Hosted by WDO’s Young Designers Circle, Next in Line Design is a podcast for young designers by young designers. Tune in to meet the next wave of inspiring design leaders from across the globe.
What role can designers play in building communities, launching products, and driving sustainable businesses?
In this episode, we sit down with Eunice, a visionary designer and entrepreneur from the Philippines, who is redefining sustainability through not one—but three—impact-driven ventures. From innovative product design to the unexpected world of sustainable food, Eunice is proving that design thinking can transform industries in ways you might never have imagined.
Her ambition, creativity, and dedication to a greener future make this a must-listen episode for anyone passionate about design, business, and making a real-world impact.
In this thought-provoking episode, YDC host José Tomas Marchant is joined by two inspiring innovators, Deepika Gopalakrishnan and Josefa Cortés, to explore the theme Designing for Her: Shaping the Future of Women’s Health. Deepika shares her journey creating Alba, a tactile pad designed to help blind women track and manage their menstrual cycles, while Josefa discusses Palpa, her groundbreaking early detection device for breast cancer.
In this episode, YDC member Verónica Albarrán Carrillo hosts a conversation on sustainable product design with two visionary entrepreneurs: Shashank Nimkar, Founder & CEO of Earth Tatva, a company transforming recycled ceramics into innovative products; and Juan Francisco Garcia Cendejas, COO of E6PR, the team behind Eco Six Pack Rings—a biodegradable alternative to plastic rings on beverages.
Together, they explore how alternative materials can reshape industries, share insights on their design journeys, and discuss the challenges and rewards of building impact-driven businesses.
How passion and curiosity can shape a design career ⛸️✨
In this episode, we follow the journey of Andrea Robredo Cernicchiaro, a Young Designers Circle member whose path has taken her from the ice rink to the world of medical simulators. Originally from Puebla (Mexico), Andrea now works in Italy, blending her love for making with impactful, collaborative design projects. Her story is a testament to how diverse interests, whether in sports, technology and continuing education, can spark unexpected opportunities.
What does it mean to teach design?
Welcome to Next in Line Design—a podcast by young designers, for young designers. In this episode, YDC member and new professor Arjit Singh sits down with professors Benjamin Bush and Owen Foster—to explore what it means to grow as a designer and an educator. Together, they represent three generations of design mentorship, each one having taught and learned from the next. Through hilarious stories, candid reflections, and plenty of wisdom, they dive into how design education has evolved, what makes a great student, and how curiosity, community, and compassion shape the classroom. Tune in for an energetic, multigenerational conversation about the heart of design education—and the people who keep it alive.
What does it mean to design for a place most of us will never step foot in — yet? In this episode, we’re headed to the final frontier with three young creatives working at the edge of space innovation. Host Abigail Hoover, a 2021-2023 Young Designers Circle member, working in the space sector, leads a conversation with current YDC member Adam Heath, spacesuit designer at Metakosmos in Australia, and Khushi Shah, an engineer-turned-designer affiliated with Space Pride whose artwork Humanity’s Journey into the Galaxy is literally IN the galaxy.
Together, they explore what it’s like to build the future in zero gravity from the emotional aspect of contributing to space exploration, to the unexpected intersections of design, art, identity, and engineering. Whether you’re space-curious or already dreaming in orbits, this one’s for you.
How might we design better lives, not just better products? In this episode of Next in Line Design, YDC member Arjit Singh sits down with Jay Vidyarthi — design strategist, mindfulness advocate, founder of Still Ape, and author of Reclaim Your Mind — to explore the intersection of design, technology and mental wellbeing. Together, they unpack how a human-centred approach can help us create tools that support mental health, challenge our assumptions about productivity and reimagine the role of technology in our daily lives. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation that reframes wellbeing as a design opportunity and a responsibility.
What if the key to solving complex problems isn’t about narrowing in, but zooming out? In this episode, YDC member Palash Shanker is joined by systems designer Itika Gupta, a curious mind shaped by the Himalayas, trained across disciplines, and now leading a global design studio rooted in intentionality.
Together, they break down what systems design really means, using real-world examples to show how systems thinking helps us uncover the real problem, navigate complexity, and design with deeper connection in mind. From electrical circuits to mythology, composting to quantum physics – Itika doesn’t see silos, she sees systems.
In this episode, we spotlight UK-based interior designer Alicia Storie, founder of A Design Storie, whose work puts sustainability at the heart of every decision. From her early days as a university student to landing a role at a major studio in London, and eventually launching her own design practice, Alicia shares how she built a career grounded in values that matter.
We explore the evolution of her sustainability mindset, the materials and methods she champions, and what it truly means to build an environmentally responsible design practice. Alicia also offers practical advice for young designers looking to integrate sustainability into their work, through education and with curiosity and courage.
In this episode, YDC members Jana Beneito Molina and Başak Onbaşıoğlu share honest reflections on what it’s like to move abroad as young designers—both for study and for work. Jana takes us through her journey to Australia, while Başak shares insights from her time studying abroad and relocating to Denmark for her design career.
Together, they break down the realities of international design life—from cultural shifts to personal fears—and offer practical encouragement for those considering taking the leap. They explore what they’ve learned, what they wish they knew before moving, and why saying yes to global opportunities can shape your career (and your confidence) in unexpected ways.
In this episode, YDC members Arjit Singh and Veronica Albarran Carrillo dive into one of the biggest topics for early-career designers: portfolios. Whether you’re building your first one from scratch or giving your existing work a glow-up, they break down what makes a portfolio stand out – and what to avoid.
From storytelling and visual cohesion to choosing the right format, Arjit and Veronica walk through how they approach tailoring portfolios for different opportunities. You’ll also hear their tips for showcasing your process, framing your impact, and making sure your work reflects your unique voice as a designer.
This is a practical, thoughtful guide for grads ready to take their portfolio to the next level.
In this candid conversation, YDC Members Alexis Divis, Leslie Sern and Natalia Enriquez Martinez reflect on their experiences navigating the transition from graduation to the working world. From battling imposter syndrome to figuring out what kind of roles to pursue, they share the real challenges they faced and the strategies that helped them stay grounded, grow their confidence, and land their first opportunities. Whether you’re actively job hunting or just starting to think about life after college, this episode is for you.
What does it mean to turn creativity into a force for climate action and cultural empowerment? In this episode, we’re heading to the Philippines with sisters Natasha and Isabella Tanjutco, founders of @kidsforkidsph and co-creators of TAYO (@archipelagicdesign).
Host Leslie Sern, a current Young Designers Circle member, leads a conversation on how design can mobilize and uplift our communities, from grassroots youth movements to nature- and culture-based enterprises. Tasha and Bella share their journey of working together as sisters and young designers, using storytelling, collaboration, and advocacy to create tangible change in the face of the climate crisis.
Together, they explore the power of youth-led design in shaping resilient futures, sparking collective action, and amplifying local voices. Whether you’re passionate about sustainability, community-building, or the intersection of design and culture, this episode will leave you inspired to take action in your own backyard.
What does it take to design your own path — and build the confidence to launch something new?
In this episode of Next in Line Design, we sit down with Rhea Thomas, a transdisciplinary designer and social innovator whose journey from student to founder captures the power of curiosity and exploration.
Rhea shares how her time in the Global Innovation Design programme at Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art took her around the world — shaping her exploration era and fueling the mindset that led to her start-up, Seasprout.
