AIGA Design Podcast

AIGA, the professional association for design
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The official podcast feed of AIGA, the professional association for design. We explore various facets of the design discipline, profession, and industry to help our listeners learn about the past and present and prepare for the future. The theme of our 2024-2025 season is "Design and Performance."

  1. 23/12/2025

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

    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

    48 min

  2. 17/12/2025

    The Human Element People First: Devika Menon on Participatory Service Design

    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

    35 min

  3. 09/12/2025

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

    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

    56 min

  4. 29/09/2025

    Balancing Anger and Hope: George Aye on Pissed Off Optimism in Design

    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.

    53 min

  5. 09/09/2025

    Navigating Intersections: Sahar Chung on Design, Performance, and Inclusivity

    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/ Linkedin Sahar’s recommendation: Fantasy High Join us for the 2025 AIGA Design Conference, October 9-11 in Los Angeles, California – ⁠⁠⁠https://www.aiga.org/design/aiga-design-conference Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MscLQyFFwVI

    51 min

  6. 30/07/2025

    Embracing Change: Helder Santo's Journey in Design and Technology

    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.xyz Linkedin Helder’s recommendation: Severance Join us for the 2025 AIGA Design Conference, October 9-11 in Los Angeles, California – ⁠⁠https://www.aiga.org/design/aiga-design-conference

    44 min

  7. 08/07/2025

    Beyond the Brand: Building Ideas Worth Rallying Around with Sunny Bonnell

    In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello speak with Sunny Bonnell, Co-Founder & CEO of ⁠Motto⁠, about the powerful intersection of design and performance. Sunny shares her nonlinear career journey, emphasizing the importance of stirring emotion and inspiring action through creativity. The conversation delves into the essentials of brand transformation, the significance of visionary leadership, and how the design ecosystem is rapidly evolving with technology. Sunny also discusses her book, '⁠Rare Breed⁠,' which encourages leaders to embrace their unique and defiant traits as strengths, and introduces ⁠Vision Camp⁠, a program aimed at cultivating visionary leaders. The discussion explores the necessity of resilience, the pursuit of perfection in one's craft, and how to build brands around ideas worth rallying around. In a rapidly evolving industry, how can we turn our unconventional traits into a catalyst for visionary leadership and impactful brand transformation? Connect with ⁠Sunny Bonnell: ⁠⁠https://wearemotto.com/⁠⁠  LinkedIn⁠ Motto Instagram Motto ⁠Motto’s Vision Camp⁠ Sunny Bonnell’s book: ⁠Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different⁠ Sunny’s recommendation: Jiro Dreams of Sushi Join us for the 2025 AIGA Design Conference, October 9-11 in Los Angeles, California – ⁠https://www.aiga.org/design/aiga-design-conference

    37 min

  8. 24/06/2025

    Catalyzing Change: Maria Fernanda La Rotta on Strategic Design for an Inclusive Future

    In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello speak with Maria Fernanda La Rotta, co-founder and head of strategy at ⁠Switch Strategy⁠, about her dynamic career journey and the mission of her company to champion inclusion and drive innovation. Maria reflects on the strategic value of a design MBA, her commitment to empowering the next generation through her teaching role at Parsons, and how Switch Strategy specializes in developing niche markets for growth. The conversation also explores the challenges and opportunities within the current market, the critical importance of strategic design in solving business problems, and the evolving impact of AI on the industry. The discussion delves deeper into how inclusion drives business value, the necessity of advocating for it to enhance business performance, and the power of being a connector of ideas and people.  How can strategic design be a catalyst for embedding genuine inclusion in today's evolving business landscape? Connect with ⁠Maria Fernanda La Rotta on LinkedIn⁠ Switch Strategy: ⁠https://switchstrategy.co/⁠ Maria Fernanda’s book recommendation: ⁠Steal like an Artist⁠ Join us for the 2025 AIGA Design Conference, October 9-11 in Los Angeles, California – ⁠⁠https://www.aiga.org/design/aiga-design-conference⁠

    47 min
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About

The official podcast feed of AIGA, the professional association for design. We explore various facets of the design discipline, profession, and industry to help our listeners learn about the past and present and prepare for the future. The theme of our 2024-2025 season is "Design and Performance."

Information

  • Creator
    AIGA, the professional association for design
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    128
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © AIGA, the professional association for design
  • Show Website
    AIGA Design Podcast