Behind The Design atelier | 55

You are listening to Behind the Design the Studio Lessons. Which brings us to the end of season 4. I want to thank all of my guests for taking the time to chat and give us a behind the scenes look into their design journeys.
We’ve had some truly insightful conversations. And despite the uncertainty that continues to surround us at the time of recording there is a lot of hope and optimism and just getting on with things because we cannot and will not let a pandemic stop us from expressing ourselves and achieving our potential.

This is episode #5 where I am joined by designer Natsai Audrey Chieza.
ABOUT Natsai:
Natsai is a designer working at the intersection of technology science and nature and society. She is the founder of Faber Futures an R & D agency that is creating new spaces and strategies that relate to climate change and biodiversity loss, and the social structures that underpin our human survival. In our conversation, Natsai explains bio-design talking us through this exciting emerging technology and the implications it has on devising and creating better sustainable design solutions for our world.
 
We talk about:
The meaning of bio-design and why it matters Looking at alternatives to harmful materials and substances such as plastic and petroleum Finding solutions to problematic processes on an environmental and social level Cultivating and designing with living organisms What is it like to work with biology in a creative context where you start and what do you do Working with nature not against it The correlation between design and science how the two meet How she got into bio-design The real-world applications of bio-design and the other materials that can be created and applied
the problems of fashion being a heavily polluting industry Responsible production in industry Why Natsai chose to start her company Faber Futures
How having her own practice enables her to explore her ideas and work with the right teams and clients  
Links and resources mentioned in this episode:
MA Central St Martins
University College London
Adidas x Stella McCartney
Bolt Threads developed Mylo in partnership with Ecovative
TEDTalk Fashion Has A Pollution Problem - Can Biology Fix It?
CooperHewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
The Design Museum
Gingko BioWorks
Central St Martins MA Biodesign
Bio-Integrated Design (Bio-ID) Bartlett School of Architecture
BioDesign Challenge
Global Community Bio Summit MIT

Where you can go to find out more about Natsai and Faber Futures:
https://faberfutures.com
 
Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 
 
Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55
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This is episode #4 where I am joined by object designer and academic Dr Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri.
ABOUT Pam:
Pam is a multi-award-winning accessories designer, educator, and author, with her own label called Vanhu Vamwe. Her experiences of working with artisans and feeling personally part of the problem of exploiting vulnerable communities led Pam to study a PhD where she could explore the impact designers working with artisans have on their lives and how to make the process better by bringing true, sustainable value to these communities.
 
We talk about:
The struggle with having too many ideas, choosing what to focus on, and managing her time will juggling multiple projects The creativity of discipline Quitting her job and going back to university to study fashion Not being allowed  to explore her creativity as a child, and the changing attitudes to pursuing a creative career particularly for those from an African background The role of culture and the futuristic aspect of her designs Her thoughts on cultural appropriation and finding common ground How sustainable design shows up in her work and the need to be transparent in her work with different cultures The difference between partnerships and collaboration How your attitude shapes your work Doing her country proud, and being recognised as a designer and not just a black designer How accountability partners and her faith help to keep her grounded Publishing a book How she challenges herself to grow and develop her craft

 
Links and resources mentioned in this episode:
Loughborough University
Nottingham Trent Design School
Abury
A Woman with No Country
 
Where you can go to find out more about Pam and her work:
Vanhu Vanmwe
 
Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 
 
Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55
Continue the conversation, follow atelier 55 on:
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This is episode #3 where I am joined by jewellery designer Audrey Migot-Adholla.
ABOUT AUDREY:
Audrey is the founder of Yala Jewellery an award-winning made in Kenya jewellery brand. In our conversation we talk about the meaning of sustainable luxury, collaborating with her artisan producers across continents, managing a business during a global health crisis, her thoughts on the spotlight being shone on black creatives as a result of Black Lives Matter.
We talk about:
Juggling all the hats in business What led her to start a jewellery brand What it is like working the 9-5 then 5-9 The role of mentors in helping her to start and grow her business Finding brand focus and how she did that Managing time and energy while going through the process Perfection - outsourcing weaknesses as much as she can Successfully working and collaborating with artisans Harnessing the power of networks to find people to work with Making the partnerships work across different continents, the role of technology, working out what can be done, and managing quality control Her sampling process The importance of sustainable luxury Getting Certified B Corp Managing Logistics Managing a business during a global health crisis The impact of BLM and the conflicted feelings as a result of the increased attention on black creative businesses How to stay the course  
Links and resources mentioned in this episode:
Etsy

The Wayback Machine

London College of Fashion
Shopify

WhatsApp

Certified B Corporation

The Guardian Newspaper

Ella’s Kitchen
Companies House
What it feels like to keep a small business going during a global health crisis
@influencerpaygap

Where you can go to find out more about Audrey and Yala Jewellery:
www.yalajewellery.com
@yalajewellery
 
Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 
 
Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55
Continue the conversation, follow atelier 55 on:
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This is episode #2 where I am joined by architect and product designer Tosin Oshinowo.
ABOUT TOSIN:
Tosin is an architect with her own architectural practice called C M Design Atelier. She is also a product designer designing furniture using local fabrics under the brand Ilé Ilà. In our conversation, we talk about establishing her name as an architect in an industry with a notoriously high barrier to entry, cultivating the confidence needed to win contracts and the business support essentials that have enabled her to start and managing multiple businesses.
 
We talk about:
What inspired her interest in architecture and led her to set up her architectural studio C M Design Atelier The process of establishing herself as an architect How working from a place of insecurity is a strength The importance of presentation to build trust The importance of understanding the basics of setting up a business, being honest about your capabilities, and getting the skills you need Having a circle of people she can call on for help and advice Managing client and money relationships The types of projects she works on and developing her design signature Designing for the local environment and being aware of how people use space Her thoughts on the development of architecture across the African continent The impact of Covid on her practice and the local architecture/construction industry Embracing multiple income streams The opportunity that led to the creation of her chair design business Navigating the process of getting product to market Managing multiple businesses  
Links and resources mentioned in this episode
Maryland Mall
Kingston University
University College London (UCL)
OMA

Where you can go to find out more about Tosin, CMD Atelier and Ilé Ilà:
www.cmdesign-atelier.com
@cmdesign_atelier
www.ile-ila.com
@ile.ila
Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 
 
Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55
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This is episode #1 where I am joined by textile designer Eno Jonah.
ABOUT ENO:
Eno is the founder of Nzuri Textiles, a brand of exquisitely handcrafted textiles with a focus on sustainable luxury. In our conversation Eno talks about the inspiration behind her designs, what sustainable luxury means to her, preserving artisan skills, and takes us on the journey from an idea through to finished textile.
We talk about:
Travelling and learning from other cultures Finding also that last and can be recycled The stories behind her designs The journey of a textile from an idea to finished product The meaning of sustainable luxury The journey of setting up a business Connecting to showrooms and how to find reps Getting her name out there and building visibility The impact of Black Lives Matter, and the need to keep the conversation going How she keeps challenging herself to grow as a designer  
Links and resources mentioned in this episode
Atelier Qubere New York Gallery
Moyi Magazine
Maker Amsterdam

Where you can go to find out more about Eno and Nzuri Textiles:
https://nzuritextiles.com/
@nzuritextiles1217
 
Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 
 
Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55
Continue the conversation, follow atelier 55 on:
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