AIGA Design Podcast

AIGA, the professional association for design
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  • EVERY TWO MONTHS

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. 29 SEPT

    George Aye, Pissed-Off Optimist and Co-Founder of Greater Good Studio

    In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello engage with George Aye, co-founder of Greater Good Studio, to explore the concept of 'pissed off optimism' in design. They discuss the balance between recognizing societal issues and maintaining hope for change, the importance of community among like-minded individuals, and the challenges of transitioning from designer to business owner. Aye reflects on his experiences with race in design, the principles guiding his studio, and the need for ethical considerations in design education. The conversation culminates in recommendations for media that inspire social change and a call to action for designers to engage with local nonprofits.Takeaways- Being a 'pissed off optimist' means balancing anger and hope.- Designers can create new worlds and challenge the status quo.- Community events can foster connections among like-minded individuals.- Race and identity play significant roles in the design profession.- Transitioning from designer to business owner presents unique challenges.- Saying no to certain projects is crucial for maintaining integrity.- Design should prioritize social change and community impact.- Teaching ethics in design is essential for future generations.- Breaking traditional design rules can lead to authenticity.- Engaging with local nonprofits can amplify design's social impact.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Pissed Off Optimism02:42 The Angry Hour for Pissed Off Optimists05:53 Reflections on Race and Design11:36 Navigating Leadership and Management Challenges17:08 The Importance of Saying No23:04 Designing Collaborative Cultures29:08 Redefining Performance in Design33:30 Aligning Business Goals with Social Impact37:44 Breaking Design Rules and Embracing Authenticity41:10 Transforming Design Education for Social Good46:53 Inspiration and Recommendations for Designers

    53 min

  2. 9 SEPT

    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

  3. 30 JUL

    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

  4. 8 JUL

    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

  5. 24 JUN

    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

  6. 21 MAY

    Design at Scale: Richard Moross and the Story of MOO

    In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello speak with Richard Moross, founder and CEO of MOO, about his journey from early entrepreneurial experiments to building a globally recognized print and design company. Richard reflects on the evolution of MOO, the balance between quality and scale, the value of thoughtful company culture, and how hybrid work is reshaping collaboration. The conversation also explores the deeper relationship between design and performance, the importance of making design accessible to all, and how inspiration can come from unexpected places—like film, or a trip to the supermarket. Richard shares his personal leadership rituals and offers recommendations for films that continue to spark his creativity. How do we navigate the duality of crafting exceptional design while making it accessible to all? Movie Recommendations: Sound City Beatles Documentary Get Back The Holy Mountain Jodorowsky's Dune Watch the video version of this podcast interview on the AIGA Design YouTube Channel

    39 min

  7. 6 MAY

    Designing Change in Bureaucracy with Ivan Boscariol

    In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello speak with Ivan Boscariol, Senior Innovation Specialist and public service designer at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Ivan shares his journey from a background in international relations to working at the intersection of design, innovation, and public service in Latin America. The conversation explores what it means to be a designer within a large public institution, and how to navigate the cultural and bureaucratic complexities that come with the territory. Ivan reflects on the importance of intentionality in design, the need to adapt innovation processes to local contexts, and why trust and collaboration are essential to driving change. He also unpacks the multiple meanings of design practice—as a verb and as a noun—and how those interpretations shift across cultures. Offering a fresh perspective, Ivan highlights the often-overlooked upsides of bureaucracy, and how structure can actually support innovation within large, complex organizations like the IDB. From the challenges of scaling solutions to the power of relationship-building, this episode offers valuable insights into designing for impact within systems that are often slow to change—but full of potential. What if we viewed bureaucracy not as a barrier, but as a material we can design with? Ivan's LinkedIn Documentary: Horizon Zero Dawn Book: Good Strategy, Bad Strategy by Richard P. Rumelt

    54 min

  8. 21 APR

    Designing Memory: Exploring Syria’s Creative Legacy with Kinda Ghannoum

    In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Kinda Ghannoum shares her captivating journey from architecture into the vibrant world of graphic design, emphasizing her passion for preserving cultural heritage through the Syrian Design Archive. Hosts Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello discuss with Kinda the vital role design plays in documenting history, elevating cultural identities, and inspiring future creativity amidst political challenges. Kinda explores the nuanced relationship between her Polish and Syrian heritage, revealing how these cultural layers enrich her creative process and contribute to her distinct approach to design. She emphasizes accessibility and storytelling, underlining the significance of sharing design resources widely and effectively. The conversation delves into the broader landscape of Arabic visual identity, showcasing how each Arab country preserves tradition while cultivating unique design aesthetics. Kinda highlights Arabic script's integral role in visual storytelling and cultural representation. She also shares her experiences collaborating on the Syrian Design Archive, underscoring collective storytelling and teamwork in promoting cultural understanding and appreciation. How do you preserve cultural authenticity while embracing modern design practices? Connect with Kinda Ghannoum on Instagram Explore the Syrian Design Archive on Facebook and Instagram Kinda’s book recommendation: The Arab of the Future Join us for the 2025 AIGA Design Conference, October 9-11 in Los Angeles, California – https://www.aiga.org/design/aiga-design-conference

    30 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
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    125
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © AIGA, the professional association for design
  • Show Website
    AIGA Design Podcast

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