Podcast · 134 episodes
Front and Center
by CENTER · English
Each week, award-winning graphic designer Alex Center and co-host Kevin Batory discuss branding, design, pop culture, and more. New episodes drop every Wednesday.
Latest episodes
A Breath of Fresh Air: with Alex Tan and Abraham Campillo of Mouthwash StudioMouthwash Studio’s origin and evolution from an Instagram-connected friend group into a full brand-and-digital design studio, plus how they build “worlds” through print, events, web, and hospitality…30 Sep 2026 · 49 min
GO HARD OR GO HOMEThe hosts debate a viral endurance-event incident where a High Rocks athlete won a race despite having an accident mid-competition, then pivot to branding/news examples: sports betting ads (including…23 Sep 2026 · 38 min
Live @ Forum: with Bryan-K. Lamonde and Ariane LeblancA live, end-of-day podcast recorded at Montreal’s Cuss Cern “Forum” (fifth year) in front of a crowd (claimed 1–300).16 Sep 2026 · 1 h
All episodes
A Breath of Fresh Air: with Alex Tan and Abraham Campillo of Mouthwash StudioMouthwash Studio’s origin and evolution from an Instagram-connected friend group into a full brand-and-digital design studio, plus how they build “worlds” through print, events, web, and hospitality…30 Sep 2026 · 49 min · 26 chapters
GO HARD OR GO HOMEThe hosts debate a viral endurance-event incident where a High Rocks athlete won a race despite having an accident mid-competition, then pivot to branding/news examples: sports betting ads (including…23 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 15 chapters
Live @ Forum: with Bryan-K. Lamonde and Ariane LeblancA live, end-of-day podcast recorded at Montreal’s Cuss Cern “Forum” (fifth year) in front of a crowd (claimed 1–300).16 Sep 2026 · 1 h · 29 chapters
Job’s Not Done: with Arthur FoliardArthur Foliard, executive creative director at Coto New York, discusses how Coto builds brand systems with “clarity and emotion,” why brands must feel alive and distinctive, and how Coto approaches…2 Sep 2026 · 1 h 7 min · 29 chapters
INSTAGZAM??!The episode is an “emergency pod” covering behind-the-scenes sports production, then diving into the Instagram wordmark rebrand (“InstagZam”), and reacting to recent brand controversies and ads.26 Aug 2026 · 34 min · 14 chapters
ALLAN GOOD FUNThe hosts debate AI’s impact on design and online “slop,” then focus on real-world branding/design news: Alan Peters’ ASAP Rocky DM incident, new “Coke Zero of candy” Hall Pass (EPG-based low-calorie…12 Aug 2026 · 56 min · 28 chapters
The Ragged Edges of What’s Possible: with Max OttignonMax Ottignon (Ragged Edge) discusses what branding should be (ideas/feelings, not just logos), why the industry misrepresents itself, and how “ragged edges” of risk and controversy can drive…5 Aug 2026 · 1 h · 23 chapters
Cool Sh*t: with Cole Poska aka Spaceboy ColeHow “Cool Sh*t” (Spaceboy Cole) uses merch design to market brands, turn brand lore into viral products, and move from social mockups to real production (including custom cut-and-sew, high minimums,…29 Jul 2026 · 54 min · 26 chapters
BOOT&TYEpisode “BOOT&TY” is a mostly unscripted summer-in-NYC chat about sports, pop culture, and branding/design.15 Jul 2026 · 38 min · 19 chapters
Pentagram Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit: with Emily ObermanEmily Oberman, partner at Pentagram, discusses her “affliction” with design mishaps (stretched logos, misprints) and the intense, highly social process of becoming a Pentagram partner.8 Jul 2026 · 1 h 45 min · 50 chapters
RESPECT THE SPECSThe hosts riff on pop culture and branding/design news, centered on “specs” (wearable tech glasses) and major viral incidents: “Philly Poop Gate” at a Noah Kahan concert, Knicks championship fallout…1 Jul 2026 · 50 min · 25 chapters
WORLD CHAMPS!The hosts celebrate the New York Knicks winning the NBA championship (“World Champs!”), relive key comeback moments and player highlights, and discuss New York sports culture, merch/design, plus…17 Jun 2026 · 51 min · 19 chapters
FREAKISHLY STURDY STOCK: with Thomas PokornThe episode is a conversation with strategist/copywriter Thomas Pokorn about branding strategy and copywriting craft, how he got into the field, and how he approaches language, research, and creative…3 Jun 2026 · 1 h 8 min · 34 chapters
KNICKS FOR CLICKSThe hosts celebrate the New York Knicks reaching the NBA Finals while debating Knicks branding/design (“Knicks for Clicks”), fandom gatekeeping, and watching-party culture.27 May 2026 · 52 min · 17 chapters
The Nostalgia Plug: with Jason LiebigJason Liebig, “America’s Nostalgia Plug,” discusses how vintage candy/snack packaging became a documented archive, and how nostalgia functions as a branding tool.13 May 2026 · 1 h 41 min · 48 chapters
6-7 ForeverThe hosts discuss a “new format” (visual experimentation for an audio podcast) and then trade culture updates: France travel, Coachella highlights, “psyop” rumors about bands, TV (Euphoria), media…29 Apr 2026 · 41 min · 22 chapters
The Moment of Tension: with Jessica DimcevskiBranding and naming for consumer packaged goods (CPG), using creatine gummies, toaster pastries, and a produce brand refresh as case studies; includes a discussion of “buying the brand not the…22 Apr 2026 · 1 h 2 min · 32 chapters
Building Brands that Work: with Michelle MattarMichelle Mattar (founder of Practice) discusses how to build “brands that work” from zero to existence, using strategy/insights, phased brand-building, and a small-team “Goldilocks” model where every…8 Apr 2026 · 1 h 13 min · 41 chapters
APRIL FOOLS!An April Fools Day-themed episode riffing on how brands and culture “jester max” with pranks, while also doing sports and design/branding news (baseball concessions, stadium experiences, NFL Titans…1 Apr 2026 · 46 min · 26 chapters
DRAMA on Tour: with Chris Nott and Frankie GuziWeekly discussions about branding, design, and pop culture.18 Mar 2026 · 57 min · 28 chapters
BRUTALLY BURGER MOGGEDIn this episode of Front and Center, graphic designer Alex Center and co-host Kevin Batory discuss a variety of topics, including personal experiences, current events in the tech and food industry,…11 Mar 2026 · 43 min · 19 chapters
Defining Moments: with Chad Hogan(graphic designer, mentee of Chad Hogan)4 Mar 2026 · 1 h 17 min · 42 chapters
Soil Punk: with Krista SchultzIn this episode, Krista Schultz, a multidisciplinary leader and creative director at Tractor Beverage Co., discusses her journey and the sustainability initiatives of Tractor, the first certified…18 Feb 2026 · 57 min · 29 chapters
THE SUPER VALENTINE’S DAY BOWL: with Jackie DeJesu CenterIn this episode, hosts Alex Center and Kevin Batory celebrate the 5th annual Valentine’s Day Super Bowl Spectacular with special guest Jackie DeJesu Center, founder of DEEJAYZOO and creator of…11 Feb 2026 · 1 h 8 min · 32 chapters