Design Matters

A conversation with Steven Heller, about the long and troubled history of the swastika.

On this episode Debbie talks to designer Chip Kidd and his good friend, graphic novelist Chris Ware.

On this episode cartoonist Lynda Barry talks to Debbie about learning how to draw, and the damaging effects of one’s own opinion.

Writer, artist, and designer Warren Lehrer talks to Debbie about the intersection of images and letters and about the future of books.

On this episode Elissa Altman talks to Debbie about life, food, love, and the new book she wrote on the difficult relationship she has with her mother.

Debbie talks to Derren Brown about his risky stage performances as a mentalist and illusionist.

Debbie talks with writer Lisa Taddeo about sex and desire.

Debbie talks to illustrator Brian Rea about the Grim Reaper: “Having the Grim Reaper is a complete cliche. It’s an archetype that everyone has a vision of what it is. But it really is a reminder that time is precious.”

On this episode, Debbie talks to Simon Doonan about his unlikely career and his formula for creative window displays.

On this archival episode, Debbie talks to portrait painter Amy Sherald about her emotionally evocative work.

Debbie Millman talks with Pete Souza about his years as the Obama administration official photographer.

Debbie talks to illustrator Christoph Niemann about his singular career as an artistic superhero.

On this epsiode Debbie talks to David Lee Roth about his childhood, about his long career and his new skincare business, and about how he has avoided crashing, like so many other rock stars. “To be perfectly fair, I’ve had my wild excesses.”

Debbie talks with Austin Kleon, who describes himself as 'a writer who draws'.

Debbie talks to writer and activist Zoe Mendelson about the importance of sexual knowledge for women.

Debbie talks with author and therapist Lori Gottlieb about the importance of emotional awareness.

On this episode, Debbie talks with designer Stephen Gates about why it’s important for a brand not to be liked by everybody.

Debbie talks with Seth, the artist behind the book Palookaville, about why his generation of cartoonists broke away from fantasy.

Debbie talks with Tea Uglow about experimental digital projects that are pushing the boundaries of tech and art.

Debbie talks with Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love about the love of her life and her latest book City of Girls.

Debbie talks with artist Shantell Martin about her un-orthodox career, her collaborations, and about the business of making art.

On this episode, Debbie talks to calligrapher and type designer Kris Holmes, the co-creator of the Lucida typeface family.

Debbie talks to writer Roxane Gay about lonliness, social media, and self-exposure.

Debbie talks to Cey Adams about how his days writing graffiti led to a major career as a designer for hip hop acts and as an artist.

Debbie Millman talks to journalist Anand Giridharadas about his career, about a divided America, and about tech monopolies.

Debbie talks to author and researcher Brené Brown about belonging, courage, and vulnerability.

Debbie talks with pastry chef and Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi about her career and long apprenticeship.

Debbie talks with writer Anne Lamott about her life and her long career.

Debbie talks with designer Jamie Myrold about her problems. “There’s just no end of great problems to solve. Design problems, product problems, operational problems, everything that I just love.”

On this episode of Design Matters with Debbie Millman, designer James Victore talks about leading a creative life.

Debbie talks to designer and writer Ingrid Fetell Lee about joy.

Debbie talks to Dustin Yellin about his busy life making art, while also running a non-profit cultural center.

Debbie talks to designer, illustrator, and art director Kate Moross about her early success, her projects, and the importance of over-delivering.

Debbie talks to Chase Jarvis about his career as a photographer and entrepreneur. “It doesn’t matter if you’re creating small things every day that are seen by a few. Or if you’re creating a business that is seen or expereienced by hundreds of millions or billions of people. It’s all creativity.”

Debbie talks to Bo Burnham about his film Eighth Grade, and to the young star of that movie, Elsie Fisher.

Debbie talks to Scott Belsky about why creative conflict can lead to good decision making.

Dani talks to Debbie about her surprising genetic inheritance. “I had always felt ‘other’ in the Shapiro family, because I looked so ‘other’.”

On this episode, Jocelyn K. Glei talks about how the internet can lead to burnout. “That’s what’s so problematic about the digital space is it assumes an infinite capacity.”

Josh Higgins talks about how to design software products that become popular with users.

Debbie talks to design critic Alice Rawsthorn about the growing status of design.

Debbie talks to performance poet Sarah Kay about teaching people to write.

Debbie talks to illustrator Christoph Niemann about his singular career as an artistic superhero.

Debbie talks to singer-songwriter Shirley Manson about her career, her music, and the long road that got her where she is today.

Debbie talks with pastry chef and Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi about her career and long apprenticeship.

Debbie talks with famed photographer Albert Watson about his career and the importance of preparing conceptually for a shoot.

Debbie talks to museum director Thelma Golden about the power of curation.

Debbie talks with Anne Lamott about her life and her long career. “I mean I’m so in the wrong profession because I hate being criticized. And I just shrink up, like a snail with salt being poured on it.”

Debbie talks with Pete Souza about his years as the Obama administration official photographer.

Debbie talks to designer Paul Sahre about the power of saying no to clients, and about a meeting with Steely Dan that went off the rails.

Debbie talks to Patricia Cronin about art and politics.