Office Hour Tangents

Brandan Craft
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Straight from class to the podcast booth, Brandan Craft, a visual communication design professor continues his thoughts, instruction, stories, and TANGENTS regarding topics relating to art, design, and tech.

  1. Apr 28

    Robots, AI, Psychedelics, & Coffee w/ Zappy Zappoline!

    This Tangent began in the coffee shop when Zappy Zapolin, resident Psychedelic Concierge and cool conversationalist, said that we'll see domesticated robots in a significant number of homes in about 3 years (ie. robots that vacuum). That conversation spilled into the booth...which includes a Teddy Ruxpin on PsychedelicsMentioned in this episode:@zappyzapoline(https://zappyzapolin.com)Reality of Truth documentary(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glNJHVJgI2Y)Lamar Odom Re/Born(https://youtu.be/IahbdWT6z7U?si=5_BumOB_CR-iUIIJ)I Have No Mouth, and I Must Screamhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSwfpVRVWlo&t=88s Straight from class to the cast, Brandan Craft, a visual communication design professor, continues his thoughts, instruction, stories, and TANGENTS regarding topics relating to tech, design, Hip-Hop, and cultureSUBSCRIBE: (https://youtube.com/@brandanCraft?si=bc5Cx_NbQJ1cYOaq)Watch or Listen on Spotify: (https://rb.gy/hu0itv) orApple Podcasts: (https://rb.gy/2yffl0)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/brandancraft)@brandanCraft everywhere(https://www.brandancraft.com)All editing, design, and music: ⁨ @brandanCraft ​

    1h 25m

  2. Feb 26

    9 Topics I Couldn't Let Go

    It’s almost March, but these ideas have been living rent-free in my notes since January...and they’re too important to delete. In this episode, I’m clearing out my "Podcast Ideas" list by giving myself a 5-minute limit to expound on nine distinct topics sitting at the intersection of culture, design, and technology Topics: 1. Smartphone Cameras Negatively Effect Memory 2. Art for Art's Sake vs Practical Art 3. Why Do I Continue to Use Tidal? 4. How the Original Facebook and TikTok are Related 5. Screens Have Accelerated Copy Culture 6. Pulling From Students vs Pushing Them 7. Music Used to Feel Like Treasure, Now It Feels Like a Commodity 8. Code Switching 9. Folks Looking Back in Order to Cope w/ an Uncertain Future Mentioned in this episode: (https://playlistparty.online) (https://brandancraft.com/pro_athlete.html) Straight from class to the cast, Brandan Craft, a visual communication design professor continues his thoughts, instruction, stories, and TANGENTS regarding topics relating to art, design, and tech. SUBSCRIBE: (https://open.spotify.com/show/4yoEP7KWL31k9CdhMO3BCd?si=z73ELRJaRBOLdTGgSk1TyQ) Watch or Listen on YouTube: (https://youtu.be/4LvJ0f-n03Y) or Apple Podcasts: (https://rb.gy/2yffl0) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/brandancraft) Bluesky: (https://bsky.app/profile/brandancraft.bsky.social) (https://www.brandancraft.com) All editing, design, and music: @BrandanCraft TANGENTS: 00:00 - Intro 03:50 - Smartphone Cameras Negatively Effect Memory 08:43 - Art for Art's Sake vs Practical Art 14:16 - Why Do I Continue to Use Tidal? 19:34 - How the Original Facebook and TikTok are Related 25:16 - Screens Have Accelerated Copy Culture 29:32 - Pulling From Students vs Pushing Them 34:49 - Music Used to Feel Like Treasure, Now It Feels Like a Commodity 40:11 - Code Switching 45:44 - Folks Looking Back in Order to Cope w/ an Uncertain Future

    52 min
  3. Is AI an Anti-Collaboration Tool? Plus Why I Even Do These Things

    12/05/2025

    Is AI an Anti-Collaboration Tool? Plus Why I Even Do These Things

    For my 30th ep 🎉 I get into why I even do these podcasts/streams/videos (hint: therapy). I also get into A.I. music, Timbaland and his new A.I. artist, Milli Vanilli (the group Milli Vanilli, not saying that Tims new artist is Milli Vanilli...but 🤔 😁), and even Macromedia Dreamweaver. It's a rather scatterbrained episode, but I think I tied it together in a fittingly tangential manner 🤞🏽✌🏽 Watch or Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDdIExRnyJY Apple Podcasts: https://rb.gy/2yffl0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandancraft Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brandancraft.bsky.social https://www.brandancraft.com Straight from class to the cast, Brandan Craft, a visual communication design professor continues his thoughts, instruction, stories, and TANGENTS regarding topics relating to art, design, and tech. All music, design, and editing: @BrandanCraft TANGENTS: 00:00 Intro 02:57 The designer/dev relationship 08:32 The producer/artist relationship 22:49 Why I even do these things Year 2: First Semester

    41 min
  4. A Different World: My HBCU Experience, from Student to Professor

    09/23/2025

    A Different World: My HBCU Experience, from Student to Professor

    The Tangent I go off on for this ep revolves around HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), my introduction to them and some of my past experiences attending one as an undergraduate (Alabama A&M) and professor (Florida A&M). I delve into issues such as representation and funding as well as lighter topics like HBCU "Classics" and kicking it on The Ave. As someone who began at an HBCU, graduated from PWIs (undergrad and graduate), started full-time teaching at a second HBCU, and is currently teaching at a third PWI, my unique perspective regarding the topic of HBCUs could be deemed as valuable to some. Watch or Listen on Spotify: https://rb.gy/hu0itvApple Podcasts: https://rb.gy/2yffl0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandancraftBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brandancraft.bsky.social https://www.brandancraft.com Straight from class to the cast, Brandan Craft, a visual communication design professor continues his thoughts, instruction, stories, and TANGENTS regarding topics relating to art, design, and tech. All music, design, and editing: @BrandanCraft TANGENTS: 00:00 Intro 02:02 (Very brief) Why do we have HBCUs? 03:47 What drew me to HBCUs 04:00 The Classics 05:59 The Cosby Show, Different World, & School Daze 06:59 Alpha Esquires 08:33 Alabama A&M (undergrad) 09:13 EVERYONE IS BLACK! 12:29 Why I left 19:04 Florida A&M (professor) 20:46 How many black male teachers have you had EVER? 21:25 The (2) black male teachers I had K-16 23:18 A family atmosphere (homecoming, bands, step shows, etc) 26:35 Funding issues 29:30 Teaching all-black classes 31:24 Why I left (again) Year 2: First SemesterClass: Intro to Design

    33 min
  5. Art vs Design, K Dot vs Drake, Creatives vs Created

    08/07/2025

    Art vs Design, K Dot vs Drake, Creatives vs Created

    Dive deep into a fascinating discussion exploring the intersection of "Art" and "Design" across the worlds of Hip-Hop and the NBA!In this video, we break down how these two concepts manifest in the careers and legacies of cultural giants. Is Kendrick Lamar's lyricism pure art, or is there an element of calculated design in his album rollouts? Does LeBron James's sustained dominance represent a meticulously designed career, or is it a raw, artistic expression of talent?We touch on:- The raw artistic genius of figures like K Dot (Kendrick Lamar), Andre 3000, J Dilla, and Lauryn Hill.- The strategic "design" elements seen in the careers of icons like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Drake, and Jay-Z.- How figures like Kanye West blend both art and design in their music and brand.- The unique contributions of producers like Dr. Dre, Timbaland, and DJ Premier.- The "Art vs. Design" lens applied to other figures across sports and entertainment, from Kobe Bryant to Beyoncé, and even Paul Rand.Join the debate and share your thoughts in the comments: Who embodies "Art" and who embodies "Design" in your eyes? And where do the lines blur?#ArtVsDesign #HipHopCulture #NBADebate #KendrickLamar #LeBronJames #Drake #KanyeWest #MichaelJordan #MusicTheory #SportsAnalytics #CultureTalk #YouTubeDiscussionWatch or Listen on Spotify: https://rb.gy/hu0itvApple Podcasts: https://rb.gy/2yffl0Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandancraftBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brandancraft.bsky.social https://www.brandancraft.comStraight from class to the cast, Brandan Craft, a visual communication design professor continues his thoughts, instruction, stories, and TANGENTS regarding topics relating to art, design, and tech.All music, design, and editing: @BrandanCraft TANGENTS:00:00 Intro02:07 - Main Topic Intro: Art vs. Design02:34 - Art vs. Design: Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar (The Catalyst)05:40 - Revisiting Drake: Wanting to Be Famous vs. Being an Artist07:05 - Drake's Calculated Approach vs. K Dot's Expression07:38 - Introducing the "Artsy Slider" (Creative Scale 0-100)10:52 - Andre 3000 vs. Hip-Hop (Flute Album Discussion)13:22 - Speaker identifies himself as a "Designer," not an "Artist"14:09 - Andre 3000 (Flute) vs. Hip-Hop (Programmatic)17:30 - Black Eyed Peas: Artist to Designer Transition (with Fergie)22:52 - Miss Hill vs. Beyonce (Artsy Slider)27:21 - Artistic Producer vs. Designer Producer27:37 - Kirk Franklin & R. Kelly (Formulaic Producers)28:29 - DJ Premier vs. Dr. Dre (Art vs. Design in Production)29:07 - Nas vs. Jay-Z (Art vs. Design in Rapping)31:18 - B.o.B.'s Career Trajectory: Commercial to Artistry32:11 - Kanye vs. Kanye (Yay vs. Kanye, as artist/designer)33:17 - Steve Jobs vs. Tim Cook (Apple: Art vs. Design)35:59 - Basquiat vs. Paul Rand (Fine Art vs. Commercial Design)36:27 - Donald Glover vs. Childish Gambino (Actor vs. Rapper Persona)38:10 - Spike Lee vs. Tyler Perry (Filmmaking: Art vs. Design)54:15 - Michael Jackson vs. Prince (Art vs. Design)01:01:09 - NBA Artists & Designers: Jordan vs. LeBron vs. Kobe vs. KyrieEpisode: 28Year 1: Second Semester

    1h 8m

  6. 07/02/2025

    Off Script: Spark the Cypher, Thoughts on A.I., Hip-Hop, and Creative Thinking

    V1 of this was my attempt at a scripted/essay-type cast. I generally read from a script I wrote (should've memorized it, but...), something that I've never done before. I wasn't sure how it turned out so I immediately re-did it without the script to see what style translates best. I TRULY understand that no one really cares, but I guess this is part of my personal discovery process. If you do read this AND watch both casts 😆 let me know which version flows better. The one with the script, graphics, and animation or this one. ✌🏽Thinking creatively is easier said than done. Expanding our thoughts beyond ourselves is a valuable skill to have in these days of automation and algorithm driven processes. Design thinking techniques help us tap into alternate pathways to problem solving. These more organic routes help to keep us grounded and expansive at the same time. This cast touches on tapping into these aforementioned alternate pathways of thought by treating a design thinking activity more like a Hip-Hop cypher, where collaboration and dopeness serve as valuable problem solving techniques.I decided to expand on my previous podcast's premise for a session I was invited to lead at a recent conference. This is that session's presentation redone as a cast. Watch or Listen on Spotify: https://rb.gy/hu0itvApple Podcasts: https://rb.gy/2yffl0Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandancraftBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brandancraft.bsky.social https://www.brandancraft.comStraight from class to the cast, Brandan Craft, a visual communication design professor continues his thoughts, instruction, stories, and TANGENTS regarding topics relating to art, design, and tech.All music, design, and editing: @BrandanCraft Year 1: Second SemesterClass: Summer School

    21 min
  7. Spark the Cypher: Thoughts on A.I., Hip-Hop, and Creative Thinking

    06/23/2025

    Spark the Cypher: Thoughts on A.I., Hip-Hop, and Creative Thinking

    Thinking creatively is easier said than done. Expanding our thoughts beyond ourselves is a valuable skill to have in these days of automation and algorithm driven processes. Design thinking techniques help us tap into alternate pathways to problem solving. These more organic routes help to keep us grounded and expansive at the same time. This cast touches on tapping into these aforementioned alternate pathways of thought by treating a design thinking activity more like a Hip-Hop cypher, where collaboration and dopeness serve as valuable problem solving techniques. I decided to expand on my previous podcast's premise for a session I was invited to lead at a recent conference. This is that session's presentation redone as a cast. Watch or Listen on Spotify: https://rb.gy/hu0itvApple Podcasts: https://rb.gy/2yffl0Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandancraftBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brandancraft.bsky.social https://www.brandancraft.comStraight from class to the cast, Brandan Craft, a visual communication design professor continues his thoughts, instruction, stories, and TANGENTS regarding topics relating to art, design, and tech.All music, design, and editing: @BrandanCraft TANGENTS:00:00 Intro03:06 The lines06:38 The design thinking process07:15 How Herc and Flash solved a problem07:55 They identified the problem08:14 They identified the user08:22 The idea09:42 Testing the prototype10:21 Hip-Hop lives between the lines11:27 DJs live between the lines11:35 Breakdancing lives between the lines11:43 Grafitti lives between the lines12:01 MC means Move the Crowd!12:13 Hip-Hop cyphers12:31 Design thinking groups13:15 Spark the Skypher!15:04 This (AI) is something differentYear 1: Second SemesterClass: Summer School

    16 min
  8. In Between the Lines: Thoughts on AI, Creativity, and Feeling

    05/07/2025

    In Between the Lines: Thoughts on AI, Creativity, and Feeling

    This ep was inspired by a technology and A.I. panel I sat in on at a conference I had just left. I couldn't wait to share my thoughts with friends, but, none of my friends want to discuss such things so....I stopped by the podcast booth to let it out. Unfortunately, the booth I normally use was in service so I took the opportunity to test the new one. I touch on A.I., but from the perspective of where it may not be yet.Watch or Listen on Spotify: https://rb.gy/hu0itvApple Podcasts: https://rb.gy/2yffl0Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandancraftBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brandancraft.bsky.social https://www.brandancraft.comStraight from class to the cast, Brandan Craft, a visual communication design professor continues his thoughts, instruction, stories, and TANGENTS regarding topics relating to art, design, and tech.All music, design, and editing: @BrandanCraft TANGENTS:00:00 Intro: From Conference to Podcast Booth 00:30 Conference Insights and AI Discussion 03:14 The Unique Human Element: Feeling 06:34 Creativity and Teaching Perspectives 11:04 A.I. is Great on the Lines 11:36 In Between the Lines 13:26 Holding Out Hope 14:17 Draft Kings Needs People to FEEL 16:54 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsYear 1: Second SemesterClass: Interaction Design III

    17 min
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About

Straight from class to the podcast booth, Brandan Craft, a visual communication design professor continues his thoughts, instruction, stories, and TANGENTS regarding topics relating to art, design, and tech.

Information

  • Creator
    Brandan Craft
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Brandan Craft
  • Show Website
    Office Hour Tangents