Earlier this month NoMad Collab hosted the Design Confidential panel, hosted by Heartwork’s founder Karen John.
The discussion offered a behind the scenes look at the design philosophy, approach, and processes that each of the NoMad Collab brands share. The panel featured a remarkable mix of voices—designers, makers, storytellers, and innovators—each approaching design from very different directions, but united by a shared belief: design is less about objects and more about solving human problems.
The panel featured:
- Justin Champaign, Founder of here now
- Carloalberto Gasparello, Sales & Business Development Manager at True
- Eliza Radman, Founder of Folded Poetry
- Aisling McEvoy, Global Account Manager at Framery
- Karen John, Founder of Heartwork
Together, they unpacked not just the aesthetics of design, but the deeper values that shape it—collaboration, innovation, resilience, and even healing.
Earlier this month NoMad Collab hosted the Design Confidential panel, hosted by Heartwork’s founder Karen John.
The discussion offered a behind the scenes look at the design philosophy, approach, and processes that each of the NoMad Collab brands share. The panel featured a remarkable mix of voices—designers, makers, storytellers, and innovators—each approaching design from very different directions, but united by a shared belief: design is less about objects and more about solving human problems.
The panel featured:
- Justin Champaign, Founder of here now
- Carloalberto Gasparello, Sales & Business Development Manager at True
- Eliza Radman, Founder of Folded Poetry
- Aisling McEvoy, Global Account Manager at Framery
- Karen John, Founder of Heartwork
Together, they unpacked not just the aesthetics of design, but the deeper values that shape it—collaboration, innovation, resilience, and even healing.
Each story began with a challenge.
For Framery, it was a noisy open-plan office in Finland that sparked the idea of acoustic pods.
For Eliza Radman, it was the aftermath of a traumatic accident that led her to explore sculptural, acoustic forms as part of her recovery.
For Heartwork, it was the recognition that high-quality storage has the potential to give users a sense of ownership in an increasingly shared workplace.
For Justin Champaign, it was a desire to strip away the marketing gloss of contract furniture and instead deliver fast, human-centered solutions.
What linked them all was the understanding that design, at its core, has the power to solve real human challenges.
Each story began with a challenge.
For Framery, it was a noisy open-plan office in Finland that sparked the idea of acoustic pods.
For Eliza Radman, it was the aftermath of a traumatic accident that led her to explore sculptural, acoustic forms as part of her recovery.
For Heartwork, it was the recognition that high-quality storage has the potential to give users a sense of ownership in an increasingly shared workplace.
For Justin Champaign, it was a desire to strip away the marketing gloss of contract furniture and instead deliver fast, human-centered solutions.
What linked them all was the understanding that design, at its core, has the power to solve real human challenges.
Several panelists reflected on the power of working closely with makers.
Carloalberto Gasparello described True’s network of Italian artisans, emphasizing how their craft knowledge shapes the company’s collections.
For Justin Champaign, collaboration isn’t just about efficiency — it’s about building relationships. By listening closely to clients and craftspeople, here now treats budget or performance constraints as opportunities to create better design. In his words, relationships themselves become the fuel for innovation, turning challenges into spaces where design can thrive.
Karen John tied it together: staying close to manufacturing with domestic partners isn’t just efficient—it’s “where the magic happens.”
Several panelists reflected on the power of working closely with makers.
Carloalberto Gasparello described True’s network of Italian artisans, emphasizing how their craft knowledge shapes the company’s collections.
For Justin Champaign, collaboration isn’t just about efficiency — it’s about building relationships. By listening closely to clients and craftspeople, here now treats budget or performance constraints as opportunities to create better design. In his words, relationships themselves become the fuel for innovation, turning challenges into spaces where design can thrive.
Karen John tied it together: staying close to manufacturing with domestic partners isn’t just efficient—it’s “where the magic happens.”
Another strong theme was customization.
Clients today don’t just want products; they want solutions tailored to their spaces, budgets, and cultures. Whether it’s Framery’s pods with user-controlled lighting and ventilation, or true’s tables that can be dimensioned “inch by inch,” flexibility is now the expectation.
Both Heartwork and here now collaborate closely with their clients to co-create custom solutions. It has become clear, brands who deliver customization well are seen as valuable partners to designers and end-users.
And innovation doesn’t always mean new tech. Sometimes, as Carloalberto reminded us, it’s about reinterpreting familiar typologies for a new era—like updating a 1970s lounge chair to reflect today’s more upright, fast-paced ways of working.
Another strong theme was customization.
Clients today don’t just want products; they want solutions tailored to their spaces, budgets, and cultures. Whether it’s Framery’s pods with user-controlled lighting and ventilation, or true’s tables that can be dimensioned “inch by inch,” flexibility is now the expectation.
Both Heartwork and here now collaborate closely with their clients to co-create custom solutions. It has become clear, brands who deliver customization well are seen as valuable partners to designers and end-users.
And innovation doesn’t always mean new tech. Sometimes, as Carloalberto reminded us, it’s about reinterpreting familiar typologies for a new era—like updating a 1970s lounge chair to reflect today’s more upright, fast-paced ways of working.
Design is not just about objects but about experiences and people.One of the most moving moments came from Eliza Radman. After a life-changing accident, she began experimenting with folded paper sculptures. These evolved into acoustic wall products—an art form born from limitation. “Design is based on hope,” she said. “For me, showing up for myself through design was a way to heal.”
Her story reframed design not just as a practice, but as a path toward resilience and growth.
Karen John tied it together: staying close to manufacturing with domestic partners isn’t just efficient—it’s “where the magic happens.”
Design is not just about objects but about experiences and people.One of the most moving moments came from Eliza Radman. After a life-changing accident, she began experimenting with folded paper sculptures. These evolved into acoustic wall products—an art form born from limitation. “Design is based on hope,” she said. “For me, showing up for myself through design was a way to heal.”
Her story reframed design not just as a practice, but as a path toward resilience and growth.
Karen John tied it together: staying close to manufacturing with domestic partners isn’t just efficient—it’s “where the magic happens.”
Ultimately, the Design Confidential conversation was less about competition and more about community.
That’s the philosophy behind NoMad Collab itself—independent brands aligning around design quality, integrity, and shared space.
By bringing together modular storage, acoustic pods, sculptural wall art, and Italian craft, the panel embodied how diverse players can collectively push the industry forward.
Ultimately, the Design Confidential conversation was less about competition and more about community.
That’s the philosophy behind NoMad Collab itself—independent brands aligning around design quality, integrity, and shared space.
By bringing together modular storage, acoustic pods, sculptural wall art, and Italian craft, the panel embodied how diverse players can collectively push the industry forward.
Whether you’re a designer, a client, or simply someone fascinated by how spaces shape our lives, the panel offered a powerful reminder: design is most meaningful when it’s human, collaborative, and deeply hopeful.
Whether you’re a designer, a client, or simply someone fascinated by how spaces shape our lives, the panel offered a powerful reminder: design is most meaningful when it’s human, collaborative, and deeply hopeful.
