Episode 4 - Design in the Media

Max Fraser

Max Fraser began his design career in publishing with two editions of Design UK through a partnership with Conran Octopus, books which I have proudly on my own bookcase. A key moment followed with the publication of Designers on Design, which Max co-authored with Sir Terrance Conran, before he launched his own publishing imprint Spotlight Press which brought us 4 editions of the London Design Guide amongst many other publications on design.

Max doesn’t stop at publishing his own titles but often works alongside internationally renowned design studios and brands to write books on their behalf. Max often writes for the world’s design press, consults on brand editorial, and sits on the design stage to interview designers.

Max is not at all shy to ask the tricky questions, especially when discussing sustainability and the design sector’s contribution to the climate crisis. This interest has directed him to focus not on ‘new this’ or ‘new that’ but on exposing the misunderstanding and misdemeanours of the world, championing clever ideas to minimise the mundane and maximise change.

In March 2023 it was announced that Max would channel his expertise into a new role as Editorial Director of the world’s premier design magazine, Dezeen.

dezeen.com

Grant Gibson

I’m sure that I’m not the only person who enjoys listening to Grant Gibson speak with such genuine interest, and care, with designers and craftspeople on his thoroughly engaging podcast, Material Matters with Grant Gibson. His conversations straddle the divide between the professional and personal, with listeners learning how guests found their chosen material and how it shaped their lives and careers. In fact, Grant’s podcast episodes have been downloaded in excess of 400,000 times! And, I’ve got to tell you, that my recent favourites have been interviews with Carl Clarkin, Donna Wilson and Polly Morgan.

2022 saw Grant, along with his co-founder William Knight, launch the Material Matters Fair, which will return to Oxo Tower Wharf again this September to investigate how the design industry can address issues around the circular economy and why material intelligence is so important to all our lives.

Grant has had an enviable career, editing many of the UK’s highly respected design and craft publications, including Blueprint, RIBA Journal and Crafts. He was the launch editor of the London Design Festival Guide and regularly takes to the stage to interview guests in person at leading international events.

materialmatters.design