Design RE:Source

The Design RE:Source podcast continues with Kirsty Thomas, designer and founder of Tom Pigeon and co-founder of Make Bank.

Kirsty has been designing for over 25 years, having studied an art foundation course at College. She caught the craft and making bug at a young age, taking great enjoyment in the process of making.

But it was her love of people, and collaboration that led her to build Make Bank. Her research revealed that increasing numbers of students were dropping out of creative subjects because they cannot afford the basic materials needed to complete coursework. With a lack of diversity coming through the workforce, Make Bank enables disadvantaged young people to pursue a creative education and career by supporting them with materials, support and advice.

Check out the full Design ReSource series
The first series of the Johnson Tiles’ podcast includes four episodes with makers and designers including Sandy Buchanan, Nina Woodcroft, Kate Hills and Kirsty Thomas.

Subscribe to Design ReSource podcast
You can listen to the full series on Johnson Tiles’ or on podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Find out more about Kirsty Thomas
Find out more about Make Bank
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In this episode of the Design RE:Source podcast we chat with Kate Hills, founder of Make it British – a platform that promotes UK-made brands and manufacturers.

Kate is openly on a one-woman mission to save UK manufacturing. Having trained as a fashion designer, she worked as a buyer for several UK brands before setting up Make It British in 2011.

Kate talks about the passion of UK manufacturers and the need to bring businesses together, especially during challenging times. She talks about the myriad of benefits for the UK design community, jobs and secure supply chains. When the pandemic hit, Kate pivoted the platform online, to enable UK manufacturers to continue to network, and commenced the manufacturing made easy masterclass.

We discuss the importance of provenance, and the need to encourage more young people into making and design.

Check out the full Design ReSource series
The first series of the Johnson Tiles’ podcast includes four episodes with makers and designers including Sandy Buchanan, Nina Woodcroft, Kate Hills and Kirsty Thomas.

Subscribe to Design ReSource podcast
You can listen to the full series on Johnson Tiles’ or on podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Find out more about Kate Hills here
Leave a message in Johnson Tiles Digital Time Capsule

The Design RE:Source podcast continues with Nina Woodcroft, award-winning interior and product designer and founder of Nina + Co, based in London.

In this episode, we chat with Nina about her passion for sustainable design and projects with a sense of community. Having started her career as a receptionist in an interior design studio, Nina setup Nina + Co in 2014 when she could no longer work in ways that didn’t resonate with her values.

Nina shares her love for designing and making, and how her experience working abroad and her strong network of freelancers and friends helped her navigate the past 18 months. We talk about the importance of checking the sustainable credentials of her suppliers and developing ‘the breakfast collection’, her own line of ceramic crockery.

Check out the full Design ReSource series
The first series of the Johnson Tiles’ podcast includes four episodes with makers and designers including Sandy Buchanan, Nina Woodcroft, Kate Hills and Kirsty Thomas.

Subscribe to Design ReSource podcast
You can listen to the full series on Johnson Tiles’ or on podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Find out more about Nina here

Leave your message for the Johnson Tiles Digital time capsule

Welcome to Johnson Tiles’ new podcast Design RE:Source. The series kicks off in conversation with bespoke furniture designer-maker, Sandy Buchanan.
Based in Beckenham, SE London, Sandy left a 10-year career in the oil and gas sector in pursuit of meaningful work. Influenced by a childhood spent in Hong Kong, his ethos centres around his choice of materials. His passion for sustainable and considered design led him to work with timber, a belief he shares openly with his clients. Talking clients through the origins of the materials he chooses for them is key to his work.
We talk about the challenges he faced through lockdown, and the strength of community and network in helping to build a sustainable, purpose-driven business.
Check out the full Design ReSource series
The first series of the Johnson Tiles’ podcast includes four episodes with makers and designers including Sandy Buchanan, Nina Woodcroft, Kate Hills and Kirsty Thomas.
Subscribe to Design ReSource podcast
You can listen to the full series on Johnson Tiles’ or on podcast platforms such as
Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.
Find out more about Sandy Buchanan

Leave a message on the Johnson Tiles Digital Time Capsule

Johnson Tiles has launched Design RE:Source, a new podcast series featuring conversations with designers and makers about the value of ‘making’, community - and what it means to be resourceful in British architecture and design today. Get a preview of the series by listening to the trailer and remember to subscribe on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts platform you use so you don't miss an episode.