FUTURE OF XYZ

S7 E24: Happy Thanksgiving, America! And happy eating everyone everywhere! In this special edition, we’re speaking about food, and specifically, fine dining. Our guests are both formally trained top chefs and acclaimed restaurateurs who have each had restaurants in New York City recognized with a Michelin star, as well as James Beard Award wins and nominations. Together, we explore fine dining as it has been, as it is, and as it’s becoming. From quality of ingredients to innovation in the kitchen, ambiance of the space to special attention to service – we hear how fine dining is moving beyond white tablecloths and fussiness, while remaining an immersive experience transports diners into a special occasion. Bon appétit! ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

S7 E22: Everyone is talking nonstop about how machines, robots, and AI are going to replace humans in the workforce and beyond. But what’s true? This week, FUTURE OF XYZ speaks with Tey Bannerman, a trained product designer and software engineer with over 20 years in the tech sector, including designing and building AI systems for startups, large retail players, and multinationals in regulated industries like banking, insurance, and fintech. Most recently, a Partner and Head of McKinsey Design Europe, and co-author of ‘The AI Revolution’ – Tey believes the best place for AI tools is in supporting humans and to support our professional roles in such a way that they are reshaped and success in them redefined, versus causing the roles themselves to disappear. Tune in for this timely and robust discussion about one of the hottest topics of today. ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

S7 E20: What is creativity and why does it matter? How does creativity differ from innovation? What is the role of imagination? Of education? In the Future of Creativity, we speak with Doreen Lorenzo, Assistant Dean at the School of Design and Creative Technology at the University of Texas and former President of frog design. In this expansive conversation, we talk about the importance of research, human-centered thinking, ideation, iteration, evolution, and execution. This is an amazing discussion no one in the design or creative worlds should miss. ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

S7 E18: If you were to read Brittan Heller’s CV, you might wonder why we’re speaking with her about the ‘Future of 3D Computing’. A Yale-educated lawyer who prosecuted war crimes in Rwanda and the Congo, supported refugees from North Korea and Afghanistan, and served in the U.S. Dept. of State and Dept. of Justice before becoming a Teaching Fellow & Law Lecturer at Stanford University’s Law, Science & Technology program - Brittan is now a globally-recognized leader in technology and human rights. In this important conversation about our fast-moving shift into XR, spatial computing, and from 2D to 3D internet- we address topics around convergence, neuroscience, dark patterns, AI, privacy, and platform governance. This episode serves as a primer for everyone to consider what is the intersection of emerging technology and legal protections. Brittan explains how we got here and shares her expert belief that if only we can get the “rights” part “right”, the future will be beautiful. Don’t miss! ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

S7 E16: The fashion industry is one of the world’s largest polluters, responsible for 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions and with 87% of textiles ending up in landfills or incinerators every year. Recent forecasts suggest that the trend is rapidly continuing in a negative direction with the resulting climate change impact anticipated to displace tens of millions around the world. Other than consumers consuming FAR less, fashion and other manufacturing industries need to shift towards sustainable manufacturing. Our guest this week is Shelly Xu- a fashion entrepreneur, holder of multiple technology patents, multi-time nominee for the prestigious Earthshot prize, winner of multiple other international awards, and CEO & Founder of SXD- a software platform that uses AI to reimagine pattern making for zero waste in the fashion industry and beyond. This is the application of technology at its best – a simple but real revolution that saves businesses money and the planet’s health too. Tune in to learn more. ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

S7 E14: You may never have heard of a Passive House, or the Passive House movement, but building to Passive House standards means meeting specific criteria related to heating and cooling demand, airtightness, and thermal comfort to achieve certification. It’s an approach to building and construction that significantly reduces energy consumption, carbon footprint, and operational costs. Curious yet? This week, we learn all about Passive House- what it is, what it achieves, what it requires, and why not everyone is building or can build to these standards. Joining us is Ken Levenson, an architect himself and Executive Director of The Passive House Network, a non-profit organization specialized in Passive House education that supports the internationally-recognized Passive House Institute, and Luis Medina, a Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD) and Principal at the award-winning Brooklyn firm, STUDIO 397 Architecture. This is a fascinating and informative discussion about climate change, resilience, mitigation, efficiency, affordability, health, wellness, and of course, design. Tune in today. ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

S7 E12: Global toymaker Mattel knows a thing or two about Play. Operating in 35 countries with products sold in over 150 countries, the toy giant who employs over 30,000 people across its Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, UNO®, Polly Pocket and other brands – is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year! Tied to the release of a large new study called the “The Shape of Play”, XYZ speaks with Chris Down, Mattel’s Chief Design Officer and iF DESIGN AWARD Juror about the state of play in 2025, the importance of play in combating stress and restoring happiness no matter your age and stage, and what he’s learned over more than three decades creating play in everything from dolls and cars, to board and video games. This is a fun conversation that sparks serious joy. ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.