Judah Armani deploys design as a conversation across some of the most challenging circumstances where design is often absent.

He has pioneered new ways in which design can be used to transform the lives and education of those serving prison sentences.

How? One way is by establishing the uplifting and incredibly impactful InHouse Records, a fully functioning record label operating in seven UK and three USA prisons.

It focuses on ‘what’s strong, not what’s wrong’, championing a social innovation design approach inspired by Judah’s life experience, as well as his Royal College of Art service design training and background.

I loved hearing about the benefits of this programme, and how it provides hope and motivation to its learners. Graduates of the InHouse programme have a re-offending rate of less than 1%.

Overview:

In our inspiring conversation, Judah:

• Explains what being an educator means to him.
  • Highlights the abundance of global opportunities in his young and niche field.
  • Talks about the nature of design and its various disciplines; systems are designed too, not just art.
  • Discusses the ways that community and society can improve systems in micro ways.
  • Describes how Inhouse Records works with prisoners and improves their skills.
  • Focuses on the importance of collaborating with people who have different ideas, to create something special.
  • Debates the idea of creating an environment where you can design trust.
  • Talks about his first book, 'Society Driven Design', and his plans for a second.
  • Focuses on how he balances a busy life with finding time for reflection and avoiding distractions.
  • Observes how you can only change the conditions for change, not create the change itself.
• Shares his plans for the future, and his learnings about how people can incorporate his ideas about the interpretation of design into their lives.