Malaika Byng is a London-based editor, writer and creative consultant who focuses on design, art, craft, architecture and ecology. She is driven by the potential for design to change the way we live and interact with the environment.

Following three years editing the bi-monthly art magazine, Crafts, Malaika went freelance in February 2022. She writes about sustainability and regenerative design for titles including the Financial Times, Wallpaper*, Metropolis and Kinfolk. Alongside editorial work, she helps international organisations respond to cultural change and hone their message, producing research reports and developing content strategies. She also writes essays for art exhibitions. 

Over the last 15 years, Malaika has regularly chaired talks, orchestrating a programme for Crafts magazine that attracted up to 1,600 people per session. She also understands the intricacies of how to grow print and digital audiences, having founded the online publication The Spaces, edited Wallpaper’s website for many years, and produced a book with Caruso St John and Marcus Taylor.

The seeds for Malaika’s interest in design were planted while she was living in South Africa in her 20s, a country with a rich craft heritage. She often tries to make things herself, but lacks the patience, choosing to write instead.

Malaika has a first class honours degree in English literature, and a postgraduate diploma in journalism.

Clients

The Store X
The Vinyl Factory
Wallpaper*
Crafts Council
British Council
Financial Times
Metropolis
Brookfield Properties
The Independent
LOEWE
Goldsmiths’ Centre
BA High Life
Departures
House & Garden
CNN Style
The Telegraph
Robb Report
Dezeen
The Week
Kinfolk
Curio
The Plant