Podcast · 23 episodes
DesignThinkers Podcast
by The Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) · English
From the Association of Registered Graphic Designers, this is the DesignThinkers podcast. DesignThinkers is Canada's largest graphic design conference. Since the year 2000, the Association of Registered Graphic Designers has been bringing together visionaries from a range of disciplines to explore creativity and the design process live and on-stage. This podcast is an extension of that mission. We’re here to talk about process, creativity and the business of design with past and present DesignThinkers speakers. Join our host, Nicola Hamilton, for candid conversation with creative legends such as Erin Sarofsky, Michael Beirut, Paul Scher, Gail Anderson, Meg Lewis, Christopher Doyle, and so many more. Follow us on Instagram @rgdcanada or visit us online at rgd.ca. Purchase tickets to the upcoming DesignThinkers conference at designthinkers.com.
Latest episodes
Erika Barbieri on Tasty Packaging DesignErika Barbieri (Olson Barbieri) discusses how “tasty” food packaging can function as research-driven storytelling—balancing economic interests, cultural/social expression, ecological complexity, and…30 Sep 2026 · 51 min
Goldie Chan on Personal Branding for IntrovertsPersonal branding for introverts, using Goldie Chan’s “five C’s” (clarity, consistency, competency, confidence, community), plus energy management (“introvert battery”), practical networking tactics,…16 Sep 2026 · 52 min
Gabby Lord & Lauren Wong on Being Delusional Enough to Start a CompanyTwo-person design studio Superkeen’s origin and operating philosophy—starting “delusionally” despite burnout, staying small, publishing financials, and choosing work that preserves work-life balance.2 Sep 2026 · 52 min
All episodes
Erika Barbieri on Tasty Packaging DesignErika Barbieri (Olson Barbieri) discusses how “tasty” food packaging can function as research-driven storytelling—balancing economic interests, cultural/social expression, ecological complexity, and…30 Sep 2026 · 51 min · 20 chapters
Goldie Chan on Personal Branding for IntrovertsPersonal branding for introverts, using Goldie Chan’s “five C’s” (clarity, consistency, competency, confidence, community), plus energy management (“introvert battery”), practical networking tactics,…16 Sep 2026 · 52 min · 14 chapters
Gabby Lord & Lauren Wong on Being Delusional Enough to Start a CompanyTwo-person design studio Superkeen’s origin and operating philosophy—starting “delusionally” despite burnout, staying small, publishing financials, and choosing work that preserves work-life balance.2 Sep 2026 · 52 min · 19 chapters
Valentina D'Efilippo on Giving Data a VoiceValentina DeFilippo discusses “giving data a voice”—how information designers decide what data reveals or hides, and how they translate numbers into human, emotionally resonant visual stories using…19 Aug 2026 · 54 min · 18 chapters
Edel Rodriguez on the Risk of Staying QuietEdel Rodriguez (Adel/Edel Rodriguez) discusses the danger of staying quiet, how he creates politically confrontational editorial illustration, and why “out of office” time (offline life,…5 Aug 2026 · 42 min · 13 chapters
Temi Coker on Starting Before You're AskedTemi Coker argues that major opportunities come from self-initiated creative work made “before you’re asked,” using his career as proof.22 Jul 2026 · 47 min · 20 chapters
Live Recording with Dalit ShalomA live DesignThinkers podcast recording focused on “out of office and into yourself,” exploring fulfillment vs job prestige, anxiety from unresolved micro-tasks, burnout prevention through boundaries…3 Jun 2026 · 1 h 14 min · 30 chapters
Kenjiro Kirton on How Design Doesn’t (Only) Happen at a DeskKenjiro Kirton (Hado) discusses designing beyond the desk: research as play, iteration, and experimentation across publishing, printing, digital experiences, retail/community spaces, and exhibitions.20 May 2026 · 50 min · 30 chapters
Ariane Spanier on Typography as Visual VoiceTypography as “visual voice” and “accent”—type carries history, identity, and interpretation, not neutrality.6 May 2026 · 48 min · 20 chapters
Dr. Dee Miller on Designing Beyond ComplianceInclusive design in practice—moving from accessibility compliance to “product equity” and product-quality usability.22 Apr 2026 · 50 min · 23 chapters
Peter Smart on Why Your Design Skills Still Matter in the Age of AIThe next paradigm for digital product design as AI enables generative, agentic, and highly personalized experiences beyond fixed screen interfaces; designers should “zoom out” to redefine their…8 Apr 2026 · 50 min · 24 chapters
Nu Goteh on Designing With CommunityNu Gotei (founder of Room for Magic; co-founder of Deem Journal) argues that “designing with community” means creating conditions for communities to thrive, not extracting insights or producing…25 Mar 2026 · 52 min · 19 chapters
Emmi Salonen On Managing Your Creative InputsFinnish graphic designer and art director11 Mar 2026 · 51 min · 20 chapters
Elizabeth Goodspeed On Finding New Ideas in Old ThingsElizabeth Goodspeed On Finding New Ideas in Old Things25 Feb 2026 · 50 min · 29 chapters
Pali Palavathanan on Design as ActivismPali Pallavathanen (Templo) argues that design should function as activism and a civic responsibility, shaped by lived experience and guided by ethical client selection, not by a “commercial vs…24 Sep 2025 · 44 min · 19 chapters
Pablo Martin on Building an Agency Culture In-HousePablo Martin discusses his career in editorial design and his approach to building an in-house “studio-like” creative team at MUBI (MUBI Lab), including how Notebook magazine is produced and why it…17 Sep 2025 · 47 min · 20 chapters
Debra Bishop on Making MagazinesDebra Bishop, a creative director and editorial design leader, discusses what it takes to redesign magazines and why print magazines still matter.10 Sep 2025 · 42 min · 17 chapters
Nadia Tzuo on Storytelling Through Title DesignNadia Tzuo explains how title design and motion graphics function as storytelling and branding “book covers,” shaping mood, worldbuilding, and audience expectations through research, cultural…3 Sep 2025 · 49 min · 19 chapters
Stephen Gates on Speaking the Language of BusinessLeading designers and in-house creative teams; aligning creativity with business; breaking “safe thinking”; building trust (practical vs emotional); avoiding culture that rewards mediocrity;…27 Aug 2025 · 57 min · 20 chapters
Verònica Fuerte on Building Hey StudioVeronica Fuerte, founder/creative director of Hey Studio (Barcelona), explains how she built a small, independent design studio from solo work into a globally recognized practice—without becoming an…20 Aug 2025 · 45 min · 23 chapters
Rachel Gogel on Redefining a Creative CareerRachel Gogel (independent creative executive) discusses redefining a creative career through fractional leadership, negotiating worth, and making space for queer and marginalized voices.13 Aug 2025 · 54 min · 19 chapters
Kemp Atwood on Design as a System for ValueKemp Atwood (Area 17) argues that design is a system for delivering real value, grounded in “behavioral branding” (brand comes to life through user actions in brand-tech interactions).6 Aug 2025 · 51 min · 14 chapters
Introducing Season Three of the DesignThinkers Podcast, Coming August 6thAnnouncement of Season Three of the DesignThinkers Podcast, launching August 6, with weekly episodes and a recap of the podcast’s mission.30 Jul 2025 · 1 min