Design Matters with Debbie Millman 20th Anniversary Celebration with visionary illustrators Brian Rea, Maira Kalman, Barry Blitt, Edel Rodriguez, and Christoph Niemann
Nov 3, 2025
Celebrating 20 years of impactful design, Debbie Millman chats with renowned illustrators Brian Rea, Maira Kalman, Barry Blitt, Edel Rodriguez, and Christoph Niemann. Brian shares his journey from collage to narrative-driven storytelling, while Maira reflects on the spontaneity that fuels her work, including her beloved dog. Barry discusses the humor in political satire, and Edel reveals the process behind his provocative magazine covers. Christoph emphasizes the essence of concept-driven illustration and how limitations can spark extraordinary creativity.
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Let Ideas Lead Your Style
- Brian Rea advises developing a style driven by ideas rather than style alone.
- Balance concept and style to create storytelling that sustains a longer career.
Persistence After Rejection
- Brian Rea described arriving in New York full of rejections and walking into an office saying, "the mail's coming in person."
- That bold persistence led to showing his portfolio and eventual opportunities at major publications.
Fake It To Learn Fast
- Rea recounted being placed in sections like dining and automotive when he lied about design experience.
- Those assignments taught him rapid design and led to magazine opportunities and growth.
