Scratching the Surface

Michael Bierut needs no introduction. As a partner at Pentagram since 1990, he's worked on projects ranging from logos and environmental signage systems, books and packaging for clients including Verizon, The New York Times, MIT Media Lab, and Hillary Clinton. Michael is also a prolific writer, having co-founded Design Observer in 2003 and co-editing the Looking Closer series and in this episode, I talk with Michael about that writing. We talk about the origins of Design Observer, how he started writing, and how the public's growing awareness of graphic design has changed the discourse. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm.

On this week's episode, I talk with the designer and writer Michael Rock. Michael is the co-founder and creative director at 2x4, teaches at Yale and Columbia, and writes for The New York Times T Magazine. This summer, I visited Michael at 2x4's New York headquarters to talk about his own history, how he thinks about his roles as a designer and writer, the importance of theory in design practice, and writing about design for a general audience. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm.

In this conversation with Steven Heller, a legendary design writer and historian, listeners explore his unconventional journey from underground newspapers to a prolific publishing career. Heller argues that many publications don’t require graphic design critics, viewing design primarily as a service industry. He shares insights into his writing process, emphasizing the importance of imagery and audience adaptation, while reflecting on the generational shifts in visual culture. Heller also discusses the need for daily writing discipline and his passion for fostering design discourse.

In this week's episode of Scratching the Surface, Jarrett talks with architecture critic Alexandra Lange. Alexandra is currently writing for Curbed and has previously written for publications like The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Dwell. In this conversation, we meet in a Brooklyn coffee shop to talk about how one becomes a critic, the role of criticism within the architecture profession, writing for an audience, and Alexandra's own writing process. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm.

In the first episode of Scratching the Surface, Jarrett talks with designer and writer Rob Giampietro. Rob is currently the Design Lead for Material Design at Google New York. In this conversation, we talk about how Rob approaches writing and designing, design as a critical activity, and the design writing he'd like to see more of. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm.

Dive into the world of design criticism as Jarrett Fuller shares his passion and vision for exploring the interplay between theory and practice. He discusses the growing public interest in design and what that means for professionals in the field. Expect enlightening talks with designers, writers, and educators as they tackle the nuances of graphic design. Plus, get a sneak peek at upcoming interviews and the critical dialogues that aim to reshape design discourse.