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

Jay Osgerby on Imbuing Objects With Meaning