Monocle's design team tours museums, furniture studios, and landmark houses each week.
Monocle on Design moves between studio chat, field reports, and interviews across architecture, craft, furniture, graphic design, and product culture. Recent episodes visit Brazilian furniture in London, Japanese craft, Saudi design residencies, Puerto Rican posters, and summer-school architecture in rural France.
PRESS PLAY
Monocle on Design is an interview and reportage format built around Monocle's global correspondent network, mixing studio conversation with field reports recorded in cities such as Trondheim, Utrecht, and Dakar. Episodes are structured in discrete segments rather than a single long-form conversation, often moving from a museum exhibition story to a designer interview to a building tour within a single 25-35 minute run. The regular hosting team is Nick Manisse alongside associate editor Grace Charlton, with producer Maile Evans conducting some interviews directly; guests are typically curators, architects, furniture designers, illustrators, and founders of design institutions or retreats. Coverage leans heavily on institutional design history — exhibitions at venues like the Vitra Design Museum and Trondheim Kunstmuseum — alongside craft traditions under threat, such as hand-spun cotton weaving in Senegal or Norwegian tapestry art. Architecture segments favor tours of specific landmark houses (the Rietveld Schröder House, Fallingwater-style case studies) rather than abstract theory. Furniture and product design segments frequently spotlight a national or regional scene, such as Brazilian design galleries or Bauhaus-era objects, and tie into the trade-fair calendar around Milan Design Week and Salone del Mobile. A recurring 'design essentials' or summer-essentials segment has hosts recommend specific objects, from vintage chairs to beach towels. The show suits listeners already engaged with architecture, furniture, and craft as fields — design students, practitioners, and museum-going enthusiasts rather than casual pop-culture listeners. Production is dialogue-driven and editorial in tone, consistent with Monocle's broader magazine and radio output, with named producers and location reporters credited within episodes.
Made for: Listeners already interested in architecture, furniture design, craft traditions, and design exhibitions, including students and practitioners in those fields.
What sets it apart: Structures each episode as multiple short segments across exhibitions, designer interviews, and location reports rather than one long conversation, drawing on Monocle's correspondent network for on-the-ground reporting.
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.
Based on 4 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Nick Manisse makes design legible through the choices, materials and social conditions behind buildings, furniture, textiles and graphic work.
Monocle on Design follows design into the places where objects, buildings and materials acquire their meaning. Nick Manisse moves between studio conversation, interviews and reported visits, with Grace Charlton joining some discussions.
A Shaker chair, Senegalese cotton and Brazilian papier-mache walk into your impeccably arranged listening queue.
Press play if you want
Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A brisk, object-led tour of Brazilian furniture at Jig, paired with the lived radicalism of the Rietveld Schroder House.
Monocle on Design treats style as something closer to conviction than polish. The episode begins at Jig in London's Soho, where Brazilian furniture is discussed through makers, materials, and a shared national identity that still leaves room for individual voices.
A polished design dispatch that ties heritage, place, and making together.
Monocle on Design presents AlUla as a place where development and heritage have to sit together, then follows that thread through Emily Morant and the question of making work from within a place instead of dropping ideas in from outside.
A warm, lightly practical design-school reverie about landscape, mixed company and learning outside the institution.
Summer school becomes a design question in this Monocle on Design episode: what changes when learning leaves the institution for forests, lakes, rivers and long meals.
A breezy design episode where Supermundane, summer travel, and simple shapes all get room to shift meaning.
Monocle on Design drifts between Rob Lowe, better known as Supermundane, a conversation about architecture and place, and a loose summer jaunt through holiday design.
A measured tour through design history, craft, and the communities that shape both.
This Monocle on Design episode moves from the Shakers and their communal, design minded legacy to Senegalese textile work and a Norwegian celebration of weaving, with the Vitra Design Museum as the clearest anchor.
Two product designers talk Figma workflows, button sizing, and AI design tools weekly.
Stockholm hosts James Royal-Lawson and Per Axbom interview UX and accessibility experts.
Four design-business owners, including Design Cuts' Tom Ross, talk pricing, agencies, and creative burnout.
This episode of Monocle On Design is a reflective farewell to producer Maylee Evans, highlighting favorite interviews and lessons learned from the show's run.
This episode previews the World Design Congress in London and discusses the 'Richard Rogers: Talking Buildings' exhibition, focusing on architecture and design appreciation.
This episode explores materialism and obsession with objects through a discussion of the book 'Perfection' by Vincenzo Letronico, which examines a millennial couple's curated life in Berlin.
This episode explores how design can blend beauty with function in architecture and fitness equipment, featuring discussions with Altere Studios and architect Tom Kundig, while also examining how design thinking can help maintain New Year's resolutions.
This episode explores how design across various disciplines—from architecture to graphic design—can effectively tell stories, featuring insights from Andu Masebo and creative studio Birch.
This episode explores the intersection of functionality and aesthetics in design, featuring discussions on collectible design, practical improvements for travel, and Wes Anderson's distinctive visual style.
This episode of Monocle on Design explores how design connects to place through interviews about Simone Brewster's exhibition and the Dominican Republic's design scene.
This episode explores the history and design of a temporary structure in Paris's Jardin des Tuileries, created for the Matter and Shape design salon in partnership with architect Jayden Ali.
This episode explores how co-design principles and storytelling are transforming architecture and luxury hospitality through interviews with industry experts.
This episode of Monocle on Design explores Korean craft through an interview with author Hyo Jung Lee about her book 'Jeong', examining how objects carry emotional and cultural significance.
This episode explores how Range Rover uses materials, color, and texture to shape emotions, tell brand stories, and pioneer modern luxury design across its vehicle portfolio.
This episode explores how designers use color, architecture, and creative partnerships to honor brand legacies, featuring discussions with Pantone's Laurie Pressman and the Louis Kahn Estonia Foundation.
This episode explores automotive design through an interview with Range Rover's brand design chief Will Verity, focusing on modernist influences, color theory, and brand experience at Design Miami.
This episode explores how cities influence design through historical examples like Paris and Amsterdam, featuring interviews with designers Miminat Shodeinde and Joris Laarman.
This episode of Monocle On Design explores architectural integrity, featuring discussions on airport design, urban nature with MET Team Architects, and sculpture as jewellery with Giles Miller.
This episode of Monocle on Design explores niche craft preservation with Luca Nichetto and office space rethinking with David Galullo, while discussing design's role in understanding human interaction in places.
This episode explores how DIY can make design more accessible, discusses timeless design principles, and features insights from brands SCP and Matilda Goad on overcoming barriers in design.
This episode of Monocle on Design explores the shift toward using local materials and vernacular architecture in design, particularly in Dubai and the UAE, emphasizing sustainability and regional identity.
This episode explores why sofas are complex to design and their significant role in shaping home life, featuring insights from designers Ilse Crawford and Eran Chen.
This episode of Monocle on Design looks back at 2025's highlights in creative fields, emphasizing the value of human-centered design and storytelling.
This episode explores how luxury watchmaker Ressence is reimagining timekeeping for the 21st century through human-centric design and disruption of traditional watchmaking.
This episode features an interview with Andy Weal, Director of Production Design at Jaguar Land Rover, discussing his 25+ year career with Range Rover, the brand's design evolution, and its connections to architectural principles.
This episode of Monocle on Design explores the blurring lines between art and design, featuring discussions on inclusive aesthetics, the impact of collectible design, and modernizing India's design language, with insights from the Frieze Fair in London.
This episode explores the recent architectural and landscape transformations at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in South London, including the creation of interactive sculpture gardens.
This episode explores how design influences mood and memory through discussions with designers Yinka Ilori and Kjetil Thorsen, covering architecture, play, and thoughtful gifting.
This episode explores how photographer Max Creasy's 'Bad Language' exhibition challenges polished architectural photography conventions by using snapshots to find humor and more humane ways of presenting the built environment.
This episode explores the new station at the Schafberg cog railway in Austria, highlighting its architectural significance and the region's natural beauty.
This episode celebrates the 90th anniversary of Finnish design brand Artek, exploring its origins through an interview with Managing Director Marianne Goebel about its founding manifesto and mission to blend art and technology.
This episode of Monocle On Design previews the British Ceramics Biennial, the October issue of Monocle Magazine, and Vienna Design Week, while discussing a theatre production about global craft and fashion.
Architect Emre Arolat discusses the design challenges and modern approach to creating the Saint-Jacques Mosque in Turkey, moving beyond traditional Ottoman schemes.
This episode of Monocle on Design covers Helsinki Design Week's 20th anniversary, highlights from London's Open House Festival, and an interview with Furniture Gallery H100 at Zurich Design Weeks.
This episode explores the innovative video design in the play 'Interalia' at London's National Theatre, featuring an interview with designer Willie Williams about how technology enhances themes of masculinity, motherhood, and identity.
This episode explores how thoughtful design in bedrooms, featuring brands like Thuma and Rise & Fall, can improve sleep quality and transform our relationship with rest.
This episode explores the importance of design details and intentionality through conversations about Swiss craft, Michael Anastassiades' philosophy, and reflections on the PAD Design Fair in London.
This episode of Monocle on Design reviews highlights from the London Design Festival, discussing material innovation, furniture, and design circularity while exploring the intersection with fashion.
This episode explores POV Budapest, a design conference in Hungary that focuses on branding and identity while putting the country's creative community on the global map.
This episode explores design innovation through talks from the Matter and Shape salon in Paris, focusing on new editions, cultural exchange, and scent design.
This episode features an interview with designer Hugh Lim about his transition from architecture to creating sustainable, 3D-printed furniture with interchangeable components, including award-winning lamps.
Dharma Taylor discusses her transition from fashion design to woodworking, focusing on her Lightbeam birdhouse project and the creative parallels between different design disciplines.
This episode features an interview with Indonesian textile designer Oban discussing her journey from antique textiles to fashion, and includes a segment on tactility with Sam Hecht, concluding the summer series.
This episode explores how designers balance heritage and innovation, featuring discussions on the Tekla brand, Balkrishna Doshi at Vitra Design Museum, and last-minute design gift ideas.
This episode of Monocle On Design explores the intersection of craft, culture, and design, featuring a discussion on Vietnamese design with Emmy Macias and insights from editors on global design trends.
This episode of Monocle on Design explores the growing interest in collectible design at Design Miami, examining why younger collectors are drawn to meaningful objects that blur the lines between art and design.
This episode of Monocle on Design explores whether collectible craft can reintroduce human-centered design in an age of rapid manufacturing and AI, featuring an interview with TF Chan about Collect 2026 and discussing the return of handles and buttons in cars.
This episode explores the Cabin Fever architectural camp in Czechia, where international studios design wooden cabins in a former textile factory setting.
This episode recaps design-focused sessions from Monocle's Quality of Life Conference in Barcelona, featuring insights from architects, designers, and other experts on how design contributes to better living.
Style starts as a question about honesty.
AlUla is moving quickly.
This episode explores contemporary Japanese craft through an interview with curator Nagata Takahiro about the exhibition '100-plus Makers from Japan' and the concept of 'Hyakkō'.
School is out, sort of.
Nick Manisse opens with holiday chatter.
Monocle on Design Extra profiles Lorenzo Homar, the Puerto Rican printmaker and poster designer whose work over 30 years defined the graphic arts movement of the island.
This episode of Monocle on Design reviews the Pictograms exhibition at Japan House in London, remembers designer Robert Wilson, and previews a summer series on design essentials.
This episode explores the design collective Bora in Portugal, discussing their collaborative approach and new homewares collection, while also highlighting Singapore's innovative design scene and its showcase at Milan Design Week.
This episode explores how design can address global challenges beyond human needs, featuring exhibitions like 'More Than Human' in London and Prototype Ireland in Milan, with insights from designers.
This episode explores how to create well-designed, lived-in homes rather than showroom-like spaces, referencing Singaporean design innovation and Jacques Tati's film.
This episode explores Japanese furniture maker Karimoku, Austrian concrete architecture, and graphic design insights from Slop Magazine, as part of a design-focused podcast.
This episode explores design philosophy through a Fisher & Paykel partnership and a visit to the Noguchi Museum exhibition featuring artist Temilayo Evans.
This episode explores design through interviews with a glassmaking prize winner, a Lisbon collection, and a Romanian architect.
This episode covers design news including Fisher & Paykel's kitchen philosophy and Norman Foster's Venice transport hub project.
This episode explores design topics including a textile brand preserving traditional techniques, Nordic design news, and a Portuguese collectible design brand.
This episode explores the intersection of cars and architecture, featuring an interview with author Christopher Beanland about his book 'Architecture for Cars'.
Design starts with belief.
This episode covers the London Design Biennale, a glass biennale, and an Art Deco architectural tour in Shanghai.
This episode covers the Serpentine Pavilion, Lisbon Design Week, and an interview with Matter & Shapes' Dan Thorley.
A design podcast exploring high-end manufacturing, sense of place, and flexibility in design, with a special on artist Do Ho Suh's fabric architecture.
This episode explores the Venice Biennale's International Architecture Exhibition, discussing national pavilions and the concept of home.
This episode covers the Venice Architecture Biennale with interviews and visits to national pavilions.
A special episode celebrating the fifth annual Monocle Design Awards, featuring highlights and interviews with winners.
This episode covers design news, a feature on William Morris, and conversations from Monocle's The Chiefs Conference.
A design-focused podcast covering architecture, furniture, fashion, and graphic design, with interviews and industry news.
This episode covers highlights from Future Impact 3 Design Nation exhibition at Milan Design Week, featuring interviews and design insights.
A special episode exploring an exhibition in Tokyo celebrating Finnish designer Tapio Verkela and his Ultima Thule glassware collection for Iittala.
This episode covers highlights from Milan Design Week, featuring interviews with designers and discussion of design trends.
A design podcast covering the Salone del Mobile furniture fair in Milan, with interviews and industry insights.
An episode exploring experimental living through a Tokyo exhibition, solar biennial in Switzerland, and a swimming style exhibition in London.
This episode of Monocle On Design explores innovative design projects including Singapore's Prototype Ireland exhibition at Milan Design Week, Rotterdam's floating architectural office, and features industrial designer Tej Chauhan with a preview of Konfekt magazine.
This episode explores design through interviews with graphic designer Vince Frost, a London exhibition on Japanese carpentry, and the CEO of a Swedish rug company.
This episode covers highlights from the Parisian design salon Matter & Shape, Japanese brutalist architecture, and a visit to the Young V&A museum.
This episode of Monocle on Design recaps the Collect art and design fair in London, explores rug-making traditions in India, and discusses the 19th-century designer Christopher Dresser.