Paul Lavoie founded Taxi in Montreal in 1992 with his partner Jane Hope.  The ad agency became widely known for its innovative work and soon grew an international reach working with a wide range of global brands. Lavoie left Taxi to devote his time to Beau Lake, a luxury paddleboard and lifestyle brand he co-owns that’s a modern interpretation and tribute to vintage wood power boats They have recently released an electric runabout boat that promises to revolutionize cottage life to be more quiet and sustainable. In this episode of First Things First, we talk about the effect of the wilderness on Paul’s outlook, the intersection of advertising and design, and designing a new logo for Canada. To learn more about Paul, visit beaulake.com   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “Daydreamer” by Podington Bear from the album “Daydream.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Daydream/Daydreamer_1068 This episode features an edited version of “Knock Knock” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/Knock_Knock_1483 This episode features an edited version of “Until The End” by Ryan Andersen from the album “Happy Life - Americana Volume One.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ryan_Andersen/Happy_Life_-_Americana_Volume_One/Until_The_End Get full access to Frontier Magazine at magazine.frontier.is/subscribe

Pia Betton links design thinking to business. Originally from Denmark, Pia’s 20 year career spans brand development, corporate design, design research, innovation and communication. Her international client portfolio covers private companies from many different industries like Lego, Bosch, Bang & Olufsen, and Carlsberg. In this episode of First Things First, we talk about the challenge of growth, the challenge of change, and the challenge of Design Thinking. First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “Tweedlebugs” by Podington Bear from the album “Daydream.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Daydream/Tweedlebugs_1497 This episode features an edited version of “Sidewalk Chalk” by Broke For Free from the album “Leaf.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Leaf/Broke_For_Free_-_Leaf_-_07_Sidewalk_Chalk This episode features an edited version of “Shift of Currents” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album “Aeronaut.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Aeronaut/Shift_of_Currents Get full access to Frontier Magazine at magazine.frontier.is/subscribe

Jessica Bellamy is an information designer. She tells visual stories using data and personal narratives. She started her design career working with nonprofits and community groups to create visuals that break down complex service and policy information. In 2015, she created a small design agency called GRIDS: The Grassroots Information Design Studio. She creates infographics for social change. In this episode, we talk about how design can be used as a tool to help fight for social justice and the problem with askholes. First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “get out” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/get_out_1716 This episode features an edited version of “Once more with you” by Loyalty Freak Music from the album “MINIMAL AMBIENT BOUNCE.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Loyalty_Freak_Music/MINIMAL_AMBIENT_BOUNCE/Loyalty_Freak_Music_-_MINIMAL_AMBIENT_BOUNCE_-_01_Once_more_with_you This episode features an edited version of “Murmur” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/Murmur_1979 Get full access to Frontier Magazine at magazine.frontier.is/subscribe

This episode of First Things First was recorded as part of our Live Magazine project at DesignThinkers, in Toronto. The interview is with Sid Lee creative director, Laura Stein and was done by Frontier Senior Designer, Tristan Marantos. To learn more about Live Magazine, visit frontier.is and look for Live Magazine in our media section. First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter This episode features an edited version of “Luminous” by Broke For Free from the album “Leaf.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Leaf/Broke_For_Free_-_Leaf_-_05_Luminous Get full access to Frontier Magazine at magazine.frontier.is/subscribe

Grace Hwang leads Design at Carrot, a technology company that helps people quit smoking. For 12 years, she lead healthcare focused projects around the world in her role at IDEO, a global innovation consultancy. IDEO is most famous for popularizing the term design thinking. Design thinking recognizes that design school teaches how to put people at the centre of what you do. Design lead companies are the ones that put people first with the understanding that what’s good for people is good for business. With Carrot, Grace is working to understand how better designed experiences can help change hard to break bad habits and behaviours. In this episode, Grace talks about Need Finding, Touchpoints, and Dairy Queen.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is   Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “The Collector” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/The_Collector_1242 This episode features an edited version of “Big Blue” by Podington Bear from the album “Uplifting.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Uplifting/Big_Blue This episode features an edited version of “Seashore ” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Seashore This episode features an edited version of “A Year” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/A_Year Get full access to Frontier Magazine at magazine.frontier.is/subscribe

Jessica Hische describes herself as a "Lettering artist, author, illustrator, letterpress printer, and type designer" but also a "Mother, procrastiworker, and a million other things". She has worked with many well recognized brands, authors, and other designers on a multitude of different kinds of projects. In this episode, we talk about her new book, “Tomorrow I’ll be Brave” and the downside of labels.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is   Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “Streetbeat Heat” by Podington Bear from the album “Dance.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Dance_1228/Streetbeat_Heat This episode features an edited version of “Outmoded Waltz” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Outmoded_Waltz This episode features an edited version of “Associations” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Associations Get full access to Frontier Magazine at magazine.frontier.is/subscribe

This episode of First Things First was recorded live on stage at Design Thinkers in Toronto with Bonnie Sielger about her book, Dear Client. Siegler was voted one of the 50 most influential designers working today by GDUSA. Her career spans a wide range of influential clients and projects like the Trump parody autobiography You Can’t Spell America Without Me. Other recent clients of her design studio, Eight and a Half, include The New Yorker, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. In this episode we talk about the good and the bad when it comes to working as a designer with clients.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is   Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “get out” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/get_out_1716 This episode features an edited version of “Humble Pie” by Podington Bear from the album “Uplifting.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Uplifting/Humble_Pie This episode features an edited version of “Everybody” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Everybody This episode features an edited version of “Only Knows” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/Only_Knows Get full access to Frontier Magazine at magazine.frontier.is/subscribe

Forest Young is a designer and educator whose ranging knowledge stretches to all points of the map, challenging the listener in unexpected ways. At Wolff Olins, he leads design initiatives for the world’s most influential companies recently competing a brand refresh for Uber. His work has been exhibited at MoMA, he is the recipient of many awards and is a graduate of the graphic design program at Yale University. In this episode, we talk about, well, just about everything.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is   Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “Funk” by Podington Bear from the album “Dance.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Dance_1228/Funk This episode features an edited version of “Associations” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Associations This episode features an edited version of “Vittoro” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album “Aeronaut.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Aeronaut/Vittoro_1103 Get full access to Frontier Magazine at magazine.frontier.is/subscribe

Michael Bierut is a proper gentleman. With his sharp dress punctuated by an iconic hat and scarf, he moves through a room with the gravity of one of the world’s best known designers. But his iconic status is paired with an arresting attentiveness. He’ll write you a surprising and unexpected personal note thanking you for something you should probably be thanking him for. That personable attitude comes through in conversation. In this episode of First Things First we’ll discuss how your own children could become the best critics of your work, the perils and pitfalls of holding onto a stubborn ideology, and the deliciously reductive work of book jacket design.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “Seashore” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Seashore This episode features an edited version of “If” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/If This episode features an edited version of “Acme Coke” by Roger Plexico from the album “No Man’s Land.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Roger_Plexico/No_Mans_Land/Roger_Plexico_-_No_Mans_Land_-_06_Acme_Coke This episode features an edited version of “The Zeppelin” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album “Aeronaut.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Aeronaut/The_Zeppelin_1908 Get full access to Frontier Magazine at magazine.frontier.is/subscribe

Ellen Lupton believes that design tells stories that touch peoples’ minds and bodies. She asks how a song tastes and how designers engage the senses to create richer and more inclusive experiences. In this episode, Ellen talks about the tyranny of visual perception, the ultimate self serve convenience store, and why designers should be thinking about ethics in everything they do.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “One And” by Broke For Free from the album “Leaf.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Leaf/Broke_For_Free_-_Leaf_-_08_One_And This episode features an edited version of “Sidewalk Chalk” by Broke For Free from the album “Leaf.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Leaf/Broke_For_Free_-_Leaf_-_07_Sidewalk_Chalk Get full access to Frontier Magazine at magazine.frontier.is/subscribe