What does it mean to create objects that tell stories, that shape how we feel, live, and connect?

For Gabriel Hendifar, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of APPARATUS, design is about more than beautiful lighting and furniture, it’s about creating the container for human experience. 

Born in Los Angeles to Iranian immigrants, his early world was filled with music, memory, and craft, influences that continue to inform his deeply human approach to design. After a career in fashion, he co-founded APPARATUS in New York in 2012, building it into a 100-person studio renowned for its emotionally charged interiors and sculptural lighting. 

Listen as Vince and Gabriel discuss the poetry of light, the craftsmanship behind his creative acts, and the importance of designing not just spaces, but a life filled with meaning, discipline, and care. 

What does it mean to create objects that tell stories, that shape how we feel, live, and connect?
For Gabriel Hendifar, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of APPARATUS, design is about more than beautiful lighting and furniture, it&rsquo;s about creating the container for human experience.&nbsp;
Born in Los Angeles to Iranian immigrants, his early world was filled with music, memory, and craft, influences that continue to inform his deeply human approach to design. After a career in fashion, he co-founded APPARATUS in New York in 2012, building it into a 100-person studio renowned for its emotionally charged interiors and sculptural lighting.&nbsp;
Listen as Vince and Gabriel discuss the poetry of light, the craftsmanship behind his creative acts, and the importance of designing not just spaces, but a life filled with meaning, discipline, and care.&nbsp;

Your life is the most important design project you will ever undertake!

Design is everywhere, in what we make, how we think, and how we live. The question is: are you designing your life, or just living by default? 

Each week I sit down with creators, entrepreneurs, and thinkers who’ve shaped their own paths, to uncover the ideas, struggles, and breakthroughs that can help you design a life with purpose. 

Vince Frost is the CEO and Executive Creative Director of Frost*collective, a strategic creative group dedicated to designing a better world through human-centered design. Its goal is to design experiences that enrich lives by combining specialist skills to tackle complex challenges and drive superior results.

Your life is the most important design project you will ever undertake!
Design is everywhere, in what we make, how we think, and how we live. The question is: are you designing your life, or just living by default?&nbsp;
Each week I sit down with creators, entrepreneurs, and thinkers who&rsquo;ve shaped their own paths, to uncover the ideas, struggles, and breakthroughs that can help you design a life with purpose.&nbsp;
Vince Frost is the CEO and Executive Creative Director of Frost*collective, a strategic creative group dedicated to designing a better world through human-centered design. Its goal is to design experiences that enrich lives by combining specialist skills to tackle complex challenges and drive superior results.

In his Design Your Life podcast series, Vince Fro…

Design Your Life with Vince Frost

Your life is the most important design project you will ever undertake!

Design is everywhere, in what we make, how we think, and how we live. The question is: are you designing your life, or just living by default? 

Each week I sit down with creators, entrepreneurs, and thinkers who’ve shaped their own paths, to uncover the ideas, struggles, and breakthroughs that can help you design a life with purpose.

Your life is the most important design project you will ever undertake!
Design is everywhere, in what we make, how we think, and how we live. The question is: are you designing your life, or just living by default?&nbsp;
Each week I sit down with creators, entrepreneurs, and thinkers who&rsquo;ve shaped their own paths, to uncover the ideas, struggles, and breakthroughs that can help you design a life with purpose.

Designing a life with intention with Gabriel Hendifar

What shapes the feeling of a place? And how does a life spent moving between cities, countries and creative worlds influence the way you design for others? 

For interior architect Simone McEwan, co-founder of international design studio Nice Projects, the thread has always been the same — creating spaces that make people feel something. 

From a childhood spent moving between eight homes before the age of 12, to studying architecture at 17, to an unplanned move to London that opened the door to a global career, Simone’s path is anything but linear. Her work with Anouska Hempel, Richard Horden Soho House, Selfridges, and Studio Ilse has shaped some of the world’s most iconic hospitality and retail experiences. 

Today, she leads projects across London, Singapore, Japan and Sydney — designing with empathy, intuition and a deep understanding of how people live. 

Listen in as Vince and Simone explore her nomadic childhood, the craft behind world-class hospitality, and how designing for life — not ego — creates spaces that truly connect.

https://niceprojects.work/

What shapes the feeling of a place? And how does a life spent moving between cities, countries and creative worlds influence the way you design for others?&nbsp;
For interior architect Simone McEwan, co-founder of international design studio Nice Projects, the thread has always been the same &mdash; creating spaces that make people feel something.&nbsp;
From a childhood spent moving between eight homes before the age of 12, to studying architecture at 17, to an unplanned move to London that opened the door to a global career, Simone&rsquo;s path is anything but linear. Her work with Anouska Hempel, Richard Horden Soho House, Selfridges, and Studio Ilse has shaped some of the world&rsquo;s most iconic hospitality and retail experiences.&nbsp;
Today, she leads projects across London, Singapore, Japan and Sydney &mdash; designing with empathy, intuition and a deep understanding of how people live.&nbsp;
Listen in as Vince and Simone explore her nomadic childhood, the craft behind world-class hospitality, and how designing for life &mdash; not ego &mdash; creates spaces that truly connect.
https://niceprojects.work/

Designing Nice Projects with Simone McEwan

What does it take to lead one of the UK’s oldest and most respected architectural practices into the future? 

As CEO of Scott Brownrigg, Darren Comber has steered the 115-year-old practice through change, challenge and reinvention. From its early roots in Guildford to a network of studios spanning Amsterdam, London, New York, Singapore and Riyadh, Darren has played a pivotal role in shaping its global presence. 

With a career defined by persistence, vision and curiosity, he reflects on the power of reinvention, the evolution of design, and why keeping energy alive is fundamental to sustaining a business over decades. 

Listen in as Vince and Darren explore the art of leadership, the role of architecture in shaping society, and how to stay relevant in a fast-changing world. 

What does it take to lead one of the UK&rsquo;s oldest and most respected architectural practices into the future?&nbsp;
As CEO of Scott Brownrigg, Darren Comber has steered the 115-year-old practice through change, challenge and reinvention. From its early roots in Guildford to a network of studios spanning Amsterdam, London, New York, Singapore and Riyadh, Darren has played a pivotal role in shaping its global presence.&nbsp;
With a career defined by persistence, vision and curiosity, he reflects on the power of reinvention, the evolution of design, and why keeping energy alive is fundamental to sustaining a business over decades.&nbsp;
Listen in as Vince and Darren explore the art of leadership, the role of architecture in shaping society, and how to stay relevant in a fast-changing world.&nbsp;

Designing growth for a 115-year legacy with Darren Comber

What if the true measure of success isn’t scale, but connection? 

From a childhood spent in expat compounds of Saudi Arabia to founding one of Australia’s most admired design studios, Jeremy Bull, founder and principal of Alexander &CO., has designed far more than homes, he’s designed a life rooted in meaning, craftsmanship and human connection. 

After overcoming years of illness and self-destruction in his twenties, Jeremy rebuilt himself – mind, body and practice – with a philosophy centred on people. Today, his award-winning studio is recognised globally for its distinct sense of authenticity, materiality and feeling. Whether it’s a handcrafted home, a hospitality space or his own live-work studio in Bondi Junction, every project begins with one question: how does it make you feel? 

Listen in as Vince and Jeremy discuss designing for emotion, redefining success, and the future of how we live, work and connect. 

What if the true measure of success isn&rsquo;t scale, but connection?&nbsp;
From a childhood spent in expat compounds of Saudi Arabia to founding one of Australia&rsquo;s most admired design studios, Jeremy Bull, founder and principal of Alexander &amp;CO., has designed far more than homes, he&rsquo;s designed a life rooted in meaning, craftsmanship and human connection.&nbsp;
After overcoming years of illness and self-destruction in his twenties, Jeremy rebuilt himself &ndash; mind, body and practice &ndash; with a philosophy centred on people. Today, his award-winning studio is recognised globally for its distinct sense of authenticity, materiality and feeling. Whether it&rsquo;s a handcrafted home, a hospitality space or his own live-work studio in Bondi Junction, every project begins with one question: how does it make you feel?&nbsp;
Listen in as Vince and Jeremy discuss designing for emotion, redefining success, and the future of how we live, work and connect.&nbsp;

Designing a life with intention with Gabriel Hendifar

Design Your Life with Vince Frost

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