Future of XYZ - Presented by iF Design

iF Design takes over the Future of XYZ podcast, a bi-weekly interview series initiated in 2021 and hosted by Lisa Gralnek, iF's US Managing Director. The first episode presented by iF Design will be released on 19 September 2024 - and every second Thursday thereafter.

Through candid conversations with international experts, visionary leaders and courageous changemakers, Lisa Gralnek and her guests explore big questions around new ways of what's next in art & design, science & innovation, culture & creativity. Available as a podcast and video, the show is a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.

The podcast is available on Apple, Amazon, Spotify and as a video on YouTube.

Below you find a selection of highlights from all episodes.

Future of Design | Amy Devers, Josh Rubin, Evan Orensten | S6 E1 | 19 Sept 2024

What other topic would we discuss in our 125th overall episode and kickoff to a new season, with our new presenting sponsor iF Design and now as part of the Sandow SURROUND Podcast Network - than the Future of DESIGN!? Our three guests represent an incredible knowledge base covering cross-disciplinary design from cars & tech, to furniture & sound. Together, we dive deep on industry trends & challenges, and of course, the importance of good design & educating the next generation of designers.

Future of Exploration | Chris Rainier | S5 E8 | 11 April 2024

“We are a species of curiosity and survival; I’m convinced that exploration is embedded in our human DNA.” Chris Rainier is the son of an explorer and an artist who started his career as Ansel Adams’ assistant, going on to become one of this generation’s most well-respected documentary photographers and filmmakers, and a National Geographic Society Explorer.

Future of Learning | Sage Salvo | S4 E8 | 27 April 2023

This week’s conversation is among the most important topics that will influence our collective futures. In this eye-opening conversation with Sage Salvo, a multi award-winning social and edtech entrepreneur, we hear about the state of K12 education in the US, the impact of screens, the role of AI, and what he and his companies are doing to achieve a ‘literacy moonshot’.

Future of Augmented Reality | Jay Silvas | S3 E26 | 21 July 2022

Wondering what our future looks like - literally? Well, it's all here in this fascinating conversation with Jay Silvas. We talk about how emerging technologies will lift us off the screen and into the real world. Tune in to learn all about metadata, spatial computing, immersive experiences, machine learning and social gaming.

Future of Biomimicry | Colin Mangham | S2 E16 | 22 April 2021

"Failures are fossils” and “life replicates things that work”: For this Earth Day episode, we’re talking about the ‘Future of Biomimicry’ with guest Colin Mangham. Instead of just learning ABOUT nature, we have to learn FROM it: How can we survive and prevail despite our circumstances?

Future of Design Education | Natasha Jen | S2 E7 | 18 Feb 2021

In this rich discussion about the ‘Future of Design Education’, our guest Natasha Jen- award-winning graphic designer and Partner at iconic design studio Pentagram, describes what graphic design is and what a design education is all about (deep, broad, iterative, and hands-on). She calls out elitism in current design education, argues for inclusivity, rallies for “modern day apprenticeships”, and pushes designers to make time to slow down to set the stage for exceptional work.

Future of Fragrance | Veronique Gabai-Pinsky | S1 E3 | 4 Nov 2020

Veronique Gabai-Pinsky joins us to explore the 'Future of Fragrance'. Veronique is the former President of Vera Wang and Global President of Estée Lauder fragrances. Now the CEO & Founder of her own eponymous perfume brand, Veronique knows a thing or two about fragrance. We explore the timelessness of fragrance - its role in ritual and seduction, and how the future of its production, craft, and ingredients are evolving to elevate the artistry to something more akin to the past.