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Scratching the Surface

Updated: Sep 24, 2026

A podcast about design criticism and practice featuring in-depth conversations with designers, architects, and writers

Scratching the Surface
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About Scratching the Surface

Overview Scratching the Surface is a podcast about design criticism and practice. Host Jarrett Fuller interviews designers, architects, educators, and writers about their work, thinking, and the broader discipline of design. The show tackles topics including information design, data visualization, architecture, climate, social justice, and the politics of design. It is listener-supported and releases episodes with guests such as Giorgia Lupi, Marco Ferrari, and Alan Ricks. Key Benefits Features conversations with established practitioners like Pentagram partners and MASS founding members. Explores design criticism beyond surface-level topics, addressing climate, politics, and social justice. Releases episodes with professionals working in information design, architecture, and spatial research. Made possible entirely by listener support, with no paywalled episodes. How It Works Listeners subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music, Soundcloud, or RSS. New episodes are published regularly and can be streamed or downloaded from the show website. Listeners can support the show through a Substack subscription. Use Cases Design students and educators who want to hear practitioners discuss theory and practice. Information designers seeking perspectives on data storytelling and visualization. Architects and spatial designers interested in climate-responsive and community-engaged work. Design critics and writers looking for in-depth conversations about the state of the profession.

Scratching the Surface Pros & Cons

Strengths
  • Free to listen across all major platforms
  • Interviews with top design and architecture practitioners
  • Covers design criticism, theory, and social impact
  • Listener-supported with no ad breaks
  • Regular new episode releases

Key Features

Interview Episodes

Jarrett Fuller hosts conversations with designers, architects, educators, and writers about their practice and criticism.

Multi-Platform Distribution

Episodes reach listeners across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music, Soundcloud, and RSS.

Listener-Supported Model

The show is funded entirely by listener contributions through Substack with no paywalled content.

Critical Design Topics

Episodes address themes like climate, politics of data collection, and regenerative design practices.

Scratching the Surface Pricing

Free
Free
  • Access to all podcast episodes
  • Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music, Soundcloud, RSS

Pricing extracted from the product website and may change. Check the source for current details.