of materials, and her dream of redesigning pubs. Tessa's picks for her crit were:Best design: Feminised ProteinWorst design: Martini glasses made from milk Most successful design: Smock Most impactful feedback: Comments from fellow designers during an informal crit group she started to get feedback on her work in progress Dream design: Pubs The CritGraphics: Leonhard RothmoserMusic: Yuri Suzuki and Team SuzukiThis episode of The Crit was recorded at KEF Music Gallery, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.