Balancing Anger and Hope: George Aye on Pissed Off Optimism in Design

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello speak with George Aye, co-founder of Greater Good Studio⁠, about his concept of “pissed off optimism”, the tension between acknowledging what’s broken and believing in the possibility of meaningful change. The conversation explores the power of community, the realities of navigating race and identity in the design profession, and the transitions and trade-offs that come with moving from designer to business owner. George also reflects on the principles that guide his studio, the importance of ethics in design education, and the role designers can play in supporting social change. The episode concludes with inspirational media recommendations and a call to action for designers to connect with local nonprofits.