Design Better

Sam Beam, five-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter behind Iron & Wine, began as a visual artist and film teacher before music. He talks about how a four-track recorder changed his process. He reflects on balancing prolific creativity with parenting five daughters. He discusses collaborative recording, working with his daughter Arden, and how his songs grew from bedroom demos to cinematic arrangements.

George Newman, a cognitive scientist and author of How Great Ideas Happen, describes creativity as discovery rather than magic. He outlines a four-step “creative archaeology” workflow and discusses hot streaks in creative careers. He also explores how intuition fits into structured practice and shares practical exercises for breaking creative ruts.

Nate Koechly, YouTube UX Director modernizing the app with research-driven design, and Matthew Darby, Director of Product Management coordinating product strategy and measurement. They discuss a four-year redesign with paired visual and quality-of-life updates. They explain predictive measurement, balancing metrics with perception, refining the player, algorithm trade-offs, and giving viewers more control through language and personalization.

Bill Burnett, design educator and author of Designing Your Life, shares a design-driven take on meaning. He reframes the question to finding meaning in life. Conversations cover why work often fails to provide lasting meaning, the four-part framework Wonder, Coherence, Flow, Community, and how relationships and community shape a meaningful life.

Austin Kleon, bestselling author and artist known for Steal Like an Artist, shares a simple, sustainable creative toolkit and daily rituals. He talks about why physical making and constraints spark ideas. He warns against overreliance on digital tools and highlights the role of rest, boredom, and humane workspaces in sustaining creativity.

Raffaela Panie, the Brand, Identity, and Look Director for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, shares insights into the colossal design challenge of creating a unified visual identity for the games. She discusses how to honor Olympic heritage while incorporating Italian culture, focusing on themes of beauty and contemporary spirit. Raffaela reveals the unique elements, from medals to mascots, and the importance of a modular design system that adapts to various platforms. This creative endeavor requires collaboration with a diverse team and extensive research to resonate globally.

Irene Au, a former design leader at Yahoo and Google, and James Buckhouse, a Design Partner at Sequoia, delve into the evolution of design in tech. They discuss the transformative role of design in startups, emphasizing storytelling and creativity. The panel reflects on the impact of AI—balancing efficiency and creative friction—while advocating for preserving human craft. They also explore the cognitive effects of AI dependency and link beauty in design to natural ratios, enriching the discussion with insights from their diverse careers.

Mikon van Gastel, Co-Founder and CCO of Sibling Rivalry, shares insights from his creative journey. From his rigorous training at Cranbrook to revolutionizing title sequences at Imaginary Forces, he emphasizes the importance of presentation skills over mere design talent. Mikon reveals his experience designing the immersive Sphere in Las Vegas, discussing how to elicit shared emotions among vast audiences. He also highlights the value of collaboration across disciplines and the need for storytelling that prioritizes core ideas over style.

Mark Wilson, Global Design Editor at Fast Company, reflects on the transformative design moments of 2025. He discusses the impact of Figma’s IPO, brand controversies like Cracker Barrel's backlash, and Nike's innovative shifts, including exoskeletons. Mark questions whether we're in an AI bubble and advocates for focusing AI on important real-world issues. He also celebrates a revival of hands-on crafting, driven by tools like Chomp Saw and a renewed interest in physical creativity.

Cassie McDaniel, Head of Design at Medium, shares insights from her journey through agencies and tech giants like Mozilla. She discusses the bold choice to eliminate product managers at Medium, resulting in faster workflows and empowered teams. Cassie emphasizes the importance of a craft-driven approach and experimentation in design. She also highlights the role of critique in developing thoughtful design and offers advice on navigating feedback and mentoring. Learn how mastering business basics can help designers make a bigger impact.