Closing out 2021 with An Exploration of Art Through the Eyes of Artist/ Photographer Nicole Landau | 357 | It’s All About the Way You Perceive it to Be

I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design with photographer, artist and sculptor Nicole Landau who describes herself as a “Contemporary multimedia artist working in photography and monumental illuminated sculpture.” Succinct, but incomplete. I think we all work so hard to define ourselves for social media knowing that we have such limited time to try and explain who we are and what we do. This is why I dislike social media as much as I do, but also recognize that it is part of our lives, both social and professional, but that is also the main reason why I love doing this podcast and speaking with creatives like Nicole in a long format conversation. It gives both guest and myself an opportunity to meander a bit, take some time to really explore each other and share fully composed thoughts. Nicole is incredibly talented and I think you will appreciate all the detail in the following conversation.

Thank you for listening and subscribing to Convo By Design, a podcast for the design and architecture trade. Inside stories and in depth conversations with those shaping the industry. If you are not already doing so, please subscribe to the podcast. You will find Convo By Design everywhere you find your favorite shows like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Design Network dot org.

Convo By Design is presented by Walker Zanger, an incredible partner in design. The show is also supported by ThermaSol, another design partner who is always looking to help designers and architects do their best work. For more information from both of these amazing partners, as well as this weeks guest, you will find direct links in the show notes.

Thank you, Nicole. Your work is thoughtful and grand.  It makes me think about not just what is, but what will be at the same time, pondering what it could be were the circumstances different. To me, that is the superpower of an artist and creator…. To present something that is both well defined and open to interpretation. Thank you Walker Zanger for presenting Convo By Design. Thank you ThermaSol for your partnership. You are both remarkable partners and amazing allies for the trade. And, thank you for listening, remember why you do what you do and that the business of design is about making better the lives of those we serve.

This is the final episode of 2021. It has been quite a year, one of openings, closings, re-openings and one in which we all took stock in what we have, what we’ve missed and most importantly, what we want in the future. Besides for our product to get delivered in a reasonable amount of time. Next year, there are some big things coming from Convo by Design, like our first ever design house project. A unique project featuring some of the most creative designers in the country and I am really excited to share this with you. But for now, take some time to pause, recharge, give yourself permission to hop off social media for a while and chill.

Until next year, be well and take today first.

Not Just A Social Experiment, Experiential Design for the Rest of Us | 356 | Anderson Somerselle

This is Convo By Design featuring an absolutely amazing creative whose zig-zagged creative journey took many turns in a path that found him in the envious position in which he sits today. Founder and CEO of his namesake multi-line showroom. This is Anderson Somerselle. As you might imagine, after hosting and producing this show for 8 years soon to be in our 9th, I speak to many creatives who each have their own personal and professional journey and you hear from them once they have arrived. I find the path fascinating and no two paths are alike. Some are similar, but none exactly the same.

Anderson Somerselle is originally from the Virgin Islands. His path took what I like to call ‘pinballing through the biz’ which so many of us, myself included seem to do on our way to where we feel we should be. Somerselle has worked luxury design retail on the floor, later running departments within luxury design showrooms. Anderson gathered the experience and started his own luxury showroom featuring an impressive collection of unique brands. His methods are different than traditional showrooms and because of this, he offers a unique showroom experience. You will learn all about it here.

Thank you for listening and subscribing to Convo By Design, a podcast for the design and architecture trade. Inside stories and in depth conversations with those shaping the industry. If you are not already doing so, please subscribe to the podcast. You will find Convo By Design everywhere you find your favorite shows like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Design Network dot org.

Convo By Design is presented by Walker Zanger, an incredible partner in design. The show is also supported by ThermaSol, another design partner who is always looking to help designers and architects do their best work. For more information from both of these amazing partners, as well as this weeks guest, you will find direct links in the show notes.

Thank you, Anderson. Love your story and really appreciate you sharing it. Thank you Walker Zanger for presenting Convo By Design. Thank you ThermaSol for your partnership. You are both remarkable partners and amazing allies for the trade. And, thank you for listening, remember why you do what you do and that the business of design is about making better the lives of those we serve. Until next week, be well and take today first.

Democratizing Art While Offering Beauty and A New World View to the General Public | 355 | Portia de Rossi

This is Convo By Design with a multi-discipline creative who, as an actor worked iconic television shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/ Tuck and Arrested Development. She, as you will hear knows her art. So much so that she recently launched a business designed to bring incredible art to the general public. This is Portia de Rossi.

I find myself often telling you, “I know what you’re thinking.” It’s not true, just a bad habit of mine. That said, I think it is relatively safe to say that many might think, this performer or that public figure is great at what they became famous for, what could they possibly know about this or that. Understood. At the same time, the same discipline that allowed Portia de Rossi to be the accomplished actor that she is, makes it possible for her to be equally successful in a new endeavor of which she is equally passionate. Art.

A few weeks ago, you heard my conversation with musician, philanthropist and photographer, Julian Lennon. Well, Portia and her company, General Public is the organization that brought his work to the public through their relationship with Restoration Hardware. It’s funny, I call it Restoration Hardware because that is how I have always known it, but they changed their name in 2017 to “RH” and you will hear Portia make sure I know it. 

General Public is democratizing art. That’s a good thing.

This platform creates an amazing opportunity for designers to help their clients by providing another source fro great work at a time when specifying anything design related comes with capricious delivery dates and a high probability of reselecting. It’s about finding something that you love, that clients will love into the future. Portia has crafted a place for that and a partnership with unbelievable design talent and an outlet like RH. Enjoy my conversation with actor, philanthropist, art aficionado and entrepreneur with a really strong idea. This is Portia de Rossi.

Thank you, Portia. I really enjoyed our time together. Thank you Walker Zanger for presenting Convo By Design. Thank you ThermaSol for your partnership. You are both remarkable partners and amazing allies for the trade. And, thank you for listening, remember why you do what you do and that the business of design is about making better the lives of those we serve. Until next week, be well and take today first.