Design Discord

In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando Mastrangelo sits down with Holly Howard — founder of Ask Holly How and the new AI-powered platform Pyramid.work — for one of the most inspiring and practical conversations we’ve ever had.

Holly’s journey is unreal: from training at the Joffrey Ballet, to becoming a music therapist who worked with Oliver Sacks’ methods, to managing legendary Williamsburg restaurants (Marlowe & Sons and Egg), to building a 14-year consulting practice helping designers and creative entrepreneurs build sustainable, values-driven businesses.

We go deep on:
• Why culture must come before strategy
• The psychology of pricing and perceived value
• The uncomfortable truth about social media & Instagram ads
• How to stop copying other people’s paths
• The origin story of Pyramid.work — the AI “strategic engine” that helps entrepreneurs define their purpose, values, and vision, then generates aligned strategy, operations, PR plans, and more!

Whether you’re a designer, maker, creative entrepreneur, or just someone trying to build a business that actually feels like you, this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom.
 Learn more about Holly & Pyramid.work: pyramid.work | askhollyhow.com

Timestamps:
00:00 — Intro & why Holly is the guru for creative entrepreneurs
01:13 — Holly’s origin story: Joffrey Ballet → music therapy → Oliver Sacks
04:11 — The magic (and lessons) of Marlowe & Sons in post-9/11 Williamsburg
06:29 — Columbia, dropping out of pre-med, and Egg as “business school”
14:17 — Forensic accounting, P&Ls, and learning to read the story in the numbers
16:38 — Culture before strategy — why values must come from your lived experience
21:16 — The most important question most designers never ask
24:52 — Pricing psychology, perceived value & the storytelling gap
34:18 — Should every designer sell direct-to-client? (Some shouldn’t)
36:15 — The brutal truth about social media, ads, and what actually moves the needle
45:20 — Introducing Pyramid.work — the AI strategic engine for entrepreneurship
53:26 — The wild story of building Pyramid (family investment, Hypatia séance & more)
01:01:21 — Putting her own methodology into practice publicly

If this episode helped you, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway and tag a designer or creative friend who needs to hear it. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of design, business, and creativity.

#DesignDiscord #HollyHoward #PyramidWork #CreativeEntrepreneurship #DesignBusiness #PricingStrategy #AIForBusiness #ValuesBasedBusiness

Fernando Mastrangelo interviews Jean Lin, founder of Colony Gallery in New York, about her incredible journey from Hurricane Sandy relief work to creating a groundbreaking gallery that supports independent designers.
Jean reveals the details behind Colony’s co-op inspired model — affordable monthly fees paired with a low 15% commission — and why she’s stayed committed to this approach for over 12 years.

The conversation covers the challenges of starting with almost no money, building community in the 2010s NYC design boom, launching an 8-month artist residency/incubator program, expanding into interior design projects, and navigating slow markets and rising costs.
They also discuss Jean’s book “What We Keep,” which shifts focus from objects to the personal stories of collectors, makers, and the emotional connection to design.
Perfect for designers, makers, gallerists, and creatives who want real talk about building a sustainable career in the design world.
**Timestamps:**
00:00 - Introduction
01:45 - Hurricane Sandy Origin Story
05:48 - 2010s NYC Design Scene
09:49 - First Lease & Personal Risks
13:24 - Finding the Space & Early Struggles
16:44 - Colony’s Co-op Inspired Business Model
26:38 - Starting Interiors & Staging
30:00 - Current Gallery Operations (24 Designers)
35:15 - The Residency Program Explained
41:10 - Trends, Cycles & Timeless Design
44:46 - Market Challenges & Moving Spaces
46:39 - “What We Keep” Book & Collecting
55:58 - 5-Year Vision for Colony
59:00 - Closing Thoughts
Follow Colony Gallery and Jean Lin for more inspiration in the world of collectible and contemporary design.

In this refreshingly honest episode of Design Discord, Fernando Mastrangelo sits down with David Michon, the sharp, eloquent voice behind For Scale, the buzziest Substack in the design world right now.

David shares how he went from writing for Monocle and Icon to creating his own independent platform for real design criticism. Together they unpack why so many design magazines feel identical, why celebrity homes dominate the covers, and how the industry has become strangely polite and risk-averse.

They explore:
Why “decor” might actually be a more honest word than “design”
The liberating joy of imperfect, lived-in homes over sterile perfection
How growing up in Winnipeg shaped David’s refreshing perspective on taste
The myth of “timeless” design and why dated interiors can be incredible
What’s really wrong with events like Basic Space / Design Space
The missing critique in interiors and why optimistic criticism matters

David’s writing is smart, observational, and deeply human. He believes great interiors are about people, not just perfect objects — and that your home should never feel “finished.” This conversation will make you look at your own space differently and feel a whole lot better about the dents on your dining table.

If you’re tired of aspirational interiors that feel fake and unattainable, this episode is for you. A must-listen for designers, design lovers, interior enthusiasts, and anyone who wants sharper, more honest conversations about the spaces we live in.

Follow For Scale on Substack for David’s weekly writings that are quickly becoming essential reading in the industry.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introducing David Michon & For Scale
09:28 – Winnipeg roots and forming real taste
13:00 – Reading rooms as people, not just objects
15:00 – Why your home should never feel finished
19:20 – Wealth, aspiration, and lived-in reality
25:25 – The origin story of For Scale
37:25 – Why David chooses “decor” over “design”
47:30 – Honest critique of Basic Space
52:00 – The future of For Scale: print, events & real-life energy

Laura Young of The Future Perfect joins Fernando Mastrangelo on Design Discord for a wide-ranging conversation covering her full career path, the evolution of one of design’s most respected galleries, and what’s actually in or out right now.

From RISD and chaotic auction-house days to co-leading The Future Perfect across New York, LA, Miami, and San Francisco, Laura opens up about building a business that balances commerce and culture, their signature showroom/gallery approach, the deep collaboration with artists like Chris Wolston, and the realities of gatekeeping.

Timestamps
0:00 – Intro
0:01:08 – RISD & early career
0:05:12 – Auction house years
0:13:22 – Meeting David & joining The Future Perfect
0:22:15 – The Future Perfect model explained
0:23:27 – Residentializing the gallery experience
0:31:18 – Chris Wolston deep dive
0:42:04 – Gatekeeping in design
0:47:15 – Discovering new designers & open call
0:53:35 – Future Perfect as cultural institution
0:56:12 – In or Out design trends
1:01:10 – Outro

A must-listen for designers, collectors, and anyone obsessed with the business and culture of contemporary design.

#TheFuturePerfect #DesignPodcast #InteriorDesign #CollectibleFurniture #DesignTrends #ChrisWolston

Join Fernando Mastrangelo on Design Discord for an in-depth conversation with Ashlee Harrison, powerhouse in collectible design. From helping establish Carpenters Workshop Gallery in the US to launching her own private salon Thirty8East in a historic Upper East Side brownstone, Ashlee brings unparalleled insight into the world of functional sculpture, curation, and cultural storytelling.

Topics include the maturing collectible design market, working with legendary designers, the power of intimacy over scale, fair experiences, and practical advice for collectors and creatives.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:01 – State of Collectible Design Today
02:43 – Advisors vs. Interior Designers
03:36 – Joining Carpenters Workshop Young
05:25 – Early Responsibilities & Building the Business
06:35 – Market Expansions to LA, SF & Aspen
09:21 – Defining Collectible vs. Fine Furniture
11:35 – Collaborating with Artists like Campana Brothers & Studio Drift
18:33 – Transition to Thirty8East Salon
20:20 – The Salon Experience: By Appointment, Storytelling & Coffee
29:48 – Value of Design Fairs & Relationships
34:29 – Market Cycles, COVID Impact & Slow Growth
39:56 – Future of Her Career & Excitement Ahead
48:10 – Advice for Young Designers

Perfect for anyone interested in design, art, collecting, or building a meaningful creative career.

Follow Design Discord on Spotify for more. Support the show and share with a fellow design lover!

#CollectibleDesign #DesignPodcast #Thirty8East #AshleeHarrison