Information designer and advocate for data humanism, Giorgia Lupi, spent her childhood in Italy organizing buttons in her grandmother’s tailor shop, a data collector already in the making. The teenage years had her expressing herself through the punk rock and heavy metal scene in her town. After receiving her master’s degree in Architecture, she began her PhD in Design at Politecnico di Milano while founding Accurat, an internationally acclaimed data-driven design firm. Now a partner at Pentagram, and author of personal projects such as Dear Data, she continues to push for a humanistic approach to data as a path to understanding our complex realities.

Interior designer and self-described “cocktail,” Yasmine Ghoniem has lived a whirlwind life across continents, cultures, and careers. Born in Kuwait to Australian and Egyptian parents, she lived throughout the Middle East before moving to the United States to attend Savannah College of Art and Design. She always had a deep love for music, feeling destined to be a performer, she formed indie rock bands with family and friends throughout the years. Yasmine eventually put down roots in Sydney, Australia where she founded and leads YSG Studio, an interior design studio focusing on residential and hospitality. She brings her eclectic influences and flair for the theatrical drama of staging and storytelling to all of her spaces. Intoxicating indeed!

On this Clever Extra, Amy Devers sits down with Kari Pei, Interface VP of Global Product Design; David Oakey, founder of David Oakey Designs; and Bill Browning, founding partner of Terrapin Bright Green and co-author of Nature Inside: A Biophilic Design Guide. Together, they unpack the science, practical applications, and ROI of creating happier places with biophilic design. They dive into how diversity can inspire fabric patterns, how “evidence-based design” can improve cardiac patients' health, and the ‘psychoacoustics’ of moving water. Kari, David, and Bill discuss their favorite patterns, the power of biophilic design to create a better world, and how design and technology can continue to draw from the world around us to create happier places.

Sarah Stein Greenberg, Executive Director of the Stanford d.school, spent her childhood in Philly running bases, reading books, and getting lost in her vivid imagination. After getting an undergraduate degree in History, she embarked on an MBA at Stanford, which resulted in her introduction to the d.school and into the dynamic and fascinating world of design. As a lover of complexity and intersections, she found her tribe. Now she’s authored Creative Acts for Curious People, a rich and visual resource filled with innovative exercises aimed at helping everyone unlock their own creative potential.

In this Clever Extra, Amy Devers sits down with Oliver Grabes, Head of Design at legendary design brand Braun. Known for iconic design, innovation, and the unique ability to be both revolutionary and relevant for a century, Braun’s focus on simple, easy-to-use design has led the way for functional, elegant, and enduring products. Oliver reflects on Braun’s legacy and its future, including their global study with Gen Z - confirming inclusive and sustainable design is what matters most to future generations. Committed to investing in the future of design, Braun is also paving the way for young designers, students, and inventors through the 21st BraunPrize International Design Competition. With a theme of Shape Tomorrow, the BraunPrize aims to support and encourage innovative ideas that address the challenges we face today and in the years to come.

A writer, speaker, and women’s creative leadership coach, Majo Molfino is a champion for smashing the patriarchy (both within and outside each of us!) and supporting women in harnessing their creative confidence and power. A precocious child, she was born in Argentina and moved with her family across the US and Canada, eventually landing in San Francisco.

In this special episode, we are shining some light on color. Brought to you by Ultrafabrics, this presentation was recorded in May 2021 as part of CLOSEUP, a live & virtual 2-day design showcase event presented by WantedDesign Manhattan and ICFF.

We dive into color - its power to influence our perception, our mood, even our consciousness with several experts. We hear from Kimberle Frost, a color specialist for Ultrafabrics; Larah Moravek, founder and design director of Dutch East Design; Malene Barnett, artist and founder of the Black Designers + Artists Guild; Anna Murray, designer and co-founder of Patternity; and Patrick O’Donnell, international brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball.

The conversation touches on how the pandemic has influenced our appetite for color, how to be more creative with color and how we can break some of the “rules” around color and explore new inspiring ways to bring color into our everyday life.

Special thanks to Ultrafabrics for supporting this episode. Learn more at ultrafabricsinc.com.

Chandra Robinson is a Principal at LEVER and Portland Design Commissioner. A Portland native, she grew up with a great love for outdoor education, inspiring her to spend years as a sea kayaking guide and to study geography and physics. From an early age though, she was always fascinated by buildings and developed a deep love for spaces that felt safe, welcoming, and comfortable. She eventually found her way to Boston Architectural Center where she earned her MArch and found exceptional opportunities to work at firms of all sizes. Returning to Portland, she found her professional home at LEVER. First as an architect and now as a Principal, she’s led groundbreaking projects such as the Meyer Memorial Trust in Lower Albina. She is resourceful, brilliant, and dedicated to making her hometown feel welcoming, beautiful, and accessible to all.

Founder of Design Milk and Clever co-creator Jaime Derringer grew up in New Jersey. An only child until 8, she was fiercely independent with an artistic streak, drawing inspiration from her quirky Nana. During college, she fell in love with Japanese and Asian culture, which still influences the artwork she does today, ranging from digital art to painting to tufted art. After college, she worked in project management, having a natural skill for coordinating and love for new challenges. In 2006, she founded Design Milk, a website featuring all things art and design that she loved. Now, 15 years later, Design Milk has expanded into a Shop, wide-reaching social media presence, and a growing team. In 2019, Jaime sold Design Milk to AHALife, remaining involved as CCO. She is a vibrant leader, brilliant artist, and a wonderful mom, friend, and wife. Her years of following her own artistic streak have certainly paid off.

Designer Brian Rice currently serves as the Chief Brand and Design Officer for 3M. A self-identified “hybrid coast kid”, Brian was born in South Jersey and grew up in central Florida. A child of divorce, he acquired a greater appreciation for the different perspectives, culture, and environments he was exposed to from an early age. A curious student, he started down the engineering path but quickly realized that wasn’t the right fit, and switched to design. After college, he has worked for iconic brands such as Proctor & Gamble, The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Pacific and Bristol Myers-Squibb. He understands design as an essential connective tissue, a powerful tool to create space for artistic expression and to embrace greater diversity and inclusion. Brian knows that if we use design as a force for good, we can not only move in the direction of justice, but we can create compelling, creative products for consumers worldwide.