This episode originally aired on March 3, 2022. What is the designer’s role in the climate crisis? At Climate Designers, Sarah Harrison and her team use their creative skills for climate action and ask the question, “What if every designer were a climate designer?” In this week’s episode, we chat about how designers of all kinds can take climate action. Sam is joined by Sarah Harrison, Co-Founder of Climate Designers and The Determined. Sarah shares how she came to found Climate Designers with Marc O’Brien and the role of design in creating real climate action. Later on in the show, they are joined by Bobby Gill, Director of Development and Communications at Savory Institute, which uses holistic management to facilitate the large-scale regeneration of the world’s grasslands and the livelihoods of their inhabitants. Together, they talk about why it is important to regenerate the world’s grasslands and how the Savory Institute uses Holistic Management. 

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: From the Archive: Designing in Nature’s Image

This episode originally aired on October 14, 2021.

How does type affect the brand identity? In this week’s episode, we learn about the power of typography to transform the voice of a brand. Sam is joined by Blake Goodwin, the Founder and President of Proportion Design, a Boston-based branding agency whose work spans all areas of the built environment, extensive lifestyle and consumer verticals, and a broad range of corporate services. Blake chats about his projects and process. Later on in the show, they are joined by Matteo Bologna, the Principal, Creative Director, and Founder of Mucca Design, an award-winning New York-based branding firm that transforms businesses through uncommon creative solutions. Together they discuss how they incorporate typography in their own brand identity projects and how they discovered their love for type design.  

For links to resources we discuss in this episode, visit our show page: 

Beyond the Word: Designing Type

What components make up good hospitality? On this week’s episode, we are looking at the decisions seen and unseen that make a hospitality experience captivating, seamless, and truly elevate travel. Sam is joined by Denise Korn, the Founder and Creative Director of Yellow&, a dynamic creative consultancy that brings together the power of a multi-disciplinary mindset and bold talent with a fresh perspective. Denise talks about the design decisions behind thoughtful hospitality and immersing the local culture to the design. Later on in the show, they are joined by Bashar Wali, Chief Executive Officer at Practice Hospitality and the Founder of This Assembly. Bashar is a hospitality evangelist, hotel fanatic, deal maker, risk taker, and passionate leader. Together, they talk about the importance of listening to guests, what most hotels get right, what most hotels get wrong, and putting the consumer front and center.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: Hospitality Design that Takes Care of People

We’re all able to connect through our phones and social media, but humans crave coming together, and yet participation in the classic religious and civic communities has declined over decades. COVID-19 has certainly complicated our ability to gather in person. Community is so important to us at the Design Museum, and like anything, you can be intentional about designing creating, maintaining, and growing community. It’s more than simply bringing people together and watching the magic happen, even though that’s definitely part of it! In this episode we talk to two community experts. Sara Sigel is a product and community builder who advises and invests in profit-from purpose companies — she’s an Advisor and Investor at Rev Boston. And Sascha Mombartz is a multidisciplinary design director, and the Founder of The Office for Visual Affairs. Sascha and his 2 other community-loving friends created the Community Canvas, which is a framework that will help you build a community. Plus we have our weekly dose of good design.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page:

How Do You Design a Community? Start with the Why or the Who

Sales and design thinking in the same sentence? It’s a new way of selling that builds off of the design process: empathy, discovering insights, and genuinely building relationships with customers. Ashley Welch, Co-Founder of Somersault Innovation and Author of Nakes Sales, joins us to discuss her Sell by Design methodology. She’s teaching sales professionals the tools of design thinking to drive customer centricity and revenue growth. We dive into her process and design-informed sales strategies. We’re also joined by Sachin Rai, a Senior Account Executive at Salesforce, who utilized Ashley’s training and advice to transform how he sells. Before selling to a new customer, Greyhound, Sachin took an 8-hour bus ride to learn about his potential customer and the pain-points in their service. Armed with surprising insights from his own first-hand experience, he was able to close a multi-million dollar deal. Sachin tells his story and the impact on his work. Plus, our weekly dose of good design.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

Always. Be. Curious. Design Thinking and Sales Unite for Extraordinary Results

Every teacher is a curriculum designer, creating experiences for people to understand and learn. In this episode we explore curriculum design with an important lens: equity. Successful curriculum connects with kids of different backgrounds and learning styles, and contains content beyond a white-centric history and approach. We discuss with Design Museum Everywhere’s very own Director of Learning and Interpretation, Diana Navarrete-Rackauckas, and Dr. Aaliyah Samuel, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs and Partnerships at NWEA. The conversation also explores strategies for parents who were transformed into teachers almost overnight because of COVID-19. It’s all connected because our kids are growing up and learning in the context of a global pandemic — their learning experience has dramatically changed — and during a growing, global protest movement against police brutality against Black Americans. Our guests provide insights on how we can meet this unique moment for our kids and our communities. Plus we have our weekly dose of good design.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page:

Infusing Equity in K-12 Curriculum Design, In the Classroom & at Home

Design and the ecological systems that support life (including human life) are intimately connected. Typical to design and make something we’re removing resources from ecological systems and transforming those resources into something: a product, a building, an article of clothing, etc. In this episode we explore that relationship, including how design can help protect, learn from, and regenerate those systems. We talk with Lana Sutherland, Co-Founder and CEO of TEALEAVES about sustainability and biomimicry, the focus of TEALEAVES’ latest documentary, Garden of Secrets. The film positions botanical gardens as “idea banks” for future designs based on nature. And we speak with Dawn Danby, Co-Founder and Principal of SPHERICAL about her work on strategies for actually regenerating Earth’s living systems. Plus our weekly dose of good design.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

Regenerating Earth’s Living Systems by Design

Many of us are aware of human-centered design, which is all about placing real people at the center of our design work, so that we’re always designing with empathy and thoughtfulness. But what if we take it a step further and design with relationships in mind, so that we’re strengthening the bond between people, or between people and organizations, and build real loyalty? This is particularly interesting when we think about financial organizations and their customers, many of whom are adversely affected by the current financial crisis. So instead of blindly selling services and products, these organizations can focus on where people are in every moment of their journey to develop a life-long and trusting relationship. You can imagine this has business impact as well as social impact for the customer, as the fates of both the company and the customer are intertwined. We discuss with Mike Kirkpatrick, SVP of Client Experience & Strategy at Mad*Pow and Russ Wilson, Chief Experience Officer and Head of Design at Fidelity Investments. Plus our weekly dose of good design.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

https://designmuseumfoundation.org/007-human-to-relationship-centered-design

As cases of COVID-19 spike, hospitals are simply running out of space and beds for people who need them. This is one of the main reasons we’re quarantined, not just to keep ourselves safe from the virus but also to “flatten the curve,” and help our hospitals keep up with a growing number of cases. On this episode we talk about how hospitals are designing solutions for surge capacity and what lessons there are for the future of hospital architecture. Those lessons could be very important as we may see new spikes in COVID-19 and as we must adapt facilities to be equitable for all patients, healthcare workers, and staff. We’re joined by Dr. Diana Anderson, a doctor architect, or Dochitect, currently a geriatric medicine fellow at the University of California, San Francisco; and Dr. Esther Choo, she’s an emergency medicine physician and health services researcher based in Portland, Oregon at Oregon Health & Science University, and she’s the chief medical advisor for a startup called Jupe, which is creating pop-up medical facilities. Plus our weekly dose of good design.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page:

https://designmuseumfoundation.org/006-fix-room-16/

COVID-19 is necessitating rapid change in our cities. As many stay-at-home orders are lifting, people are getting outside, but we still need to stay 6 feet apart, so citizens and cities are stepping up in some interesting ways. How do you stay 6 feet apart when many sidewalks aren’t even 6 feet wide? The answer might just be rethinking the design of our streets and our cities overall. From tactical urbanism to open streets to changing the very notion of what a shared street is: we discuss with Jonathan Berk, placemaking advocate and a Director at Patronicity; and Jeff Speck, city planner, author, and long-time advocate for more walkable cities. 

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

https://designmuseumfoundation.org/005-covidstreets/

With pretty much every design student in the world learning remotely, it’s a good moment to talk about the state of design education at the college and university level. To train a well-rounded designer, the number of things students need to learn increases every year, but the amount of time in class stays the same. How do professors and administrators plan to teach the next generation of designers to enter an ever-changing industry and world? And then, how can design be taught remotely? We speak with Derek Cascio, newly appointed Chair of the Industrial Design department at Wentworth Institute of Technology; and Jason Schupbach, Director of the Design School at Arizona State University. Derek and Jason agree the future of design education is flexibility. Design has the proverbial “seat at the table,” so, in Jason’s words, “We must prepare students to be in that room.” Plus, our Weekly Dose of Good Design.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page:

https://designmuseumfoundation.org/004-the-future-of-design-education/

This year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and it just so happens to coincide with a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic. There’s an interesting phenomenon happening while the majority of the world’s human population is staying at home: we’re driving less, flying less, and consuming less; and as a result the earth is getting cleaner. This may be the first time in our lives that we can see how action on a massive scale can have an immediate, real impact on our environment. Perhaps COVID-19 presents an opportunity to hit the reset button on production and consumption practices that cause damage to the planet. One way designers can make an impact is by helping us move to a circular economy — an economy where our resources are in a closed loop, so we take materials once, make and consume, and then those resources are repurposed, then repurposed again and again in a closed loop. To discuss we’re joined by Bergen Hubert, Manager for Built Environment at the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, a global nonprofit that certifies products within a circular economy; and Roxane Spears, VP of Sustainability in North America at Tarkett, and innovative flooring manufacturer with a number of Cradle to Cradle certified products.

https://designmuseumfoundation.org/003-the-big-reset-on-production/

Unless you’re an essential worker (thank you), you’re likely working from home right now. And for many of us, this is a whole new reality. With stay-at-home orders across the world, companies, and individuals are shifting to work remotely, at a scale we’re never seen before. How are they handling the challenges of this transition? Is the cat out of the bag on remote work, will we see more companies shift now that we’re all experiencing this paradigm? We discuss the challenges and ways forward with two experts: Tracy Brower, Ph.D. sociologist, and principal within Steelcase’s Applied Research + Consulting Group; and Richard Banfield, Vice President of Design Transformation at InVision, one of the largest, full distributed companies in the world. Plus our Weekly Dose of Good Design.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

https://designmuseumfoundation.org/002-remote-work

How can augmented reality shape the way humans interact? On this week’s episode, we talk about the future of augmented and mixed reality and the potential to change the way we interact with one another. Sam is joined by Gustavo Fontana, Co-Founder and Creative Director at Fresco Design, a forward-thinking product design studio. He shares how AR has shaped the Fresco Design process and the potential of this technology. Later on in the show, they are joined by Avraham Raskin, an Augmented Reality Designer and Founder and CEO of AR by A.R., which helps startups and individuals build augmented reality experiences into new or existing products. Together, they talk about AR in everyday experiences. 

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: Augmented Reality: Redefining the World as We Know It

COVID-19 is straining our frontline healthcare workers and systems. As designers often do, they see a problem and they jump in with creativity, and they start making things. We are seeing individual designers, collectives, and 3D-printing factories all springing into action to help. We discuss the global design relief response with George White, Chief Innovation Officer at Cantina, and interview Gustavo Fontana, Founder and Creative Director at Fresco Design who is leading an effort called UShield.us to mass-produce face shields and distribute them to hospitals around the country. Plus our Weekly Dose of Good Design.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: The Design Community Steps Up During COVID-19

In this preview episode, hosts Sam Aquillano and Liz Pawlak introduce each other and discuss their vision for Design is Everywhere — the new podcast from Design Museum Everywhere.

What is the role of design thinking to health and risk communication, especially when audiences may be conflicted or disagree on ideological world views?Mad*Pow's Chief Design Strategy Officer, Jen Briselli, published a two part series titled Designing Science Communication that helps answer the question about the role of design in science communication. Sam is joined by Jen Briselli as guest co-host. Jen chats about design’s power for more effective science communication. Later on in the show, they are joined by Dr. Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, Professor of Public Health, Director of the Office of Public Health Practice, and Director of the Global Health Concentration at the Yale School of Public Health. Together, they talk about the U.S. response to the pandemic and the value of design thinking for science communication. 

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: The Role of Design for Better Science Communication

What is the designer’s role in the climate crisis? At Climate Designers, Sarah Harrison and her team use their creative skills for climate action and ask the question, “What if every designer were a climate designer?” In this week’s episode, we chat about how designers of all kinds can take climate action. Sam is joined by Sarah Harrison, Co-Founder of Climate Designers and The Determined. Sarah shares how she came to found Climate Designers with Marc O’Brien and the role of design in creating real climate action. Later on in the show, they are joined by Bobby Gill, Director of Development and Communications at Savory Institute, which uses holistic management to facilitate the large-scale regeneration of the world’s grasslands and the livelihoods of their inhabitants. Together, they talk about why it is important to regenerate the world’s grasslands and how the Savory Institute uses Holistic Management. 

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: Designing in Nature’s Image

How can architecture reflect the needs of a community? In this week’s episode, we chat about the social impact of architecture that creates social awareness in the built environment. Sam is joined by David Silverman, Principal at Silverman Trykowski Associates, an imaginative architecture and design studio that designs for wellbeing. David shares examples of this work and the importance of including the community in the conversation. Later on in the show, they are joined by Pascale Sablan, Founder & Executive Director of Beyond the Built Environment, activist, mentor, and 2021 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award Recipient, an award that distinguishes an architect or architectural organization that embodies social responsibility and actively addresses a relevant issue, such as affordable housing, inclusiveness, or universal access. Together, they talk about what social impact architecture is, what it looks like, and how it can impact a community.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: The Responsibility of Architecture

This episode originally aired on April 15, 2021.

How do designers craft robots to make life easier and better for humans? In this episode, Sam is joined by Betsy Goodrich, the Vice President of Design and Co-founder at Manta to chat about the design of complex robots that help people. Betsy shares how she founded Manta, her product design process, and how designers test out scenarios for robot design. Later on in the show, they are joined by Rick Hoobler, the Senior Director of Design at iRobot. Rick shares his background and what led him to robot design. Together, they discuss their various robot design projects, the way robots can help make cleaning better and easier, and they each share their favorite robots portrayed in the media. For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: From the Archive: Making Your Home Smarter: Robot Design for Humans

What steps can help achieve more work-life fulfillment? In this week’s episode, we learn about cultivating happiness at work. According to statistics by Career Vision, ​​across America, only 45 percent of workers say they are either satisfied or extremely satisfied with their jobs. Sam is joined by Ginger Dhaliwal, Co-Founder at Upflex, a coworking space that provides instant workspace access anywhere and anytime, allowing teams to work better, happier, and more conveniently. Ginger shares more about founding Upflex and how to create moments of belonging in work culture. Later on in the show, they are joined by Dr. Tracy Brower, the author of “The Secrets to Happiness at Work"” and “Bring Work to Life” where she empowers people to create and choose the conditions for happiness, wellbeing, fulfillment and success. Together, they discuss common misconceptions about happiness at work and the components that influence work-life fulfillment.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: Navigating Work-Life Fulfillment

What role should work play in one’s identity? In this week’s episode, we learn about designing a holistic approach towards work and life. In Jai Chakrabarti’s article for Fast Company, “Embracing the whole you: You are more than your job,” Jai talks about the experience of quitting his role as a technologist to pursue his MFA in Creative Writing. He writes, “There is no linear life, at least I haven’t found one I’d wish to live. Rather there are the meandering paths, all the pursuits of beauty that reward us with their own vistas of the world underneath.” Sam is joined by Jai Chakrabarti to learn more about the impetus behind his Fast Company article and the balance of work and life. Later on in the show, they are joined by Dr. Melissa Steach, an award-winning artist and bestselling author who became an industrial-organizational psychologist in order to make work well. As part of MillerKnoll's Workplace Performance Network, Melissa consults business leaders on how to leverage macro-ergonomics and workplace well-being to positively impact team dynamics and business strategy. Together, they discuss the importance of trust, authentic conversations, and work that helps satisfy the spirit. 

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

Designing for Work and Life that Satisfies your Spirit

How can design rethink the common space to serve the common good? In this week’s episode, we learn about designing common spaces for the common good. Sam is joined by Ron Mallis, Executive Director of BostonAPP/Lab, which serves as an incubator for new artistic collaborations throughout Greater Boston’s public spaces. CommonSpace/CommonGood is an initiative developed by BostonAPP/Lab in collaboration with Hoverlay, and with inputs and recommendations from Operation P.E.A.C.E. and the Fenway Community Center. Ron talks about his work and seeking ways to build on the voices of neighborhood residents to conceive, design, and implement art for a neighborhood. Later on in the show, they are joined by Daniel Callahan, multimedia artist, designer, and president of Roxbury Cultural District. Together, they discuss how they view the role of public art to transform the ways in which people use and think about public space.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

Common Space for the People, by the People

This episode originally aired on May 13, 2021.

How do you design for a healthier mindfulness routine? In this episode, Sam learns more about how to design a mindfulness and gratitude routine that is practical, helpful, and consistent. Sam chats with Tracy Swyst, a Design Operations Consultant, Producer, and a member of Design Museum Everywhere’s Board of Directors. Tracy shares her mindfulness and gratitude routine and how she began her own mindfulness practices. Later on in the show, they are joined by Rahul Kulkarni, the CEO and co-founder of Sukhi. Together, they chat about mindfulness, emotional pulse checks, and how companies can incorporate mindfulness practices.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page:

From the Archive: Designing for Mindfulness and Gratitude

This episode originally aired on August 19, 2021. What does it look like to design a workplace that supports and values learning? In this week’s episode, we are talking about the role of education in the workplace. Sam is joined by Elizabeth Lowrey, Principal and Director of Interior Architecture at Elkus Manfredi Architects and a member of Design Museum Everywhere’s Board of Directors. Elizabeth chats about the co-creation process at Elkus Manfredi and how employees find meaning in their work.  Later on in the show, they are joined by Michael Horn, a speaker and author on the future of education. His works include the award-winning book Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns and the Amazon-bestseller Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools. Together they chat about what learning in the workplace looks like, how it works, and what research says about the science of learning.  

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

Reframing the Workplace for the Knowledge Economy

This episode originally aired on July 8, 2021.

What role does design play in policing? In this episode, Sam is joined by Jennifer Rittner, a writer, educator, and Principal at Content Matters. Jennifer was the guest editor of our latest Design Museum Magazine Issue, The Policing Issue, which explores how one of the most powerful institutions functions by design. Jennifer shares more on how she chose the contributors for the issue and the role of design in policing. Later on in the show, they are joined by Timothy Bardlavens, a design leader, cultural strategist, and diversity, equity and inclusion consultant and writer. Currently, he is a Product Design Manager at Facebook and he co-founded &Design with Antionette Carroll. In the Policing Issue, Timothy and Jennifer wrote the essay “Designed for Harm: How Products of Policing Enforce Extra-judicial Practices of Control and Submission.” Timothy discusses the products and practices of control and submission and how design can be used for harm. Together, they discuss how to design against harm and rethinking the current framework.  For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page:

From the Archive: The Intersection of Design and Policing

This episode originally aired on July 1, 2021.

What does it look like to brand for a community? You may be familiar with the impact of branding, but what does it look like when a brand can help connect a community to their mission? In this episode, Sam meets with Nadia Husain, Design Director at Trollbäck+Company to learn how their team collaborated with Mixteca, a Brooklyn community-based organization addressing the health, educational, legal needs of New York’s Latin American immigrant community. Nadia shares her design process and how she approaches translating values into brand values. Later on in the show, they are joined by Maria Carolina Simon, the VP of DEI at CFW Careers and Board Co-Chair at Mixteca. Maria talks about how she joined Mixteca and the collaboration process with the team at Trollbäck+Company to make Mixteca’s vision come to life. Together, they discuss what a shift in brand identity has done to grow the organization’s reach. For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: From the Archive: Creating a Brand for a Community

Meet the team from Design Museum Everywhere! In this episode, Sam is joined by the staff of Design Museum Everywhere. Sam chats with the team about their 2021 accomplishments and what they’re looking forward to in the new year for the Design Museum.  

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

Design Museum Everywhere: Year in Review 2021

How can change be designed to be easier, better, and more effective? In this week’s episode, we learn about the role of design in change management. Sam is joined by Tim Creasey, an author, researcher, and change expert. As Chief Innovation Officer at Prosci, Tim enables change teams to catalyze adoption and usage to deliver results and outcomes. Tim explains what change management is and the Prosci approach to change management. Later on in the show, they are joined by Christa Engelmann, Transformation Facilitator at Microsoft. Together they chat about coaching individuals, teams, and organizations on their digital transformation journey and the process of guiding change.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

Design Thinking for Change Management

How do venture capital firms inspire design with a point of view? In this week’s episode, we learn about the intersection of venture capital and design. Sam is joined by Irene Au, Design Partner at Khosla Ventures. Irene breaks down how venture capital firms work and design that is critical for success. Later on in the show, they are joined by James Buckhouse, Design Partner at Sequoia Capital. Together they chat about the importance of story, their advice for founders, and design that envisions a new type of world. 

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

The Strategic Importance of Design in Venture Capital

How are campuses using space differently? In this week’s episode, we learn how institutions are designing equity into their decision-making process. Sam is joined by Linsey Graff, a Senior Campus Planner at DLR Group, a global, integrated design firm with a core practice in architecture, engineering, interiors, and planning. Linsey chats about the importance of getting voices heard to reimagine what the campus is. Later on in the show, they are joined by Melissa Soto, Program Planner at California State University, Long Beach. Together they share how the team at DLR Group worked to capture the realities facing institutions nationwide during the pandemic. 

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

Campus Design for Engagement and Equity

How does design influence how we make the difficult decisions after a loved one passes? In this week’s episode, we learn about the role of design to improve the decision-making process after a death. Sam is joined by Lisa deBettencourt, Founder and Principal at Forge Harmonic, an innovation and strategic design firm that works with digital health and life sciences. Lisa shares her experience after her mother’s passing and how the process can be improved. Later on in the show, they are joined by Megan Yip, an attorney at The Law Office of Megan Yip where she drafts estate plans and assists with post-death trust administration. Together they chat about how they approach difficult conversations and the importance of being trauma-informed in this work. 

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

Trauma-Informed Design for End-of-Life Decisions

What makes a toy design memorable, fun, and interactive? In this episode, Sam is joined by Mike Hoeting, President of Bang Zoom Design, to learn how toy designers generate new ideas to create a product that is fun and imaginative. Mike explains how he discovered toy design in college after a childhood of loving toys. Later on in the show, Sam and Mike interview Rinn Hirotsu, a product designer at Hasbro. Together, they discuss discovering the magic of toy design, Rinn’s work with Mr. Potato Head and nerf, and the process of generating and completing their ideas with a team.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page:

From the Archive: The Magic of Toymaking: From Concept to Playtime

What is the process and design of a rebrand and how is it different from a relaunch? In this week’s episode, we learn about the process of revitalizing and invigorating brands. Sam is joined by John Roescher, co-founder and CEO at handsome, a holistic experience design agency. John explains how a holistic design agency helps a brand think about every component holistically and the process of a rebrand. Later on in the show, they are joined by Simon Forster, Founder and Executive Creative Director of Robot Food. Together they discuss how they have approached rebranding and relaunching their own projects and guiding other companies through the process. 

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

Designing for a Rebrand or Relaunch

How does the design of a space lead to success in educational settings?​ In this episode, Sam is joined by Taryn Kinney, a Principal at DLR Group, to learn how space can influence a student’s educational success. What are the different phases of learning? And how can space affect those phases? Taryn brings her architecture background and education in Organizational Psychology to make the design of schools better for the student and the educator. Later on in the show, they are joined by Phillip Nowlin, Principal at Canyon View High School, to learn how he and Taryn collaborated to make the design of Canyon View High School. Phillip describes the look, feel, and energy of Canyon View High School and how educators can use design to make a difference in learning. For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: From the Archive: How Design Transformed a School​

This episode originally aired on May 20, 2021.

How do design and music influence one another? In this episode, Sam learns more about music’s impact on design and the shared mindsets of the creative process. He chats with R. Michael Hendrix, Partner and Global Director of Design at IDEO, singer, musician, and co-author of Two Beats Ahead: What Musical Minds Teach Us about Innovation alongside his co-author Panos Panay. Michael talks about the influence of design thinking in music and how he uses music in his design process. Later on in the show, they are joined by Adam Larson, founder and Executive Creative Director of A&Co, a creative consultancy designed for the modern era. Adam chats about how he approaches his design process, collaborating with artists, and how he translates music to a visual medium. 

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

The Shared Mindsets of Designers and Musicians 

What role does a name play in our identity? In this week’s episode, we learn about the myth of legal names. Sam is joined by Remy Green, Civil Rights Lawyer, Teacher, and Founding Partner at Cohen&Green, where they specialize in civil rights, defamation, free speech, consumer rights, and intellectual property litigation. Remy shares how they first learned about the myth of legal names and the role that names play in identity. Later on in the show, they are joined by Cori Alonso-Yoder, a visiting faculty member at Howard Law School. Together they discuss a brief history of the common law, the design behind the law of name change, and how naming oneself can serve as an act of liberation.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

The Myth of Legal Names

What is the role of design in physical and digital retail experiences? In this week’s episode, we learn more about the future of the store. Sam is joined by Larry Rodgers, the Head of Retail and Assisted Channel Experiences at Verizon. Larry shares the evolution of retail in the last year and the reasons why customers go to retail. Later on in the show, they are joined by Toby Barnes, the Head of User Experience at Amazon Alexa Northstar. Together they discuss how they have used design to engage customers, the effects of digital adoption, and telling a story through retail.  

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page:

Connection through the Retail Experience

How is the fashion industry making sustainable choices? In this week’s episode, we learn more about the design process behind sustainable everyday fashion design. Sam is joined by Suzanne McKenzie, the Founder and CEO of Able Made, a New York-based company specializing in sustainable, eco-friendly athleisure. Suzanne chats about Able Made’s origin story and her thoughts on the future of sustainable everyday fashion. Later on in the show, they are joined by Jordana Guimaraes, Co-Founder of Fashinnovation, a platform showcasing innovations that shape the fashion industry. Together they discuss the changes being made to create more sustainable designs in everyday fashion.  

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: 

Innovating for Sustainable Everyday Fashion

How does type affect the brand identity? In this week’s episode, we learn about the power of typography to transform the voice of a brand. Sam is joined by Blake Goodwin, the Founder and President of Proportion Design, a Boston-based branding agency whose work spans all areas of the built environment, extensive lifestyle and consumer verticals, and a broad range of corporate services. Blake chats about his projects and process. Later on in the show, they are joined by Matteo Bologna, the Principal, Creative Director, and Founder of Mucca Design, an award-winning New York-based branding firm that transforms businesses through uncommon creative solutions. Together they discuss how they incorporate typography in their own brand identity projects and how they discovered their love for type design.  

For links to resources we discuss in this episode, visit our show page: 

Beyond the Word: Designing Type

How can we design a better care system that relieves a family’s stress and gives patients the healthcare they need? In this episode, Sam is joined by Patrice Martin, CEO and Co-Founder of The Holding Co, to learn how design is being incorporated in the care system. The current care system overburdens caretakers. But how can the future of care change? Patrice discusses the Care 100, a list of people reimagining the care system. Later on in the show, Sam and Patrice interview Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, CEO of Wellthy. Together, they discuss how the care system benefits from good design, how the concierge system gives families the help and resources they need and the role technology can take on the caretaking grunt work, giving room for human connection.  

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From the Archive: Redesigning Care for Everyone

How does design evoke the museum experience? In this week’s episode, we are talking about graphic design in museums and how graphic design is approached when designing for the arts. Sam is joined by Katherine Hughes, Design Director at Stoltze Design Group. Katherine talks more about the impact of design on the visual arts. Later on in the show, they are joined by Lisa Fischman, Director and Chief Curator at The Davis Museum on the Wellesley College campus. Together they discuss how the team at Stoltze Design and The Davis Museum have worked to produce exhibition identities, catalogues, and exhibition graphics. 

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Enhancing the Museum Experience with Design

What does sustainable beauty product design look like from concept to product without harming the planet? In this week’s episode, we are talking about designing sustainable beauty products. Sam is joined by Monica Becker, the Director of Beauty, Personal Care and Household Products at Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Monica shares more about the Cradle to Cradle certification process and brands that are making innovative sustainable designs. Later on in the show, they are joined by Isabel Aagaard, the Co-Founder of LastObject, a zero waste store of reusable everyday products. Isabel chats about the founding of LastObject and their newest launch, LastPad. Together they discuss more about incorporating new habits and sustainable materials in beauty product design.

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Redefining Single-Use Beauty Products

How can design firms center less on the “design for hire” model and more on building relationships with innovative young companies? In this week’s episode, we learn more about a new type of design firm for startups. Sam is joined by Bret Recor, the Founder and Creative Director of award-winning design agency Box Clever. Bret chats about the process of this new hybrid model where Box Clever actually takes a stake in the companies that they work with, which allows them to be more of a partner to these companies. He shares more on how this approach looks different from the “Design for Hire” model. Later on in the show, they are joined by Jamison Pereira, Co-founder of Eddi, a new startup that is launching a sustainable soap dispenser for the modern home. Together they chat about collaborating during lockdown and the power of good design.

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A New Form of Design Firm for Startups

What is the power of story? In this episode, Sam is joined by Jon Campbell, Head of Innovation Capability at EPAM Continuum, to learn about the value of storytelling in design. They chat about how designers convey stories to bring impactful designs and how storytelling is used in the prototyping phase. Later on in the show, they are joined by Debbie Millman, designer, author, educator, and host of Design Matters. Debbie shares her earliest interview experiences and how her process has changed over the years. Together, they discuss how podcasting has evolved and why design matters to them. 

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From the Archive: The Power of Story

How can design be a tool for social good? In this week’s episode, we learn more about how design firms marry social impact and design. Sam is joined by Augusta Meill. Augusta founded Agncy Design, a firm that applies and adapts human-centered design practices to the work of justice and equity. Augusta shares when she discovered the role of design in social impact work and the founding of Agncy. Later on in the show, they are joined by Michael Brennan who founded Civilla, a non-profit design studio dedicated to changing the way our public-serving institutions work through human-centered design. Together they chat about the long-term nature of social impact work and the importance of good leadership. Augusta and Michael answer audience questions. 

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Live Show: Design Firms Focused on Social Good

This episode originally aired on September 16, 2021. How can design firms center less on the “design for hire” model and more on building relationships with innovative young companies? In this week’s episode, we learn more about a new type of design firm for startups. Sam is joined by Bret Recor, the Founder and Creative Director of award-winning design agency Box Clever. Bret chats about the process of this new hybrid model where Box Clever actually takes a stake in the companies that they work with, which allows them to be more of a partner to these companies. He shares more on how this approach looks different from the “Design for Hire” model. Later on in the show, they are joined by Jamison Pereira, Co-founder of Eddi, a new startup that is launching a sustainable soap dispenser for the modern home. Together they chat about collaborating during lockdown and the power of good design.

For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: From the Archive: A New Form of Design Firm for Startups

What is a planetary boundary city? In this week’s episode, we learn more about climate-ready and resilient cities. Sam is joined by Jonelle Simunich, a Foresight Strategist and Manager in Arup’s Global Foresight team and a member of Design Museum Everywhere’s council. Jonelle talks about what it means to be a foresight analyst and the need for planetary boundary cities. Later on in the show, they are joined by Chris Luebkeman. Chris is currently the leader of strategic foresight in the Office of the President at ETH Zurich. Previously, he worked as an Arup fellow and director of global foresight, research, and innovation. Together they chat about [y]our 2040, which aims to be a yearly gathering with different focuses dedicated to co-creating the world they want to live in someday, and designing for the future. Jonelle and Chris answer audience questions. 

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Live Show: Building Climate-Positive Cities

What does it look like to design a workplace that supports and values learning? In this week’s episode, we are talking about the role of education in the workplace. Sam is joined by Elizabeth Lowrey, Principal and Director of Interior Architecture at Elkus Manfredi Architects and a member of Design Museum Everywhere’s Board of Directors. Elizabeth chats about the co-creation process at Elkus Manfredi and how employees find meaning in their work.  Later on in the show, they are joined by Michael Horn, a speaker and author on the future of education. His works include the award-winning book Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns and the Amazon-bestseller Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools. Together they chat about what learning in the workplace looks like, how it works, and what research says about the science of learning.  

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Reframing the Workplace for the Knowledge Economy

How does design create better stories? In this episode, Sam is joined by Jessica Kender, the production designer of Little Fires Everywhere and Future Man, to learn how research, characters, money and space inform her work. Jessica shares her journey from theater to TV and her favorite tool to use. Later on in the show, Sam and Jessica interview Lisa Clark, a set decorator. Together, they discuss how they collaborated on Little Fires Everywhere and Future Man, what brings them joy in set design and how they combine research and innovation in storytelling.  

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From the Archive: Set Design: Bringing Stories to Life