Episodes

There are some guests that you hear on the that transcend design. You will usually find those guests here, on a very special episode of the show called the Convo By Design Icon Registry. These episodes air Thursdays toward the end of each month and feature past conversations with those who so deservedly receive enshrinement into the Convo By Design hall of fame. This months inductee is Cliff Fong. Cliff has been on the show twice. The first time was in May of 2016 and the most recent was his ap...

Part One – Pitch to Published: Best Practices and Strategies to Get Your Projects Published Learn what the pros know about getting projects published and how professional photography, narrative creation and knowing your audience can set you apart. Learn how can brand partnerships help get your designs promotion and exposure to potential new clients as well as new branding and revenue generating opportunities. Featuring: Vanessa DeLeon – CEO & Principal Designer | Vanessa DeLeon Associates, Kath...

In a bygone time, we had celebrated architecture critics, historians and thought leaders like; Ada Louise Huxtable, Lewis Mumford, Jane Jacobs and Vincent Scully. These were gifted thought leaders with a willingness to share their views, good or bad, but never indifferent. They and others influenced the manner in which we looked critically at the shape and purpose of the spaces where we live work and play. Arch Daily wrote a piece in 2012 called The Architect Critic is Dead (just not for the rea...

Californians have perfected outdoor living, largely due to the favorable climate. As weather patterns change, the design industry has adapted with sustainable materials, inventive building practices and creative use of space including outdoor kitchens, theaters, plunge pools, functional landscapes, and unique approaches to sport courts. From pickleball to a pickle martini, design meets entertainment with the new innovations in outdoor design. All of these programs took place in the WestEdge The...

Words matter. They are important not just for the sake of clear communications but to showcase the specific skillset one has in an effort to attract a suitable client. Suitability. If you are a regular listener to Convo By Design you know what I am talking about. If not, first, hopefully you will be a regular listener, second, the idea of suitability in all endeavors is more important now than ever before. Suitability means vibing and open to new ideas through a mutual trust. A mutual trust allo...

For the past 12 years, it has been a mission to bring you voices and stories of talent in design, architecture and the arts. There have been so many twists and turns over these past 12 years and many of you have been with me since the early days of the show. A few ideas that often come back to me when presenting these conversations. Two major themes are authenticity and suitability. Two words that you don’t hear often. The first being authenticity in design and the other, which you never hear, e...

We often talk about luxury, the idea of luxury has so many different connotations, ideas and meaning. If I asked you to describe luxury in interiors design, what would you say? Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom. Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home! – Where service meet...

The recent wildfires have shaken Angelenos to their core and rightly so. I imagine it is not dissimilar from those who have experienced fires in Hawaii, other parts of California or elsewhere. Or those who suffered through hurricanes, floods, wind events or any other major natural disaster. I think this was different. I’ve shared this story with you but for the sake of those new to the show, I’ll share it again to make a point. That point is that while wildfires in Southern California are not n...

The expectations many designers have don’t necessarily result once their careers begin. Often times, designers find their way into the business by starting in another field. And that makes for an interesting journey. I remember being in college and thinking about all of the things I wanted to do once I started my career. If you would have asked me during my time at Washington State University what I was going to be doing in 2025, this would not have been anywhere in the conversation. But I reall...

You have been hearing the WestEdge Wednesday episodes since the beginning of the year and I do hope that you’re enjoying them. This months addition to the Convo By Design Icon Registry was heard on the WestEdge Wednesday series in 2024 following his appearance on a panel at the show in 2023. It is fascinating for me to have incredible creatives individually on the show and equally amazing to hear them in concert with other talented creatives. In 2023, Marmol was on the podcast as part of a panel...

I’m Josh Cooperman and this is a special edition of Convo By Design featuring all of the programming from the 2024 edition of the WestEdge Design Fair. We call these entries WestEdge Wednesday, a programming concept that will allow those of you who either didn’t make it to the show this year or, those who made it and are taking me up on my promise to share It with them again on Convo By Design. All of these programs were shared in the WestEdge Theater presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home...

In one week from today, KBIS will be hitting Las Vegas with the force and impact you might expect from the worlds greatest kitchen and bath show. Yes, there are others. And, yes, they are great… But this one is my favorite. And you’re about to find out why. Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom. Design Hardwar...

There are stories, you have no doubt heard them or seen them for yourself on Instagram or the websites offering dupes of almost everything for less. There are many reasons why the copy-market thrives and why some creatives feel that they are entitled to change it a small detail and call it their own. Is the value in the look of it for less, or paying a bit extra and knowing you have an original? Perhaps the copy-market, while always present, only thrives during crisis-pricing for the real thing....

It feels like every week we are dealing with a new emergency. A new disaster. Is that true, I don’t know, probably not but it feels that way.What we don’t do often enough is review what led up to events and strategically discuss ways to alter behaviors to keep them from happening again. In many cases, it’s because you can’t keep a major catastrophe from occurring, but you can address your individual response to it to better prepare for the next time. Or, if you are a design professional, prepare...

Connected vs. Unconnected: The Future of the Home The debate rages on… The fully connected home where all can be automated vs. the unconnected environment and the return to the beauty of form, function and simplicity. We’re not Luddites, but if we look at the experiential nature and convenience of a connected space, we must also consider what it means to have a space that is intentionally unconnected. The removal of screens, tech, automation, phones, and tablets can create calm and allow opportu...

Before we get to our featured conversation this week, I feel compelled to share my annual grievance with you. Again. What is this annual grievance you may ask. It is the endless and ridiculous list of “trends”that many love to create and share at the end of and into the beginning of every new year. Did you see them this year? They looked a lot like last years didn’t they? Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. Monogram – It’s the details that defin...

No matter who wins, changes are coming. How can the business of design adapt to these changes, and thrive at the same time? Will additional tariffs change the pricing model of goods? How will new regulations affect transportation, fuel usage and household appliances? During these uncertain times, we’re all looking for a bit more stability and direction. Learn how to best navigate the changing landscape and better prepare your design firm and clients for the future. All of these programs took pl...

It’s a challenge and I’m not going to pretend that it isn’t. Often times, I will be producing an episode of the show as there are unspeakable tragedies happening around the world and in my own backyard. As I produce this episode of the show, I am still in contact with many of my industry friends as well as family who have been directly impacted by the wildfires in and around the Los Angeles area. Thoughts and prayers just are not an acceptable response any more. And let’s be honest, that hasn’t ...

As hard as it is to believe, this is our second year recognizing amazing creatives and enshrining them in the Convo By Design Icon Registry. This month’s inductee is the incomparably talented, multi-hyphenate creative, Adam Hunter It’s almost not fair just how talented Adam is. But it didn’t come easy, it only looks that way. Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram ThermaSol – Redefining the modern s...

Hosting, producing and publishing Convo By Design has been an incredible journey, 12 years in now. At the beginning of the show, I wasn’t really sure with whom I was speaking to. I set out to reach consumers interested in design, then after a year or so, I realized that it was designers and architects listening and interacting with me. I met so many creatives and that informed the shows development and the storylines. Then, something amazing happened… I heard from more design clients, for a few ...

As a busy professional designer, you know how important it is to find the right partnerships. Partnerships that allow you to specify the right products for every project. Professionals like you just don’t have time to waste. Let me tell you about one of my partnerships. Pacific Sales is here to serve you with expert, knowledgeable and non-commissioned professionals to help you specify the right product for all your projects. Non-commissioned. That means their only incentive is your satisfaction....

You have heard past episodes about the WestEdge Design Fair in Santa Monica, California each Fall. I have been working with Megan, Troy and the entire WestEdge team for 7 editions of the show over 10 years minus those years where the show was cancelled due to the pandemic but I still published content on the podcast featuring show programming. Having left SoCal for Tulsa, it’s not as easy as the quick drive down Lincoln Boulevard to the show. No, it means travel. When I was a kid, not much got m...

One of my favorite things to do is discover new products, another favorite activity of mine is sharing those new products with you. And, that is what we’r going to do today. “Come with me for a minute, I want to talk to you. I just want to say one word to you. Just one word.… Are you listening?…. There’s a great future in plastics, think about it. Will you think about it? Enough said. That’s a deal” Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. Monogram –...