How does technology affect our daily lives and interactions, and what role does design play in making it more humane and delightful? Today, we're in conversation with Clara Gaggero Westaway, co-founder and creative director of Special Projects. Recently celebrating its tenth anniversary, the London-based design and innovation studio is known for its work in humanising technology, creating experiences that prioritise user friendliness and satisfaction.

Clara's expertise has guided Special Projects in partnerships with some of the biggest names in tech and research, like Samsung, Google, and King's College London, turning complex tech challenges into accessible solutions. From digital therapy tools for individuals with psychosis and enhancing smartphone usability for older people to helping us step away from our smartphones a little, her work exemplifies the power of empathetic design.

But what does it all mean? We ask Clara about the intricacies of creating technology that's helpful and not intrusive, the challenges and surprises of designing for a global audience, and the future trends she sees shaping the industry. We'll also take a closer look at her creative process, how her educational roles influence her professional practice, and how she and her team tackle the ethics of technology and design.

In this episode, Clara also shares how she sees everyday frustrations as opportunities and how drawing on them can create those "warm, fuzzy feelings" she loves so much. This conversation lies at the fascinating intersection of creativity, technology, and human-centric design with one of the industry's leading voices.

This season is sponsored by MPB, the largest global platform for buying, selling, and trading used photo and video equipment. Visit MPB.com to find out more.

We never really know how we’ll feel when we turn 30 or even 40. For some, it’s no big deal; for others, it can be a shock to the system. Where does the time go? And how do we keep going with work, responsibilities? How do we even stay relevant in the creative industry when so much new and young talent floods into the market every year?

And what about turning 50? For our next guest, it proved to be quite an earth-shattering event. Aaron Draplin is a legendary graphic designer who began his career in the snowboarding world before he went solo and worked for clients as big as Nike, Burton, Esquire, Ford Motor Company, and even the Obama Administration.

Any creative will know that Draplin is a huge name in the industry and is always around on the festival circuit. He’s also been featured on TED Talks and talks at Google. In 2019, he designed the Star Ribbon, a US postal stamp. He is the co-founder and designer for the Field Notes brand.

With so much success, you’d think he was happy to continue this momentum. But turning 50 last year changed everything. Draplin wants to slow down. Perhaps embrace minimalism. Figure out how to do less. And focus on more of the stuff that matters.

But is it easy for someone who’s never been shy of hard work to slacken the pace? Can Draplin find a way to stop running when he’s still got a decent amount of time left to design – if that’s what he wants to do? Or is graphic design becoming less of a priority? We sat down with Draplin to see where his head is at in 2024.

This season is sponsored by MPB, the largest global platform for buying, selling, and trading used photo and video equipment. Visit MPB.com to find out more.

We don't know where you grew up or where you call home, but we're from Stoke-on-Trent. Oatcakes, Port Vale, the friendliest and funniest people on Earth. Northern Soul and the rave scene. Shelleys, Kinetic, and Golden. And, of course, Wedgwood and Brindley.

Have you never heard of it? As a kid, we'd tell people we were from Manchester because everyone knows Manchester, and it's cool. But Stoke? Pah. We're ashamed to say we never sang its praises. But what did we know? We left Stoke for Manchester, seeking our fortune. But that was many years ago. And we've recently returned to the area. We see Stoke with fresh eyes now and proudly tell people that's where we're from.

Funny enough, we weren't the only ones with this attitude. Stoke has an unfair reputation, which is absurd given its affectionately known as The Potteries – a creative city that creates art from dirt and is now named the World Capital of Ceramics. But despite its incredible industrial heritage, the local and national news just seems to spout negative stories, and everyone talks about its decline.

But one person is hoping to change all that. Simon Davies is an industrial and product designer and co-founder of Protect-a-Pet, a company that sells his inventions worldwide, which help protect cats from the risk of free roaming. Si has big ambitions for the city. He is hugely passionate about the region and believes it's on the brink of a resurgence. A rebirth.

Fed up with seeing a place in post-industrial decline and driving past derelict buildings each day on his way to work, he and some others have set up a Community Interest Company called The Teapot Factory to bring people together and drive change. He's also behind a 'netwalking' event called the Teapot Tours, the first of which was attended by a few Chamber of Commerce members and some local artists. The idea was to bring together creatives and business people, something Stoke is famous for. The walks are guided by a local history expert and end at a venue with an interesting speaker or poet.

We wanted to find out more about a city with so much potential, a proud history, a talented workforce and a network of local creatives determined to make the Potteries legendary once more.

This season is proudly sponsored by MPB, the largest global platform for buying, selling, and trading used photo and video equipment. Visit MPB.com to find out more.