Design isn’t only how something looks; it’s how it works, scales, and sustains. We sit down with Lisa Gralnek, Managing Director of iF Design USA and Global Head of Sustainability and Impact, to unpack how design choices ripple through products, platforms, policies, and the built environment. From the origins of iF Design in post-war Germany to today’s largest independent design award, Lisa shares what excellence looks like when creativity meets critical thinking.

We walk through the award’s two-step jury process, why sustainability now carries real weight in scoring, and how category-specific questions push teams to document repairability, resource use, and end-of-life planning. For furniture and interiors, Lisa explains where office, lighting, textiles, architecture, and even connected product ecosystems fit—and why integrated systems are redefining user experience. 

She also reveals why iF has been less visible in the U.S., how leading companies leverage wins internally, and what’s changing as iF builds stronger ties with North American design communities.

Lisa introduces the iF Design Academy, a cohort-based executive education platform for mid- to senior-level leaders who want sharper business fluency, stronger team operations, and foresight on AI and sustainability. 

We close by spotlighting Lisa’s Future of XYZ podcast and the ideas shaping the next wave of creative work.

Enjoy the episode, then explore indexed winners and resources at ifdesign.com. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review to help others find the show.

In this episode: