
The Design episode! Cultural economies of design
Cultural Economy in the Kitchen by Philip Roscoe and Addie McGowan
S1 · E3
Jan 9, 2026
52:02
Episode notes
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of design and explore how it shapes contemporary economic life. Ulises Navarro Aguiar and Karl Palmas explain how businesses use design not just to create products, but to imagine and speculate about uncertain futures. Later, Koray Caliskan takes us inside the world of digital platforms, showing how design underpins their power and influence. From startups experimenting with strategy to platforms acting as “exploratoriums,” we uncover how design drives innovation—and speculation—in today’s economy. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation about creativity, uncertainty, and the forces shaping our digital lives.
Keywords
cultural economy
design
designification
digital platforms
speculation
startup
Journal of Cultural Economy
academic journal podcast