The Futures Archive
The Futures Archive is a podcast from Design Observer that looks at the history of human-centered design with a critical eye to its future.
Episodes
31 episodes
Feed Drop: Design Observer x Mastercard
While The Futures Archive is between seasons, we wanted to share with you a recent conversation between TFA host Lee Moreau, Design Observer founder Jessica Helfand, Cindy Chastain leader of customer experience and design at Mastercard, and Ell...
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26:59
Feed Drop: Sketch Model
While The Futures Archive is between seasons, we wanted to share with you another show — Sketch Model from Olin College of Engineering and previous cohost
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43:46
Feed Drop: Design Future Now featuring Sloan Leo
While The Futures Archive is between seasons, we wanted to share with you another show, Design Future Now from AIGA.Design Future Now ...
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43:42
Feed Drop: Scratching the Surface 174. Daniel Barber
While The Futures Archive is between seasons, we wanted to share with you another show, Scratching the Surface.Scratching the Surface is podcast about design, theory, and creative practice....
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49:10
Feed Drop: The Design of Business | The Business of Design Perrin Drumm
While The Futures Archive is between seasons, we wanted to share with you another show from Design Observer's library, The Design of Business | The Business of Design.On this epi...
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29:51
S2E12: The Vibrator
On the final episode of season 2 of The Futures Archive, Rachel Lehrer and Lee Moreau explore pleasure with a conversation about the vibrator and women's control over their bodies.With additional insights from Lynn Comella, Ti ...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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46:15
S2E11: The Microphone
How many microphones are in the room you are in? Did you count the ones in your earbuds? On your phone? Your smart device? On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and Liz Danzico discuss the microphone as an embedded technology, and t...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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41:48
S2E10: The Automatic Door
The automatic door is a part of most peoples everyday lives, and certainly considered a convenience. But when you walk up to one does it feel magical? Futuristic? Frustrating? On this episode of The Futures Archive, Lee Moreau and Sloa...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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40:18
S2E9: The Insulin Pump
How does the act of care get designed into our everyday lives—beyond medical procedures and technology, into our relationships, our schedules, our lives? On this episode of The Futures Archive, Lee Moreau and Sara Hendren consider the ...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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50:35
S2E8: The Car Radio
What do you listen to when you are in your car? Or when you are traveling? On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and Liz Danzico discuss the car radio and what sounds you are conditioned to hear. With additional ins...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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43:09
S2E7: The Refrigerator
So what did you have for breakfast? Did any of it come from your refrigerator? On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and Sara Hendren discuss designing for health and safety within the everyday context of refrigeration and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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45:43
S2E6: The Bug Zapper
Note: This episode addresses topics particularly sensitive in light of this week's school shooting in Texas. While Design Observer has never shied away from difficult conversations, the editors acknowledge that this content may be difficult...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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47:31
S2E5: The Air Conditioner
On a hot summer day there's nothing like walking into a freezing cold office building to remind you of how much humans are modifying their environments. On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and Rachel Lehrer discuss the pl...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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43:26
S2E4: The Defibrillator
Do you notice the defibrillator on the wall or behind the cash register in the places you visit daily? Have you ever been called on to use one? On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and Sara Hendren discuss the defibrillato...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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45:33
S2E3: The Blender
Do you have a blender? Do you use it? Does it make your life more convenient? On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and Sloan Leo discuss the blender, gender roles, and power structures. With additional insights fro...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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45:59
S2E2: The Dongle
What does our need for dongles say about the sustainability, or obsolescence, of the electronics we are designing and consuming? On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and Liz Danzico discuss dongles and how we might find a ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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39:07
S2E1: The Disco Ball
What are the relationships between design and pleasure? How can we design the most pleasurable experiences? On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and Rachel Lehrer discuss the disco ball and the importance of embodied...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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42:09
S2E0: Introductions
Season two of The Futures Archive launches next week and we’re excited to introduce you to our four co-hosts for the season. Just like last season our host Lee Moreau, his co-host, and a variety of experts will explore an object to learn about ...
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Season 2
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Episode 0
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17:03
S1E12: The Pet
Do you have a pet? Do you name inanimate objects in your life? On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and guest host Liz Danzico discuss her dog Harriet, and the anthropomorphization of things. With additional insights from ...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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37:57
S1E11: The Recipe
Do you have a favorite recipe? Do you follow it to the letter? On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and Lesley-Ann Noel discuss how recipes apply to human centered design and the importance of abductive thinking. With addi...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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36:49
S1E10: The Shoe
What do your shoes say about you? On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and Garnette Cadogan discuss the challenge of designing shoes, and the way we assign meaning to our shoes. With additional insights from Elizabeth Semm...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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33:00
S1E9: The Mask
What's in your microbiome? What do you want more of, and what do you want to keep out? On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and David Sun Kong discuss the mask, microbes, and the importance of designing with the microbiome...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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33:16
S1E8: Daruma Doll
What do your possessions say about you? Which ones say the most? On this episode of The Futures Archive Lee Moreau and Sarah Nagle Parker discuss Daruma dolls and the importance of objects to people and design research. With additional insights...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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36:18