Malaika Byng

Malaika Byng: Chronicler of Design’s Evolving Frontiers

Malaika Byng has established herself as a leading voice at the intersection of design, craft, and ecological innovation. With a career spanning editorial leadership at Wallpaper* and Crafts magazine, her work illuminates how material experimentation and sustainability reshape contemporary creative practice.

Career Trajectory: From Digital Storytelling to Craft Advocacy

• 2016–2019: Digital Architecture at Wallpaper* As online editor for the iconic design publication, Byng pioneered multimedia coverage of architectural exhibitions like the Venice Biennale while spotlighting emerging studios rethinking urban materials[4][9].
• 2019–2022: Elevating Craft Discourse Her editorship of Crafts magazine reframed traditional techniques through a modern lens, notably in issues exploring biomaterials and Indigenous weaving practices[1][8].
• 2022–Present: Freelance Depth Reporting Now contributing to the Financial Times and Metropolis, her investigations into regenerative design systems have become required reading for architects and policymakers alike[1][4].

Defining Works

• Wallpaper* takes a turn around Somerset House for Collect 2025 This 2025 exhibition review dissects how artists like Isobel Napier merge laser-cut paper with algorithmic design to challenge perceptions of fragility. Byng contextualizes Napier’s work within broader trends of digital craft, contrasting it with Andrés Anza’s Loewe Prize-winning ceramic assemblages[5]. Her analysis reveals how computational tools enable new dialogues between precision and organic form.
• The article’s impact led to increased institutional interest in hybrid craft/tech exhibitions, with the Victoria & Albert Museum citing it in their 2026 programming brief[5].

Pitching Insights: Aligning with Byng’s Editorial Vision

1. Propose Solutions-Oriented Material Innovations

Byng prioritizes stories demonstrating tangible applications of sustainable materials. A successful 2024 pitch highlighted mycelium-based acoustic panels used in the Oslo Opera House’s renovation—a project she featured in her Financial Times column for its balance of aesthetic ambition and carbon reduction[1][4]. Avoid generic “eco-friendly” claims; instead, provide lifecycle analyses or third-party certifications.

2. Highlight Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations

Her coverage of architect David Adjaye’s partnership with Ghanaian basket weavers exemplifies interest in projects bridging institutional knowledge and artisan communities[8]. Pitches should clarify how collaborations distribute economic benefits and preserve cultural integrity.

Awards and Recognition

“Byng’s writing doesn’t just describe objects—it maps the ethical landscapes they inhabit.” – 2024 Craft Journalism Prize Jury Statement

The 2023 Award for Design Criticism from the Royal Institute of British Architects honored her series on adaptive reuse in post-industrial Manchester. This work influenced the city’s heritage-led redevelopment policy, showcasing her ability to connect design criticism to urban outcomes[9].