AIGA Design Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Future of Design Education: Building a Global Studio with Bryan Clark (Falmouth University) May 08, 2026

Show notes

How can design education bridge the gap between global digital collaboration and local physical making? In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, we sit down with Bryan Clark, Head of Graphic Design at Falmouth University, to discuss why online learning is a deliberate "feature" for the modern designer, and not just a fallback.

In this episode, we explore:

- The Global Studio Concept: How Falmouth leverages a global cohort to create a "hybridized" professional practice environment that mirrors the modern design industry.

- Geo-Tagged Making: How students build a "collective map" of physical making facilities, like bookbinding shops and 3D printing labs, in their own local cities.

- Intercultural Problem Solving: Why having a student in New York solve a design challenge for someone in Mumbai is a critical skill for the 21st-century designer.

- AI & Creative Curiosity: Bryan’s perspective on navigating the "hot topic" of AI with a balance of healthy skepticism and fascinated curiosity.

- Interdisciplinary "Surprise": A look at unique collaborations, including a project that turned typographic systems into musical compositions.

About Our Guest:

Bryan Clark leads Graphic Design at Falmouth University in the UK. With a career split between high-level industry practice (Pentagram spin-offs, Lewis Moberly) and design education, he is uniquely positioned to discuss where design is headed.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro to the AIGA Design Podcast & "Eyes on Design"

1:40 – Bryan’s journey: From Pentagram spin-offs to Falmouth University

5:33 – Why online design education is "a feature, not a fallback."

10:45 – Designing for the 21st Century: "Design can save the world."

23:12 – The Geo-Tagged Map: Connecting global students to local making

31:11 – Interdisciplinary projects: Turning typography into music

38:07 – Facing the AI question: Curiosity over fear

50:17 – Redesigning the status quo: Food, health, and legislation

Discount for AIGA members:

AIGA members can receive a £1,000 GBP (approx. $1,346 USD) tuition discount on any part-time, online master's degree from Falmouth University, including their MA Graphic Design (Online). This would make total tuition over two years £11,150 (approx. $15,186).*

Terms and conditions apply, contact Falmouth University for more details. MA Graphic Design (Online): online.study@falmouth.ac.uk

*USD-GBP conversion accurate May 2026. Tuition fees applicable for 2026 entry.

⁠https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/online/postgraduate/graphic-design?utm_source=aiga&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=onlinestudy&utm_term=podcast&utm_content=newsletter⁠

Thumbnail graphics by Falmouth students Dalal Elsamannoudi (center) and Tove Martens (right)

This video is part of our "Eyes on Design" season, inspired by the legacy of the Eye on Design magazine. We are exploring the critical, connecting, and future lenses of design practice.

Subscribe to AIGA Design for more conversations with design leaders.

Leave a review or get in touch at podcast@aiga.org

Watch and subscribe to the video versions of the AIGA Design Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBsiKvJPy6IFH0oasM3T0KsGrnnLoKhSK

Sustainability, education, and the iF Design Awards with Lisa Gralnek Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with Lisa Gralnek, Managing Director of iF Design USA and Global Head of Sustainability and Impact at iF Design. We cover the scale and rigor behind the iF Design Award, one of the world's most recognized design competitions since 1953, and how iF has made sustainability a core, embedded criterion in its judging process. We also discuss the launch of the iF Design Academy, what it means to close the gap between design and business fluency, and the risks of outsourcing critical thinking to AI tools. Plus, we reflect on why design thinking became its own victim, what head-heart-hands means in an age of AI, and what we might be collectively unlearning as machines take on more of the work.

TOPICS :

- Lisa's path from political science and fashion to design leadership

- How the iF Design Award jury process works across 93 categories and 9 disciplines- Why sustainability now accounts for 20% of the iF scoring criteria — and what that shift has taught applicants and jurors alike

- The circular economy and the "R ladder" of repairability, reusability, and recyclability

- iF Design's two free-entry competitions: the iF Design Student Award and the iF Social Impact Prize, both aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals

- The launch of the iF Design Academy and why designers need more than design education to lead- The upcoming course AI Strategy for Design Leaders (June 2026) — led by Tey Bannerman, former McKinsey partner-

Why design thinking became a buzzword without operationalization — and what it would take to bring it back

- What the documentary Modernism, Inc.: The Eliot Noyes Design Story says about the long history of design and corporate power

- The tension between AI efficiency and the tactile, hands-on learning that makes designers designers- What we might be collectively "unlearning" as AI tools take on more of the creative process

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

- iF Design: https://ifdesign.com/en/

- iF Design Award: https://ifdesign.com/en/if-design-award-and-jury

- iF Design Academy: https://ifdesign-academy.com/

- iF Design Trend Report (5th annual edition releasing April 28): https://ifdesign.com/en/trend-report

- iF Design Student Award: https://ifdesign.com/en/if-design-student-award

- iF Social Impact Prize: https://ifdesign.com/en/if-social-impact-prize

- Future of XYZ podcast: https://ifdesign.com/en/podcast-future-of-xyz-by-if-design

- Lisa Gralnek, "Where Are All the Designers?" (Fast Company): https://www.fastcompany.com/91374558/where-are-all-the-designers

- Ellen MacArthur Foundation: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/

- Modernism, Inc.: The Eliot Noyes Design Story (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29215800/

- UN Sustainable Development Goals: https://sdgs.un.org/goals

- AIGA + Yale SOM: Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders: https://www.aiga.org/professional-development/business-perspectives-for-creative-leaders

- Subscribe to the AIGA Design Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/aigadesign/

- Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@aiga.org

Branding as a Cultural Force with Robin Landa Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, hosts Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello welcome distinguished professor, author, and creativity expert Robin Landa. Recently honored with the 2025 Stephen Heller Prize for Cultural Commentary, Landa discusses her prolific career as the author of 27 books and her evolving philosophy on design’s role in society. The conversation spans Landa’s origin story: from designing Barbie clothes as a child to honing her craft as a writer. We also explore her latest work, which frames branding not merely as a commercial tool, but as a significant cultural force with ethical responsibilities.

Major Themes

Branding as a Cultural Actor: Landa argues that modern brands have moved beyond simple differentiation and positioning. They are now cultural participants that influence public discourse, equity, and inclusion, carrying a responsibility to contribute positively to the communities that sustain them.
The Evolution of Design Writing: Landa reflects on how writing began as a practical necessity for academic promotion but became a core part of her identity. She emphasizes the importance of design commentary as a form of cultural commentary that should live beyond the "silo" of the design community.
Redesigning the Learning Environment: As an educator, Landa advocates for a shift from the "talking head" factory model of education to active, flexible, and social spaces. She suggests that classrooms should be designed for engagement and participation rather than compliance.
AI and the Human Element: Discussing the rise of AI in the creative workflow, Landa notes that while students need technical fluency, the true value of a designer now lies in judgment, ethics, and lived experience—qualities AI lacks.
Diversity as a Creative Catalyst: Innovation happens at the "edge" where different disciplines and backgrounds meet. Landa highlights the need for structural diversity in creative leadership to move beyond symbolic

References

Branding as a Cultural Force: https://amzn.to/3PH80IC
Leadership by Design: https://amzn.to/47QOm37
MasterCard’s Where to Settle: https://www.mastercard.com/news/europe/en/newsroom/press-releases/en/2023/mastercard-s-where-to-settle-platform-to-offer-new-features-job-listings-and-apartment-rentals/
Sheba Reef Builders: https://www.shebahopegrows.com/en-en?&=681856277402&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20799781648&gbraid=0AAAAAC66XqpqSC0WC1oRrgVID3xKi880H
Man Ray - When Objects Dream: https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/man-ray-when-objects-dream

Humanizing Data Through Design with Giorgia Lupi Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, hosts Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello sit down with Giorgia Lupi to explore her journey from an architecture student and musician in Italy to a pioneer of data humanism and partner at Pentagram in New York City. Giorgia discusses her latest books, her Love Letter to the New York City subway, and why she recently broke up with ChatGPT. Whether you're a seasoned designer or a curious learner, Giorgia’s insights invite us to see data as a profoundly human, creative, and essential storytelling tool.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction to Giorgia Lupi and her focus on data humanism

02:00 - Giorgia’s early influences: architecture, music, and data collection at her grandmother’s tailor shop

05:00 - Spark moments: designing band album artwork and transitioning into data visualization

06:40 - Discussing her book Speak Data and the process behind it

09:00 - The human stories within data: interviews with leading thinkers on data’s meaning

13:15 - The Dear Data project: weekly postcards and framing personal data conversations

16:00 - Inspired by data visualizations and how personal relationships shape data storytelling

18:00 - Data as a love letter to the NYC subway system: poetic visualization of transit data

25:00 - Designing data for children: This Is Me and Only Me and engaging young audiences

27:30 - The challenge of complex data: finding human stories in big or aggregated datasets

30:20 - Designing the data set: choosing what to include and how to add context

32:00 - Combining qualitative and quantitative data: mentoring teams and storytelling strategies

34:30 - The evolving role of data in design and how to navigate cross-disciplinary data practices

38:00 - Perspectives on AI: cautious optimism, data as a resource, and preserving human creativity

43:00 - Inspirations and making for the sake of making: art exhibitions, painting, and experimentation

45:30 - Final thoughts: cultivating critical thinking and curiosity in a data-driven world

REFERENCES

Our previous episode of the AIGA Design Podcast with Giorgia Lupi from 2020: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/aigadesign/episodes/Giorgia-Lupi-on-Data-Humanism-ecs2f7

Giorgia Lupi’s personal website: https://giorgialupi.com/

Pentagram – The World’s Largest Independent Design Consultancy: https://www.pentagram.com/

Speak Data: Artists, Scientists, Thinkers, and Dreamers on How We Live Our Lives in Numbers: https://amzn.to/4qXAQl4

Dear Data: https://amzn.to/3Msgrqj

This is Me and Only Me: https://amzn.to/46pMrlH

A Data Love Letter to the Subway: https://www.mta.info/agency/arts-design/digital-art/data-love-letter

Two Craigs Take on a 1-Year Performance Challenge (2025 AIGA Design Conference): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdjkZu_qvDM

2Craigs: https://www.2craigs.com/

Ruth Asawa, A Retrospective: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5768

Wifredo Lam, When I Don’t Sleep I Dream at MoMA: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5788

Alfred Jensen at the Pace Gallery: https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/alfred-jensen/

Why paper still matters in the age of digital and AI Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello host Andy Curson and Rob Slowe from Arctic Paper as they dive into sustainable papermaking, the role of print in a digital age, and collaborations with emerging designers. Discover how Arctic Paper balances environmental responsibility with innovation, and how print continues to evolve as a meaningful medium for creativity and storytelling.

Arctic Paper’s portfolio: mills in Sweden and Poland, offering coated, uncoated, book, and high-end papers
The relationship between Arctic Paper and the Munken Design Brand, and insights into their global activities
Collaborations with European design schools for over 20 years, fostering youth creativity
The evolution of agenda design: flexibility, interactivity, and the shift from static to fluid layouts
The value of physical books and print in an era dominated by screens, emphasizing quality and sensory experience
Arctic Paper’s sustainability initiatives: FSC, Cradle to Cradle, CO2 reduction, water conservation, and environmental stewardship
Challenges in translating digital files to print, ICC profiles, and ensuring color fidelity
Digital tools like Munken Sans font and Munken Creator for hybrid design approaches
The future of print: high-end books as niche luxury items, akin to vinyl records
The impact of AI on design and print, emphasizing the importance of tactile, slow media for deep engagement

Resources & Links:

Arctic Paper Official Website: https://www.arcticpaper.com
Munken Paper: https://www.arcticpaper.com/brands/munken/
Munken Sans Typeface: https://colab.munken.com/munken-sans
Munken Creator Web Tool: https://colab.munken.com/munkencreator
FSC Certification: https://fsc.org

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the Eyes on Design theme and guests from Arctic Paper
02:29 - Arctic Paper’s global presence and product offerings
04:09 - Clarification of Arctic Paper and Munkin Brand relationship
05:34 - The backgrounds and careers of Andy and Rob in the paper industry
11:34 - Long-standing collaboration with European art and design schools
14:32 - Big shifts in youth design practices: flexibility and interactivity
16:33 - How COVID influenced innovative student projects and engagement with paper
19:04 - Challenges of translating digital files to print on uncoated paper
21:03 - The role of paper quality in creating memorable experiences
24:47 - Arctic Paper’s commitments to sustainability and environmental impact
27:31 - Innovations in reducing water and energy consumption in papermaking
30:14 - The physical environment as part of sustainability and community well-being
31:24 - How Arctic Paper bridges expectations between digital and print media
34:41 - Digital tools and experiments like Munken Sans font and Munken Creator platform
39:24 - The future of luxury books and print as a niche market akin to vinyl records
41:59 - The timeless value of physical books and passing on treasured works
42:35 - AI's role in design, print, and storytelling: preserving tactile skills amid digital growth
45:09 - Looking ahead: embracing both digital and physical mediums, fostering new creatives

Introducing "Eyes on Design," AIGA's 2026 Programming Theme Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Join co-hosts Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello as they kick off a brand-new season of the AIGA Design Podcast. We’re diving deep into our new programming theme, "Eyes on Design."

Whether you’re a long-time listener or brand new to the show, Lee-Sean and Giulia take a moment to (re)introduce themselves and share the backgrounds (and biases) they bring to design discourse.

Have a story to tell? We’re scouting for guests! Send your pitches to podcast@aiga.org.

Join the conversation: We love hearing from you. Drop us an email or a voice message with your thoughts on the new season

The AIGA Design Podcast is 100% member-supported. Join AIGA today at aiga.org to support our work and connect with our community of design professionals, educators, and leaders.

Designing for the World We Live In: Aleksey Fedorov on Meaning, Performance, and Brand Impact Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, hosts Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello sit down with Aleksey Fedorov, Director of Global Brand Marketing at Microsoft, for a wide-ranging conversation on branding, performance, and the evolving role of design in society.

Aleksey reflects on his nonlinear career path and how moments of tension, uncertainty, and failure have shaped his creative practice. Together, they unpack how brands can move beyond metrics to create meaning, build trust, and reflect the complexity of the world we live in. The conversation also explores the role of AI in creative work, the importance of inclusion and representation in brand systems, and what it means to design not just visuals, but immersive, living worlds.

Drawing on his experience at Microsoft and his involvement with AIGA, Aleksey shares insights on how institutions and brands must continue to evolve, embracing discomfort and staying grounded in human values to remain relevant and impactful.

Episode Recommendation:

Book: Art Since 1900

Newsletter: Benedict Evans

Movie: Her

Show: Andor

The Human Element People First: Devika Menon on Participatory Service Design Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello engage in an inspiring conversation with Devika Menon, a service design and delivery lead at the City of Philadelphia. They explore Devika's diverse career journey, from her early days in animation film design to her current role in civic design. The discussion highlights the importance of human-centered design, the challenges of working within government systems, and the significance of participatory service design. Devika shares insights on navigating uncertainty, the impact of cultural experiences on design thinking, and the value of collaboration in creating sustainable change.

Episode Recommendations:

Book: Good Services: Decoding the Mystery of What Makes a Good Service

Book: Braiding Sweetgrass

Shaping Your Path: Kevin Flores on Career Growth, AI and Design Leadership Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Kevin Flores, an experienced product and design leader, founder and coach. They delve into Kevin's diverse career journey, from his early days in Silicon Valley to his experiences with major corporations like LinkedIn and Verizon. The discussion highlights the importance of adaptability in design careers, the evolving role of design leaders, and the significance of personal branding. Kevin shares insights on navigating the challenges of the design industry, the impact of AI on design processes, and the value of cultivating a unique design sense. He reminds designers that even as AI evolves, maintaining a sharp critical lens remains an essential skill.

Episode Recommendations:

Kevin's Book: Design Career Handbook

Short Film: Powers of Ten

Book recommendation: Orbiting the Giant Hairball

Balancing Anger and Hope: George Aye on Pissed Off Optimism in Design Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello speak with George Aye, co-founder of Greater Good Studio⁠, about his concept of “pissed off optimism”, the tension between acknowledging what’s broken and believing in the possibility of meaningful change. The conversation explores the power of community, the realities of navigating race and identity in the design profession, and the transitions and trade-offs that come with moving from designer to business owner. George also reflects on the principles that guide his studio, the importance of ethics in design education, and the role designers can play in supporting social change. The episode concludes with inspirational media recommendations and a call to action for designers to connect with local nonprofits.

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