Design Notes
97 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 21 ratingsDesign Notes is a podcast about creative work and what it teaches us, hosted by Google's Liam Spradlin. Each episode we talk with people from unique creative fields to discover what inspires and unites us in our practice. Find episodes on your favorite platform: pod.link/designnotes
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Episodes
Clinton Cargill, Visual Director at Vanity Fair
April 16, 2019 13:30 - 27 minutes - 66.6 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with Clinton Cargill, the current visual director at Vanity Fair and former photo director at Bloomberg Businessweek. Cargill describes how he mastered the art of critically looking at pictures, what it takes to craft a compelling story with the expressive capabilities of photography, and why intent is central to creative work. Download a PDF transcript 👉Transcript Subscribe to Design Notes 👉Google Podcasts 👉iTunes 👉Spotify 👉Pocket Casts 👉RSS
Ksenya Samarskaya, Type Designer
March 19, 2019 12:15 - 26 minutes - 23.1 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with New York-based type designer Ksenya Samarskaya, exploring how type absorbs influence from its place in time, space, and culture. Samarskaya unpacks how typography represents the histories and complexities of the world around us, while revealing our own identities in the process. Download a PDF transcript 👉 Transcript Subscribe to Design Notes 👉Google Podcasts 👉iTunes 👉Spotify 👉Pocket Casts 👉RSS
Owning Your Values: Ksenya Samarskaya, Type Designer
March 19, 2019 12:15 - 26 minutes - 23.1 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with New York-based type designer Ksenya Samarskaya, exploring how type absorbs influence from its place in time, space, and culture. Samarskaya unpacks how typography represents the histories and complexities of the world around us, while revealing our own identities in the process. Download a PDF transcript 👉 Transcript Subscribe to Design Notes 👉Google Podcasts 👉iTunes 👉Spotify 👉Pocket Casts 👉RSS
You Cannot Be What You Cannot See: Bee Grandinetti & Hedvig Ahlberg, Panimation
February 19, 2019 17:14 - 32 minutes - 53.6 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with Bee Grandinetti and Hedvig Ahlberg—two thirds of the trio that founded Punanimation, a community and platform for women, trans, and non-binary folks working with animation and motion design. Bee and Hedvig unpack the ways in which motion design is influenced by the music and movement of the world around us, and how they’re answering the question, “where are the women in motion design?” Download a PDF transcript 👉 Transcript Subscribe to Design Notes ...
Bee Grandinetti & Hedvig Ahlberg, Punanimation
February 19, 2019 17:14 - 32 minutes - 53.6 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with Bee Grandinetti and Hedvig Ahlberg—two thirds of the trio that founded Punanimation, a community and platform for women, trans, and non-binary folks working with animation and motion design. Bee and Hedvig unpack the ways in which motion design is influenced by the music and movement of the world around us, and how they’re answering the question, “where are the women in motion design?” Download a PDF transcript 👉 Transcript Subscribe to Design Notes ...
2018 Material Design Awards
January 15, 2019 16:10 - 46 minutes - 108 MBIn this episode, Liam sits down with the winners of the 2018 Material Design Awards—Anchor, KptnCook, Lyft, and SimpleHabit—to discuss how they each adopted and extended Material to build expressive, inspirational experiences. Download a PDF transcript 👉Transcript Subscribe to Design Notes 👉Google Podcasts 👉iTunes 👉Spotify 👉Pocket Casts 👉RSS
Tuuli & Kivi Sotamaa, Ateljé Sotamaa
December 13, 2018 13:04 - 24 minutes - 26.8 MBTuuli and Kivi Sotamaa are the brother and sister team behind Ateljé Sotamaa, a studio creating emotionally-appealing objects and holistic architectural environments. In the episode: Tuuli and Kivi Sotamaa recount their very first collaboration (back in 1999!) and discuss a shared interest in experiences that aren’t stripped of their friction. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcast
"We Should Do Something Together." Tuuli & Kivi Sotamaa, Ateljé Sotamaa
December 13, 2018 13:04 - 24 minutes - 26.8 MBTuuli and Kivi Sotamaa are the brother and sister team behind Ateljé Sotamaa, a studio creating emotionally-appealing objects and holistic architectural environments. In the episode: Tuuli and Kivi Sotamaa recount their very first collaboration (back in 1999!) and discuss a shared interest in experiences that aren’t stripped of their friction. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcast
The Music of Design: Marko Ahtisaari
December 13, 2018 13:03 - 26 minutes - 31.2 MBMarko Ahtisaari is the artistic director of the Helsinki Festival, a former product design lead at Nokia, and co-founder of Dopplr and Sync Project. In the episode: Marko Ahtisaari expands on his journey as a designer and entrepreneur, explaining powerful lessons learned across three continents. By taking a holistic perspective on the Finnish design tradition, Ahtisaari unpacks how the country’s societal values shaped its technologies. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcast
Marko Ahtisaari
December 13, 2018 13:03 - 26 minutes - 31.2 MBMarko Ahtisaari is the artistic director of the Helsinki Festival, a former product design lead at Nokia, and co-founder of Dopplr and Sync Project. In the episode: Marko Ahtisaari expands on his journey as a designer and entrepreneur, explaining powerful lessons learned across three continents. By taking a holistic perspective on the Finnish design tradition, Ahtisaari unpacks how the country’s societal values shaped its technologies. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcast
Stephanie Dinkins [LIVE]
December 13, 2018 13:02 - 19 minutes - 19.4 MBA transdisciplinary artist, Stephanie Dinkins focuses on AI’s intersection with race, gender, and social equity. In the episode, recorded live onstage at SPAN: Stephanie Dinkins unpacks how and why we should actively engage with artificial intelligence. Dinkins also discusses her experience befriending the AI robot Bina48. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcast
AI, Identity, and Storytelling: Stephanie Dinkins [LIVE]
December 13, 2018 13:02 - 19 minutes - 19.4 MBA transdisciplinary artist, Stephanie Dinkins focuses on AI’s intersection with race, gender, and social equity. In the episode, recorded live onstage at SPAN: Stephanie Dinkins unpacks how and why we should actively engage with artificial intelligence. Dinkins also discusses her experience befriending the AI robot Bina48. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcast
James Bridle, Author (New Dark Age)
December 13, 2018 13:01 - 24 minutes - 25.1 MBJames Bridle is an artist and author working across technologies and disciplines. His artworks have been commissioned by galleries and institutions, and exhibited worldwide. In the episode: James Bridle explores the importance of having agency in—and working knowledge of—the complex systems in which we live. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcast
What It's Like to Really Know: James Bridle, "New Dark Age"
December 13, 2018 13:01 - 24 minutes - 25.1 MBJames Bridle is an artist and author working across technologies and disciplines. His artworks have been commissioned by galleries and institutions, and exhibited worldwide. In the episode: James Bridle explores the importance of having agency in—and working knowledge of—the complex systems in which we live. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcast
Asking, "How Does It Make You Feel?" Isabelle Olsson, VP of Design, Google Home
December 13, 2018 13:00 - 24 minutes - 26.1 MBA design director working on Google Home and wearables, Isabelle Olsson also oversees CMF (color, material, and finish) for all Google hardware. In the episode: Isabelle Olsson explains how she discovered the discipline of industrial design and explores the approach that lead to the unique aesthetic of Google hardware. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcast
Isabelle Olsson, Design Director (Google Home)
December 13, 2018 13:00 - 24 minutes - 26.1 MBA design director working on Google Home and wearables, Isabelle Olsson also oversees CMF (color, material, and finish) for all Google hardware. In the episode: Isabelle Olsson explains how she discovered the discipline of industrial design and explores the approach that lead to the unique aesthetic of Google hardware. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcast
Absolutely Everything Is a Lesson: Jesse Reed, Standards Manual
November 27, 2018 15:00 - 32 minutes - 77.5 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with Jesse Reed, identity designer and co-founder of Standards Manual—a publishing imprint known for preserving and republishing historic design style guides and assemblages of designed artifacts. In the interview, Reed explores his experiences working at Pentagram, and how identity design is related to time, truth, and the organizations it ultimately serves. Learn more 👉 https://design.google/podcasts
Jesse Reed, Standards Manual
November 27, 2018 15:00 - 32 minutes - 77.5 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with Jesse Reed, identity designer and co-founder of Standards Manual—a publishing imprint known for preserving and republishing historic design style guides and assemblages of designed artifacts. In the interview, Reed explores his experiences working at Pentagram, and how identity design is related to time, truth, and the organizations it ultimately serves. Learn more 👉 https://design.google/podcasts
The Aesthetics of Overload: Ryan Snelson
October 30, 2018 14:00 - 29 minutes - 53.3 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with Ryan Snelson about his experience redesigning MySpace, championing a gritty and expressive experimental aesthetic, and understanding the constraints of technology and design. Learn more 👉 https://design.google/podcasts
Ryan Snelson
October 30, 2018 14:00 - 29 minutes - 53.3 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with Ryan Snelson about his experience redesigning MySpace, championing a gritty and expressive experimental aesthetic, and understanding the constraints of technology and design. Learn more 👉 https://design.google/podcasts
Sang Mun, YAW Studio
September 04, 2018 16:00 - 20 minutes - 46.8 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with interdisciplinary designer Sang Mun of YAW Studio. In the interview—recorded in Seoul, South Korea—Liam and Sang explore how the ZXX typeface, which was born from Sang’s experience in special intelligence, tells a story that helps us consider our privacy and the nature of the information that shapes our lives, how accessible tools can empower users, and how to think about the practical constraints we all face as designers. Learn more 👉 https://design.googl...
Hidden Design: Sang Mun, YAW Studio
September 04, 2018 16:00 - 20 minutes - 46.8 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with interdisciplinary designer Sang Mun of YAW Studio. In the interview—recorded in Seoul, South Korea—Liam and Sang explore how the ZXX typeface, which was born from Sang’s experience in special intelligence, tells a story that helps us consider our privacy and the nature of the information that shapes our lives, how accessible tools can empower users, and how to think about the practical constraints we all face as designers. Learn more 👉 https://design.googl...
Libby VanderPloeg, Illustrator
August 14, 2018 14:43 - 25 minutes - 58.2 MBIn the twelfth episode, Liam speaks with illustrator Libby VanderPloeg about how she relates to her uniquely illustrative work, deciding what to share with the world, and what happens when the work takes on a life of its own. Learn more 👉 https://design.google/podcasts
Design, Humor, and Social Change: Libby VanderPloeg, Illustrator
August 14, 2018 14:43 - 25 minutes - 58.2 MBIn the twelfth episode, Liam speaks with illustrator Libby VanderPloeg about how she relates to her uniquely illustrative work, deciding what to share with the world, and what happens when the work takes on a life of its own. Learn more 👉 https://design.google/podcasts
Can Robots Be Curious? Madeline Gannon, Design Researcher and Robot Tamer
July 10, 2018 10:13 - 20 minutes - 33 MBIn the eleventh episode, guest host Aaron Lammer speaks with “robot tamer” and founder of the research studio ATONATON, Madeline Gannon, about how to make robots more approachable, how to design their personalities to work alongside humans as “machinic creatures,” and how she created Mimus, an industrial robot outfitted with sensors that bring out its curious personality. Learn more 👉 https://design.google/podcasts
Madeline Gannon, Design researcher and robot tamer
July 10, 2018 10:13 - 20 minutes - 33 MBIn the eleventh episode, guest host Aaron Lammer speaks with “robot tamer” and founder of the research studio ATONATON, Madeline Gannon, about how to make robots more approachable, how to design their personalities to work alongside humans as “machinic creatures,” and how she created Mimus, an industrial robot outfitted with sensors that bring out its curious personality. Learn more 👉 https://design.google/podcasts
Cardboard Carpentry: Alexandra Lange, "The Design of Childhood"
June 11, 2018 16:31 - 28 minutes - 65.4 MBGuest host Amber Bravo speaks with architecture critic and author Alexandra Lange about her new book, The Design of Childhood: How the Material World Shapes Independent Kids. Together, they examine how design changes childhood—discussing everything from street design and playgrounds, to what makes building blocks a “good” toy, and why cardboard is an inviting canvas for creative exploration. Show notes 👉 https://design.google/podcasts
Alexandra Lange, Architecture Critic, Author of The Design of Childhood
June 11, 2018 16:31 - 28 minutes - 65.4 MBGuest host Amber Bravo speaks with architecture critic and author Alexandra Lange about her new book, The Design of Childhood: How the Material World Shapes Independent Kids. Together, they examine how design changes childhood—discussing everything from street design and playgrounds, to what makes building blocks a “good” toy, and why cardboard is an inviting canvas for creative exploration. Show notes 👉 https://design.google/podcasts
Designing Tools Is Awesome: Cameron Koczon, Partner at Fictive Kin
May 02, 2018 19:06 - 26 minutes - 61.3 MBCameron Koczon is a Partner at Fictive Kin, a New York-based design and engineering studio whose unique approach to product development starts with “a Seinfeld” - an app that does nothing - and ends with a polished core experience. In this episode of Design Notes, Koczon and host Liam Spradlin explore what it means to own content online, the difficulties of learning product design, and how designers can create meaningful change by focusing on the impact of their work. Show notes 👉 https://...
Cameron Koczon, Partner at Fictive Kin
May 02, 2018 19:06 - 26 minutes - 61.3 MBCameron Koczon is a Partner at Fictive Kin, a New York-based design and engineering studio whose unique approach to product development starts with “a Seinfeld” - an app that does nothing - and ends with a polished core experience. In this episode of Design Notes, Koczon and host Liam Spradlin explore what it means to own content online, the difficulties of learning product design, and how designers can create meaningful change by focusing on the impact of their work. Show notes 👉 https://...
Failure as an Art Form: Nathan Martin, CEO, Deeplocal
April 10, 2018 15:23 - 22 minutes - 28.4 MBIn this episode, guest host Aaron Lammer speaks with Deeplocal CEO Nathan Martin about the work of an innovation studio, how Deeplocal’s ownership of its design process makes work like punk rock, and how communication and collaboration help the studio avoid failure. Show notes 👉 design.google/podcast
Nathan Martin, Deeplocal CEO
April 10, 2018 15:23 - 22 minutes - 28.4 MBIn this episode, guest host Aaron Lammer speaks with Deeplocal CEO Nathan Martin about the work of an innovation studio, how Deeplocal’s ownership of its design process makes work like punk rock, and how communication and collaboration help the studio avoid failure. Show notes 👉 design.google/podcast
Throw Away the Settings Menu: Bennett Foddy, Game Designer, "Getting Over It"
March 13, 2018 14:01 - 29 minutes - 68.5 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with game designer, professor, and philosopher Bennett Foddy about using frustration as a design pattern, positioning games at the intersection of art and software, and who he had in mind when creating Getting Over It. Show notes 👉 https://design.google/podcasts
Bennett Foddy, Game Designer, Getting Over It
March 13, 2018 14:01 - 29 minutes - 68.5 MBIn this episode, Liam speaks with game designer, professor, and philosopher Bennett Foddy about using frustration as a design pattern, positioning games at the intersection of art and software, and who he had in mind when creating Getting Over It. Show notes 👉 https://design.google/podcasts
When Buildings Get Bored: Molly Wright Steenson, "Architectural Intelligence"
February 12, 2018 21:30 - 22 minutes - 38.1 MBIn the sixth episode, guest host Aaron Lammer speaks with designer and professor Molly Wright Steenson about pattern languages, the important similarities between architecture and AI, and the publication of her new book Architectural Intelligence. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcasts
Molly Wright Steenson, author of Architectural Intelligence
February 12, 2018 21:30 - 22 minutes - 38.1 MBIn the sixth episode, guest host Aaron Lammer speaks with designer and professor Molly Wright Steenson about pattern languages, the important similarities between architecture and AI, and the publication of her new book Architectural Intelligence. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcasts
Mitch Paone, Principle at Dia Studio
January 16, 2018 18:54 - 25 minutes - 59.2 MBIn the fifth episode, Liam speaks with Mitch Paone, Principle and Creative Director at DIA Studio, about creating a jazz solo out of the creative process, using a beginner’s mindset to unlock new possibilities in design, and the difference between intuitive and analytical creativity. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcasts
How to Design Like a Jazz Musician: Mitch Paone, Principle, Dia Studio
January 16, 2018 18:54 - 25 minutes - 59.2 MBIn the fifth episode, Liam speaks with Mitch Paone, Principle and Creative Director at DIA Studio, about creating a jazz solo out of the creative process, using a beginner’s mindset to unlock new possibilities in design, and the difference between intuitive and analytical creativity. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcasts
Luis von Ahn, Duolingo Founder
December 19, 2017 16:30 - 26 minutes - 59.8 MBThe fourth episode is a special edition featuring Luis von Ahn, co-founder and CEO of DuoLingo, recorded at SPAN 2017 in Pittsburgh. In the interview, Luis and guest host Aaron Lammer discuss why von Ahn chooses projects that can make an immediate impact and how language skills picked up from DuoLingo can increase earning potential in the developing world. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcasts
How Games Taught Us to Teach: Luis von Ahn, Founder, Duolingo
December 19, 2017 16:30 - 26 minutes - 59.8 MBThe fourth episode is a special edition featuring Luis von Ahn, co-founder and CEO of DuoLingo, recorded at SPAN 2017 in Pittsburgh. In the interview, Luis and guest host Aaron Lammer discuss why von Ahn chooses projects that can make an immediate impact and how language skills picked up from DuoLingo can increase earning potential in the developing world. Learn more 👉 design.google/podcasts
William Okpo, fashion designers Lizzy and Darlene Okpo
November 22, 2017 17:00 - 25 minutes - 58.8 MBIn the third episode Lizzy and Darlene Okpo, the designers and sisters behind New York-based fashion label William Okpo, detail what gives their line its identity, the personas that shape a collection, and the intersection of expression and utility in fashion design. Learn more 👉 https://goo.gl/XfHjWF
Wearable Art: William Okpo, Fashion Designers Lizzy and Darlene Okpo
November 22, 2017 17:00 - 25 minutes - 58.8 MBIn the third episode Lizzy and Darlene Okpo, the designers and sisters behind New York-based fashion label William Okpo, detail what gives their line its identity, the personas that shape a collection, and the intersection of expression and utility in fashion design. Learn more 👉 https://goo.gl/XfHjWF
Material Design Awards
October 26, 2017 16:00 - 31 minutes - 59.9 MBThe second episode features the winners of this year’s Material Design awards, who sat down to talk with Liam while being honored for their work at SPAN Pittsburgh. Listen as the creative teams from NPR One, Eventbrite, Momondo, and Blinkist detail how they each built experiences with distinct personality, and discuss elevating content, the emotive qualities of white space, and using the Material Design system as a springboard for unique expression. Learn more at design.google/podcast
Material Design Awards 2017
October 26, 2017 16:00 - 31 minutes - 59.9 MBThe second episode features the winners of this year’s Material Design awards, who sat down to talk with Liam while being honored for their work at SPAN Pittsburgh. Listen as the creative teams from NPR One, Eventbrite, Momondo, and Blinkist detail how they each built experiences with distinct personality, and discuss elevating content, the emotive qualities of white space, and using the Material Design system as a springboard for unique expression. Learn more at design.google/podcast
Talbot & Yoon, furniture and object designers
September 27, 2017 10:00 - 23 minutes - 54.1 MBIn the premiere episode, Liam speaks with Mark Talbot and Youngjin Yoon of Talbot & Yoon, a New York-based design firm focused on objects, furniture, and home goods. The designers discuss making play a central tenet of their practice, how objects evolve, recontextualizing architecture to make it more accessible, and what happens when you put a seashell in a jewelry box. Learn more at design.google
From War Room to Playroom: Talbot & Yoon, Furniture and Object Designers
September 27, 2017 10:00 - 23 minutes - 54.1 MBIn the premiere episode, Liam speaks with Mark Talbot and Youngjin Yoon of Talbot & Yoon, a New York-based design firm focused on objects, furniture, and home goods. The designers discuss making play a central tenet of their practice, how objects evolve, recontextualizing architecture to make it more accessible, and what happens when you put a seashell in a jewelry box. Get a full transcript
Welcome to Design Notes
September 26, 2017 16:00 - 2 minutes - 5.23 MBDesign Notes is a show about creative work and what it teaches us. Each episode, host Liam Spradlin talks with people from unique creative fields to discover what inspires and unites us in our practice.