Design Discord

Zesty Meyers: How Two Artists Built R & Company from a Flea Market Hustle into a Design Empire

Zesty Meyers (co-founder of R & Company) joins Fernando Mastrangelo for a raw, inspiring conversation about his incredible 30+ year journey in the design world.From performing with molten glass as part of the legendary B Team, to starting what later became R & Company with just $200 at the Chelsea Flea Market, to shaping the modern collectible design market — this episode is packed with philosophy, hard-earned lessons, and optimism for the future of craft and design. Topics covered:- The dying craft scene of the late ’80s and why they had to create their own path- Turning a hobby into one of the most influential design galleries in the world- Why most creatives only have one great idea, and why that’s worth celebrating- The future of handmade objects in the age of AI and billionaires- Longevity in creative careers, failure, and building real partnerships with artistsNotable Timestamps:00:00 – Intro & Welcome01:10 – Pilchuck Glass School & the Birth of the B Team14:02 – Starting R & Company in 1997: The Flea Market Days28:23 – Most People Only Have One Great Idea32:02 – Bringing in Contemporary Artists (Jeff Zimmerman & Beyond)43:48 – The Haas Brothers & Building Long Careers50:36 – Year 11 Struggles: What No One Tells You About Creative Careers53:06 – Why Handmade Objects Will Define New Wealth in the AI Age61:02 – Brazilian Design Discovery & Building a Secondary Market72:07 – Tribeca Space, Fairs & Refocusing the Gallery Program82:53 – Final Thoughts: Raising Our Voice as a Design CommunityIf you’re a designer, artist, collector, or someone who loves stories of grit and creativity, this one will move you. Subscribe for more deep dives into the design world!Leave a comment: What’s one lesson you’re taking from Zesty?#CollectibleDesign #RAndCompany #designnews #designbusiness #designmotivation #designinspiration #businesspodcast #artpodcast #artmotivation #creativepodcast #CraftAndArt #CreativeJourney #ZestyMeyers #fernandomastrangelo #nydesignscene

Design Discord Awards: Best of 2025!

In this episode of Design Discord, hosts Fernando Mastrangelo and Alyssa Gerasimoff celebrate the end of the year with the first annual Design Discord Awards. They discuss their selections for various categories, including best fair, booth, interior designers, and galleries, while reflecting on the challenges of making these choices. They also highlight designers to watch in 2026 and discuss their plans for the upcoming season two of the podcast, reflecting on their journey and the insights gained throughout the year.05:26 Best Fair 10:30 Best Booth14:02 Best Interior Designer/Architect18:31 Best Gallery25:55 Best Showroom32:19 Best Breakout Star34:51 Best New Collection38:56 Most Innovative Use of Materials46:34 Best Chair49:45 Best Lighting56:45 Best Side Table59:30 Best Fine Furniture01:03:10 Best Ceramic Furniture01:12:46 Best Collectible Design01:18:35 Best Photography01:24:40 Favorite Design Discord Episode01:28:10 Designers to Watch in 2026

PR for Designers: The Cost, the ROI, and Why Most of You Are Waiting Too Long – Rebecca Goldberg

Should you hire a PR firm… or are you just paying someone to spam editors?Rebecca Goldberg — co-founder of Dada Goldberg, the most dialed-in design PR agency in New York — finally pulls back the curtain.We ask every question designers are dying to ask about PR:- What does real PR actually cost these days?- When is the right moment to pull the trigger?- Does PR actually move the needle on sales and collabs or is it just ego?- Can you get overexposed and ruin your brand?- Big agency vs boutique: which one is best?- Do legacy magazines (AD, Elle Decor, Vogue) still matter or is it all Instagram now?- Why dinners, press releases?Plus: what is the one thing every emerging designer needs before they even think about hiring PR? (hint: it’s not a finished website).If you’ve ever googled “design PR firms” at 2 a.m., this episode will save you six figures and a lot of heartbreak.Hosted by Alyssa Gerasimoff & Fernando MastrangeloGuest: Rebecca Goldberg (Dada Goldberg)https://dadagoldberg.com/https://www.instagram.com/dadagoldberg/Timestamps & full takeaway list in the show notes.01:20 How much does design PR really cost in 2025?06:45 When should you actually hire PR (the exact moment)12:10 Does press = sales? The honest ROI breakdown18:30 Can you get overexposed and kill your brand?23:15 Legacy media vs Instagram: what actually moves the needle29:40 Big agency vs boutique: pros, cons, and horror stories35:20 Why dinners are the new press release41:50 The personal toll no one talks about48:30 How PR unlocks collaborations and bigger opportunities54:10 The future of design PR in a cooked economy1:01:00 Rebecca’s one piece of advice for every emerging designerThis episode is pure fire for anyone trying to figure out how to go from “talented” to “known.”

Collectors Are DONE With Avant-Garde (Here’s What They Actually Want Now)

By popular demand, our favorite overseas correspondent Julia Haney-Montanez is BACK and fresh off the fair floors!She was on the ground at PAD London and Design Miami Paris spilling the tea straight from the dealers’ mouths: collectors are officially over uncomfortable concept pieces and torture chairs. They want livable luxury, pieces you can actually sit on, live with, and love.Comfort is the new currencyDealers are quietly prioritizing the “hits” to survive this soft marketThe real reason galleries are struggling (and what it means for designers)The insider conversation everyone in design is having behind closed doors… but we’re saying it out loud. Hit play and find out what collectors are buying right now and what designers can do to weather this soft sales cycle. Drop a if you’re ready for cozy to make a comeback.#DesignDiscord #PADLondon #DesignMiamiParis #LivableLuxury #InteriorDesign #CollectibleDesign

The Business of Weird Design: Chen & Kai in Conversation

In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando sits down with Chen Chen and Kai Williams of the Brooklyn-based namesake studio. If you’re not already familiar with their work, get ready. We talk about how their partnership formed, what it’s been like building a practice in New York, and how their experimental approach has evolved into a studio that balances artistic risk with business.The conversation touches on everything from navigating international production and building meaningful relationships in the gallery world to the trade-offs between accessibility and collectibility. Chen and Kai share insights into working with The Future Perfect, what it really takes to get a product to market, and the value of staying rooted in curiosity and materials exploration — even as the industry changes around them.This one’s a must-listen for anyone thinking about how to make your weird ideas actually work.https://cckw.us/https://www.thefutureperfect.com/exhibitions/