Obsessed Show
179 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 102 ratingsObsessed Show host Josh Miles interviews some of the hottest designers—from branding and illustration, to industrial design and architecture, to learn what makes them tick.
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Episodes
78-Christian Helms
September 04, 2017 09:00 - 49 minutes - 45 MBBorn and raised a southerner, Christian discovered design during his final years at University of North Carolina. Following his design epiphany he headed to the Portfolio Center in Atlanta to brush up on the skills he needed to become an expert designer. After taking a brief stint for an internship with Pentagram in New York City, he headed down to Austin, fell in love with the city, and began his own agency, Helms Workshop. In this episode, we discuss: Origin story Work in the beer...
77-Alex Wier and Daniel Stewart
August 28, 2017 09:00 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBIt started over a burrito, and now here they are... This week, Josh sits down with Alex Wier and Daniel Stewart, Creative Director and Studio Director of Wier/Stewart in Augusta, Georgia to catch up. You can follow them on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: Why they decided to open an agency together. What they love about design and branding. Where Wier/Stewart is today. Good and bad clients. You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.
76-Joseph Kalinowski
August 21, 2017 09:00 - 52 minutes - 48 MBJoseph Kalinowski, better known as JK, began his career in Cleveland by cutting his teeth in production and printing. Later in life, at a PTA bowling event, he struck up a conversation with the owner of Content Marketing Institute, Joe Pulizzi, which led to his role as creative director for CM. When he’s not searching for the latest Star Wars action figures he’s busy at work planning for the next Content Marketing World. In this episode, we discuss: His background Content Marketing ...
75-Tom Ross Pt. 2
August 14, 2017 09:00 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBBy the time Tom was twelve he had already begun to dabble in the realm of graphic design. He entered his designs into online contest where he began to make a name for himself. After what he calls his “right of passage,” he found an amazing community of designers from all different backgrounds and formed his company, Design Cuts. In this episode, we discuss: His story Starting Design Cuts Honest Designers Show What he most obsessed with today You can download this episode...
5 of the World's Best Female Designers
August 07, 2017 09:00 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBToday we’ll hear from Paula Scher, Debbie Millman, Amy & Jennifer Hood, Robynne Raye, and Danielle Evans. Let me know if you like these kinds of episodes, and if so, we might do more of them.
74-Val Head
July 31, 2017 09:00 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBVal Head launched into design when her rock band was in need of a website. Quickly, she realized how much she liked web design and that it paid the bills. From there she put her rocker past behind her and began her career in design. In this episode, we discuss: Her origin story Adobe What makes a good client Being an author You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.
73-Maurice Cherry
July 24, 2017 09:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBMaurice began coding at an early age, and with every new technology he refined his skill. Captain of the math team turned designer, his passion for design grew in college when he began freelancing web design for miscellaneous clients. After working for the State of Georgia and a few start-ups he decided it was time to create his own company, Lunch. In this episode, we discuss: His story Lunch What makes a great client Revision Path You can download this episode and subscr...
72-Chris Do
July 17, 2017 09:00 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBIn high school Chris was known as, "the guy that can draw anything." In the 80s he worked at a silkscreen shop where he was introduced to graphic design. From there, he found his "calling" and entered into a four year art program. He would later start his agency in 1995, Blind. In this episode, we discuss: The Futur Blind What makes great clients and bad clients What he's most obsessed with You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.
71-Tom Ross
July 10, 2017 09:00 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBBy the time Tom was twelve he had already begun to dabble in the realm of graphic design. He entered his designs into online contest where he began to make a name for himself. After what he calls his “right of passage,” he found an amazing community of designers from all different backgrounds and formed his company, Design Cuts. In this episode, we discuss: His story Starting Design Cuts Honest Designers Show What he most obsessed with today You can download this episode...
70-Brad Flowers
July 03, 2017 09:00 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBBefore Brad discovered branding he discovered the power of reading. As a teenager he became an avid reader which led to his degree in literature. From there, he went to manage a bicycle shop where his love for bikes grew into the formation of an agency, Bullhorn. In this episode, we discuss: How he became a writer Starting Bullhorn What makes a great client What he most obsessed with You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.
Season Two - Coming Soon
May 29, 2017 09:00 - 3 minutes - 3.27 MBLong-time listeners know that I interview designers of all types: architects, graphic designers, product designers, interior designers, process designers, and anyone with designer in their title, who are a little obsessed with their craft and industry. Our show explores the common threads that tie designers together, how they got started in the design world, and what makes them tick. I've had the honor of interviewing some of the best in the business: Debbie Millman, Michael Bierut, Da...
Michael Jefferson
May 22, 2017 09:00 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBMichael found his love for design as a curious kid, being interested in making things and taking things apart, and photography. To quote Michael, he has an "engineering mindset without the math skills." Find out more about Michael and view his work on his website: www.earthtomj.com. In this episode, we discuss: What does "service design" really mean? His favorite client challenges You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.
Chase Turberville
May 15, 2017 09:00 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBChase Turberville is a brand designer at Focus Lab in Savannah, Georgia. Check out his work on Dribble and Instagram. Chase discovered his love of design and branding as a teenager playing in a grunge cover band. From there, he began his official design career at Realtree, where he learned that anything can be wrapped in camo. He then spent time interning at Hatch Show Print and credits those three months as being some of the most transformative in his career. In this episode, we d...
Matt Stevens (Rebroadcast) - Creative Tinkerer
May 08, 2017 09:00 - 51 minutes - 46.7 MBMatt Stevens is a designer, illustrator, speaker, and creative tinkerer from North Carolina. His work has been featured by the biggest names in sports, tech, and even fast food. Matt's biggest goal is always to do thoughtful and unforgettable work for amazing brands and make the whole process a pleasure. You can follow him on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: How he got his start in a middle school logo design contest. His experience working with big brands, and advice he'd giv...
Amy and Jennifer Hood (Rebroadcast) - Founders of Hoodzpah
April 24, 2017 09:00 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MBIn this episode, I sat down with Amy and Jennifer Hood. These two are not only brilliant creatives and founders of a branding firm, they're also twins. You can follow their agency on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: How they collaborate with their team. The importance of producing their own products. How their team opens up recurring revenue opportunities. You can find show notes on our website at ObsessedShow.com.
Von Glitschka (Rebroadcast) - Owner of Glitschka Studios
April 17, 2017 09:00 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBVon Glitschka (or "Vonster" on Twitter) is revered by brand designers around the country as one of the brightest in the industry. He has worked with everyone from some of the largest brands in the world to small tech startups in the Pacific Northwest. In our chat, we discussed: What it's like working with such a diverse client base. How he does brand research, allowing him to "learn a new industry every 30 days." Where he finds his design inspiration. How he utilizes process to get th...
James Biber - Partner, Biber Architects
April 10, 2017 09:00 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBJames Biber is an architect and partner in the firm Biber Architects, based in New York. James is responsible many of his firms most notable projects. Biber's most recent project is the USA Pavilion for Expo Milano 2015. Biber’s career has also included the design of the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, 2008; oceanfront houses in Montauk, NY; a restoration of the 1934 Sten-Frenke house in Santa Monica, by Richard Neutra; along with projects at Celebration, Florida; store, suites an...
Karen Kurycki, AKA CMYKaren
April 03, 2017 09:00 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBKaren Kurycki is a designer/illustrator in Jacksonville, FL. Design is her passion and she loves to combine illustration with design in her commercial work. You can follow her on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: Her attraction to water color Why she loves water color as a medium Some of her recent projects in the social activism space Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.
James Connelly - Emmy-Award-Winning Set Designer, Founder of JPConnelly
March 27, 2017 09:00 - 56 minutes - 52 MBJames has worked as a production designer, art director, and set decorator since moving to Los Angeles from New Jersey after he graduated college in the early 2000's. He founded the creative design company JPConnelly at the age of 30, where he serves as the principal creative force and production designer. JPConnelly boasts an eclectic resume that includes 48 TV shows, 10 live awards events, nine feature films and 50+ digital integrations. In addition to work in the entertainment indus...
Todd Berger & Lucian Föhr - Founders of Ello, Berger & Föhr
March 20, 2017 09:00 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBTodd Berger & Lucian Föhr are the Founders of Berger & Föhr, a graphic design agency based out of Boulder, Colorado. They also recently started Ello, a social network designed to be censor-free. Ello is the only network designed for creators, by creators. A robust and growing community of artists, designers, musicians, illustrators, photographers, architects, GIF makers - creators, who understand that our process, practice, values and passions can push the world forward in a better direct...
Rick Valicenti - Founder and Design Director, Thirst
March 13, 2017 09:00 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBRick Valicenti is the founder and design director of Thirst, a communication design practice providing design and immersive environments for high profile clients in the architectural, performing arts, and education communities. His work has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), resides in the permanent collections of the Yale and Columbia University libraries, Denver Art Museum, and the Art Institute of Chicago, and has been published in The New York Times. In this episode, ...
Guy Geier - American Institute of Architects
March 06, 2017 10:00 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MBGuy Geier is the Managing Partner of FXFOWLE Architects and was recently elected President of the American Institute of Architects in New York. In this episode, we discuss: His views on the architecture industry. How architects can create more value for themselves in the marketplace. Architects' responsibilities in the industry. Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.
David Carson - Design Legend
February 20, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 57.3 MBDavid Carson is an American graphic designer, art director and surfer. He is best known for his innovative magazine design, and use of experimental typography. After you've listened to our interview, check out his Ted Talk. In this episode, we: Talk about his view on design today. Unpack misconceptions around his career. Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.
Kristian Andersen - Designer, Founder, Investor
February 06, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 75.3 MBKristian is currently a co-founder and partner at High Alpha - a Venture Studio that conceives, launches and scales enterprise technology companies. Prior to High Alpha, he founded Studio Science - a leading design + innovation consultancy that works with high-growth technology companies.
Jonathan Hess - "Rock Star Architect"
January 30, 2017 10:00 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBJonathan Hess is a Principal and the President of Browning Day. Many landmarks in the city of Indianapolis are a testament to his ability to translate clients’ vision into one of a kind innovative design solutions that exceed expectations and stand the test of time. He is recognized for his design work on the International Orangutan Center at the Indianapolis Zoo, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, the Indianapolis Museum of Art and additions to the Children’s Museum o...
Tim Hickle - Author of The Future-Proof Marketing Playbook
January 23, 2017 10:00 - 49 minutes - 45 MBTim Hickle is an author, marketer, and a singer of very silly songs. For the past two years, he's been leading our digital marketing efforts at MilesHerndon, as well as producing this podcast. After a year's worth of podcasts, we look back at some of our favorite episodes, learn about his new book, and sing some silly songs. You can follow him on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: Producing the Obsessed With Design podcast, including lessons he's learned and his favorite episode...
Sean Higgins & Nicholas Rezabek - AKA "Higgins and Rez"
January 16, 2017 10:00 - 42 minutes - 39 MBIn 2006, Sean and Nicholas set out on a mission. They wanted to create their dream jobs, because no one else had created it for them. That's when they started The Bubble Project, a two-man design and illustration firm built on this foundation: good food, good music, good time. You can follow them on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: How they got their start in design. How they develop their ideas and aesthetic. Their most recent projects. Show notes are available at Obsess...
Another Discussion with Prescott Perez Fox
January 09, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBDon't call it a rebroadcast. In this episode, I sit down with one of my most popular guests for a second time. In this episode, I talk to Prescott Perez-Fox. Prescott is well-known for his creative work, especially in the realm of package design. You can follow him on Twitter here and subscribe to his podcast here. You can find show notes on our website at ObsessedShow.com.
Matt Hunckler - Host of Powderkeg Podcast
January 02, 2017 10:00 - 48 minutes - 44 MBMatt is the CEO and Founder of Verge, a tech startup community throughout the Midwest. He's also the host of the Powderkeg Podcast, a podcast focused on helping startups learn from established entrepreneurs. You can follow him on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: His early beginnings in the Orr Fellowship His failed attempts at a startup How Verge was never supposed to be a business His lessons learned from the inventor of voicemail Show notes are available at ObsessedSh...
Happy Holidays! Musings and Reflections From Josh Miles
December 26, 2016 10:00 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBThis episode is a bit different. In the spirit of the holidays, with a new year approaching, Josh sat down with himself to do a little reflection on the year that was. In this episode, he discusses: #ObsessedChallenge on Instagram - A side-project he's working on to re-ignite his creativity. How he got into design and started his own branding agency. His inspiration and influences throughout his early career. Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.
Aaron Draplin - Founder of Draplin Design Co. [Rebroadcast]
December 19, 2016 10:00 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBAaron Draplin is a graphic designer, author, and founder of his own design studio, Draplin Design Co. Because of his incredible, inspiring work with some of the world's best brands, you've probably seen him on a million videos and podcasts already. That's why we went out of our way to find some fresh stories and fresh perspectives on his design career. You can follow his design studio on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: The grind of his speaking schedule and book promotion tou...
Douglas Davis - Freelance Creative Director and Design Instructor (Rebroadcast)
December 12, 2016 10:00 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBBased in Brooklyn, Douglas never intended to go to college. Today, he's the author of Creative Strategy and the Business of Design and he teaches online courses on design and business strategy. During our interview, we talk about his book, his educational series, and how he went from not intending to go to college to educating college kids himself. You can follow him on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: His inspiration for his book. How he started a digital department at hi...
James White - Designer, Speaker, and Proud Canadian
December 05, 2016 10:00 - 1 hour - 70.7 MBJames White, the founder of Signalnoise, is a visual artist, designer and speaker living in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. He makes posters, prints and all kinds of cool stuff. He is, among other things, obsessed with the 80's and visual synthwave art. In this episode, we discuss: His origins, The importance of drawing, His current setup, and How he finds some of his best clients. You can follow him on Twitter here. Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.
Khoi Vinh - Principal Designer at Adobe
November 28, 2016 10:00 - 40 minutes - 37 MBKhoi Vinh is a graphic designer, blogger, and former Design Director for The New York Times, where he worked from January 2006 until July 2010. Fast Company named Vinh one of "The 50 Most Influential Designers in America" in September 2011. Today, he is the Principal Designer at Adobe, Design Chair of Wildcard, and co-founder of Kidpost. You can follow him on Twitter here. Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.
Julian Stubbs
November 21, 2016 10:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBJulian Stubbs is an international brand strategist and has worked with brand and identity projects for clients such as Stockholm, where he was involved with creating the positioning of the city as The Capital of Scandinavia. His book Wish You Were Here documents this work as well as the issues involved in major place branding projects. You can follow him on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: His decision to launch a "cloud-based" agency. How his agency continues to succeed wit...
Lauren Hom
November 14, 2016 10:00 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBLauren Hom is a California-born, formerly Brooklyn-based designer and letterer who's currently traveling the world. Known for her bright color palettes and playful letterforms, Lauren has created work for clients like Starbucks, Google, AT&T, YouTube and TIME Magazine. You can follow her on Instagram here. Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.
Brian Collins - Part II
November 07, 2016 10:00 - 46 minutes - 63.6 MBAfter our last discussion with Brian Collins, Chief Creative Officer of COLLINS, we couldn't wait to have him on again. Brian is our first ever repeat guest and this episode is full of fun stories, great advice, and more than a few name drops. Brian Collins is one of the world's leading voices in branding. He is a former professor and international speaker, and today he runs his own branding shop, COLLINS, which has worked with brands such as Coca Cola, Spotify, and FourSquare. You can f...
Client Horror Stories With Joseph Szala
October 31, 2016 09:00 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBJoseph Szala is a restaurant brand strategist and the host of the design podcast Grits + Grids. We interviewed Joseph awhile back, and we liked him so much that Josh decided to go on his show and share his scariest client horror stories, just in time for Halloween. Please, go follow Grits + Grids on Twitter and subscribe to them in iTunes! It's a great podcast for designers of all skill levels. Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.
Encore Presentation - Samuel E Vázquez
October 24, 2016 09:00 - 54 minutes - 74.7 MBWe recorded this episode with Samuel a few months ago, but he just released a new line of bags in partnership with the J2 Collection, so we figured we would give him a plug and run back one of our favorite interviews. You can purchase one of his bags below... http://thej2collection.com/t/brame Today, Samuel E Vázquez wears many hats. He is an artist, a designer, and an educator, to name a few. In the early days, however, he was known by a different name - "Brame," his graffiti tag. Tod...
Ken and Jenn Visocky O'Grady - Co-Authors, The Information Design Handbook
October 17, 2016 09:00 - 47 minutes - 65.5 MBKen and Jenn Visocky O'Grady are designers, educators, speakers, and co-authors of the book The Information Design Handbook. Jenn is an Associate Professor at Cleveland State University. Her design work has been recognized in numerous international publications, including Print and HOW magazines, and several books. Ken is an Assistant Professor at Kent State University. He has won numerous awards in international design competitions. His work has also appeared in several books, and was...
Brian Collins - Chief Creative Officer of COLLINS
October 10, 2016 09:00 - 20 minutes - 28 MBBrian Collins is one of the world's leading voices in branding. He is a former professor and international speaker, and today he runs his own branding shop, COLLINS, which has worked with brands such as Coca Cola, Spotify, and FourSquare. You can follow him on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: His origins. How to win every major award. One of the original brands to cut through the clutter. Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.
Stephan Ango - Co-Founder of Lumi, Host of Well Made podcast
October 03, 2016 09:00 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBStephan Ango is the co-founder and Head of Product at Lumi, a Los Angeles-based company that provides packaging for online brands. He also is the host of the Well Made podcast, and has interviewed several of the same guests as our show. You can follow him on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: Cardboard Logistics Charles and Ray Eames You can get show notes at ObsessedShow.com.
Roger Dudler - Founder & CTO of Frontify
September 26, 2016 09:00 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBFrontify is the software that all designers have thought about creating. Roger is one of the few who actually followed through on the idea. Frontify is a company that focuses on brand management with a Software-as-a-Service business model. Their software helps you easily create brand style guides, design workflows, and visual collaboration projects. In his role as founder and CTO, Roger is passionate about the design, code, and UX of the end product. You can follow him on Twitter here. I...
Giorgia Lupi and Stefanie Posavec - Authors of Dear Data
September 19, 2016 09:00 - 1 hour - 57 MBGiorgia Lupi and Stefanie Posavec are both renowned designers with a penchant for visualizing data. This passion turned a pen-pal project into a full-fledged book, Dear Data. For a year, they exchanged postcards weekly, cataloging their lives using different kinds of data. Some days, they counted the number of doors they walked through. Other days, they recorded their level of indecision. Regardless of the data they collected, they would visualize it differently in each postcard. Dear Data...
Debbie Millman - Redux
September 12, 2016 09:00 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBIn anticipation of her presentation at the 2016 MBO Conference in Indianapolis, we're re-releasing our interview with Debbie Millman. And, as a special treat, our listeners have been granted a special discount code to go see Debbie speak! For a $20 discount to this year's MBO Conference in Indianapolis, use the discount code "MH20" The host of one of the top iTunes podcasts of 2015 joins me for a look at the personal side of Debbie Millman that you may not have heard before. Find out w...
Douglas Davis - Author, Designer, and Freelance Creative Director
September 05, 2016 09:00 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBBased in Brooklyn, Douglas never intended to go to college. Today, he's the author of Creative Strategy and the Business of Design and he teaches online courses on design and business strategy. During our interview, we talk about his book, his educational series, and how he went from not intending to go to college to educating college kids himself. You can follow him on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: His inspiration for his book. How he started a digital department at hi...
Bob Ewing - Letterer, Co-Founder, INCH x INCH
August 29, 2016 09:00 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBThis is Bob. Bob loves buttons. Bob Ewing is a lettering artist and Art Director based in Indianapolis, but he has a great national presence. Between the popularity of INCH x INCH and posting his work under #HashtagLettering, he's grown a strong following around the country. You can follow him on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: How Bob got started in design. How he found his love for buttons and founded INCH x INCH. Where he gets his inspiration when working on letterin...
Alex Wier and Daniel Stewart - Founders of Wier/Stewart
August 22, 2016 09:00 - 1 hour - 61.6 MBIt started over a burrito, and now here they are... This week, Josh sits down with Alex Wier and Daniel Stewart, Creative Director and Studio Director of Wier/Stewart in Augusta, Georgia. You can follow them on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: Why they decided to open an agency together. Their approach on design and branding. Why they inject their personality so heavily into every video they produce. Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.
Jonathan Hoffman - Ad Man Obsessed With Media Tech
August 15, 2016 09:00 - 53 minutes - 48.7 MBJonathan Hoffman got his start in traditional advertising. He cut his teeth with Leo Burnett, McCann, and Starcom. Over the years, he's evolved into a leader in the branded video space, with a heavy emphasis on creating dynamic and engaging branded video Today, he's working with Philo Media in Chicago, using modern tools to create authentic, meaningful connections between people and brands. You can follow him on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: The state of traditional adver...
Aaron Draplin - Founder of Draplin Design Co.
August 08, 2016 09:00 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBAaron Draplin is a graphic designer, author, and founder of his own design studio, Draplin Design Co. Because of his incredible, inspiring work with some of the world's best brands, you've probably seen him on a million videos and podcasts already. That's why we went out of our way to find some fresh stories and fresh perspectives on his design career. You can follow his design studio on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: The grind of his speaking schedule and book promotion tou...