Each year, host Will Hall makes six predictions about tech, design, and innovation. In this first of two bonus episodes, Will shares the results from his predictions last year and revisits his forecast about TikTok’s looming ban. Don’t miss this journey through the past, present, and what’s next!

Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco
LAST YEAR'S tech predictions videos: https://bit.ly/4iE83z8
(New predictions coming in the new year!)

Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/

Sponsored by Adobe.

In the season finale of Fail Hard, host Will Hall welcomes Giorgia Lupi, partner at Pentagram and the visionary behind data humanism, for a conversation that bridges the worlds of creativity, design, and data.

From her groundbreaking Dear Data project to her celebrated work at Pentagram, Giorgia reveals how she turns raw, impersonal data into deeply human stories. They explore her architectural roots, the art of balancing precision with playfulness, and why “design-driven data” holds the power to uncover beauty and meaning in a quantified world.

Recorded at Pentagram’s iconic New York office, this episode captures not just Giorgia’s insights but the heartbeat of the city itself—complete with a cameo from some perfectly-timed sirens. Because New York.

Whether you’re a designer, a data lover, or someone who’s just trying to find beauty in life’s noise, this conversation will change the way you see the world around you—one detail at a time.

CREDITS
Guest: Giorgia Lupi
https://giorgialupi.com/
https://www.instagram.com/giorgialupi/
https://www.pentagram.com/
Her new TED talk: https://bit.ly/4gAWPJR

Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco
LAST YEAR'S tech predictions videos: https://bit.ly/4iE83z8
(New predictions coming in the new year!)

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/

Sponsored by Adobe.

What does it mean to create without compromise? Emmy-winning artist and designer Mike Perry joins host Will Hall to unpack just that. From the hand-drawn charm of his early work to the endlessly playful animations of Broad City, Mike has carved out a career brimming with creativity, joy, and unapologetic authenticity.

In this episode, we discuss trusting your intuition, navigating success without losing your sense of self, and why handmade art continues to hold value in an increasingly digital world. Mike also shares insights into his current projects with Hermès and his growing art practice, where joy remains a central theme in everything he creates.

Recorded in Mike’s inspiring studio, this conversation is full of insights, laughter, and possibly a few chipmunks. Stay tuned.

CREDITS
Guest: Mike Perry
https://www.mikeperrystudio.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mikeperrystudio/

Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/

Sponsored by Adobe.

What happens when a city’s grand vision for an architectural icon goes hilariously—and gloriously—off the rails? In this episode of Fail Hard, we unpack the bizarre and captivating tale of the Memphis Pyramid, a towering stainless steel structure that’s equal parts ancient grandeur, space-age ambition, and commercial spectacle.

Originally conceived as a cultural centerpiece to rival the pyramids of Egypt, the Memphis Pyramid was destined for greatness—or so they thought. Instead, it became a symbol of wild mismanagement, financial disaster, and... a Bass Pro Shop. Yes, that Bass Pro Shop.

Through lively conversations with host Will Hall, architect Peter Warren, public artist and architect William Dodge, and architectural photographer Keith Isaacs, we uncover the Pyramid's tangled history: its ambitious beginnings, disastrous design flaws, and the over-the-top spectacle of its groundbreaking ceremony, complete with helicopters, a glowing shovel, and, um, the theme song from Shaft.

From a mysterious crystal skull hidden at its apex to the massive glowing Bass Pro sign slapped on its side, this episode explores how the Memphis Pyramid transformed from the so-called “Tomb of Doom” into a bizarre monument to capitalism, mismanagement, and largemouth bass.

Is it an icon? A joke? A masterclass in reinvention? One thing’s for sure: The Memphis Pyramid is unforgettable. Tune in for a wild ride through architectural missteps, cultural symbolism, and the strange poetry of second chances.

CREDITS
Guest: William Dodge, Architect and Public Artist
personal: https://www.instagram.com/williamhdodge/
work: https://www.instagram.com/p_u_b_l_i_c___/
https://www.p-u-b-l-i-c.com/
art: https://www.instagram.com/a_gang_of_three_/
https://www.agangofthree.com/

Guest: Peter Warren, Architect
https://ooba.design/
https://www.instagram.com/officeofbasicarchitecture/

Guest: Keith Isaacs, Architectural Photographer
https://www.isaacsphoto.com/
https://www.instagram.com/keithisaacsphoto

Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/

Sponsored by Adobe.

We're on the road this week filming Hotels by Design, so are away from the recording studio. We'll see you next week with a shiny new episode!

In this episode, we dive into the power of storytelling in design and innovation. Host Will Hall speaks with Tim Shih, a visionary designer in the automotive industry, as they explore how we live, shape, and even rewrite the stories that define us. Tim shares insights from his career journey, touching on his experiences in transportation design at places like Volvo and BMW to his latest venture, the nonprofit Mobility Futures Alliance. Together, they discuss the balance between art and function, embracing failure as part of the creative process, and the role of designers as storytellers who can reshape both industries and society.

CREDITS
Guest: Tim Shih
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-shih-8a264973/

Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/

Sponsored by Adobe.

In this episode of Fail Hard, host Will Hall dives deep into the world of subversive pop art with none other than THE SUCKLORD, a pioneer in the art of bootleg toys. Known for embracing the "suckiness" in his work, The Sucklord reflects on his journey, the tension between success and failure, and his unique perspective on creativity. The conversation explores themes of artistic identity, nostalgia, and the pressures of staying true to one's craft. This raw and honest interview is filled with colorful language, so consider yourself warned!

CREDITS
Guest: THE SUCKLORD
https://www.suckadelic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sucklord/

Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/

Sponsored by Adobe.

We're living in a time where the pace of innovation is accelerating so rapidly that it feels almost instantaneous. The systems we're building—especially in AI—are often black box, with consequences that remain largely unknown. So, who is shaping and steering this future?

Nearly 50% of employees at AI companies are under 40, with an acceleration in hires under the age of 25. This means that tech is rapidly becoming a young person's game, brimming with energy and potential. However, the noticeable absence of senior guidance and mentorship is a stark reality. I'm not particularly old, yet I'm increasingly the most senior person in a room. This is a problem.

In this episode of Fail Hard, I'm excited to share a remarkable encounter with one of the most influential people on the planet (yes, really). I'll delve into what I learned from my weeks with them and how this has completely transformed my perspective on mentorship. This personal experience is a testament to the profound impact of mentorship.

Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/

Sponsored by Adobe.