Jay Osgerby on Imbuing Objects With Meaning

The British designer Jay Osgerby believes in designing rigorously simple objects that are deeply felt and, hopefully, appreciated for generations to come. As the co-founder of the London-based industrial studio Barber Osgerby, Jay and his partner in the firm, Edward Barber, emphasize experimentation, innovation, and a material- and craft-forward design approach to their products, furniture, architecture, and interiors. Across their nearly 30-year history as a studio, Barber Osgerby has taken a “fewer, better things” approach and along the way built a rich and varied body of work that includes the 2012 London Olympics torch, a commemorative £2 coin (2012), a Victoria and Albert Museum installation with BMW (2014), Vitra’s Tip Ton chair (2011), and paper lanterns crafted by Ozeki & Co. in Gifu, Japan. Each project exudes clarity, calm, and consideration—and always a sense of character. 

On this episode of Time Sensitive, Osgerby shares his optimistic views on A.I. as a means toward more people engaging in craft and handwork; considers what his years inside factories and surrounded by craftspeople have taught him about human ingenuity; and reflects on objects as vessels for memory, history, and soul.

Special thanks to our Season 12 presenting sponsor, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Show notes: 

Jay Osgerby

[05:08] Flos

[8:37] 2012 London Olympics torch

[8:37] £2 coin (2012)

[8:37] Victoria and Albert Museum

[8:37] London Design Biennale

[14:18] Design Museum in Tallinn, Estonia

[14:18] Isokon

[15:58] Dieter Rams

[15:58] Ettore Sottsass

[15:58] Memphis Group

[15:58] Rationalism

[20:25] Pitt Rivers Museum

[24:56] Vitra

[28:49] Arts and Crafts Movement

[29:09] Glenn Adamson

[31:01] Bill McKibben

[36:38] Blueprint

[36:38] Paul Smith

[38:01] Galerie Kreo

[39:00] Tyler Brûlé

[41:36] Venini

[51:34] Vico Magistretti

[51:34] Achille Castiglione

[53:07] Ozeki & Co.