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Artwork for Scratching the Surface

Scratching the Surface

Jarrett Fuller
Architecture
Digital Design
Design
Graphic Design
Publishing
Industrial Design
Princeton University Press
History Of Design
Climate Change
Freek Lomme
Set Margins
Zines
Business Practices In Publishing
New York City
Community Building
Design Education
Decolonization
Decarbonization
MIT Technology Review
Art and Design Space

Scratching the Surface is a podcast about design, theory, and creative practice. Hosted by Jarrett Fuller, each episode features wide-ranging conversations with designers, architects, writers, academics, artists, and theorists about how design shapes culture. Previous guests include architecture critic Paul Goldberger, MoMA design curator Paola Antonelli, architect and OMA partner Reinier de Graaf... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes303Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Artwork for Scratching the Surface

Latest Episodes

David Godshall and Kasey Toomey are partners at Terremoto, a landscape architecture design studio based in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Founded by Godshall and Alain Peauroi, Terremoto creates gardens that blend material exploration and conceptual i... more

Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby use design as a medium to interrogate our relationship to reality. They are the authors of multiple books, including 2013’s Speculative Everything and 2025’s Not Here, Not Now. Until recently, they were professors of Desi... more

YouTube

Nick Foster is a futures designer and author of the new book Could Should Might Don’t: How We Think About The Future. Trained as an industrial designer, he has spent his career exploring the future for a range of companies, most recently as the Head ... more

YouTube

Joel Towers is the president of The New School in New York City. Trained as an architect, President Towers joined the school in 2004, first as a faculty member and director of Sustainable Design and Urban Ecology and most recently as executive dean o... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Anthony Dunne
Designer, educator, and co-author
Dunne and Raby
Episode: 274. Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby
Fiona Raby
Designer, educator, and co-author
Dunne and Raby
Episode: 274. Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby
Nick Foster
A futures designer and author, trained in industrial design, previously worked at Google X and other leading tech companies.
Author of "Could, Should, Might, Don't, How We Think About The Future"
Episode: 273. Nick Foster
Joel Towers
The 10th president of The New School, trained architect, and a leader in sustainable design.
The New School
Episode: 272. Joel Towers
Zak Kyes
Founder and creative director of Zak Group, a London-based design studio.
Zak Group
Episode: 194. Zak Kyes (Originally aired 8/4/21)
Peter Mendelsund
Graphic designer, writer, musician, and former Associate Art Director at Knopf
Knopf
Episode: 74. Peter Mendelsund (Originally aired 5/2/18)
Sarah Whiting
Dean of Harvard GSD and co-founder of WW Architects, known for her contributions to design education and criticism.
Harvard Graduate School of Design
Episode: 230. Sarah Whiting (Originally aired 3/29/23)
Hans Ulrich Obrist
Curator, writer, editor, and art historian
Serpentine Gallery
Episode: 271. Hans Ulrich Obrist
Sarah Ichioka
Urbanist strategist, curator, and writer; founder of Desire Lines, a cross-disciplinary studio.
Desire Lines
Episode: 270. Sarah Ichioka

Host

Jarrett Fuller
Host of a podcast focused on design, theory, and creative practice, engaging diverse guests from various fields to discuss how design shapes culture.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 130 ratings
  • A Must-Listen!

    This show is an invaluable treasure trove for the modern creative spirit. Every episode blends wisdom from top-tier creatives with actionable steps for those on the unconventional path. It's more than just inspiration—it's a call to action for every creative soul to follow their dreams and change the world!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andieo1997
    United States2 years ago
  • Influential

    I have seriously learned so much from this podcast! STS has helped me understand what I want out of my design career. The guests are all always very interesting and their ideas and careers are fascinating.

    Although I really enjoy every topic that Jarret covers, I get particularly interested in the episodes that discuss alternative higher ed programs and the economics of design school education. Thank you for an incredible podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kaleb P.
    United States6 years ago
  • Fantastic Variety

    I enjoy the variety of speakers Jarrett invites to his show. Especially the ones who talk about inclusivity and diversity in design and about how important it is to bring different perspectives to the table. A memorable one for me is #18 Andy Chen + Waqas Jawaid, it felt like listening to friends I’ve yet met. The intro music is cheesy but it grew on me. :-)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    connyc23
    United States8 years ago
  • Very inspirational

    Some of the best podcasts I’ve listen to in a long time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    roig.fiol
    United Kingdom8 years ago
  • I always learn something new.

    I've found my way back to this podcast several times. The audio has been clear in all of the interviews I've listened to. Episodes wander through the ideas of both young design writers as well as some of the most influencial people in design. Highly recommend. :)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    James McBennett
    United States8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast introduces a variety of guests, strengthening the conversations around inclusivity and diversity, appealing to a wide audience.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and critical examination of design education amid real-world complexities.
Engaging conversations with top creatives and effective storytelling make it a must-listen for those interested in design.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#89
Colombia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#96
South Korea/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#190
Philippines/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#202
Taiwan/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#230
Singapore/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#245
Finland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

274. Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby
Q: How has your thinking evolved regarding speculative and critical design?
We've found that while the terms were initially useful, they now constrain the broader interpretations of our work.
274. Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby
Q: Why is it important that design is the home base for all of that work?
Design provides a platform for pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas in practice.
274. Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby
Q: How do you critique this work?
We assess if the objects stimulate new thought or adhere to familiar pathways.
274. Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby
Q: How did that insight, how did that feeling that reality was now unstable, how did that change your approach to your work?
It prompted a deeper exploration into the frameworks defining what is possible and real.
273. Nick Foster
Q: Can you define the purview of Google X and how design fits within the moonshot factory?
Nick explains that Google X focuses on ambitious projects with low hit rates and the role of design is to shape ideas and tell stories surrounding those projects.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Scratching the Surface

What is Scratching the Surface about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores the intersections of design, theory, and creative practice through engaging conversations with a diverse range of guests, including designers, architects, writers, and artists. Episodes cover critical topics such as the cultural implications of design, the evolution of design education, and the surrounding societal issues that influence practice across various creative fields. The dialogue often emphasizes how design shapes our understanding of the world while fostering discussions around inclusion, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the responsibilities of designers in today's society. With a focus on both established and emerging voices, the content is particularly rich for listeners interested in critical thinking... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Scratching the Surface?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Scratching the Surface:

1. Time Sensitive
2. About Buildings + Cities
3. Monocle on Design
4. The Art Angle
5. The Gray Area with Sean Illing

How many episodes of Scratching the Surface are there?

Scratching the Surface launched 9 years ago and published 303 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Scratching the Surface?

Recent guests on Scratching the Surface include:

1. Anthony Dunne
2. Fiona Raby
3. Nick Foster
4. Joel Towers
5. Zak Kyes
6. Peter Mendelsund
7. Sarah Whiting
8. Hans Ulrich Obrist

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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