Hardware Podcasts

93: The Last Detail with Stephan Ango

Thoroughly Considered · 27 Jan 2023 · 1h 16m · Episode 93

What this episode covers

Stephan Ango, co-founder of Lumi and Obsidian, discusses the Hario V60 pour-over coffee maker, analyzing its 60-degree geometry, internal grooves, and material variations (ceramic, glass, plastic) as examples of timeless industrial design. The conversation explores the ritual of coffee brewing, the Lindy effect in product longevity, and how Hario maintains market dominance against Amazon white-label knockoffs through brand authority and filter ecosystem lock-in. Ango also reflects on his transition from physical goods to software, contrasting the ephemeral nature of code with the permanence of well-designed objects.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies and companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Hario, Lumi, Starbucks, Blue Bottle, Stumptown, Intelligentsia, Amazon
Products
V60, Obsidian, Melita, Chemex, AeroPress, Moka Pot, Snow Peak
Also
Dieter Rams

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Core77 Podcast · 1h 27m

    Afterschool Podcast, Episode 19 - Craighton Berman, Founder of Manual (04/16)

    Craighton Berman, founder of the brand Manual, discusses his transition from independent design studio to launching the Manual Coffee Maker (MCM) via Kickstarter. He details the product's design, which uses borosilicate glass and bamboo to create a ritualistic pour-over experience, and explains his strategy for scaling production and managing the crowdfunding campaign. Berman also reflects on the broader industry shift toward quality materials and the role of platforms like Kickstarter in enabling micro-entrepreneurship in industrial design.

    Industrial & consumer product designCrowdfunding & preorders
    8 chapters

  • IDology · 40m

    IDology #10 - The difficulties of sustainability of industrial design

    Anita Rogoża and Mikołaj Wiewióra of the industrial design studio Mindsailors discuss the challenges of integrating sustainability into product design, covering strategies like serviceability, mono-materials, and reducing component counts. They analyze specific examples such as Brita filters, 3D printing for mass customization, and the regulatory push for USB-C, while contrasting linear and circular economy models. The conversation highlights the tension between consumer desire for cheap, perfect products and the engineering costs of sustainable design, concluding that shifting consumer habits is essential for systemic change.

    Industrial & consumer product designSustainability & circular products
    9 chapters

  • Making It · 1h 18m

    417: Special Old People Shoes

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the nuances of design, moving from logo creation to 3D product development. They explore how constraints, materials, and processes dictate design decisions, with Bob detailing his leather bag and aluminum toolbox projects and Jimmy sharing his approach to the Lightburn Conference and store migration. David offers insights from his graphic design background, emphasizing visual communication and the importance of deconstructing ideas to find their core message.

    Industrial & consumer product designMarketing & brand
    7 chapters

  • Making It · 59m

    Episode 163: Live Edge Bowling Ball

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the longevity of design styles, contrasting timeless clean lines with ephemeral trends like river tables and burnt wood. David Picciuto details a significant failure involving warped plywood in a large cabinet project, while Jimmy Diresta shares his experience at the Carolina Shoe Factory and his work on a live-edge puzzle. The hosts also debate the material properties of epoxy versus glass in river tables and the future of furniture design, including 3D printing.

    Industrial & consumer product designMaterials & manufacturing processes
    6 chapters

  • Shop Talk Live · 1h 19m

    STL364: Good Design Goes Unnoticed

    Konrad Sauer, founder of Sauer & Steiner Toolworks, discusses his transition from graphic design to high-end hand plane making, emphasizing that good design is unnoticed and feels right. He details the iterative design process for his curved-sided planes, balancing historical constraints with modern ergonomics and weight distribution. Sauer explains his unconventional business model, which involves absorbing material costs upfront and forgoing deposits to build deep trust and personal relationships with clients. The conversation highlights the importance of sketching, mockups, and critique in refining physical products.

    Industrial & consumer product designPrototyping & iteration
    10 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Thoroughly Considered. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.