A76 | a design pod

In this engaging discussion, Noel Childs, a seasoned designer with a rich background, shares his journey from childhood cereal box inspiration to his career in graphic design. He explores the fine line between style and philosophy in design, emphasizing the role of both conscious practice and unconscious synthesis in idea generation. Noel also reflects on the importance of mentoring and fostering trust in teams, while encouraging his younger self to embrace bold risks. With insights on balancing utility and beauty, this conversation is a creative spark for budding designers.

We’re in the back arc of A76’s season exploring The Human Spark and I was fortunate to sit down with Gavin Lew, Managing Partner at Bold Insight, to discuss how deep behavioral observation helps move ideas forward. Throughout the season I’ve challenged my guests to reflect on how they know when an idea is truly worth pursuing, and Gavin offers a thoughtful perspective on that question. We explore how actionable insights from real people, empathy, and courage are forces that can push ideas ahead and shape better experiences—and why design doesn’t start with ideas, but with understanding. It’s a profound conversation, and one I hope you enjoy.~ NoelA76 and its episodes are created by Noel ChildsSeason 4 on the Human Spark is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 3 on Scale is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 2 on Change was produced by Noel ChildsSeason 1 on AI was produced by Casey Hudetz and Noel ChildsOur theme music was composed and performed by Stella Solveig and mixed and mastered by Abbey Nettleton The outro was read by Trudie and Storey Childs If you like what you hear, please give us a rating.Or become a member of the A76 Patreon at patreon.com/A76designpodHave a question or comment, email noel@A76pod.comAnd follow us on Instagram

Friend of the pod Casey Hudetz, Senior Manager of Product Design at DocuSign and co-host of A76’s season one comes back on the pod to talk with me about the moment an idea grabs you and won’t let go. He shares a powerful example from his grandparents that compelled a creative project, including a talk and film. And our conversation explores how ideas often emerge through convergence and the subconscious. If you’ve ever felt haunted by an idea you couldn’t shake, this is the episode for you. I always appreciate my conversations with Casey. They always inspire new branches of thinking and this one’s no different. Hope you enjoy.~ NoelA76 and its episodes are created by Noel ChildsSeason 4 on the Human Spark is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 3 on Scale is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 2 on Change was produced by Noel ChildsSeason 1 on AI was produced by Casey Hudetz and Noel ChildsOur theme music was composed and performed by Stella Solveig and mixed and mastered by Abbey Nettleton The outro was read by Trudie and Storey Childs If you like what you hear, please give us a rating.Or become a member of the A76 Patreon at patreon.com/A76designpodHave a question or comment, email noel@A76pod.comAnd follow us on Instagram

In the latest episode of A76 The Human Spark, I chat with Dustin Coleman—Writer, Senior Content Strategist and Co-founder of 12 Acres Creative—about the importance of storytelling as a human craft in an increasingly automated world. With a lifelong love of narrative, Dustin shares how curiosity, observation, and conversation fuel his ideas and why real stories matter more than ever. We explore how Dustin evaluates ideas, why emotional response is his north star and how persistence not convenience leads to the most meaningful stories. This episode is a reminder that the best ideas come from listening deeply, persistently asking questions and staying relentlessly curious. Hope you enjoy. Happy holidays!Plus, continue to listen to our season 4 ideation playlist here.~ Noel"The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.” – Muriel RukeyserA76 and its episodes are created by Noel ChildsSeason 4 on the Human Spark is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 3 on Scale is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 2 on Change was produced by Noel ChildsSeason 1 on AI was produced by Casey Hudetz and Noel ChildsOur theme music was composed and performed by Stella Solveig and mixed and mastered by Abbey Nettleton The outro was read by Trudie and Storey Childs If you like what you hear, please give us a rating.Or become a member of the A76 Patreon at patreon.com/A76designpodHave a question or comment, email noel@A76pod.comAnd follow us on Instagram

This is a Patreon previewIn the current season of A76, The Human Spark, I’m stepping away from tools and trends to focus on the people behind the ideas. The conversations have been really refreshing and focused on where ideas come from, what everyone does to get unstuck, and how they decide which ideas are worth pursuing. So far, I’ve spoken with researchers, designers, creatives, journalists, artists, and brand leaders—and there’s much more still to come in the second half of the season.Now I’m opening up my process for Season 5. Check out my preview episode and if you’re an A76 Patreon member, you can:Hear my working ideas for next seasonSubmit your own idea for the themeVote on which direction the podcast should take nextIf you’ve been listening and thinking, “I’d love to influence where this goes,” this is your moment. The A76 community will help shape the show’s future. Enjoy the holidays & I hope you have some time off. If you have a moment, catch up on Episodes 36–43 in the current season, check out the evolving ideation playlist on Spotify and consider joining the A76 Patreon to support the show. Thanks for being part of the conversation 🎧A76 and its episodes are created by Noel ChildsSeason 4 on the Human Spark is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 3 on Scale is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 2 on Change was produced by Noel ChildsSeason 1 on AI was produced by Casey Hudetz and Noel ChildsOur theme music was composed and performed by Stella Solveig and mixed and mastered by Abbey Nettleton The outro was read by Trudie and Storey Childs If you like what you hear, please give us a rating.Or become a member of the A76 Patreon at patreon.com/A76designpodHave a question or comment, email noel@A76pod.comAnd follow us on Instagram

Frank EE Grubich co-founder and brand director of CX&V is back on the pod to talk Fun, Foam and other F-word frivolity. Among many topics, we chat about what it really takes to generate great ideas while battling time, constraints and real-world complexity. Frank shares how he starts by defining the box before thinking outside of it, why emotion matters as much as intellect and the three filters he uses to choose what to pursue. It's a great conversation as always. Hope you enjoy it.Plus check out our ongoing ideation soundtrack on Spotify.~ NoelA76 and its episodes are created by Noel ChildsSeason 4 on the Human Spark is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 3 on Scale is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 2 on Change was produced by Noel ChildsSeason 1 on AI was produced by Casey Hudetz and Noel ChildsOur theme music was composed and performed by Stella Solveig and mixed and mastered by Abbey Nettleton The outro was read by Trudie and Storey Childs If you like what you hear, please give us a rating.Or become a member of the A76 Patreon at patreon.com/A76designpodHave a question or comment, email noel@A76pod.comAnd follow us on Instagram

In my latest episode of A76, I talk with veteran journalist, author, musician, politics editor for MassLive & friend—John L. Micek. John reflects on three decades of reporting, storytelling, and understanding what makes communities tick and traces his winding path into journalism. He also shares how ideas spark from everyday observations, train rides, and simple curiosity. And the conversation explores knowing when to let an idea go, the value of teaching the next generation of storytellers, and the unseen labor behind his craft. Thoughtful, honest, and full of hard-earned wisdom, John offers insightful perspectives on creativity, discipline, and following the ideas that refuse to leave you alone. Hope you enjoy 🎧 📓 ✍🏼A76 and its episodes are created by Noel ChildsSeason 4 on the Human Spark is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 3 on Scale is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 2 on Change was produced by Noel ChildsSeason 1 on AI was produced by Casey Hudetz and Noel ChildsOur theme music was composed and performed by Stella Solveig and mixed and mastered by Abbey Nettleton The outro was read by Trudie and Storey Childs If you like what you hear, please give us a rating.Or become a member of the A76 Patreon at patreon.com/A76designpodHave a question or comment, email noel@A76pod.comAnd follow us on Instagram

I reconnect with Andreas Refsgaard, an artist and creative coder based in Copenhagen whose art blends algorithms, interaction, and playful experimentation. Andreas shares what he’s been up to since his first appearance on A76—teaching workshops, building museum installations, and expanding his “weird AI art” practice (his words)—all the while reflecting on why surprise and interaction remain central to his work. He breaks down how new tech spark his ideas, how building (not brainstorming) unlocks breakthroughs and why testing half-baked concepts in front of real people shapes his direction. Check out his creative projects at the link above. ~ NoelA76 and its episodes are created by Noel ChildsSeason 4 on the Human Spark is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 3 on Scale is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 2 on Change was produced by Noel ChildsSeason 1 on AI was produced by Casey Hudetz and Noel ChildsOur theme music was composed and performed by Stella Solveig and mixed and mastered by Abbey Nettleton The outro was read by Trudie and Storey Childs If you like what you hear, please give us a rating.Or become a member of the A76 Patreon at patreon.com/A76designpodHave a question or comment, email noel@A76pod.comAnd follow us on Instagram

In this engaging conversation, videographer and photographer Cal Engel shares his journey from crafting internal videos to touring with the Jonas Brothers and founding AV Collective. He discusses the importance of storytelling in his projects, especially about real people's lives, and how chaotic environments can fuel creativity. Cal also reveals his favorite sources of inspiration, from unplugging during biking to exploring artsy content, and emphasizes the need to adapt during shoots while staying true to one’s creative instincts.

In the latest episode of A76, The Human Spark, I talk with Kevin McElroy, Executive Creative Director at Razorfish in Chicago, about designing with empathy and leading teams in a constantly shifting landscape. Kevin shares his amazing path from dreaming of Disney, to Detroit automotive to working with Benetton in Venice, culminating in global digital experiences today. He breaks down his human-centered design approach—immersing in products, focusing on real people, and using your senses to get unstuck. And the conversation dives into team-based ideation and leveraging folks outside the creative capability. It’s a look at intuition, collaboration, and keeping the approach fun for your creative team. If you care about nurturing an ideation culture and crafting ideas with impact, this one's for you.Plus a reminder—this season I'm asking everyone coming on the pod what song would be on their ideation soundtrack. Checkout the spotify playlist here.~ NoelA76 and its episodes are created by Noel ChildsSeason 4 on the Human Spark is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 3 on Scale is produced by Noel ChildsSeason 2 on Change was produced by Noel ChildsSeason 1 on AI was produced by Casey Hudetz and Noel ChildsOur theme music was composed and performed by Stella Solveig and mixed and mastered by Abbey Nettleton The outro was read by Trudie and Storey Childs If you like what you hear, please give us a rating.Or become a member of the A76 Patreon at patreon.com/A76designpodHave a question or comment, email noel@A76pod.comAnd follow us on Instagram