EP 93: Designing for Humanity | Platon

How does one of the world’s most renowned photographers humanize data?
Can ordinary people do extraordinary things?
What is true power?
Platon is one of the world's most renowned portrait photographers, having photographed more world leaders than anyone else in history, including six American presidents. He has photographed over 30 covers for TIME Magazine, including their 2008 Vladimir Putin Person of The Year cover, which was awarded 1st prize at the World Press Photo Contest. In 2008, Platon signed on as staff photographer to the New Yorker, winning a Peabody Award and two National Magazine Awards for his photo essays. He has published four books with subjects ranging from the power of world leaders to the dignity of those who serve in the US Military. In 2013, Platon founded The People’s Portfolio, a non-profit foundation dedicated to celebrating emerging leaders of human rights and civil rights around the world. The People’s Portfolio creates a visual language that breaks barriers, uplifts dignity, fights discrimination, and enlists the public to support human rights around the world. Platon is currently on the board for Arts and Culture at the World Economic Forum. Platon’s life’s work is the subject of a Netflix documentary, Abstract: The Art of Design. His first film, My Body Is Not A Weapon, features survivors of wartime sexual violence and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege. In 2020, Platon’s archive of prominent African American civil rights leaders and cultural leaders was acquired by the Smithsonian.
Episode Website/Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/designlabpod/platon
Follow Platon: Twitter | Facebook | Insta
Episode Links and Mentions:
http://www.platonphoto.com
https://www.thepeoplesportfolio.org
https://www.mukwegefoundation.org
Original portrait of Platon by Michele Murray

More episode sources & links
Sign-up for Design Lab Podcast’s Newsletter
Previous Episode Newsletters and Shownotes
Follow @DesignLabPod on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Facebook
Follow @BonKu on Twitter & Instagram
Check out the Health Design Lab
Production by Robert Pugliese
Edit by Fernando Queiroz
Cover Design by Eden Lew
Theme song by Emmanuel Houston
Indexed in the Library of Congress: ISSN 2833-2032

How does one of the world’s most renowned photographers humanize data?

Can ordinary people do extraordinary things?

What is true power?

Platon is one of the world's most renowned portrait photographers, having photographed more world leaders than anyone else in history, including six American presidents. He has photographed over 30 covers for TIME Magazine, including their 2008 Vladimir Putin Person of The Year cover, which was awarded 1st prize at the World Press Photo Contest. In 2008, Platon signed on as staff photographer to the New Yorker, winning a Peabody Award and two National Magazine Awards for his photo essays. He has published four books with subjects ranging from the power of world leaders to the dignity of those who serve in the US Military. In 2013, Platon founded The People’s Portfolio, a non-profit foundation dedicated to celebrating emerging leaders of human rights and civil rights around the world. The People’s Portfolio creates a visual language that breaks barriers, uplifts dignity, fights discrimination, and enlists the public to support human rights around the world. Platon is currently on the board for Arts and Culture at the World Economic Forum. Platon’s life’s work is the subject of a Netflix documentary, Abstract: The Art of Design. His first film, My Body Is Not A Weapon, features survivors of wartime sexual violence and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege. In 2020, Platon’s archive of prominent African American civil rights leaders and cultural leaders was acquired by the Smithsonian.

Episode Website/Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/designlabpod/platon

Follow Platon: Twitter | Facebook | Insta

Episode Links and Mentions:

http://www.platonphoto.com

https://www.thepeoplesportfolio.org

https://www.mukwegefoundation.org

Original portrait of Platon by Michele Murray

More episode sources & links

Sign-up for Design Lab Podcast’s Newsletter

Previous Episode Newsletters and Shownotes

Follow @DesignLabPod on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Facebook

Follow @BonKu on Twitter & Instagram

Check out the Health Design Lab

Production by Robert Pugliese

Edit by Fernando Queiroz

Cover Design by Eden Lew

Theme song by Emmanuel Houston

Indexed in the Library of Congress: ISSN 2833-2032