

minor details
Nicholas Baker & James Connors
Minor details is an industrial design podcast hosted by Nicholas Baker and James Connors. They share their opinions and stories about living and working as industrial designers in New York City.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 22, 2019 • 1h 1min
52 - critical critique advice
We are live at BYU this week. Nick chats about his trip to Europe. We discuss how to take a critique. We answer live questions from the audience about portfolios and moving beyond the junior level design work. Give us a call on our google voicemail 1-646-494-4011 or send in a question to minordetailspodcast@gmail.com. Thank you to BYU for inviting us out. You can find us on instagram @minordetailspod, @nickpbaker and @idrawonreceipts . Come join the conversation on the discord.

Apr 15, 2019 • 1h 4min
51 - the most important skill no one teaches you
Reid Schlegel, an industrial designer and speaker at the Thinking Creatively conference, steps in to share insights on crucial topics for aspiring creatives. He tackles the controversial nature of unpaid internships, revealing their hidden impacts on the industry. The discussion flows into the importance of networking, with personal anecdotes illustrating how connections can shape careers. Reid also offers valuable advice on navigating job interviews and salary negotiations, emphasizing self-awareness and vulnerability as key components in the process.

Apr 8, 2019 • 1h 5min
50 - designer's block
Happy 1 year birthday to the podcast! James is back on instagram and Nick is going to Milan. In design news this week we discuss the recent article about Karim Rashid’s unpaid interns. We chat about how we deal with designer’s block. We answer questions about the importance of sketching nowadays and what exactly do those boxes do in the background of designers’ sketches. Our shoutout of the week is @romanomau . Give us a call on our google voicemail 1-646-494-4011 or send in a question to minordetailspodcast@gmail.com. You can find us on instagram @minordetailspod, @nickpbaker, and @idrawonreciepts. Come join the conversation on the discord.

Apr 2, 2019 • 1h 1min
49 - live at Purdue
We are live at Purdue this week. We chat about design at startups and our own personal experience. We answer questions from several members of the audience ranging from posting your work online to why is Dieter Rams important. Give us a call on our google voicemail 1-646-494-4011 or send in a question to minordetailspodcast@gmail.com. Thank you to @purdueidsa for inviting us out. You can find us on instagram @minordetailspod, @nickpbaker and @idrawonreceipts . Come join the conversation on the discord.

Mar 26, 2019 • 1h 6min
48 - inhouse vs. consultancy with Reid Schlegel
Reid Schlegel, an innovative industrial designer at Aruladin, shares expert insights on the nuances of working in-house compared to consulting. He discusses how client relationships affect design integrity and the project management challenges each path presents. The conversation shifts to the evolving importance of qualitative research in design and the balance between specialization and multidisciplinary skills. Additionally, Reid reflects on the practical implications of deadlines and creativity in both environments, making for a thought-provoking discussion.

Mar 18, 2019 • 1h 6min
47 - Katie Lim
In this engaging chat, designer Katie Lim, currently the director of industrial design at Super Chewer, shares her fascinating journey in toy design for both kids and dogs. She dives into the complexities of balancing creativity with technical precision, revealing how she crafts engaging toys. Katie also tackles the pressures of 'workism,' discussing the risks of burnout and the importance of setting boundaries in today's demanding work culture. Her insights on design for accessibility and the impact of social media on relaxation are not to be missed!

Mar 11, 2019 • 1h 2min
46 - intern-tips
Anticipation builds for a live event at BYU as hosts share fun anecdotes about Utah's stunning national parks. They discuss the implications of design studio closures, focusing on transparency and shared resources for aspiring creatives. The conversation shifts to navigating internships, with personal tales of challenges faced and the importance of networking. Jealousy among designers is explored, along with thoughts on future technology's impact on creativity. Tune in for tips on overcoming dating fears and achieving personal connections!

Mar 4, 2019 • 1h 1min
45 - instagram deception
James shares how life is without instagram and teases an award that he’s won. Nick has official moved out of the studio and released a sponsored project with Microsoft. We chat about curvature continuity in our newest segment, minor minor details. This week, we dive into a recent conversation about how much of the design process should we be sharing online. We answer questions about adapting to different companies as a freelancer, and what to do when a client asks you to copy an existing product. Our shoutout of the week is @johnorionyoung . Give us a call on our google voicemail 1-646-494-4011 or send in a question to minordetailspodcast@gmail.com. You can find us on instagram @minordetailspod, @nickpbaker, and @idrawonreciepts. Come join the conversation on the discord.

Feb 25, 2019 • 1h 5min
44 - intuition vs. research
The hosts dive into the fascinating tension between intuition and research in design. They share insights on Samsung's innovative hole-punch camera and discuss creative challenges in product manufacturing. The conversation flows from personal experiences to emotional intelligence in decision-making. Listener feedback spurs reflections on design philosophies and the future of digital realms, blending fashion and technology. With anecdotes and community engagement, they explore how these dynamics shape future design practices.

Feb 18, 2019 • 1h 1min
43 - the origin of speckled cmf
This week, Nick had a birthday and James is still without instagram. We chat about the value of trends in design. We answer a voicemail question about having a particular design style. We also answer a question about calling out someone who has copied work. Our shoutout of the week is @matt.marchand . Give us a call on our google voicemail 1-646-494-4011 or send in a question to minordetailspodcast@gmail.com. You can find us on instagram @minordetailspod, @nickpbaker, and @idrawonreciepts.