We’re not ashamed to admit that, when we booked Debbie Millman for our show, we were a little intimidated. Not by Debbie herself, who always comes across as kind, smart, and thoughtful in the interviews she does for her own show, Design Matters.
But just knowing that we were interviewing a pioneer in the podcasting space, someone who has been interviewing designers and creatives for over 15 years, and who spends a huge amount of time and effort researching each of her guests… that had us a little nervous.
That fretting turned out to be completely unwarranted, as Debbie is as gracious and entertaining a guest as she is an interviewer. In addition to her long-running podcast, Debbie is the President Emeritus of AIGA and chair and co-founder of the Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
We spoke with her about the role that teaching plays in her learning process, and covered a range of topics from ethics in design to the differences between being a designer and an artist.
Takeaways:
Learn why it’s important for design to be personal, even when you’re designing for other people.
Hear how digital product designers can learn from other creative disciplines that have a long history.
Find out how to stay in better “career shape,” whether you are a recent graduate or further in your career.
About Debbie Millman
Named “one of the most creative people in business” by Fast Company, and “one of the most influential designers working today” by Graphic Design USA, a woman of influence by Success Magazine, and one of the Queer 40 by Lesbians Who Tech, Debbie Millman is also an illustrator, author, educator, curator, editorial director of PrintMag.com and host of the podcast Design Matters.
Design Matters is one of the first and longest running podcasts in the world. As host and founder, Millman has interviewed over 500 of the most creative people in the world over the past 19 years. Design Matters won a 2011 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, in 2015 Apple designated it one of the best overall podcasts on Apple Podcasts, and in 2021 and 2023 designated it one of their “All Time Favorites.” In addition, the show has been nominated for ten Webby Awards (winning two) and two Ambie Awards. Design Matters has also won three Communicator Awards, a Signal Award and three awards from The Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts. Design Matters has been listed on over 100 “Best Podcasts” lists, including one of the best podcasts in the world by Business Insider and Vanity Fair.
Debbie is the author of seven books, including three collections of interviews that have extended the ethos and editorial vision of Design Matters to the printed page: How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer and Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits. Her most recent book, Why Design Matters: Conversations with the World’s Most Creative People, was published by Harper Collins in 2022 and has won a Graphis award and an iF award.
