What role does a name play in our identity? In this week’s episode, we learn about the myth of legal names. Sam is joined by Remy Green, Civil Rights Lawyer, Teacher, and Founding Partner at Cohen&Green, where they specialize in civil rights, defamation, free speech, consumer rights, and intellectual property litigation. Remy shares how they first learned about the myth of legal names and the role that names play in identity. Later on in the show, they are joined by Cori Alonso-Yoder, a visiting faculty member at Howard Law School. Together they discuss a brief history of the common law, the design behind the law of name change, and how naming oneself can serve as an act of liberation.

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The Myth of Legal Names

What is the role of design in physical and digital retail experiences? In this week’s episode, we learn more about the future of the store. Sam is joined by Larry Rodgers, the Head of Retail and Assisted Channel Experiences at Verizon. Larry shares the evolution of retail in the last year and the reasons why customers go to retail. Later on in the show, they are joined by Toby Barnes, the Head of User Experience at Amazon Alexa Northstar. Together they discuss how they have used design to engage customers, the effects of digital adoption, and telling a story through retail.  

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Connection through the Retail Experience

How is the fashion industry making sustainable choices? In this week’s episode, we learn more about the design process behind sustainable everyday fashion design. Sam is joined by Suzanne McKenzie, the Founder and CEO of Able Made, a New York-based company specializing in sustainable, eco-friendly athleisure. Suzanne chats about Able Made’s origin story and her thoughts on the future of sustainable everyday fashion. Later on in the show, they are joined by Jordana Guimaraes, Co-Founder of Fashinnovation, a platform showcasing innovations that shape the fashion industry. Together they discuss the changes being made to create more sustainable designs in everyday fashion.  

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Innovating for Sustainable Everyday Fashion

How does type affect the brand identity? In this week’s episode, we learn about the power of typography to transform the voice of a brand. Sam is joined by Blake Goodwin, the Founder and President of Proportion Design, a Boston-based branding agency whose work spans all areas of the built environment, extensive lifestyle and consumer verticals, and a broad range of corporate services. Blake chats about his projects and process. Later on in the show, they are joined by Matteo Bologna, the Principal, Creative Director, and Founder of Mucca Design, an award-winning New York-based branding firm that transforms businesses through uncommon creative solutions. Together they discuss how they incorporate typography in their own brand identity projects and how they discovered their love for type design.  

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Beyond the Word: Designing Type

How can we design a better care system that relieves a family’s stress and gives patients the healthcare they need? In this episode, Sam is joined by Patrice Martin, CEO and Co-Founder of The Holding Co, to learn how design is being incorporated in the care system. The current care system overburdens caretakers. But how can the future of care change? Patrice discusses the Care 100, a list of people reimagining the care system. Later on in the show, Sam and Patrice interview Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, CEO of Wellthy. Together, they discuss how the care system benefits from good design, how the concierge system gives families the help and resources they need and the role technology can take on the caretaking grunt work, giving room for human connection.  

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From the Archive: Redesigning Care for Everyone

How does design evoke the museum experience? In this week’s episode, we are talking about graphic design in museums and how graphic design is approached when designing for the arts. Sam is joined by Katherine Hughes, Design Director at Stoltze Design Group. Katherine talks more about the impact of design on the visual arts. Later on in the show, they are joined by Lisa Fischman, Director and Chief Curator at The Davis Museum on the Wellesley College campus. Together they discuss how the team at Stoltze Design and The Davis Museum have worked to produce exhibition identities, catalogues, and exhibition graphics. 

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Enhancing the Museum Experience with Design

What does sustainable beauty product design look like from concept to product without harming the planet? In this week’s episode, we are talking about designing sustainable beauty products. Sam is joined by Monica Becker, the Director of Beauty, Personal Care and Household Products at Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Monica shares more about the Cradle to Cradle certification process and brands that are making innovative sustainable designs. Later on in the show, they are joined by Isabel Aagaard, the Co-Founder of LastObject, a zero waste store of reusable everyday products. Isabel chats about the founding of LastObject and their newest launch, LastPad. Together they discuss more about incorporating new habits and sustainable materials in beauty product design.

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Redefining Single-Use Beauty Products

How can design firms center less on the “design for hire” model and more on building relationships with innovative young companies? In this week’s episode, we learn more about a new type of design firm for startups. Sam is joined by Bret Recor, the Founder and Creative Director of award-winning design agency Box Clever. Bret chats about the process of this new hybrid model where Box Clever actually takes a stake in the companies that they work with, which allows them to be more of a partner to these companies. He shares more on how this approach looks different from the “Design for Hire” model. Later on in the show, they are joined by Jamison Pereira, Co-founder of Eddi, a new startup that is launching a sustainable soap dispenser for the modern home. Together they chat about collaborating during lockdown and the power of good design.

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A New Form of Design Firm for Startups

What is the power of story? In this episode, Sam is joined by Jon Campbell, Head of Innovation Capability at EPAM Continuum, to learn about the value of storytelling in design. They chat about how designers convey stories to bring impactful designs and how storytelling is used in the prototyping phase. Later on in the show, they are joined by Debbie Millman, designer, author, educator, and host of Design Matters. Debbie shares her earliest interview experiences and how her process has changed over the years. Together, they discuss how podcasting has evolved and why design matters to them. 

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From the Archive: The Power of Story

How can design be a tool for social good? In this week’s episode, we learn more about how design firms marry social impact and design. Sam is joined by Augusta Meill. Augusta founded Agncy Design, a firm that applies and adapts human-centered design practices to the work of justice and equity. Augusta shares when she discovered the role of design in social impact work and the founding of Agncy. Later on in the show, they are joined by Michael Brennan who founded Civilla, a non-profit design studio dedicated to changing the way our public-serving institutions work through human-centered design. Together they chat about the long-term nature of social impact work and the importance of good leadership. Augusta and Michael answer audience questions. 

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Live Show: Design Firms Focused on Social Good