WHY DESIGN?

Chris Whyte | Kodu
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WHY DESIGN?

Why Design is a podcast exploring the stories behind hardware and physical product development. Hosted by Chris Whyte, founder of Kodu, the show dives into the journeys of founders, senior design leaders, and engineers shaping people and planet-friendly products. Formerly "The Design Journeys Podcast", each episode uncovers pivotal career moments, lessons learned, and behind-the-scenes insights from industry experts. Whether you’re a designer, engineer, or simply curious about how great hardware products come to life, Why Design offers real stories, actionable advice, and inspiration for anyone passionate about design and innovation. Join us as we listen, learn, and connect through the stories that define the world of physical product development.

  1. Making Space for Makers: How Michael Korn's Blue Garage is Empowering London’s Hardware Community

    2D AGO

    Making Space for Makers: How Michael Korn's Blue Garage is Empowering London’s Hardware Community

    In this episode of Why Design, I sit down with Michael Korn, founder of KwickScreen, the modular screen company supplying every NHS trust in the UK, and Blue Garage, a unique makespace and creative hub in Lewisham built to support hardware entrepreneurs and product designers. We unpack Michael’s fascinating journey, from studying manufacturing engineering and design at the RCA, to bootstrapping KwickScreen into a successful healthcare business. Michael shares hard-won lessons about the challenges of starting a hardware company in London, why manufacturing shaped his design thinking, and how listening and tenacity have been key to his entrepreneurial path. Michael also takes us inside Blue Garage, a space created to provide hardware founders with the facilities and community he wished he’d had when starting out—think WeWork, but with machines. If you’re curious about bootstrapping hardware ventures, creative collaboration, or building community-driven spaces, this episode is packed with inspiration. Key Takeaways:🔹 From Engineering to Design – How Michael’s manufacturing background influenced his user-focused, entrepreneurial approach to product design. 🔹 The KwickScreen Story – How a student project to solve infection control in hospitals evolved into a nationwide healthcare product. 🔹 Bootstrapping in London – The gritty reality of starting a hardware business without outside funding or proper facilities. 🔹 Listening & Learning – Why Michael credits his success to persistence combined with listening deeply to users and stakeholders. 🔹 The Birth of Blue Garage – How Michael turned a 38,000 sq ft former Travis Perkins into a vibrant makespace for London’s maker and hardware community. 🔹 Supporting Founders Differently – Why founders don’t always need accelerators or awards, sometimes they just need space, tools, and community. 🔹 Team & Legacy – How early hires at KwickScreen, including its now-CEO, have grown into leaders and founders themselves. 🔹 Community Events & Collaboration – How Blue Garage is helping freelancers, startups, and creative businesses collaborate and scale in the heart of London. Resources & Links:🌍 Learn more about Blue Garage 🏥 Explore KwickScreen 🔗 Connect with Michael Korn on LinkedIn 👥 Join the Why Design community! Sign up for our upcoming events, online huddles, and workshops: teamkodu.com/events 🔗 Follow Chris Whyte on LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte 🎧 Listen to Why Design on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon Music. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

    48 min
  2. How to Design for Everything from Pizza Ovens to Gas Safety Devices with Hugo Martin

    MAR 12

    How to Design for Everything from Pizza Ovens to Gas Safety Devices with Hugo Martin

    In this episode of Why Design, I sit down with Hugo Martin, Director of Product Design at WMP Creative, where he has spent over 14 years building a multi-award-winning design division from the ground up. We dive into the balance between process and intuition in product design—when to trust your instincts and when structure is necessary. Hugo shares insights from designing everything from life-saving gas safety devices, where precision and research are crucial, to high-end pizza ovens, where the experience and theatre of cooking take priority over strict engineering constraints. We also explore how design consultancies can stay competitive in a shifting market, the role of AI in industrial design, and the evolving nature of holistic product development, where storytelling, branding, and user experience are just as important as the product itself. If you're a designer, entrepreneur, or just fascinated by how great products come to life, this episode is packed with insights! Key Takeaways: 🔹 The Evolution of a Design Consultancy – How Hugo built a product design division within a family-run creative agency. 🔹 The Power of Process vs. Intuition – When to trust gut instincts and when research and structured validation are essential. 🔹 Designing for Different Markets – How working on gas safety devices differs from crafting premium pizza ovens. 🔹 Holistic Design Services – Why product design is no longer just about form and function but also branding, digital experiences, and storytelling. 🔹 Lessons from Working with Startups and Established Brands – How client expectations shift and how to manage those relationships. 🔹 The Future of Industrial Design – How AI is changing the design process and what it means for the next generation of designers. 🔹 Why Some Brands Ignore Focus Groups – How companies like Nothing and Teenage Engineering use intuition to create standout products. 🔹 Building Long-Term Client Relationships – How WMP Creative’s success is built on repeat business and deep client partnerships. Resources & Links:🌍 Connect with Hugo Martin on LinkedIn 🎨 Learn more about WMP Creative 🔥 Check out Gosney Pizza Ovens (One of Hugo’s latest projects) 🔍 Learn more about Crowcon Gas Safety Devices 👥 Join the Why Design community! Sign up for our upcoming events, online huddles, and workshops: teamkodu.com/events 🔗 Follow Chris Whyte on LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte 🎧 Listen to Why Design on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon Music. Don't forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

    57 min
  3. From Sewage to Science: How Claire Trant and Untap Health Are Revolutionising Disease Detection

    MAR 5

    From Sewage to Science: How Claire Trant and Untap Health Are Revolutionising Disease Detection

    In this episode of Why Design, I sit down with Claire Trant, co-founder and CEO of Untap Health, a deep tech company using wastewater epidemiology to detect illnesses before symptoms appear. Claire’s journey from Imperial College to Rolls-Royce and then into entrepreneurship is as inspiring as it is challenging. She opens up about the highs and lows of startup life—navigating funding rounds, scaling a hardware business, and the personal challenges that have shaped her leadership. From securing patents and raising millions to pivoting the company’s mission and testing breakthrough technology, Claire shares what it truly takes to build a deep tech startup in a male-dominated field. If you’re interested in the raw, unfiltered reality of building a hardware company from scratch, this one’s for you. Key Takeaways:🔹 From Academia to Entrepreneurship – How Claire’s background in materials science and aerospace led her to founding Untap Health. 🔹 The Evolution of a Startup – How Untap pivoted from large-scale wastewater monitoring to targeted health surveillance in hospitals and care homes. 🔹 Scaling a Hardware Business – The challenges of developing, testing, and rolling out new deep tech solutions. 🔹 Fundraising Realities – Lessons learned from securing pre-seed funding and preparing for the next round. 🔹 Surviving a Tough Year – How Claire navigated personal and professional hardships, including the loss of her co-founder and sister, to keep Untap moving forward. 🔹 Building the Right Team – The impact of hiring a Chief Product Officer and the importance of aligning culture with company vision. 🔹 Women in Deep Tech – Claire’s experience as a female founder and the biases she’s encountered along the way. 🔹 What’s Next for Untap Health – Expanding into new markets, working with hospitals and farms, and the long-term vision for public health monitoring. Resources & Links:🌍 Connect with Claire Trant on LinkedIn 🔬 Learn more about Untap Health 📢 Hiring! Untap Health is looking for a Head of Business Development – Check out the role here 💙 Support Claire’s Charity Marathon for Diagnostics Research – Donate Here 👥 Join the Why Design community! Sign up for our upcoming events, online huddles, and workshops: teamkodu.com/events 🔗 Follow Chris Whyte on LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte 🎧 Listen to Why Design on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon Music. Don't forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

    54 min
  4. From Meditation to Innovation: How Stefan Chmelik Designed a Breakthrough Stress-Relief Device

    FEB 26

    From Meditation to Innovation: How Stefan Chmelik Designed a Breakthrough Stress-Relief Device

    Listener discount! Get 10% off a Sensate using code WHYDESIGN or by visiting https://getsensate.com/WHYDESIGNIn this episode, host Chris Whyte is joined by Stefan Chmelik, founder of Sensate – a revolutionary consumer product designed to reduce stress and improve well-being through sound and vibration therapy. Before Sensate, Stefan spent 30 years as a clinician specialising in stress, anxiety, trauma, and complex disease management. His expertise in meditation and breathwork led him to develop a technology-first approach to well-being. This episode explores the intersection of medicine, meditation, and hardware innovation. Stefan shares his journey from working with patients in a clinical setting to co-founding a tech company that now helps thousands of people worldwide. He explains the science behind stress, vagal nerve tone, and how Sensate's wearable device supports relaxation and resilience. We also dive into the challenges of launching a hardware start-up, from product design to fundraising and business strategy. If you're interested in the role of design in health and wellness, this episode is packed with insights on making well-being more accessible at scale. Key Takeaways:✅ The science behind stress and how vagal nerve tone affects well-being ✅ How Stefan’s background in meditation and medicine influenced Sensate’s design ✅ The challenges of bringing a hardware health device to market ✅ Fundraising lessons and why US investors saw the potential before UK investors ✅ Why start-up success is about resilience, adaptation, and the right co-founding team ✅ The importance of cooperation over competition in both business and life ✅ How Sensate is making relaxation effortless through sound and vibration technology Links & References Visit Sensate: https://www.getsensate.com/ Connect with Stefan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanchmelik/ Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/ Sign up for Why Design? events: https://teamkodu.com/events Learn more about Kodu recruitment: https://teamkodu.com

    51 min
  5. From Magician to Design Director: Nick Chubb’s Design Journey

    FEB 19

    From Magician to Design Director: Nick Chubb’s Design Journey

    In this episode of Why Design?, Chris Whyte speaks with Nick Chubb, Design Director at IDC, about his fascinating journey through the world of product design. Nick shares how his early passion for graphic design evolved into a career in industrial design, the importance of hands-on experience over formal education, and his perspective on hiring and mentoring young designers. From working on consumer and medical products to navigating the fast-paced world of design consultancy, Nick provides valuable insights into the skills that truly matter in the industry. He also tackles the topic of job-hopping early in one’s career, why it shouldn’t be seen as a red flag, and how to stand out in a competitive hiring landscape. If you're a design student, a career pivoter, or a hiring manager looking for fresh perspectives, this conversation is packed with practical advice and industry wisdom. Key TakeawaysThe transition from graphic to product design and why early exposure matters.Why hands-on experience trumps formal education—Nick’s take on the overemphasis on master’s degrees.The reality of short stints in early careers and why employers shouldn’t see them as a red flag.How to build a strong portfolio that lands design roles.The challenges and rewards of working in design consultancy.How IDC balances industrial, consumer, and medical product design. Links & ReferencesVisit IDC: https://www.idc.uk.com/ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-chubb-3bba9120/ Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/ Sign up for Why Design? events: https://teamkodu.com/events Learn more about Kodu recruitment: https://teamkodu.com

    1h 5m
  6. Inside Level: How Nichole Rouillac is Creating Meaningful, Inclusive Design

    FEB 12

    Inside Level: How Nichole Rouillac is Creating Meaningful, Inclusive Design

    Guest: Nichole Rouillac, Founder of Level Host: Chris Whyte, Founder of Kodu Sign up for Why Design? events: https://teamkodu.com/events In this episode of Why Design, I sit down with Nichole Rouillac, founder and creative director of Level, a woman-led industrial design studio in San Francisco. Nichole has spent over two decades shaping consumer tech and medtech, playing a key role in designing the first Fitbit and working with brands like Microsoft, Google, and HTC. We discuss: ✅ The reality of being one of the only women in the room early in her career ✅ Why so many women leave industrial design before reaching senior roles—and what we can do about it ✅ Her work in healthcare and medtech, from disease detection to AI-driven innovation ✅ How being a mom to a neurodivergent child influences her approach to user-centered design ✅ The importance of mentorship and community in fostering diversity in the industry Nichole’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven design. Whether you're in industrial design, medtech, or hardware startups, this episode is packed with insights on building a career with impact. Key takeaways: 🔹 The Gender Gap in Industrial Design – Many women leave industrial design before reaching senior roles due to workplace culture, lack of mentorship, and difficulty balancing long hours with personal life. 🔹 Building a Design Studio with Purpose – Nichole founded Level, a woman-led industrial design studio, to challenge industry norms and prioritize meaningful, people-centered design. 🔹 From Fitbit to MedTech – Nichole played a key role in designing the first Fitbit, which helped create the wearables category as we know it today. Her work now focuses on healthcare innovation, from AI-driven disease detection to non-invasive cancer treatment technologies. 🔹 The Power of Mentorship & Community – As a former chair of Women in Design (IDSA), Nichole helped launch a mentorship program to support women navigating industrial design careers. Having a network outside of your workplace is crucial for career growth. 🔹 Designing for Impact, Not Just Aesthetics – Nichole emphasizes the need for designers to think beyond form and function, considering the long-term impact of their work—whether in healthcare, sustainability, or consumer tech. 🔹 Lessons from Startups & Manufacturing – Having worked both in consultancies and in-house at HTC, Nichole believes designers need full-cycle experience—from early prototyping to manufacturing—to truly deliver great products. 🔹 Parenting, Neurodiversity & Design – Raising a neurodivergent child has influenced Nichole’s approach to inclusive design, reinforcing the importance of creating products that are intuitive and accessible for different types of users. 🔹 Balancing Business and Life – Unlike many agencies, Level prioritizes sustainable work hours, proving that world-class design doesn’t require burnout. Thoughtful planning and client education allow them to deliver great work without overworking their team. 🔹 The Future of...

    1h 3m
  7. Lessons from War Zones to Dyson: Tom Parsons' Journey to Founding Aetha Design

    FEB 5

    Lessons from War Zones to Dyson: Tom Parsons' Journey to Founding Aetha Design

    Guest: Tom Parsons, Founder of Aetha Design Host: Chris Whyte, Founder of Kodu Sign up for Why Design? events: https://teamkodu.com/events From designing surveillance systems for superyachts to navigating a live war zone in Peru and leading projects at Dyson, Tom Parsons’ journey through product design is nothing short of extraordinary. Now the founder of Aetha Design, Tom shares invaluable lessons on designing under pressure, building trust with clients, and balancing creativity with commercial realities. In this episode, Tom discusses: How his early work in high-stakes military projects shaped his engineering mindset.The shift from bespoke high-end tech to mass-market production at Dyson.The realities of running a design consultancy—from navigating tough product launches to fostering meaningful partnerships.Why "people buy from people" is the philosophy behind Aetha’s approach to business.His hands-on approach to understanding clients' challenges, including launching a Kickstarter for sunglasses. Whether you're a designer, entrepreneur, or just love hearing about the adventures behind innovation, this episode is packed with candid insights and career-defining moments. Key Takeaways🔹 Extreme Environments = Extreme Growth – Tom’s experience in a live conflict zone taught him resilience, adaptability, and how to design for unpredictable conditions. 🔹 From Low-Volume Luxury to High-Volume Production – Moving from bespoke surveillance systems to mass-market consumer products at Dyson broadened Tom’s design approach and prepared him for consultancy. 🔹 Why Trust Matters in Design – Building a design consultancy isn’t just about great products; it’s about understanding clients’ needs, mitigating risks, and creating long-term relationships. 🔹 The Reality of Running a Consultancy – The business of design is more than just creativity—Tom shares the behind-the-scenes of managing client expectations, handling setbacks, and keeping projects on track. 🔹 A Designer Who Walks the Walk – Tom doesn’t just design products—he’s been through the process himself, even launching a Kickstarter to understand the challenges his clients face firsthand. Links & ResourcesVisit Aetha Design: https://aethadesign.com Connect with Tom Parsons on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-parsons-aetha Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/ Sign up for Why Design? events: https://teamkodu.com/events Learn more about Kodu recruitment: https://teamkodu.com

    1 hr
  8. How Bebello is Redefining Parenting: Andrew Carr on Time-Saving and Sustainability

    JAN 29

    How Bebello is Redefining Parenting: Andrew Carr on Time-Saving and Sustainability

    In this episode of Why Design?, Chris Whyte speaks with Andrew Carr, founder of Bebello, a mission-driven startup transforming the way new parents approach bottle and pump cleaning with sustainability at its core. Andrew’s flagship product, the Bebello Washer, saves time for parents while drastically reducing environmental impact. Andrew’s career journey spans nearly two decades, including roles at Elvie, Shark Ninja, Plexus, and design consultancies across the US, China, and Scotland. Along the way, he’s learned how to balance user-centric design with the demands of sustainability, all while driving impactful product innovation. This conversation dives into: How Andrew’s time at companies like Elvie and Shark Ninja shaped his approach to design and leadership.The inspiration behind Bebello and the challenges of launching a hardware startup.Why sustainable design must also offer superior user experiences.Insights into building a circular economy business model.How his personal journey as a parent influenced the creation of Bebello’s first product. Whether you’re interested in sustainable product development, building mission-driven businesses, or the challenges of hardware startups, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Key Takeaways: Sustainable products must deliver better user experiences to succeed in the market.Transparent communication and openness to feedback are critical for early-stage startups.Sustainability isn’t just an add-on—it should be embedded into a business’s foundation.Great design comes from understanding real-world problems through user research.Disrupting entrenched habits (like hand washing) can drive significant environmental benefits. Links & Resources: Visit Babello: https://bebello.club Connect with Andrew Carr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-carr-designs/Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/Sign up for Why Design? events: teamkodu.com/eventsLearn more about Kodu recruitment: https://teamkodu.com Book Recommendations from the Episode: Cradle to Cradle by William McDonoughDoughnut Economics by Kate Raworth Podcast Recommendations: The Economist PodcastLenny’s Product Podcast

    54 min
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About

Why Design is a podcast exploring the stories behind hardware and physical product development. Hosted by Chris Whyte, founder of Kodu, the show dives into the journeys of founders, senior design leaders, and engineers shaping people and planet-friendly products. Formerly "The Design Journeys Podcast", each episode uncovers pivotal career moments, lessons learned, and behind-the-scenes insights from industry experts. Whether you’re a designer, engineer, or simply curious about how great hardware products come to life, Why Design offers real stories, actionable advice, and inspiration for anyone passionate about design and innovation. Join us as we listen, learn, and connect through the stories that define the world of physical product development.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Whyte | Kodu
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Chris Whyte | Kodu
  • Show Website
    WHY DESIGN?

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