Work In Design

Kieron Bakewell

What is the job of a designer, and how can I become a designer? We interview leading designers to find out. Good design has the power to improve the world and our experience of it. Bad design can add to the world’s growing problems. Work In Design aims to inspire the next generation of designers, engineers, and problem solvers to tackle issues relative to their lifetime and beyond. If you’re a young creative person and you’re wondering what jobs could suit you after school, or perhaps you’d already like to pursue a career in design, then this podcast could be for you. If you’d like to find out any more about any of the episodes and interview guests, please visit workindesign.co.uk.

Episodes

  1. Interior Design & Creative Direction with Fiona Kennedy

    03/13/2023

    Interior Design & Creative Direction with Fiona Kennedy

    Today I’m joined by Fiona Kennedy. Fiona’s been working in design for over 20 years and is currently a leader in design at Education First (EF). EF operates schools in over 100 countries and has over 50,000 employees. I’m excited to hear about what role design plays in such a huge organisation and of course I want to know how Fiona got design in the first place.I’m Kieron Bakewell, the host and founder of Work In Design. I’ve worked as a designer since 2003. In 2005 I co-founded the furniture company naughtone. My skills and passions are predominantly in design, although I have picked up business skills along the way!  During 2020 in my role as design director at naughtone, I was prompted to look at the diversity within the design department at naughtone. Ultimately it was not a diverse group. I did not consider this intentional, rather a more accurate representation of those actually applying for roles in design. This got me thinking more broadly about how anyone finds their way into design careers? Working in design has been immensely rewarding for me on so many levels. The people, travel, challenges and feeling like you can make a change and contribute in a meaningful way. If I can, I’d now like to help others find their way into and enjoy this fantastic vocation. Hopefully they’ll help solve tomorrow’s problems along the way.    Visit workindesign.co.ukhttps://www.ef.co.uk/ Education Firsthttp://www.sevilpeach.co.uk/ Sevil Peach Architects

    40 min
  2. Industrial Design with Stefan Bench

    03/13/2023

    Industrial Design with Stefan Bench

    Today I’m joined by Stefan Bench. Stefan is a Senior Industrial Designer at one of the most iconic Architectural practices in the World. Foster and Partners have changed the urban landscape globally with buildings ranging from stadiums, to airports, museums and skyscrapers. There are too many to iconic buildings to name but perhaps people will recognise buildings such as the gherkin in London, various Apple stores worldwide and the Lusail stadium that hosted the final of the recent football world cup.As well as architecture, Foster and Partners design products for their own buildings and also for manufacturing clients. This is where Stefan comes in.Stefan has worked as a designer for over 20 years, beginning with his own furniture business and then working as a designer for a number of other business before making his way to Fosters.I consider Stefan to be a true designer who has followed his passion to organisations where he can focus solely on design. I’m excited to find out how Stefan has navigated his career and of course how he got started.I’m Kieron Bakewell, the host and founder of Work In Design. I’ve worked as a designer since 2003. In 2005 I co-founded the furniture company naughtone. My skills and passions are predominantly in design, although I have picked up business skills along the way!  During 2020 in my role as design director at naughtone, I was prompted to look at the diversity within the design department at naughtone. Ultimately it was not a diverse group. I did not consider this intentional, rather a more accurate representation of those actually applying for roles in design. This got me thinking more broadly about how anyone finds their way into design careers? Working in design has been immensely rewarding for me on so many levels. The people, travel, challenges and feeling like you can make a change and contribute in a meaningful way. If I can, I’d now like to help others find their way into and enjoy this fantastic vocation. Hopefully they’ll help solve tomorrow’s problems along the way.   Visit workindesign.co.ukhttps://www.fosterandpartners.com/ https://www.glennhowells.co.uk/ https://www.designweek.co.uk/ https://www.heatherwick.com/

    35 min
  3. Industrial Design & Creative Direction with Kirsty Whyte

    03/13/2023

    Industrial Design & Creative Direction with Kirsty Whyte

    Today I’m joined by Kirsty Whyte. Kirsty has been working for over 10 years in various disciplines in design. She is currently a Brand and Design Director and has held previous roles as Director of product innovation and Creative Director. On top of all of this Kirsty has also founded her own luxury watch brand and Design studio.Kirsty has had a busy and varied career so far, I’m looking forward to hearing about how she has turned creativity into a job.I’m Kieron Bakewell, the host and founder of Work In Design. I’ve worked as a designer since 2003. In 2005 I co-founded the furniture company naughtone. My skills and passions are predominantly in design, although I have picked up business skills along the way!   During 2020 in my role as design director at naughtone, I was prompted to look at the diversity within the design department at naughtone. Ultimately it was not a diverse group. I did not consider this intentional, rather a more accurate representation of those actually applying for roles in design. This got me thinking more broadly about how anyone finds their way into design careers?   Working in design has been immensely rewarding for me on so many levels. The people, travel, challenges and feeling like you can make a change and contribute in a meaningful way.   If I can, I’d now like to help others find their way into and enjoy this fantastic vocation. Hopefully they’ll help solve tomorrow’s problems along the way.   Visit workindesign.co.uk Asana (notes) https://asana.com/  Miro (collaboration) https://miro.com/  Soho house https://www.sohohome.com/ Kirsty Whyte https://www.kirstywhyte.com/  Watch Brand https://www.freedomtoexist.com/ De Montfort University Foundation course https://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/courses/foundation-courses/art-and-design-foundation-diploma/art-and-design-foundation-diploma.aspx Nottingham Trent University https://www.ntu.ac.uk/  Erasmus https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/ New Designers https://www.newdesigners.com/

    33 min
  4. Design Careers with Fabrizio Cocchiarella

    03/13/2023

    Design Careers with Fabrizio Cocchiarella

    Today I’m lucky to be joined by not only a designer but a degree and masters level educator. This is an important episode as we’ll get some perspective from working as a designer and also some insight into design education after school.Fabrizio Cocchiarella, Fab as most people call him studied design right through to Master’s level at the Royal College of Art in London before going on to work for various companies in the space of interior design, retail design, and furniture design. Fab then moved on to work at the Manchester Metropolitan University. He has lead the 3-dimensional design degree course and is currently a Senior lecturer on the masters level interiors program.      I’ve known Fab for a very long time and regard him as one of the most creative people I know. I’m really interested to hear his perspective on how to go about turning creativity into a job.I’m Kieron Bakewell, the host and founder of Work In Design. I’ve worked as a designer since 2003. In 2005 I co-founded the furniture company naughtone. My skills and passions are predominantly in design, although I have picked up business skills along the way!   During 2020 in my role as design director at naughtone, I was prompted to look at the diversity within the design department at naughtone. Ultimately it was not a diverse group. I did not consider this intentional, rather a more accurate representation of those actually applying for roles in design. This got me thinking more broadly about how anyone finds their way into design careers?   Working in design has been immensely rewarding for me on so many levels. The people, travel, challenges and feeling like you can make a change and contribute in a meaningful way.   If I can, I’d now like to help others find their way into and enjoy this fantastic vocation. Hopefully they’ll help solve tomorrow’s problems along the way.    Visit workindesign.co.ukhttps://www.art.mmu.ac.uk/ Manchester School of Art

    40 min
  5. Interior Design with Zefa Mongan

    03/13/2023

    Interior Design with Zefa Mongan

    Today I’m joined by Zefa Mongan. Zefa is Associate Director at MCM, based in London. MCM is a design practice specialising in architecture, interior design, workplace strategy and behavioural change. Zefa is passionate about encouraging a new generation of designers, which is how we originally introduced. So … I’m excited to learn about Zefa’s career journey and what being a designer means to him.    https://mcm-uk.com/I’m Kieron Bakewell, the host and founder of Work In Design. I’ve worked as a designer since 2003. In 2005 I co-founded the furniture company naughtone. My skills and passions are predominantly in design, although I have picked up business skills along the way! During 2020 in my role as design director at naughtone, I was prompted to look at the diversity within the design department at naughtone. Ultimately it was not a diverse group. I did not consider this intentional, rather a more accurate representation of those actually applying for roles in design. This got me thinking more broadly about how anyone finds their way into design careers?  Working in design has been immensely rewarding for me on so many levels. The people, travel, challenges and feeling like you can make a change and contribute in a meaningful way.  If I can, I’d now like to help others find their way into and enjoy this fantastic vocation. Hopefully they’ll help solve tomorrow’s problems along the way. Visit workindesign.co.uk

    37 min

About

What is the job of a designer, and how can I become a designer? We interview leading designers to find out. Good design has the power to improve the world and our experience of it. Bad design can add to the world’s growing problems. Work In Design aims to inspire the next generation of designers, engineers, and problem solvers to tackle issues relative to their lifetime and beyond. If you’re a young creative person and you’re wondering what jobs could suit you after school, or perhaps you’d already like to pursue a career in design, then this podcast could be for you. If you’d like to find out any more about any of the episodes and interview guests, please visit workindesign.co.uk.