The Best Podcasts for Design Students to Tune Into
I began listening to design-related podcasts during my junior year of high school and my interest in them continued to flourish throughout my time in design school. Surprisingly, the realm of design podcasts remains somewhat scarce, despite my extensive search. I haven’t listened to every single one, but I have managed to explore a considerable number.
As someone who often requires background noise to focus, podcasts have been a lifeline for me. There are moments where I struggle to find the perfect song or show to play, and during these instances, I remind myself that I could be learning something meaningful instead of only indulging in entertainment. Don’t get me wrong though, they’re both very important in their own respective ways. Putting a podcast on in the background instantly creates an ambiance of focus. Personally, I find listening to the spoken word especially soothing.
There are many advantages to immersing yourself in podcasts, especially for design students. One of the biggest benefits I receive from them is being able to hear from industry leaders. Listening to accomplished professionals share their experiences gave me the motivation to pursue design and remain resolute during my design education journey. Unfortunately, attending design school doesn’t equip you with the entirety of what you need to know. The business aspect of design, for example, is rarely covered in traditional curriculum. So why not seize every opportunity to expand your knowledge?
Without further ado, here are my top five picks…
1. Design Better
Overview
The “Design Better” Podcast is dedicated to exploring every aspect of the design industry. In each episode, they engage in conversations with industry experts, creating a mentorship-like experience at your fingertips. This podcast covers User-Experience design, Industrial Design, Product Design, User-Interface Design, the business of design, and everything in between. There isn’t a lot of unnecessary content in this podcast, which I appreciate. It’s straightforward, informative, and filled with valuable information and tips.
Hosts
This podcast is hosted by Aaron Walter and Eli Woolery. Aaron Walter has an extensive background in design and technology. He is the author of the book “Designing for Emotion,” the founder of the UX practice at MailChimp, and currently serves as the Vice President of Design Education at InVision. Eli Woolery holds the position of Director of Design Education at InVision and is also a lecturer in the Product Design program at Stanford University.
Episodes to Start off With
- Seth Godin: Learning to take risks, be generous, and make a ruckus
- Nir Eyal: How to be Indistractable
- Scott Berkin: How Design Makes the World
2. Design Matters
Overview
“Design Matters” is a widely acclaimed podcast known for its focus on how design intersects with various other disciplines. It takes a much broader approach than other podcasts, while still maintaining design as its core theme. Each episode features an intimate conversation with an industry leader or influencer. These conversations often delve into how design is influenced by society and cultures, vice versa. Moreover, the podcast frequently explores sensitive topics such as sustainability and inclusive design.
Hosts
“Design Matters” is hosted by Debbie Millman, a formidable industry leader with extensive experience in design, branding, and marketing. She has held the position of President at Sterling Brands, collaborating with renowned clients such as Burger King and PepsiCo. Millman’s notable literary contributions include books like “How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer” and “Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits.” Furthermore, she is highly regarded as an educator, having chaired the Masters in Branding program at the School of Visual Arts.
Episodes to Start off With
3. Design Life
Overview
“Design Life” was started by two female creatives who recognized a gap in the podcast market. There was no podcast covering the experiences that young creatives go through from a female perspective. My favorite aspect of this podcast is their transparency when discussing the struggles designers face. Rather than adopting an interview format, the podcast feels like a genuine conversation between friends. It offers plenty of down-to-earth advice, and each episode explores a new topic.
Hosts
The hosts of the podcast are Charli Prangley and Femke Van Schoonhoven. Charli Prangley serves as the Creative Director of ConvertKit’s Brand Studio team. She was also recognized on Adobe’s UX designers to watch list in 2019. On the other hand, Femke Van Schoonhoven currently holds the position of Design Lead at Guston and runs a dedicated YouTube channel focused on product design and career advice.
Episodes to Start off With
- Are you on the right path in your design career?
- Balancing work and side projects
- Why are there so few women in design leadership?
4. 99% Invisible
Overview
99% Invisible” is a podcast that examines the power of design and architecture in everyday life, highlighting how frequently we overlook their influence. I discovered this podcast after reading the book “99% Invisible,” which I highly recommend. Rather than presenting itself as a lecture filled with life lessons, this podcast embraces the art of storytelling, delivering captivating narratives that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are enlightening. Each episode explores a new aspect of design or architecture that significantly improves our lives, often without us even realizing it. It has the ability to alter your perspective on many things, encouraging you to seek out hidden design choices and features. Prepare to be amazed as it uncovers the intricate world of design that surrounds us.
Hosts
Roman Mars is an American Radio Host with experience in creating sound-rich, beautiful content. That’s another thing that makes this podcast one of my favorites; It’s amazingly produced.
Episodes to Start off With
5. The Futur with Chris Do
Overview
“The Futur” podcast is an excellent resource for students, as it fills in gaps that may exist in design school curriculum. This podcast covers not only design but also business and marketing. In many design programs, business classes are not required, yet they are crucial for comprehending the design field holistically. Each episode of the podcast is brimming with valuable content and features insightful guests.
Hosts
Chris Do is the founder of The Futur, an online platform that provides mentorship to creative professionals. He’s worked with brands like Disney and Nike. He also has a very successful Youtube channel, which I watch often and that you should check out as well.
Episodes to Start off With
- How to tell your story – with Chris Do
- Navigating the creative industry – with Susana Chen
- Creativity is not magic – with Joey Cofone
I hope this list helped you out in some way! The world of podcasts provides an abundance of knowledge that’ll help you through design school and beyond. So grab your headphones, tune into these podcasts, and be prepared to take notes!