In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello engage in an inspiring conversation with Devika Menon, a service design and delivery lead at the City of Philadelphia. They explore Devika's diverse career journey, from her early days in animation film design to her current role in civic design. The discussion highlights the importance of human-centered design, the challenges of working within government systems, and the significance of participatory service design. Devika shares insights on navigating uncertainty, the impact of cultural experiences on design thinking, and the value of collaboration in creating sustainable change.

Episode Recommendations:

Book: Good Services: Decoding the Mystery of What Makes a Good Service

Book: Braiding Sweetgrass

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Kevin Flores, an experienced product and design leader, founder and coach. They delve into Kevin's diverse career journey, from his early days in Silicon Valley to his experiences with major corporations like LinkedIn and Verizon. The discussion highlights the importance of adaptability in design careers, the evolving role of design leaders, and the significance of personal branding. Kevin shares insights on navigating the challenges of the design industry, the impact of AI on design processes, and the value of cultivating a unique design sense. He reminds designers that even as AI evolves, maintaining a sharp critical lens remains an essential skill.

Episode Recommendations:

Kevin's Book: Design Career Handbook

Short Film: Powers of Ten

Book recommendation: Orbiting the Giant Hairball

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello engage with George Aye, co-founder of Greater Good Studio, to explore the concept of 'pissed off optimism' in design. They discuss the balance between recognizing societal issues and maintaining hope for change, the importance of community among like-minded individuals, and the challenges of transitioning from designer to business owner. Aye reflects on his experiences with race in design, the principles guiding his studio, and the need for ethical considerations in design education. The conversation culminates in recommendations for media that inspire social change and a call to action for designers to engage with local nonprofits.Takeaways- Being a 'pissed off optimist' means balancing anger and hope.- Designers can create new worlds and challenge the status quo.- Community events can foster connections among like-minded individuals.- Race and identity play significant roles in the design profession.- Transitioning from designer to business owner presents unique challenges.- Saying no to certain projects is crucial for maintaining integrity.- Design should prioritize social change and community impact.- Teaching ethics in design is essential for future generations.- Breaking traditional design rules can lead to authenticity.- Engaging with local nonprofits can amplify design's social impact.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Pissed Off Optimism02:42 The Angry Hour for Pissed Off Optimists05:53 Reflections on Race and Design11:36 Navigating Leadership and Management Challenges17:08 The Importance of Saying No23:04 Designing Collaborative Cultures29:08 Redefining Performance in Design33:30 Aligning Business Goals with Social Impact37:44 Breaking Design Rules and Embracing Authenticity41:10 Transforming Design Education for Social Good46:53 Inspiration and Recommendations for Designers

In this insightful episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, hosts Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello are joined by Sahar Chung, Director of Product Strategy at Multiplayer. Sahar shares her unique career journey, from her early days as a NASA contractor to becoming a leader in the UX field. The conversation delves into the evolution of UX research as a strategic partner, the importance of building inclusive methodologies, and the critical role of relationship-building in design. Learn about Sahar's co-founding of Confetti Q&A, a platform for community-driven discussions on industry challenges.

Connect with Sahar Chung:

https://saharchung.com/

Linkedin

Sahar’s recommendation: Fantasy High

Join us for the 2025 AIGA Design Conference, October 9-11 in Los Angeles, California – ⁠⁠⁠https://www.aiga.org/design/aiga-design-conference

Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MscLQyFFwVI

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, hosts Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello sit down with Helder Santo, a partner at Unnamed, to explore the dynamic intersection of design, technology, and performance. Helder shares his journey through the evolving landscape of digital marketing and design, highlighting key moments from his career at renowned creative agencies. The conversation delves into the concept of a regenerative design ecosystem, the challenges of venture building in creative agencies, and the transformative potential of AI in design. Helder emphasizes the importance of embracing change, building trust, and fostering innovation within teams and client relationships.

Connect with ⁠Helder Santo:

helder@unnamed.xyz

Linkedin

Helder’s recommendation: Severance

Join us for the 2025 AIGA Design Conference, October 9-11 in Los Angeles, California – ⁠⁠https://www.aiga.org/design/aiga-design-conference

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello speak with Sunny Bonnell, Co-Founder & CEO of ⁠Motto⁠, about the powerful intersection of design and performance. Sunny shares her nonlinear career journey, emphasizing the importance of stirring emotion and inspiring action through creativity. The conversation delves into the essentials of brand transformation, the significance of visionary leadership, and how the design ecosystem is rapidly evolving with technology. Sunny also discusses her book, '⁠Rare Breed⁠,' which encourages leaders to embrace their unique and defiant traits as strengths, and introduces ⁠Vision Camp⁠, a program aimed at cultivating visionary leaders. The discussion explores the necessity of resilience, the pursuit of perfection in one's craft, and how to build brands around ideas worth rallying around.

In a rapidly evolving industry, how can we turn our unconventional traits into a catalyst for visionary leadership and impactful brand transformation?

Connect with ⁠Sunny Bonnell:

⁠⁠https://wearemotto.com/⁠⁠

LinkedIn⁠ Motto

Instagram Motto

⁠Motto’s Vision Camp⁠

Sunny Bonnell’s book: ⁠Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different⁠

Sunny’s recommendation: Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Join us for the 2025 AIGA Design Conference, October 9-11 in Los Angeles, California – ⁠https://www.aiga.org/design/aiga-design-conference

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello speak with Maria Fernanda La Rotta, co-founder and head of strategy at ⁠Switch Strategy⁠, about her dynamic career journey and the mission of her company to champion inclusion and drive innovation. Maria reflects on the strategic value of a design MBA, her commitment to empowering the next generation through her teaching role at Parsons, and how Switch Strategy specializes in developing niche markets for growth. The conversation also explores the challenges and opportunities within the current market, the critical importance of strategic design in solving business problems, and the evolving impact of AI on the industry. The discussion delves deeper into how inclusion drives business value, the necessity of advocating for it to enhance business performance, and the power of being a connector of ideas and people.

How can strategic design be a catalyst for embedding genuine inclusion in today's evolving business landscape?

Connect with ⁠Maria Fernanda La Rotta on LinkedIn⁠

Switch Strategy: ⁠https://switchstrategy.co/⁠

Maria Fernanda’s book recommendation: ⁠Steal like an Artist⁠

Join us for the 2025 AIGA Design Conference, October 9-11 in Los Angeles, California – ⁠⁠https://www.aiga.org/design/aiga-design-conference⁠

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello speak with Richard Moross, founder and CEO of MOO, about his journey from early entrepreneurial experiments to building a globally recognized print and design company.

Richard reflects on the evolution of MOO, the balance between quality and scale, the value of thoughtful company culture, and how hybrid work is reshaping collaboration.

The conversation also explores the deeper relationship between design and performance, the importance of making design accessible to all, and how inspiration can come from unexpected places—like film, or a trip to the supermarket. Richard shares his personal leadership rituals and offers recommendations for films that continue to spark his creativity.

How do we navigate the duality of crafting exceptional design while making it accessible to all?

Movie Recommendations:

Sound City

Beatles Documentary Get Back

The Holy Mountain

Jodorowsky's Dune

Watch the video version of this podcast interview on the AIGA Design YouTube Channel