Films — Design

Apr 06 2023 84 ep. 4 mins 1.7k

Films — Design Podcast artwork

A comprehensive round-up of the design, architecture, fashion and graphics catching our eye.

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Glassblowing with Michael Ruh

Apr 06 2023 3 mins

Nature is a key source of inspiration for glass artist Michael Ruh, who has hand-crafted pieces for leading architects and brands, such as Fortnum & Mason. We visited his south London studio as production was underway for a new commission for The Birch Hotel to hear about his design process.

Inside Tokyo’s colourful community bus

Jul 28 2022 5 mins

An electric bus service has injected a new playfulness into a borough of Tokyo in need of a revamp. We hop aboard and meet Eiji Mitooka, its creator and Japan’s foremost train designer, who explains why he puts fun at the top of his list when designing public transport. All aboard! [Read more in the June issue of the magazine.](https://monocle.com/shop/product/2155569/issue-154/)

Yinka Ilori’s 3D-printed basketball court

Oct 28 2021 2 mins

Designer Yinka Ilori discusses the design inspiration behind his temporary installation in London’s Canary Wharf and the importance of play in adulthood. [Hear more on ‘Monocle on Design’ on Monocle 24](https://monocle.com/radio/shows/monocle-on-design/513/).

Rebuilding Beirut

Oct 04 2021 2 mins

After the devastating port explosion of 4 August 2020, Beirut's creative community is battling to rebuild amid power-cuts and petrol shortages. A year on from the blast, Monocle joins its designers and architects on the streets of the city to see how they hope to make the city anew.

Monocle Design Awards

Jun 03 2021 2 mins

Monocle launched its inaugural Design Awards in early 2021 to celebrate the world’s best and brightest talents in architecture, graphic design and industrial design. We invite you to meet a global cast of winners as we celebrate pioneering design projects that make our lives healthier and happier, our cities smarter and our work more creative.

Christchurch School: sunny modernism

Apr 28 2021 10 mins

We explore a New Zealand take on mid-century modern architecture that fused British brutalism with a Scandinavian aesthetic. The simple construction methods of the Christchurch School’s creative homes have endured changing tastes – and earthquakes too.

A different view with David Alhadeff

Feb 01 2021 3 mins

Perched above the buzz of Beverly Hills sits Casa Perfect, a gallery of contemporary design set in a spectacular modernist home. Its founder David Alhadeff shows us the wealth of remarkable art and architecture that is to be found in the varied neighbourhoods of this sunny city. Monocle Films has partnered with Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau to reveal hidden gems throug

The home of the Finnish art scene

Nov 18 2020 7 mins

We tour the breathtaking studios of artists’ residence Lallukka in Helsinki, which hasn’t changed its purpose since it was completed in 1933. The landmark functionalist building offers spaces at low rents so that its tenants can focus on one thing: making art.

The master craftsman: Shimada Takayuki

Oct 09 2020 4 mins

The unassuming Shimada Gama workshop in Gotsu doubles up as an open-air museum of traditional stoneware pottery. It specialises in creating large pieces that are burnt in a sloped wood-fired kiln. We talk to the 73-year-old master Shimada Takayuki about the challenges of passing the rare skill and aesthetic sensibility down to his son and grandson.

The talent-seeker: Ryutaro Yoshida

Oct 05 2020 5 mins

Japanese company Time & Style knows how to inject innovative spirit into traditional crafts. Over the past two decades its founder Ryutaro Yoshida has criss-crossed Japan to woo reluctant artisans to collaborate on modern designs. We meet him in the remote region of Shimane as he develops a series of handmade washi paper lamps.