AIGA Design Podcast

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 ThemesBranding 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 symbolicReferencesBranding 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

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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction to Giorgia Lupi and her focus on data humanism02:00 - Giorgia’s early influences: architecture, music, and data collection at her grandmother’s tailor shop05:00 - Spark moments: designing band album artwork and transitioning into data visualization06:40 - Discussing her book Speak Data and the process behind it09:00 - The human stories within data: interviews with leading thinkers on data’s meaning13:15 - The Dear Data project: weekly postcards and framing personal data conversations16:00 - Inspired by data visualizations and how personal relationships shape data storytelling18:00 - Data as a love letter to the NYC subway system: poetic visualization of transit data25:00 - Designing data for children: This Is Me and Only Me and engaging young audiences27:30 - The challenge of complex data: finding human stories in big or aggregated datasets30:20 - Designing the data set: choosing what to include and how to add context32:00 - Combining qualitative and quantitative data: mentoring teams and storytelling strategies34:30 - The evolving role of data in design and how to navigate cross-disciplinary data practices38:00 - Perspectives on AI: cautious optimism, data as a resource, and preserving human creativity43:00 - Inspirations and making for the sake of making: art exhibitions, painting, and experimentation45:30 - Final thoughts: cultivating critical thinking and curiosity in a data-driven worldREFERENCESOur 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-ecs2f7Giorgia 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/46pMrlHA 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/5768Wifredo Lam, When I Don’t Sleep I Dream at MoMA: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5788Alfred Jensen at the Pace Gallery: https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/alfred-jensen/ 

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 papersThe relationship between Arctic Paper and the Munken Design Brand, and insights into their global activitiesCollaborations with European design schools for over 20 years, fostering youth creativityThe evolution of agenda design: flexibility, interactivity, and the shift from static to fluid layoutsThe value of physical books and print in an era dominated by screens, emphasizing quality and sensory experienceArctic Paper’s sustainability initiatives: FSC, Cradle to Cradle, CO2 reduction, water conservation, and environmental stewardshipChallenges in translating digital files to print, ICC profiles, and ensuring color fidelityDigital tools like Munken Sans font and Munken Creator for hybrid design approachesThe future of print: high-end books as niche luxury items, akin to vinyl recordsThe impact of AI on design and print, emphasizing the importance of tactile, slow media for deep engagementResources & Links:Arctic Paper Official Website: https://www.arcticpaper.comMunken Paper: https://www.arcticpaper.com/brands/munken/Munken Sans Typeface: https://colab.munken.com/munken-sansMunken Creator Web Tool: https://colab.munken.com/munkencreatorFSC Certification: https://fsc.orgTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the Eyes on Design theme and guests from Arctic Paper02:29 - Arctic Paper’s global presence and product offerings04:09 - Clarification of Arctic Paper and Munkin Brand relationship05:34 - The backgrounds and careers of Andy and Rob in the paper industry11:34 - Long-standing collaboration with European art and design schools14:32 - Big shifts in youth design practices: flexibility and interactivity16:33 - How COVID influenced innovative student projects and engagement with paper19:04 - Challenges of translating digital files to print on uncoated paper21:03 - The role of paper quality in creating memorable experiences24:47 - Arctic Paper’s commitments to sustainability and environmental impact27:31 - Innovations in reducing water and energy consumption in papermaking30:14 - The physical environment as part of sustainability and community well-being31:24 - How Arctic Paper bridges expectations between digital and print media34:41 - Digital tools and experiments like Munken Sans font and Munken Creator platform39:24 - The future of luxury books and print as a niche market akin to vinyl records41:59 - The timeless value of physical books and passing on treasured works42:35 - AI's role in design, print, and storytelling: preserving tactile skills amid digital growth45:09 - Looking ahead: embracing both digital and physical mediums, fostering new creatives

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 seasonThe 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.

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 1900Newsletter: Benedict EvansMovie: HerShow: Andor

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 ServiceBook: Braiding Sweetgrass

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 HandbookShort Film: Powers of TenBook recommendation: Orbiting the Giant Hairball

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.

In this insightful episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, hosts Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello are joined by Sahar Chung, Director of Product Strategy at Multiplayer. Sahar shares her unique career journey, from her early days as a NASA contractor to becoming a leader in the UX field. The conversation delves into the evolution of UX research as a strategic partner, the importance of building inclusive methodologies, and the critical role of relationship-building in design. Learn about Sahar's co-founding of Confetti Q&A, a platform for community-driven discussions on industry challenges. Connect with Sahar Chung:https://saharchung.com/LinkedinSahar’s recommendation: Fantasy HighJoin us for the 2025 AIGA Design Conference, October 9-11 in Los Angeles, California – ⁠⁠⁠https://www.aiga.org/design/aiga-design-conferenceWatch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MscLQyFFwVI

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, hosts Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello sit down with Helder Santo, a partner at Unnamed, to explore the dynamic intersection of design, technology, and performance. Helder shares his journey through the evolving landscape of digital marketing and design, highlighting key moments from his career at renowned creative agencies. The conversation delves into the concept of a regenerative design ecosystem, the challenges of venture building in creative agencies, and the transformative potential of AI in design. Helder emphasizes the importance of embracing change, building trust, and fostering innovation within teams and client relationships.Connect with ⁠Helder Santo:helder@unnamed.xyzLinkedinHelder’s recommendation: SeveranceJoin us for the 2025 AIGA Design Conference, October 9-11 in Los Angeles, California – ⁠⁠https://www.aiga.org/design/aiga-design-conference