Design Better

Barry Katz, author of 'Make It New', discusses the history and philosophy of design. He explores the professionalization of design in Silicon Valley, the challenges faced by design teams, the importance of failure as a learning opportunity, the history of ethnographic research, the role of research in design practice, and the contributions of women in design and technology-driven fields. He also reveals the origins of interaction design and its shift from manufacturing to a service economy.

Dorrian Porter, CEO of Vestaboard, discusses his journey from corporate lawyer to serial entrepreneur and the inspiration behind Vestaboard. They explore the challenges of manufacturing and the mesmerizing nature of split flap displays. They emphasize the importance of shared experiences and human connection in designing products and the significant innovation of Vestaboard. They also discuss decision-making, growth plans, and product versatility.

Find show notes, transcripts, and more at https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/paola-antonelliThe Museum of Modern Art brings to mind images of Van Gough’s Starry Night, Salvador Dali’s Persistence of Memory, and Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Cans. But thanks to Paola Antonelli, senior curator in the Department of Architecture and Design, MoMA exhibitions also encompass the role design has played in shaping culture and the human experience. We talk with Paola about how we can look at digital design through a historic lens, some of the most important design movements in the past 100 years, and how the creative process has evolved through these different movements.We also talk about the history of the @ symbol, why craftsmanship is necessary to experimentation, and some of the current challenges in design education.We hope you enjoy this episode which is a part of our series on design history, with upcoming episodes on typography with Jonathan Hoefler, and the history and philosophy of design with Professor Barry Katz.BioPaola Antonelli joined The Museum of Modern Art in 1994 and is the Museum’s Senior Curator in the Department of Architecture and Design, as well as MoMA’s founding Director of Research and Development. Her work investigates design in all its forms, from architecture to video games, often expanding its reach to include overlooked objects and practices.***Subscribe to DB+ to get episodes a week early and ad-free. Plus, every month, you're invited to exclusive AMAs (Ask Me Anything) with big names in design and tech, from companies like Nike, Netflix, and the New York Times who will answer your questions directly.Early bird subscribers get 50% off for the first three months. Visit designbetter.plus to learn more and subscribe.***Visiting the links below is one of the best ways to support our show:American 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/americangiantUplift Desks: For people like us who spend countless hours at our desk, ergonomics are an essential consideration. A standing desk from Uplift Desk can help you avoid the negative effects of sitting all day by improving circulation and reducing strain. Design Better can get a special deal by visiting UPLIFTDesk.com. Use the code DESIGNBETTER at checkout for 5% off your order. Free shipping, free returns, and an industry-leading 15-year warranty. They’re a great company.Factor, America’s #1 Ready-To-Eat Meal Delivery Service, can help you fuel up fast for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with chef-prepared, dietitian-approved ready-to-eat meals delivered straight to your door. You’ll save time, eat well, and stay on track with your healthy lifestyle while tackling all your holiday to-dos. https://factormeals.com/designbetter50 (use code "designbetter50" for 50% off ).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: dbtr.co/heathceramics get 15% off between now and December 31st with code DBholiday23Methodical 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/designbetter

The hosts discuss a holiday gift guide for designers, recommending Design Better coffee and American Giant clothing. They also highlight sustainable clothing choices and beautiful letter press posters. Other gift recommendations include Heath ceramics and a programmable art installation. Additionally, they suggest Methodical coffee as a smaller gift idea, and explore gift ideas for coffee enthusiasts and design lovers. They discuss their preference for Brew Metric watches and mention using Apple Watch for exercise tracking. Lastly, they discuss several charitable organizations to support during the holiday season.

In this episode, musician and soundtrack artist Tycho talks about his childhood influences, his enduring nostalgia for the 80s, and how graphic design led him to music. He also emphasizes the importance of cultivating attention and observation as a foundation of his creative process. The hosts reflect on their childhood experiences and the impact of nature on their creativity. They discuss the collaborative process in music-making, the exploration of vocals, and the importance of song structure. Additionally, they explore how ADHD and dyslexia can unlock creative potential and discuss the significance of having a point of view in design.

Gil Gershoni, creative director of Gershoni Creative, talks about dyslexic design thinking. They discuss the benefits of neurodivergent thinking, alternative learning methods, and creating diverse workspaces. Find out more about their work and upcoming projects on their website and Instagram.

Tim Nordwind and Damien Kulash, founders of OK Go, discuss their extreme pursuit of creativity, from filming a Zero-G video to creating elaborate Rube Goldberg contraptions. They talk about the macro and micro elements of their creativity and share insights about achieving the impossible. The podcast also includes discussions about attention to detail, navigating success, the importance of play, overcoming cultural differences, and the influence of emotions on decision making.

Learn about the new premium service, DB Plus, which offers ad-free episodes, early access, and interaction with industry experts through AMAs. Find out how DB Plus supports the design community.

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

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.