Designed for Life - In conversation with Zoe Laughlin

Published 10th February 2021

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In this episode of Designed for Life, we are in conversation with Zoe Laughlin. Podcasts created by Design and Technology Association in partnership with the Edge Foundation.

Zoe is a British artist, maker, self-confessed tinkerer and materials engineer.  Perhaps best known to design and technology teachers for her part in the iconic BBC2 series 'Big Life Fix' this is only one of many TV appearances over the years including 'This Morning' with Philip Scofield and Holly Willoughby, The secret of landfill (2018), The secret story of stuff (2018) and most recently 'How to Make' first aired April 2020. Zoe is also the resident materials expert on BBC Radio 4's 'The Kitchen Cabinet'. 

In this podcast, Zoe's absolute obsession with the beauty and intrigue of materials comes across loud and clear. Her PhD work explores how materials might affect the taste of food (how she describes a gold spoon's taste has to be heard to be believed).  Zoe went on to co-create The Institute of Making, a multidisciplinary research club based at University College London. 

Take a listen to these clips just to whet your appetite:

• A Passion for Materials
• Application of a visual pattern
• Creativity is the core of humans
• Instant detention
• The library is like food
• Zoe cannot be boxed
  

As with all our guests, we take Zoe back to school and follow her journey to the design inspiration that she is today. I promise you will not be disappointed and you may never look at a tin rod quite the same ever again!

Look out for our series of podcasts now. Search for Designed for Life where you normally access your favourite podcasts: Apple, Google, Spotify and other podcast platforms.