The Thinking through Design podcast releases Episode 17. In this episode of the Thinking through Design podcast, host Adam Fromme sits down with Brianna Thompson.

This is included in a three-part series with students in the Mayo Peer-to-peer Mentorship Program. The program is named after Dr. Noel Mayo, a retired Professor in the Department of Design, Ohio Eminent Scholar, and owner of Noel Mayo Associates, the first African American industrial design firm in the United States.

This episode centers on the transition from design student to design professional, exploring how emerging designers navigate uncertainty, grow into their voice, and seek guidance along the way. In the conversation with Brianna Thompson, a graduating senior from the Interior Design program at The Ohio State University, the discussion unpacks the emotional and professional layers of preparing for life after graduation.

The conversation touches on the pressure young designers feel in unfamiliar environments and how good design—like good mentorship—can lighten the cognitive load of daily life. Mentorship emerges as a core theme: not as a nice-to-have, but as essential support. Brianna speaks to the power of mentors who give thoughtful feedback, create space for connection, and lead with intention. At its heart, the episode reminds us that design is as much about people as it is about spaces. It’s a call to action for experienced professionals to be present for the next generation—and a testament to the power of designing careers as intentionally as we design environments.

This episode is available on Apple Podcasts or by visiting the Podcast webpage.

About the podcast

It’s obvious that design is all around us, but how designers think through their work is often a mystery. Yet, understanding that process can fuel our own curiosity and creativity. Adam Fromme hosts Thinking through Design as a series of in-depth discussions to reveal the designer’s mindset and realize its value. 

Thinking through Design is brought to you by the Department of Design at The Ohio State University. For general inquires, contact Adam Fromme, fromme.3@osu.edu