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Design Better

Latest episodes

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22 snips
Oct 25, 2023 • 42min

Paula Scher: Pentagram legend on design, persuasion & embracing mistakes

Aarron first met Paula Scher as a grad student in Philadelphia. He worked at the Temple University gallery and was hanging an exhibition of her posters when they first spoke about her work. He didn’t know at the time how significant her influence on graphic design was, but her work made an impression on him.Paula’s work and kinetic typography sits in the canon of graphic design history. Described as the “master conjurer of the instantly familiar,” Scher straddles the line between pop culture and fine art in her work.She’s been a partner at Pentagram since 1991 where she has led the redesign of numerous major brands including Citi and Tiffany & Co.One other fun story from the show…we learn the real backstory behind the Citibank logo that Paula created, and the story isn’t the same one you’ll find if you Google it.This is the second episode of our series on design history, to be followed by interviews with legendary designers like Jonathan Hoefler, design curators like Paola Antonelli, and design historians like Barry Katz.After the interview, stay tuned for another special conversation with Heath Ceramics, which was founded by Edith Heath in the 1940s and played a major role in defining the mid-century modern aesthetic.Learn about the origins of Heath Ceramics and bring the history home with a special discount that we'll share at the end of the conversation.Heath Ceramics is one of our sponsors for this series on design history. Bring Heath home and take 15% off your online order using code “DesignBetter” between now and October 31st.Heath Ceramics is one of our sponsors for this series on design history. Bring Heath home and take 15% off your online order using code “DesignBetter” between now and October 31st.***Visiting the links below is one of the best ways to support our show:Heath Ceramics: We love Heath Ceramics. They're the types of objects you pass on from generation to generation, the kind of gift you bring to a wedding, or the dishes that you'd want to put on a beautiful Thanksgiving table. You can support our show, bring Heath home and take 15% off your online order using code “DesignBetter” between now and October 31st: dbtr.co/heathceramicsAmerican Giant: Makers of the best hoodie on the planet, their clothing is American-made, ethically produced, and built to last. What more could you ask for? Save 20% off your first order with American Giant using our promo code DESIGNBETTER at checkout. dbtr.co/americangiantMethodical Coffee: Roasted, blended, brewed, served and perfected by verified coffee nerds 🤓 : https://methodicalcoffee.com (use code "designbetter" for 10% off of your order).Brain.fm: Music scientifically proven to increase focus. We use it to focus on important work, tap into our creativity, and wind down at night when we need to rest. As a Design Better subscriber, you can take 30% off of your subscription: https://www.brain.fm/designbetterFreehand by InVision: The intelligent whiteboard that's half the price of Miro and Mural: https://freehandapp.com***Help us make the show even better by taking a short survey: www.dbtr.co/surveyIf you're interested in sponsoring the show, please contact us at: sponsors@thecuriositydepartment.comIf you'd like to submit a guest idea, please contact us at: contact@thecuriositydepartment.com
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9 snips
Oct 19, 2023 • 1h 3min

Bonus Episode: Matt D Smith from Shift Nudge on the elements of a great user interface

Matt D Smith, founder of Shift Nudge, talks about the elements of a great UI, typography and color theory, and common mistakes in UI design. He also discusses the challenges faced by liberal arts design students and the potential of AI and machine learning in interface design.
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Oct 10, 2023 • 54min

Llisa Demetrios: Ray and Charles Eames's granddaughter on their legacy and influence on mid century modern design

Llisa Demetrios, Chief Curator of the Eames Office, shares personal stories about her grandparents, Charles and Ray Eames. They were influential mid-century modern designers who saw design as problem-solving, creating wood-like splints for soldiers during the war. The podcast also explores the Eames' early lives, collaboration, 'Powers of 10' film, and the history of Heath Ceramics.
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Oct 4, 2023 • 56min

Bonus Episode: Bayard Winthrop, CEO of American Giant

Bayard Winthrop, CEO of American Giant, shares insights on the intersection of design and entrepreneurship. Highlights include their mission of making durable clothing, the importance of attention to detail, and the origin story of American Giant. They also discuss collaboration during the pandemic and the impact of American manufacturing on smaller towns.
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16 snips
Sep 27, 2023 • 1h 10min

Ed Catmull: Creative lessons from Lucasfilm to Pixar and beyond

Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar and pioneer of computer graphics and digital animation techniques, discusses his transition from creating things himself to leading creative teams. He shares insights on fostering a creative culture, giving and receiving feedback, the impact of new technologies on the creative process, and the intersection of technology, film, and visual arts. He also reveals stories about his collaboration with Steve Jobs.
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Sep 12, 2023 • 49min

David Sedaris: How observation and prototyping shapes his work

David Sedaris, known for his acute observation skills, discusses his unique process of prototyping essays in front of live audiences. They also explore the role of fear in his creative process. The podcast covers topics such as the importance of observing people in the design process and the challenges of writing about sensitive subjects with honesty and respect.
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Aug 24, 2023 • 1min

Design Better Trailer

Design Better is a podcast that explores the creative process and design's intersection with technology. It features conversations with inspiring guests across various creative fields. The show aims to inspire and inform, providing valuable insights for building a more innovative world.
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Aug 22, 2023 • 17min

Design Better's New Adventure: Exciting changes to the show

The hosts celebrate their 100th episode of the podcast and announce exciting changes. They reflect on their journey, express gratitude, and discuss their newfound independence. They tease upcoming guests and highlight upcoming series on the creative process and design history. The importance of curiosity in design is explored, and exciting future episodes and AMAs are teased.
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9 snips
Aug 19, 2023 • 1h 4min

Bonus Episode with Don Norman: Panel discussion on designing a better world

Renowned scholar and author Don Norman leads a panel discussion on how design can solve humanity's biggest challenges. Topics include the role of design in socio-economic challenges, humanity-centered vs human-centered design, and creating a better future for all.
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5 snips
Aug 8, 2023 • 52min

Ole Lütjens: The story behind the Disney+ launch

Subscribe for free to our show on Substack to receive episodes a week early, bonus content like post-show discussions, and more: https://designbetterpodcast.com/Show notes: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/ole-lutjens-evidence-based-designWhat was it like to lead product design at Disney through the creation of Disney+, one of its biggest launches in the digital age? And how did a designer from Germany become a design leader for Major League Baseball, when he knew almost nothing about the sport? We talk to Ole Lütjens, former VP of Product Design at Disney, about the arc of his career, from his early days in the electronic music scene through his roles at MLB Advanced Media, Hulu and Disney. We also talk about evidence-based design, the Nemawashi method, and why designer storytelling can be too fast.BioOle Lütjens is a design executive with over 25 years of experience building and leading product design teams. He was formerly the Vice President of Product Design at Disney Streaming where he oversaw UX for Disney+, Hulu and Star+.Throughout his career, he’s been generating and implementing new ideas about the design and technology of content interaction. He’s interested in new models of experience and storytelling and has been fortunate to work with thought leaders in diverse industries on the cutting edge of technology since the 90s. This episode is brought to you by:Methodical Coffee: Roasted, blended, brewed, served and perfected by verified coffee nerds 🤓 : https://methodicalcoffee.com/(use code "designbetter" for 10% off of your order).Freehand by InVision: The intelligent whiteboard that's half the price of Miro and Mural: https://freehandapp.com/Help us make the show even better by taking a short survey: www.dbtr.co/surveyIf you're interested in sponsoring the show, please contact us at: sponsors@thecuriositydepartment.comIf you'd like to submit a guest idea, please contact us at: contact@thecuriositydepartment.com

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