As London craft-and-design fair Collect gets under way, Nic Monisse chats with director TF Chan about the philosophy of “fewer, better things”. Plus: buttons and handles are coming back to our vehicles but will Nic and Grace Charlton give them the green light? 

As London craft-and-design fair Collect gets under way, Nic Monisse chats with director TF Chan about the philosophy of &ldquo;fewer, better things&rdquo;. Plus: buttons and handles are coming back to our vehicles but will Nic and Grace Charlton give them the green light?&nbsp;

Everything you need to know about the world of design, from furniture to fashion and craft to architecture. Expect fresh stories, new finds and designers and all the latest news from the world’s most exciting studios.

Monocle on Design

Is it time to go back to human-centred design? TF Chan on Collect 2026

What impact can a sense of place have on what we make – and how we live? Join us for a discussion examining how a sense of place can combine with cultural DNA to create everything from distinct neighbourhoods to rugged four-wheel drives.

What impact can a sense of place have on what we make &ndash; and how we live? Join us for a discussion examining how a sense of place can combine with cultural DNA to create everything from distinct neighbourhoods to rugged four-wheel drives.

Sense of place

Live from Frieze London: We’re joined by JLR’s Nick Rolls and Collect’s fair director, TF Chan, to ask where art ends and design begins – and whether that line still matters. We discuss working between the two disciplines, collecting and making, as well as the rising market for functional objects.

Live from Frieze London: We&rsquo;re joined by JLR&rsquo;s Nick Rolls and Collect&rsquo;s fair director, TF Chan, to ask where art ends and design begins &ndash; and whether that line still matters. We discuss working between the two disciplines, collecting and making, as well as the rising market for functional objects.

Art and design

We tour this year’s Paris Motor Show with Chris Cermak and Chloé Nakao-Pélata. Renault Clio and Alfa Romeo’s chief designers detail the road ahead for mobility. Plus: Why EV design might finally be turning a corner.

We tour this year&rsquo;s Paris Motor Show with Chris Cermak and Chlo&eacute; Nakao-P&eacute;lata. Renault Clio and Alfa Romeo&rsquo;s chief designers detail the road ahead for mobility. Plus: Why EV design might finally be turning a corner.

Is it time to go back to human-centred design? TF Chan on Collect 2026

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