Matilde:
“I had been thinking about starting a podcast for quite some time, but it was always just an idea in the background. After graduation, we both ended up back in Berlin, and I realized how well we worked together, not just academically, but also personally. We were already seeing each other almost every day, so it felt very natural to suggest starting something together. At the same time, we noticed that there weren’t many podcasts addressing topics relevant to design students, especially things like writing a thesis or navigating the transition after university. It felt like there was a gap, and we thought it could be interesting to try to fill it.”
Sophia:
“For me, it was a bit more spontaneous. When we started talking about the idea, I immediately saw the potential, especially because during my studies I often struggled to find content that was both engaging and useful for design students. We wanted to create something that combines both, something enjoyable to listen to, but also offering practical insights. It wasn’t something we had planned for a long time, but once we started discussing it, it just made sense.”
Matilde:
“One of the first things we focused on was building an identity. We spent a lot of time thinking about the name, the branding, and what we wanted the podcast to represent. Even though we approach things differently, one of us being more structured and the other more intuitive, we realized that this contrast actually works in our favour. It allowed us to create something that feels balanced. At the same time, the first recordings were definitely challenging. We had to record our first episode multiple times due to technical issues, and by the end of it, we were completely drained.”
Sophia:
“For me, the biggest challenge was getting comfortable speaking in front of a camera, especially in English, which is not our first language. At the beginning, I felt the need to prepare everything in detail, almost like writing a script. But you can never fully predict where a conversation is going to go, so I’ve had to learn to let go a bit more and improvise.”
Matilde:
“We would describe it as something rooted in creative fields, architecture, interior design, and related disciplines, but not limited to them. We talk about topics like thesis work, creative processes, and student experiences, but we also include more lifestyle-oriented content, such as places in Berlin, trends, or even small things that inspire us during the week. It’s quite personal in that sense, because it reflects our own lives and interests.”
Sophia:
“It’s important to us that the podcast doesn’t feel too rigid or overly technical. Of course, our main audience is students and young professionals in design, but we also want it to be accessible to people outside the field. That’s why we try to balance more technical episodes with lighter, more conversational ones. At the end of the day, it’s about creating something people can relate to, regardless of their background.”
Matilde:
“One topic we’re really excited about is adaptive reuse, especially because it’s something we explored during our studies. We’re also considering inviting a guest who has worked on a thesis related to that topic, which would add another perspective. Another idea we’re developing is an episode about club design in Berlin – not just from a cultural perspective, but also from a design standpoint. We actually worked on a project related to this during university, so we already have a lot of research and insights to build on.”
Sophia:
“I’m particularly interested in topics that go beyond aesthetics, especially psychology in design. I think it’s something that is still not discussed enough, even though understanding how people think and feel is essential when designing spaces. At the same time, we’re also interested in exploring how new technologies, like AI, are changing the field. There are a lot of open questions there, especially when it comes to the future of design jobs and how people enter the profession.”
Sophia:
“We want people to feel inspired, but also less overwhelmed. After finishing university, it’s very easy to feel lost, and we both experienced that ourselves. If we can create something that helps people feel understood or gives them a bit of clarity, then that’s already a success.”
Matilde:
“For me, it’s about honesty. We don’t want to present an idealized version of reality, we want to talk about the difficulties as well. The idea is to build a community where people can share experiences and feel like they’re not alone in what they’re going through. If someone listens to an episode and feels encouraged to try something new or to keep going, then that’s exactly what we hope to achieve.”
