Matters of Experience

Light carves stories from darkness, transforming spaces into emotional journeys that transcend mere illumination. Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan explore the sculptural art of lighting design with Ste…

What does it take to transform a colonial institution into one that centers healing, justice, and shared humanity? In this episode of Matters of Experience, hosts Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan speak…

Spencer Luckey doesn’t just build playgrounds—he sculpts experiences that invite curiosity, joy, and exploration. In this episode of Matters of Experience, hosts Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit do…

Design can do more than communicate—it can captivate, transport, and transform. In this episode of Matters of Experience, Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit down with Shirin Frangoul-Brückner, foundi…

What does it mean to design for dialogue—not just display? In this episode of Matters of Experience, Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit down with Jonathan Alger, founding partner at C&G Partners and …

How do creativity and courage shape the future of design? In this episode of Matters of Experience, Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit down with Murilo Melo, a design leader who believes that great d…

In this episode of Matters of Experience, Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit down with Monica Herman, a seasoned experiential design strategist, to explore the transformative power of meaningful expe…

How can digital technology transform our everyday spaces into memorable experiences? In this episode of Matters of Experience, Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan speak with Brandon Harp, Director of Digi…

What role do emotions play in creativity, and how can emotional intelligence transform the way we innovate? In this episode of Matters of Experience, Abby and Brenda talk with Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Prin…

What if the colors around us could change the way we feel, think, and connect? In this episode of Matters of Experience, we dive into the transformative world of color with Laura Guido-Clark, founder…

In this episode of Matters of Experience, we speak with Dr. Dori Tunstall, a visionary leader in the design world and the first Black female dean of a design faculty. Dori discusses the transformativ…

What does it take to lead and innovate in a small museum setting? In this episode of Matters of Experience, hosts Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit down with Alli Schell, Director of Public Programs…

How can museums and cultural institutions become more inclusive and welcoming for all visitors? Join us as we explore this vital question with Beth Redmond-Jones, VP of Exhibitions at the Monterey Ba…

This week we discuss the fascinating debate on the role of immersive spaces in science museums with Elisabeth Ramm, an associate partner at ATELIER BRÜCKNER and co-founder of the Swiss-based ARTHINKI…

Take a bite out of the world of multi-sensory design with Emilie Baltz, an immersive experience director known for her innovative approach to combining the senses, art, and technology. Discover how E…

Celebrating our 50th episode!

Join us for a special milestone as we celebrate 50 episodes of Matters of Experience! Abby and Brenda dive into the heart of what makes our profession so unique – and cel…

This week’s guest has a theory that you must have a breakdown before getting a breakthrough. Tune into this week’s episode to discover how Eli Kuslansky, Founding Partner and Chief Strategist at Unif…

How can art truly connect with a place and its community? Join Abby and Brenda on Matters of Experience as they dive into this question with artist Melissa McGill. Melissa shares her approach to crea…

Tim McNeil is a Professor of Design at the University of California Davis and Director/Chief Curator of the UC Davis Design Museum. He believes that exhibition design is the most transdisciplinary of…