FUTURE OF XYZ

S8 E13: For XYZ’s first ever live recording release, we spoke live from the SURROUND Podcast Network studio at NeoCon with Chicago native Cheryl Durst Hon. FIIDA, Executive Vice President/CEO at IIDA (International Interior Design Association). Based on her extensive experience in the interiors industry, three years as an iF Design Award Juror, and role as a sought-after board member, keynote speaker, facilitator, and podcaster – we explore the state of the interiors business as she sees it in the midst of this year’s global furniture fair season. From the effect of an interior on human psychology, to the impact of AI on the industry – this is a comprehensive discussion with one of interiors’ foremost gamechangers, presented at the Obama Presidential Library’s opening exhibit and recipient of the Interior Design Hall of Fame’s first ever Leadership Award. 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 E23: Our guest this week is Martha Tsigkari, a Senior Partner at Foster + Partners, among the world’s most acclaimed architectural firms founded by Lord Norman Foster. For over 20 years, Martha is also the Head of their Applied R+D group. Developing machine learning, optimization and simulation tools, integrated processes and physical interfaces - the group pursues state-of-the-art research that blends architecture, engineering, and computer science to support the firm’s globally recognized projects that push the limits on what we thought was possible. In the ‘Future of Applied R&D’, Martha talks about facilitating cross-team collaboration, enabling emotionality, and being “dreamers of the impossible”. 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 E21: In this episode, we speak with Gita Rebbapragada, COO at Crunchyroll, the global entertainment platform specializing in anime, manga, and Asian media. Anime is a hand-drawn or computer-generated animation style typically originating from Japan– but now coming from all corners of the planet. And it’s an entertainment sector estimated to reach $60B over the next few years. This is a fascinating and far-reaching conversation about community and creative processes, big business and the convergence of art, culture, TV, film, music, gaming, live events, and merchandise. 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 E19 (150 overall): Acclaimed industrial designer and recent author, Nick Foster RDI, joins XYZ for our 150th episode of the series! In this special episode, we celebrate not only 150 episodes of future exploration, but also Nick’s recently released book ‘COULD SHOULD MIGHT DON’T: HOW WE THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE’ by MacMillan. And we’re going meta here to talk about the ‘Future of Thinking About the Future’. As musician, filmmaker, and cultural curator, Questlove writes in a testimonial “the book helps provide a meaningful framework for considering the big questions of “Where are we going? Who will we be when we get there?”.” As a Futures Designer who spent an esteemed career at globally renowned tech companies like Apple, Nokia, Sony, Dyson, and most recently as Head of Design at Google X - this conversation is spot on in terms of timing, content, and curiosity for the moment we currently face. Tune in to learn how we can better think about the future in terms of business, culture, technology, mental health, the planet and more. Happy 150th episode XYZ! 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 E17: Off the shelf or highly bespoke, interior designers know that the choice of floor coverings is one of the most important decisions they can make for the feel of a finished space. From throw rugs to area rugs, wall-to-wall carpeting or other wovens – this is a highly-specialized industry where local and global mills and weavers work hand in hand with designers to produce products based on material, color, pattern, weave, thickness, ecologic, price point, and even timeline needs and preferences. In this episode, we speak with Ana and Ali, Managing Partners of Toronto-based Creative Matters, a design studio founded in 1988, focused on stunning, bespoke, ethically-produced floor coverings. In our conversation, we address how aesthetics are always the #1 decision driver, but that functional concerns weigh heavily in more high-use commercial settings, including hospitality. Tune in to learn more about this often taken-for-granted interior component that has a big design, community, and environmental impact! 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 E15: John Roescher and I met at SXSW earlier this year. When asked what he wanted to speak about on XYZ- the Founder and CEO of the Austin-based design agency, Raw Materials, which was named 2024's D&AD Design Agency of the Year- thought long and hard, ultimately deciding on the ‘Future of Different’. In this episode, the creator, investor, design leader, and former US Marine who taught himself to code as a child in the 90’s, shares with us his passion for technology, dedication to fostering creativity, and how he applies their combined power to advance various fields and industries through his work. His underlying belief is that “everybody has the ability to be creative, to make things different in the world”. Or, as he quoted Dolly Parton as saying, “Figure out who you are and do it on purpose.” That is the difference. Tune in to this meta conversation with an award-winning creative mind 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.