Fail. Hard. with Will Hall – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Fail Hard, Will Hall sits down with Angelina Lippert, executive director and curator of New York’s Poster House, to dive into the fascinating world of posters, design, and ephemera. 

From the fascinating history of vintage posters to the cultural shifts in advertising, this episode delves into the creative process and the surprising connections between art, history, and everyday life. 

CREDITS
Guest: Angelina Lippert 
https://posterhouse.org/
https://www.instagram.com/posterhousenyc/
https://www.instagram.com/angelinagallerina/
 
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco
 
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
 
Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/
 
Sponsored by Adobe.

In this episode of Fail Hard, host Will Hall sits down with legendary photographer Frank Ockenfels III, whose iconic imagery has shaped some of the most defining moments in entertainment. From Breaking Bad and Mad Men to The Bear and American Horror Story, Frank’s visual storytelling has left an indelible mark on television. His work extends to blockbuster films like Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Hunger Games—yet these only hint at the breadth of his prolific 40-year career.
 
Frank's creative reach spans beyond film and television, with deep roots in the music industry. He’s photographed everyone from Snoop Dogg and Gwen Stefani to cult icons like Tom Waits and Bad Brains, and his work has appeared in every major publication. But what truly sets Frank apart is his ability to capture more than just a subject’s likeness—his portraits are emotional narratives, revealing something deeper and unexpected.
 
In this episode, Frank reflects on the importance of risk-taking, pushing creative boundaries, and embracing failure as a necessary part of growth. He shares his philosophy of creating raw, emotionally resonant work that defies convention. Frank also delves into his long-standing collaboration with David Bowie, a partnership that epitomizes the magic of creative experimentation and collaboration. Whether working on polished commercial projects or gritty gallery pieces, Frank’s photography remains fearless, always embracing the beauty of imperfection.
 
CREDITS
Guest: Frank W. Ockenfels III 
https://fwo3.com/
https://www.instagram.com/fwo3
 
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco
 
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
 
Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/
 
Sponsored by Adobe.

Internet fame is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, having a large audience opens doors and builds influence. On the other, it can also become a burden and warp everything around you. In this episode, Christian Watson of 1924us sat down with host Will Hall to discuss navigating success early on, the evolution of his studio, and the virtues of finding your creative voice.  
 
CREDITS 
Guest: 1924us // Christian Watson
https://www.1924.us/
https://www.instagram.com/1924us/

Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Sponsored by Adobe.

In this short teaser, host Will Hall gives an update on travel and next episodes. 

There's an artistic whisper before every significant scientific breakthrough — an intuition of what's to come. In this episode, host Will Hall explores the unexpected relationship between creative exploration and scientific discoveries. 

CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/

Sponsored by Adobe.

Matt Owens is a Designer and partner at Athletics in NYC. In this episode, Matt sat down with host Will Hall to discuss his early days in music, his time at Cranbrook, the future of creative agencies, and the value of creating programs for your life. 

CREDITS
Guest: Matt Owens // Athletics
https://athleticsnyc.com/
https://www.instagram.com/athleticsnyc/

https://www.volumeone.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mattvolumeone/

Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/

Sponsored by Adobe.

In this second installment of our two-part interview, Draplin of DDC and Field Notes fame sits down with host Will Hall to discuss running a merch empire, the surprise success of his book, and speculations about the next ten years. Hint: sweatpants will still be involved.   

CREDITS
Guest: DDC // Aaron James Draplin
https://www.draplin.com/
https://www.instagram.com/draplin/

Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/

Sponsored by Adobe.
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From running his studio, DDC, to starting everyone's favorite EDC, Field Notes, few designers have been more influential than Aaron James Draplin over the past two decades. 

In this part one of a two-part interview, Draplin sits down with host Will Hall to discuss his early days at Charles S. Anderson/CSA Archive, the art of building an empire in your backyard, and the virtues of being frugal. 

CREDITS
Guest: DDC // Aaron James Draplin
https://www.draplin.com/
https://www.instagram.com/draplin/

Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/

Sponsored by Adobe.

The Royal Oak. Falling Water. Rocky. In this episode, host Will Hall explores how moments of creative genius often emerge in a single night. But these sparks of inspiration aren't always what they seem to be.

CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/

Sponsored by Adobe.

What does it mean to be a professional enthusiast? In this episode, Artist and Creative Director Stephen Pulvirent sits down with host Will Hall to discuss his early days at the luxury watch site Hodinkee, the brand's evolution, the art of risk-taking, and what it's like to start a creative agency.  

CREDITS
Guest: Stephen Pulvirent
https://stephenpulvirent.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sjpulvirent/

Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/

Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/

Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/

Sponsored by Adobe.