We all know that architects and designers are pegged as “visual people,” and this assumption often proves true – many really do tend to learn and consume and communicate best visually.
We also know that podcasts, an auditory-based medium, are now mainstream; between oldie podcasts like This American Life and new hit shows like Serial, Invisibilia and TED Talks’ TED Radio Hour, there’s a podcast for almost everything and everyone. If you haven’t yet found a podcast you love tuning into…frankly, you’re just not trying.
For professionals in workplace architecture and design, there’s a new podcast on the block.
Last month, IA Interior Architects launched radio IA, a new podcast looking inside a working architecture and design practice – “an uncensored peek into the inner workings of our day-to-day industry with insight about trends in the field, and project stories from a new perspective.”
radioIA is hosted by Russell Manthy, IA principal and managing director of the firm’s Houston office. Each episode, around 15 minutes long, features discussions with IA staff as well as guests from all walks of the A&D industry centered on design, strategy, culture, sustainability and more.
“We wanted something a little more casual and unpolished, but still thoughtful and well researched,” said Mr. Manthy. “The podcast medium is a more personal type of media – you’re actually speaking directly into someone’s ear, which we liked. And podcasts are unique in that you can find something very niche to your interests.”
Mr. Manthy says the goal of IA’s digital media strategy is to tell the IA stories to people within the firm, students, clients and people outside the industry bubble, and they decided a podcast could be the next evolution of that goal.
“A lot of new research points to the podcast as a medium that people are turning to more for news and information. We also did our own research with IA employees, and we found that a lot of us already listen to podcasts, so it was a good fit.”
Recent episodes of radioIA feature topics including the state of architectural education, interning with an interior architecture firm, international design education and international design work, repositioning a historic building, environmental graphics and branding, and retail design trends. And the podcast’s first outside guest was Mike Lynch, vice president of green technologies for NASCAR, who talks about NASCAR’s innovative environmental initiatives.
Listeners can subscribe and tune into radioIA on the IA website, iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play, as well as look for show notes and photos of episode topics on IA’s blog dIAmeter. IA will release new episodes every Thursday, and listeners can get in touch with radioIA by emailing hello@interiorarchitects.com.
In the next few weeks, radioIA plans to discuss how to deliver a great presentation at a conference, as well as the culture of design in cities around the country where IA has offices.
Chances are good that not every episode will be applicable to you personally. But, chances are very, very good that you’ll learn something new when you listen. And you never know what your next project, next position, or next new obsession will be.
The next time you’re brushing your teeth, waiting to see the doc, or cruising through your commute, check out radioIA or hunt around for another design/architecture podcast that you find interesting. You might just walk into work a bit more inspired than usual.
radioIA joins a collection of existing architecture and design oriented podcasts, and we’ve rounded up a few of them here for your listening leisure.
>The Business of Architecture. “Warning architects! On this show you’ll discover strategies, tips and secrets for running a fun, flexible and profitable architecture practice. Host Enoch Bartlett Sears, AIA, interviews successful architects and consultatnts and they share insights for creating a competitive, great (and profitable) architecture practice
>99% Invisible. “Design is everywhere in our lives, perhaps most importantly in the places where we’ve just stopped noticing. 99% Invisible is a weekly exploration of the process and power of design and architecture. From award winning producer Roman Mars.”
>DnA: Design & Architecture. “Design and architecture shape our world. DnA host Frances Anderton talks to designers, users and critics about the latest in products, fashion, architecture and more, in Los Angeles and beyond.”
>EntreArchitect Podcast with Mark R. LePage. “Architect Mark R. LePage explores success in architecture, business, leadership and life for small firm entrepreneur architects.”
>Monocle 24: The Urbanist. “With an influential audience of city mayors, urban planners and architects, this is Monocle’s guide to making better cities, be it new technology, state-of-the-art subways or compact apartments.”
>A Well-Designed Business. “In today’s world, being a talented interior designers isn’t enough to ensure that you have a profitable and successful business. Design school curricula doesn’t always equip you with the business skills to have your interior design business by everything you imagined it would be! A Well-Designed Business is here to fill in the gaps and give you real live business skills from some of the top interior designers.”
>The Chaise Lounge: Interior Design. “Talking the business of interior design. Each week, Nick May interviews successful interior designers from around the world to find out how they have grown their successful interior business. We talk marketing, client management, staff management, and all the little things that go into creating a great design business.”
>Archispeak. “Evan, Neal and Cormac delve into what it’s really like working in the field of architecture. Whether the topic is design, drawing, 3d modeling, the office environment, analog, digital, education, winning new work or working with clients – there’s sure to be a great conversation. Listen in as they lift the veil to show you, dear listener, what life is really like (both the good and the bad) within the field of architecture.”
>The Architecture Happy Hour. “HPD Architecture principles Laura and Larry share tips and topics on architecture, from how to choose the right architect to what interns can do to be successful as they begin their careers.”
>DesignProSuccessStories with Jeff Wortham. “Inspiring interviews with architects, landscape architects and interior designers. We explore what it takes to be a successful design professional through the stories of our guests. Where do they get their inspiration, who has influenced them, what choices have had the biggest affect on their career?”