Obsessed With Design

It started over a burrito, and now here they are... This week, Josh sits down with Alex Wier and Daniel Stewart, Creative Director and Studio Director of Wier/Stewart in Augusta, Georgia to catch up. You can follow them on Twitter here.   In this episode, we discuss: Why they decided to open an agency together. What they love about design and branding. Where Wier/Stewart is today.  Good and bad clients.   You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.

Joseph Kalinowski, better known as JK, began his career in Cleveland by cutting his teeth in production and printing. Later in life, at a PTA bowling event, he struck up a conversation with the owner of Content Marketing Institute, Joe Pulizzi, which led to his role as creative director for CM. When he’s not searching for the latest Star Wars action figures he’s busy at work planning for the next Content Marketing World.   In this episode, we discuss: His background Content Marketing Institute His design hero His favorite action figures   You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.

By the time Tom was twelve he had already begun to dabble in the realm of graphic design. He entered his designs into online contest where he began to make a name for himself. After what he calls his “right of passage,” he found an amazing community of designers from all different backgrounds and formed his company, Design Cuts.   In this episode, we discuss: His story  Starting Design Cuts  Honest Designers Show  What he most obsessed with today   You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.

Today we’ll hear from Paula Scher, Debbie Millman, Amy & Jennifer Hood, Robynne Raye, and Danielle Evans. Let me know if you like these kinds of episodes, and if so, we might do more of them.

Val Head launched into design when her rock band was in need of a website. Quickly, she realized how much she liked web design and that it paid the bills. From there she put her rocker past behind her and began her career in design.     In this episode, we discuss: Her origin story Adobe What makes a good client Being an author   You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.

Maurice began coding at an early age, and with every new technology he refined his skill. Captain of the math team turned designer, his passion for design grew in college when he began freelancing web design for miscellaneous clients. After working for the State of Georgia and a few start-ups he decided it was time to create his own company, Lunch.     In this episode, we discuss: His story Lunch What makes a great client Revision Path   You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.

In high school Chris was known as, "the guy that can draw anything." In the 80s he worked at a silkscreen shop where he was introduced to graphic design. From there, he found his "calling" and entered into a four year art program. He would later start his agency in 1995, Blind.   In this episode, we discuss: The Futur Blind What makes great clients and bad clients  What he's most obsessed with    You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.

By the time Tom was twelve he had already begun to dabble in the realm of graphic design. He entered his designs into online contest where he began to make a name for himself. After what he calls his “right of passage,” he found an amazing community of designers from all different backgrounds and formed his company, Design Cuts.   In this episode, we discuss: His story  Starting Design Cuts  Honest Designers Show  What he most obsessed with today   You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.

Before Brad discovered branding he discovered the power of reading. As a teenager he became an avid reader which led to his degree in literature. From there, he went to manage a bicycle shop where his love for bikes grew into the formation of an agency, Bullhorn.     In this episode, we discuss: How he became a writer Starting Bullhorn What makes a great client What he most obsessed with      You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.

Long-time listeners know that I interview designers of all types: architects, graphic designers, product designers, interior designers, process designers, and anyone with designer in their title, who are a little obsessed with their craft and industry. Our show explores the common threads that tie designers together, how they got started in the design world, and what makes them tick.   I've had the honor of interviewing some of the best in the business: Debbie Millman, Michael Bierut, David Carson, Paula Scher, and Armin Vit just to name a few.    Tweet to @obsessedshow or @joshmiles and let us know who you'd like to hear on season two.   Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time!

Michael found his love for design as a curious kid, being interested in making things and taking things apart, and photography. To quote Michael, he has an "engineering mindset without the math skills." Find out more about Michael and view his work on his website: www.earthtomj.com.    In this episode, we discuss: What does "service design" really mean?  His favorite client challenges     You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.

Chase Turberville is a brand designer at Focus Lab in Savannah, Georgia. Check out his work on Dribble and Instagram.   Chase discovered his love of design and branding as a teenager playing in a grunge cover band. From there, he began his official design career at Realtree, where he learned that anything can be wrapped in camo. He then spent time interning at Hatch Show Print and credits those three months as being some of the most transformative in his career.    In this episode, we discuss: How he got his start in the design world What makes a great client What he's most obsessed with today   You can download this episode and subscribe on iTunes.

Matt Stevens is a designer, illustrator, speaker, and creative tinkerer from North Carolina. His work has been featured by the biggest names in sports, tech, and even fast food. Matt's biggest goal is always to do thoughtful and unforgettable work for amazing brands and make the whole process a pleasure. You can follow him on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: How he got his start in a middle school logo design contest. His experience working with big brands, and advice he'd give to young designers starting with big brands. The importance of "side gigs" and how they have spurred his professional development. Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.

In this episode, I sat down with Amy and Jennifer Hood. These two are not only brilliant creatives and founders of a branding firm, they're also twins. You can follow their agency on Twitter here. In this episode, we discuss: How they collaborate with their team. The importance of producing their own products. How their team opens up recurring revenue opportunities. You can find show notes on our website at ObsessedShow.com.

Von Glitschka (or "Vonster" on Twitter) is revered by brand designers around the country as one of the brightest in the industry. He has worked with everyone from some of the largest brands in the world to small tech startups in the Pacific Northwest. In our chat, we discussed: What it's like working with such a diverse client base. How he does brand research, allowing him to "learn a new industry every 30 days." Where he finds his design inspiration. How he utilizes process to get the best results for his clients. You can find show notes on our website at ObsessedShow.com.

James Biber is an architect and partner in the firm Biber Architects, based in New York. James is responsible many of his firms most notable projects.  Biber's most recent project is the USA Pavilion for Expo Milano 2015. Biber’s career has also included the design of the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, 2008; oceanfront houses in Montauk, NY; a restoration of the 1934 Sten-Frenke house in Santa Monica, by Richard Neutra; along with projects at Celebration, Florida; store, suites and lounges in the Arizona Cardinals Football Stadium (by Peter Eisenman) in Phoenix, Arizona; Headquarters for the Muzak corporation in Fort Mill, SC. In this episode, we discuss: His background How he got into the world of architecture with a background in art in science What he's most obsessed with today Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.

Karen Kurycki is a designer/illustrator in Jacksonville, FL. Design is her passion and she loves to combine illustration with design in her commercial work. You can follow her on Twitter here.   In this episode, we discuss: Her attraction to water color Why she loves water color as a medium Some of her recent projects in the social activism space Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.  

James has worked as a production designer, art director, and set decorator since moving to Los Angeles from New Jersey after he graduated college in the early 2000's. He founded the creative design company JPConnelly at the age of 30, where he serves as the principal creative force and production designer.   JPConnelly boasts an eclectic resume that includes 48 TV shows, 10 live awards events, nine feature films and 50+ digital integrations. In addition to work in the entertainment industry, JPConnelly also produces events and activations for companies like Twitter, Snapchat, and Dubsmash, where the company uses experiential production design and storytelling concepts and techniques to creative innovative environments. Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.

Todd Berger & Lucian Föhr are the Founders of Berger & Föhr, a graphic design agency based out of Boulder, Colorado. They also recently started Ello, a social network designed to be censor-free.  Ello is the only network designed for creators, by creators. A robust and growing community of artists, designers, musicians, illustrators, photographers, architects, GIF makers - creators, who understand that our process, practice, values and passions can push the world forward in a better direction. Unlike the status quo advertising platforms that masquerade as social networks, Ello is not in business to harvest as much of your personal data and sell you as many ads as possible. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Ello has a legal mandate to never sell ads or personal data to third parties. In this episode, we discuss: Their social network, Ello. Why they have their agency on pause. All of the challenges and joys of creating a product in the startup environment.

Rick Valicenti is the founder and design director of Thirst, a communication design practice providing design and immersive environments for high profile clients in the architectural, performing arts, and education communities. His work has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), resides in the permanent collections of the Yale and Columbia University libraries, Denver Art Museum, and the Art Institute of Chicago, and has been published in The New York Times. In this episode, we discuss: How he got started in design. Connecting the dots from seemingly unconnected details about his career, to where he his today. Show notes are available at ObsessedShow.com.