Bethan Laura Wood: the multidisciplinary designer on the need to make and create

Bethan designs everything from furniture to lighting and textiles, and some of her work is currently on display at the Design Museum in London.  

 

She presents herself to the world like a human peacock. She dyes her hair different colours, wears layers of vivid clothing, and puts dots on her cheeks.  

 

Her flat in east London isn’t exactly demure either. We recorded this podcast in the company of various hats and handbags, a jar of balloons in liquid, and a lamp shaped like a jellyfish.  

 

In this conversation, we dig into the differences between collecting and hoarding. The objects Bethan lives with are like a cast of characters in a film. The way she arranges them isn’t just about what looks good together; she’s also thinking about the stories they tell.  

 

Going back to her childhood, she tells me about dressing like “a 1950s cool dinner lady”, and how watching TV inspired her to apply for the Royal College of Art.  

 

We talk about the impact of bullying, and how she’s been shaped by her dyslexia.  

She’s a fascinating character, and I really enjoyed getting to know her better.  

 

For more:

PLATFORM: Bethan Laura Wood

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Producer: Laconic Collective

Graphic Design: Ben Tucker

Music: Simeon Walker

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