Two Designers Walk Into a Bar
This podcast looks at pop culture through a design lens. Hosts Todd Coats and Elliot Strunk, two creatively curious friends, explore influential work and the stories behind how the familiar became iconic. The show mixes highbrow and lowbrow, sitting somewhere between grand museums and dive bars. It's part of the Evergreen Podcasts network.
Episodes
Episode 143: Comfort Food Personalities - Chef Boyardee and Orville Redenbacher
Today we continue our conversation about food products named for real people. We've moved out of the restaurant and into the grocery store to see what pop culture deliciousness awaits.
First, we get a little saucy with our Italian buddy Chef Boyardee. Then we grab some popcorn to go with our pop culture as we get buttered-up with our old friend Orville Redenbacher. These two personalities have be
Episode 142: Comfort Food Personalities - Bob Evans and Nathan Handwerker
A lot of chain restaurants and widely-known food products have real names and personalities behind them. Some of these businesses put their founders front and center — a certain international chicken chain comes to mind — while others stick with founders’ names even when the motivations for starting the business get lost as the times and brand stories change.
Today we discuss a couple of our favo
Episode 141: Greetings from Two Designers - Postcards for Ham Radio and Our Nation's Landmarks
Postcards. Even in the age of instant communication, receiving a postcard in the mail is pretty fun. Friends checking-in from familiar haunts or destinations unknown with little pieces of mailed artwork.
Today we’re discussing a couple of iconic types of postcards that have delivered surprise and delight to mailboxes for decades: QSL cards and the giant letter “Greetings From” souvenirs.
So ask
Episode 140: Dogs Playing Poker, Ernest P. Worrell and Pitchmen Going Pop (Classic Episode)
We're still on summer vacation, so we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
Hey, Vern. In this episode we discuss how artwork advertising cigars became a cornerstone for kitsch and a character promoting local businesses became a movie star. What is the deal with dogs playing poker, anyway? And how did Ernest P. Worrell go from plugging local car lots in Nashville to saving Christmas in movie
Episode 139: The Origin Story of Psychedelia (Classic Episode)
With news of Ken Kesey’s bus Further returning to San Francisco, we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
Today we’re taking a trip through the looking glass.
We return to our series kickoff on psychedelia by discussing its origins, the impact on a generation of pop culture and its lasting effects. Psychedelia’s origins are messy, fascinating, and full of odd little historical crosscurrents
Episode 138: Signs of the Times - Barber Poles and Pawn Broker Balls
We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
There are visual icons that have symbolized professions for so long their origin stories are unknown to the very customers served by them. These independent businesses are owned by all kinds of people serving millions on a daily basis throughout the world, all using these same basic signs outside their establishments.
We're discussing barber poles an
Episode 137: Pop Culture Products - Wonka Bars and Duff Beer
Today we’re going to use our imaginations a little bit. We’ve brought a couple of interesting products with us to the bar...but not just any products.
These two were originally created for movies and television, and later made the leap into the real world once they became household names. We’re having dessert first as we sample a Wonka Bar and then we're wetting our whistles with a couple of Duff
Episode 136: KISS, The Bicentennial and the Year 1976 (Classic Episode)
In honor of the nation’s 250th birthday, we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
Why 1976? Plenty of reasons. We discuss each of our ages in this, the banner year our nation was turning 200 and everything in sight had bunting and was painted red, white and blue. KISS was at the height of their powers as Michael Doret’s amazing album art from “Rock and Roll Over” was gracing turntables from
Episode 135: Cult Products - TaB Soda and McDonald's Fried Apple Pie
Today we’re digging around in the backs of our minds and the pits of our stomachs to remember a couple of beloved food products. Ones that have cult followings and large groups of people who lament these products’ eventual demise.
We’re talking about the origins of TaB Soda from Coke and the fried Apple Pie from McDonald’s. (Hey, we never said this was a health food podcast…)
So ask the bartende
Episode 134: Iconic Pop Culture Cars (Classic Episode)
We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
While we don't recommend drinking and driving, we do recommend talking pop culture and cars while sitting safe and sound on a couple of bar stools.
Buckle up as we travel back in time to discuss what are arguably the two most popular cars in pop culture: the original 1960s Batmobile and the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Sometimes they worked, oft
Episode 133: Visual Alphabets - Nautical Flags and American Sign Language
Signs, signs. Everywhere a sign.
Today we’re going to be talking about a couple of colorful visual alphabets. Not typefaces, but the kinds of alphabets that are their own languages. Created to solve specific problems, one works face-to-face and the other from a distance.
So give the high sign to the bartender and order up a couple of Ocean Breezes. We’re bringing you the histories of American Si
Episode 132: Game Show Logos for The Gong Show and the Dating Game (Classic Episode)
We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
Today we’re going to be talking about game show logos – the good, the bad and the ugly — and how sometimes all of those qualities could be found in a single piece of artwork. We’re zeroing in on a couple that are loud, busy and colorful, just like the era they were created in and the sets they were created for: The Gong Show and Match Game.
So grab t
Episode 131: Fabric Patterns and the Stories Behind Camouflage and Paisley
There are some new tablecloths here in the bar, which has gotten us thinking about fabric patterns. Today we’re going to be talking about a couple of patterns that, if you don’t personally have them in your wardrobe, you likely know someone who does. We’ve brought in the funky character known as paisley and the shady character known as camouflage.
So ask the bartender to mix up a couple of Army &
Episode 130: Cups, Plates and Trophy Design
With March Madness wrapping-up and spring break calling, we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
If you wander into any school, bar or thrift store, you're bound to see a collection of trophies. Have you ever wondered why they often look like cups, plates and other objects you wouldn't think about grabbing after a robust game of tennis or an intense hockey match? We did, and we’ve got a cou
Episode 129: Punk Meets Tech and New Wave is Born (Classic)
We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
Bold colors. Funky haircuts. The Cold War and the Cola Wars. Video games and MTV. Japanese electronics and European fashion. Iconic music and movies...
If New Wave was a style and attitude, then music was the delivery device. In this episode we discuss the political climate, creative activity and DIY attitudes that led to the formation and rise o
Episode 128: Homage Designs - A Poster for Swatch and an Orgy for Disney
Everyone says that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But if that were true, copyright law wouldn’t need to exist.
We’re discussing a couple of items that could be called homages…or could be called unfair (or even unauthorized) use (but we’ll leave that up to you): a Swatch poster from the ‘80s and The Disneyland Memorial Orgy from the '60s, two projects with colorful artwork and equall
Episode 127: Psychedelia Comes Down, Hangs Around and Gets Reinvented
For one last time, we’re delving into the depths of our expanded minds to talk about the impact of psychedelia on popular culture. We may have been at the bar a bit too long getting our minds…expanded. We have a lot to talk about today as we discuss what happened with psychedelia after The Summer of Love and Woodstock.
(Spoiler alert: Nothing like going mainstream to kill a counterculture style.)
Episode 126: The 1960s and the Era of Peak Psychedelia
In our last episode we talked about the origins of psychedelia and learned about Bicycle Day celebrated every April. (Hint: it involved a lot of science and experimentation along with maybe a little bit of balance.)
Today we dive into the era of peak psychedelia: the mid ‘60s. We talk about the design and music inspired by this—ahem—experimentation and how that informed pop culture for a generati
Episode 125: The Origin Story of Psychedelia
Today we’re taking a trip through the looking glass.
We’re kicking off our series on psychedelia with its origins, the impact on a generation of pop culture and its lasting effects. Psychedelia’s origins are messy, fascinating, and full of odd little historical crosscurrents. We discuss science, bicycle rides and the first official album of psychedelic music.
So, ask the bartender for a couple o
Episode 124: Talking Food Mascots with Kirk + Kurtts (Classic)
We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
What do Betty Crocker, Charlie Tuna, Tony the Tiger and the oddball characters from Off Limits Cereal have in common? Along with fellow creatives Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts of the “Kirk and Kurtts” design podcast, they were all our drinking buddies one evening!
We chewed the fat with Kirk and Andy about some classic characters and their impact on po
Episode 123: The Origin Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
We have one more Christmas gift for our listeners! Today we’re going to be talking about a holiday icon that began as a marketing stunt. (Let’s be honest. Sometimes it feels like Christmas is just one big marketing stunt.) But we’re with friends, so we're getting into the Christmas spirit. (Or spirits!)
Today we’re going to be talking about everyone’s favorite red-nosed reindeer, Rudolph, and his
Episode 122: Trailblazing Toys - Hot Wheels Cars and Mego Action Figures
Just in time for Christmas, we've brought some classic toys with us that have become iconic collectibles.
First, we suggest you grab your seat belt and buckle-up as we white knuckle the wheel and talk the fast-paced glitz of Hot Wheels cars, and then we’re gonna fight for truth and justice as we get our hands on some highly collectible Mego superhero action figures.
So order up a couple of Caped
Episode 121: Giving Thanks for Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms
As we head into the holiday season, we’re giving thanks by spotlighting the four freedoms—Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Fear and Freedom from Want—along with the man who brought them to life in ways everyone could understand: Norman Rockwell.
We talk about how while critics threw shade his way, Rockwell created what is arguably the most iconic Thanksgiving image of all time,
Episode 120: Politicians, Superheroes and Stars - Noteworthy Magazine Covers
Magazines. They’re still big business, but today’s magazines are a pale imitation of what they once were. And being on a magazine cover meant that you hit the big-time. Sometimes that was amazing, other times not so much.
Today we’re discussing some iconic covers that made statements from the shelves of newsstands and delivered surprises to unsuspecting mailboxes. John Lennon, Demi Moore, Richard
Episode 119: Scary Good Posters - The Thing and Creature from the Black Lagoon
Since it’s still October, we’re continuing with the second of our two Horror Month episodes here in the bar. If you didn’t get enough shock and terror from our last episode, you just weren't listening closely...Come to think of it, that could be said about any of our episodes.
Today we’re discussing a couple of amazing horror movie posters for The Thing and Creature from the Black Lagoon. The sto
Episode 118: Monster Sponsors - Gritty from Philly and Monster Cereals from General Mills
Since it’s October, we’re gonna jump into the next two episodes with Horror Month here in the bar.
Horror? Sure, regular listeners will wonder why this month is somehow different from any other, but don’t worry. The quality is still the same, only this time we’re talking about some characters created for the amusement of both the young and the young-at-heart. We’re talking about the origin storie
Episode 117: The Batmobile and the DeLorean - Iconic Pop Culture Cars
While we don't recommend drinking and driving, we do recommend talking pop culture and cars while sitting safe and sound on a couple of bar stools.
Buckle up as we travel back in time to discuss what are arguably the two most popular cars in pop culture: the original 1960s Batmobile and the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Sometimes they worked, oftentimes they didn't. If you smell some burning
Episode 116: Cat Posters with Paul Hennessey (Classic)
We’re taking a short break. In the meantime, grab a drink and kick back with one of our classic episodes.
Cats. You may love ‘em, hate ‘em or feel indifferent, but there’s no escaping their power, especially if you spend any time online.
Cats have a long history in the world of advertising. In this classic episode we invited friend and poster expert Paul Hennessey back into the bar to discuss th
Episode 115: NBC, Netflix and Network Branding
When we say "TV network," what do you think of? When we say "TV network brand," what pops into your head? Is it a logo or a sound? Is it an animation or an app? Is it a signature show?
Today we’re going to be talking about a couple of identities made for NBC and Netflix. We discuss the origin stories for both their visuals and their sounds.
So add us to your queue. We're gonna be sipping on a co
Episode 114: The Fall and Rise (Again) of Tiki Culture
We’ve been exploring the Polynesian Pop trend that swept suburbia. From the 1930s to the ‘70s, tiki culture was everywhere. And then, like the tide going out, it was gone.
Today we talk about the factors that brought it back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s (hint: swing, thrifting and SpongeBob) and how tiki is influencing artists today.
Grab a Bahama Mama and join our conga line as we sw
Episode 113: Embracing and Evolving the Tiki Style
Today, we're continuing our series on tiki culture as we look at how professional designers embraced and evolved the island aesthetic. Was it low brow? High brow? A symbol of exotic adventure? A goofy gimmick? Regardless, the movement left a deep imprint on graphic, interior, fashion, product, and architectural design, in applications ranging from kitsch to high-concept.
We'll gonna figure out th
Episode 112: Tiki Culture: The Story of Post-War Polynesian Pop
Today we’re dressing up the bar with coconut mugs, gardenia flowers, surf boards and pu-pu platters because we’re diving into the first of a three episode series on Tiki culture. We’ll talk about the origins and influences — it’s not as simple as you think — and learn why this very Americanized look took off throughout the country and set sail across the globe.
Grab your tiki mugs, some fresh-
Episode 111: Good Movies and Old Books - A Conversation with Matt Stevens (Part 2)
Today we’re returning to the bar with Matt Stevens, a designer and illustrator who has been successful working with clients ranging from a tequila brand to clients like Apple TV+ and Netflix.
But what we have in common is not only a love for design, but also pop culture. So we’re talking with him about a personal project that grew into an actual project, his new book Good Movies as Old Books. W
Episode 110: Good Movies and Old Books - A Conversation with Matt Stevens (Part 1)
Today we’re sitting down with a new friend, a designer and illustrator who has been successful working with clients ranging from a local hot dog shop to clients like Airbnb and Facebook.
But what we have in common with Matt Stevens is not only a love for design, but also pop culture. So we’re talking with him about a personal project that grew into an actual project, his new book Good Movies as
Episode 109: Foxes, Flies and the Design of Blaxploitation Posters
If you’ve ever caught a late-night flick full of high-speed chases, stylish wardrobes, and unforgettable soundtracks, you might’ve stumbled into the bold, brash world of blaxploitation. This genre wasn’t just about action—it brought civil rights, empowerment, and attitude to the screen, with a mix of crime, martial arts, westerns, horror, comedy, prison breaks, and even musicals.
Today, we’re div
Episode 108: Cups, Plates and Trophy Design
If you wander into any school, bar or thrift store, you're bound to see a collection of trophies. Have you ever wondered why they often look like cups, plates and other objects you wouldn't think about grabbing after a robust game of tennis or an intense hockey match? We did, and we’ve got a couple of amazing examples we’re talking about today: Wimbledon's Venus Rosewater Dish for women's tennis a
Episode 107: U.S. Wartime Propaganda Posters
We want you! If you’re looking for something to volunteer for, if you’re ready to be part of something bigger than yourself...Something that will make you see the world in a new way and make new friends...While spending some time together in the trenches or back home supporting the effort, then listen to our wartime propaganda episode!
Today we’re discussing the histories of two of the most ico
Episode 106: The State Flags of Ohio and Maryland
Today we’re talking about a couple of state flag designs. And just like everyone here in the bar, they have unique appearances and colorful histories. In one corner we have the funky flag from Ohio, and in the other we have the boldly graphic flag of Maryland.
It’s time to order a couple of Aviation cocktails. We’re gonna be getting into some different states of mind today in the bar.
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Episode 105: Iconic Book Covers for Jurassic Park and The Great Gatsby
Today we’re going all literary, getting in touch with our bookish sides. We’re not being antisocial, but we’ve brought a couple of books to the bar. And in spite of that phrase we all hear so often, we're gonna judge two books, Jurassic Park and The Great Gatsby, by their covers.
So order up a couple of Tequila Mockingbirds. We’ve brought our library cards (and Todd’s credit card) with us to the
Episode 104: Movie Studio Logos for 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers
Today we’re going aaaalllll Hollywood. We're talking about movie studio logos, quite possibly the oldest examples of liquid branding, with one logo that's been relatively unchanged over close to 100 years and another that has gone through a bit of an identity crisis only to return to a familiar form: 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers.
So have your people call our people, because we’re having a
Episode 103: Game Show Logos for The Gong Show and Match Game
Today we’re going to be talking about game show logos – the good, the bad and the ugly — and how sometimes all of those qualities could be found in a single piece of artwork. We’re zeroing in on a couple that are loud, busy and colorful, just like the era they were created in and the sets they were created for: The Gong Show and Match Game.
So grab the remote, ask the bartender for a couple of Sl
Episode 102: Al Hirschfeld and Elvis, Postage Stamps - Part 2
Today we’re going to be talking some more about postage stamps. The way they reflect pop culture and how they are an art form that celebrates other art forms. We’ve got some stamps with fluid line work and a whole lotta shakin’ going on… Al Hirschfeld and Elvis have entered the building.
Mix-up a couple of 2-Cent Stamp cocktails and join us once again as we send you a couple more stories from rig
Episode 101: The Penny Black and Dag Hammarskjöld, Postage Stamps - Part 1
Today we’re going to be talking about postage stamps: the history and origin of them, who uses them and whether or not they’re still relevant in our age of email and mail order deliveries. And, of course, the art of it all and why stamps still matter today.
We touch on the controversy of who invented the stamp, the fraud associated with early mail and how the U.S. Postal Service misprinted a comm
Episode 100: Food Mascots with Kirk + Kurtts
What do Betty Crocker, Charlie Tuna, Tony the Tiger and the oddball characters from Off Limits Cereal have in common? Along with fellow creatives Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts of the “Kirk and Kurtts” design podcast, they were all our drinking buddies one evening!
We chewed the fat with Kirk and Andy about some classic characters and their impact on pop culture (and snacking), and why these same te
Episode 99: Cat Posters with Paul Hennessey
Cats. You may love 'em, hate 'em or feel indifferent, but there's no escaping their power, especially if you spend any time online.
Cats have a long history in the world of advertising. In our latest episode, we invite friend and poster expert Paul Hennessey back into the bar to discuss the appeal of cat posters aesthetically and financially, discuss a few of our favorites and decode why their tr
Episode 98: Goodyear’s Blimp, Pixar’s Luxo Lamp and How Objects Become Company Icons (Classic)
The Goodyear Blimp is turning 100 years old, so we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
Ever wonder why a tire company is most known for a blimp? Or why an animation studio has a desk lamp as its trademark? We did. Turns out Goodyear and Pixar didn’t invent either of these things. Learn the origin stories of Goodyear’s blimps, Pixar’s loveable Luxo lamp, and how these adopted objects transc
Episode 97: The ‘80s: New Wave Gets Fashionable (Classic)
We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
Video may have killed the radio star, but it poured gasoline on the spark of New Wave. As MTV exploded, youth culture moved to center stage and companies making wearables were more than happy to cater to changing tastes. In this episode we focus on Vans and Swatch, a couple of iconic fashion accessories found on the wrists and feet of Gen X.
As we wrap
Episode 96: Elliot and MTV's The Real World
Today we’re bringing you an example of the bonus content you can find on our Patreon page.
In the summer of 1994, the television show The Real World was filming in San Francisco. That same summer Elliot ended up in SF for an internship. One day those two worlds collided in a true Gen X moment.
So sit back with a plate full of wings and one of your favorite beers from college. It's time to join us
Episode 95: Return to the Mailbag
In this episode we take a step back from our typical subject matter to dig into our mailbag once again as we answer questions submitted by you, our listeners. Topics include record album art, April Fool’s pranks, Taylor Swift, listener reviews, Broadway shows and some recent speaking gigs. We also plug one of our favorite bar foods: onion rings.
So sit back with your favorite warm and cozy beverag
Episode 94: Iconic Music Videos - Part 2
We’re bringing some video tapes with us into the bar — or at least some trusty YouTube links. Why? We’re talking music videos! And we have so much to share, we’ve broken this subject into two episodes.
For today, we dusted off an older gem and coupled it with a more current one: a gritty and fun “Need You Tonight” from Australia’s INXS and Taylor Swift’s surreal technicolor dreamscape that is “ME!
Episode 93: Rural Electrification, Hope for Obama and Posters for Good (Classic)
We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
With Election Day happening in the United States, we wanted to mark the occasion with two amazing poster designs. We examine bringing electricity to rural parts of the United States 80 years later and inspiring a nation to rally behind an unknown presidential candidate named Barack Obama, along with how Lester Beall and Shepard Fairey made these big id
Episode 92: Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, Tarantula and the Amazing Art of Reynold Brown (Classic)
We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
For our special Halloween episode, and because of our love of B movies, we wanted to pay homage to one of the best horror poster artists of all time, Reynold Brown. We talk about the movie (and poster for) Tarantula, plus what is arguably one of the most recognizable staples of pop culture: the poster for Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman. (The movie? Not so
Episode 91: Iconic Music Videos - Part 1
We're bringing some video tapes with us into the bar -- or at least some trusty YouTube links. Why? We're talking music videos! And we have so much to share, we've broken this subject into two episodes.
For today, we've dug into the backs of our closets and dusted off a couple of favorites from yesterday that are still killing it today: a-ha's illustrative "Take on Me" and Peter Gabriel's surreal
Episode 90: Roller Coaster Logo Battle
Our latest episode is for the thrill seekers. We're pitting roller coaster logos against each other. And not just any roller coasters...We're each representing our home states.
So, buckle up by pulling the restraint harness tightly against you, and grab a couple of quick high octane shots. We've got our hands up and our drink lids on tight... We're taking a high-speed drop back into the bar!
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Episode 89: Looking Back on Four Years
In honor of International Podcast Day, we’re taking a look back at our own origin story. How the podcast began, why we continue to do it and what could be coming next. It’s the story of two friends, one shared profession and the pop culture love that kickstarted it all.
Mix-up a couple of White Russians. We’re taking it slow and philosophical as we wander back into the bar.
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Visit our ful
Episode 88: Talking Music Posters with Paul Hennessey
Both eye-catching and informative, posters are one of the most highly collectible forms of design. They are used to promote products, places, events, art, political movements and almost anything else you can think of. Today we're joined by a special guest from across the Pond, Paul Hennessey, who owns two poster shops in the UK. We talk cats, food sauces, whether Paul may be Banksy and music poste
Episode 87: Gen X and the Golden Age of Magazines
The late '80s and the '90s were a golden age for magazines. With the World Wide Web a few years away, advertising dollars were being pumped into print and art directors and publishers did not disappoint with their offerings. In this episode we talk about Raygun, Wired, Rolling Stone and Vibe and the approaches of David Carson, Plunkett + Kuhr, Fred Woodward and Gary Koepke. Elliot also tells the s
Episode 86: Gen X Music Appears from Underground
The late '80s and the '90s were a golden age for Gen X music, even well beyond the long shadow of Nirvana's Nevermind. We flipped through the crates to prep for this episode. With sore fingers and tired eyes we walk through iconic albums by Bjork, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Pixies.
Grab your favorite concert t-shirt and a cool PBR. It's time once again to join us in the bar.
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Visit
Episode 85: Selling to Gen X Without Selling Out
Gen X was coming of age during cynicism and ironic detachment. A DIY attitude rooted in authenticity coupled with increasing access to personal tech and an explosion of choices in alternative media. And most importantly, lack of trust in corporations. Companies (and their marketing departments) had to think of ways to sell to those who didn’t want to be sold to... Advertisers like Benetton, the Ga
Episode 84: Denver, Los Angeles and Stories of Designing for the Olympic Games (Classic)
We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.
Bum-bum-ba-bum-bummm…Nothing brings the world together every couple of years like the Olympic Games. With such a large stage and a chance to influence audiences around the globe, designers jump at the chance to create something great. In this episode we discuss what did (or didn’t) happen in Denver in 1976 and the Technicolor vibrancy of Los Angeles in
Episode 83: When Gen X Came of Age
Let’s plop down on the couch in your favorite record store or skate shop for a few minutes. It’s time to relive the end of the 1980s and begin a new decade of cultural change.
In this episode we discuss what was in the news, the invention of the "slacker" character, the mood of skepticism, irony and emotional detachment that grew out of the glossy 80s, culture jamming and not selling out even as p
Episode 82: Riffs on Riffs Crossover
Record albums. You know 'em. You love 'em. But do your favorites fall short when art overshadows music (or vice versa)? We invited a couple of buddies to the bar — Joe Watson and Toby Brazwell from the Riffs on Riffs podcast — for a conversation about a handful of desert island-level albums: how they sound, what they look like and if, ultimately, the combination works. We talk earworms, visual pun
Episode 81: Fun Food Containers
History repeats itself... There are no new ideas… Everything old is new again…
Sure, we get excited when we have custom meal kits delivered to our homes or when we see amazing food in farmer’s markets and grocery stores near our homes. But food marketing has been around for a really long time. Today we discuss a couple of popular approaches from yesterday that continue to reappear in pop culture t
Episode 80: Vernacular Architecture
Did you ever look at a building with a business inside and think, “Yeah…that totally used to be something else” and wonder how you knew that? You know, the jewelry store that used to be a pizza parlor or the drive-up coffee shop that was once a spot to drop off film are peppered in towns all across the country. Today we’re talking about a couple of businesses that, in their respective heydays, cou
Episode 79: Signs of the Times
There are visual icons that have symbolized professions for so long their origin stories are unknown to the very customers served by them. These independent businesses are owned by all kinds of people serving millions on a daily basis throughout the world, all using these same basic signs outside their establishments. We're discussing barber poles and pawnbroker balls, two symbols that, unless you
Episode 78: The Reflex Blue Conversation
We were lucky enough to have Donovan Beery of the long-running design podcast The Reflex Blue Show pull up a stool next to us.
We talk about some of our shared pop culture influences, listening to vinyl (and the creative opportunities record albums afford) and where we go to find inspiration (hint: Wikipedia addictions). We also found out Reflex Blue was inspired by bar conversations as well!
Bott
Episode 77: Hey, Nice Package!
There are some products so iconic that you know what they are as soon as you lay your eyes on them. The color, the shape or some other distinctive brand feature says, “Accept no substitute. There is no equal.” Pour yourself a drink on the rocks, kick back against the bar and listen as we uncork the stories of the bottles from Coca-Cola and Absolut Vodka.
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Visit our full episode page for s
Episode 76: The ‘80s: New Wave Gets Fashionable
Video may have killed the radio star, but it poured gasoline on the spark of New Wave. As MTV exploded, youth culture moved to center stage and companies making wearables were more than happy to cater to changing tastes. In this episode we focus on Vans and Swatch, a couple of iconic fashion accessories found on the wrists and feet of Gen X.
As we wrap-up our season on New Wave, let us know if you
Design Crimes: Comic Sans: Who’s Laughing Now?
Todd Coats and Elliot Strunk, the creators behind the hit design and pop culture show Two Designers Walk Into a Bar, announced last week at the PodFest Expo Upfronts the release of their newest investigative true-crime series, Design Crimes: Comic Sans, Who’s Laughing Now?, set to drop on April 15, 2024.
The five-part show, hosted by Strunk and Coats, will explore the history of Comic Sans and Vi
Episode 75: The ‘80s: New Wave and the Boob Tube
If New Wave was a style and attitude, television was how it was delivered to the masses. In this episode, we talk about two important touchstones during one of pop culture’s signature eras: the launch of MTV and the debut of Miami Vice.
It's all pastel wonder and neon glow in our latest episode as New Wave meets the boob tube. Turn on, tune in and enjoy.
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Episode 74: The ‘80s: Punk Meets Tech, New Wave is Born
Bold colors. Funky haircuts. The Cold War and the Cola Wars. Video games and MTV. Japanese electronics and European fashion. Iconic music and movies...
If New Wave was a style and attitude, then music was the delivery device. In this episode we discuss the political climate, creative activity and DIY attitudes that led to the formation and rise of one of pop culture’s signature eras.
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Episode 73: Pepsi, Tropicana and the Challenge of Good Design
February 28: This week marks a quirky moment in pop culture (and soft drink) history. Michael Jackson's hair caught fire back in 1984 while shooting an ad for Pepsi, which was, to put it mildly, a production challenge. In this mini-episode we talk about the origins of the original Pepsi Challenge and a foolproof way to make small children cry. Drink. It. Up.
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Episode 72: Six Marines, One Photographer. The Story of Iwo Jima
February 21: This week marks the anniversary of an event that was made famous by one of the world’s most iconic photos: the raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima. We talk about how the photo came to be and why it's still instantly recognizable today.
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https://www.twodesigner
Episode 71: The Goodyear Blimp: More Than a Bunch of Hot Air
February 14: This week marks the anniversary of an accident. Not a normal accident. A blimp accident. The USS Macon, one of the two largest helium-filled airships ever created, crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California and sank. This reminds us of one of our favorite company icons floating over a stadium near you: The Goodyear Blimp. Float on.
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Episode 70: Black Cats, Fireworks and Celebrating a Logo We Love
February 7: Logos and graphics are an important part of sports. This week marks the moment back in 1988 when Michael Jordan made his signature slam dunk from the free throw line, inspiring the Air Jordan brand and, more specifically, the Jumpman logo. But there are logos we love that don’t have the same iconic status. Here's the explosive story behind one of our hard working favorites that hasn’t
Episode 69: KISS and their Flaming Wheel of Death
January 31: Way back in 1973, KISS played their first show at the Popcorn Club in Queens. Now, it's no secret that Todd is a member of the KISS Army, so we felt highlighting their coming out party was appropriate for this week's mini-episode where we talk about the artwork for their landmark album “Rock ‘n Roll Over."
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Episode 68: When the Beats Moved a Generation
January 24: This week marks an important pop culture moment when Bob Dylan arrived in New York in 1961 after dropping out of college, playing a show at Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village. His performance reminds us of the Beats, one of our favorite eras. We take a few minutes to jump into our origin story about that movement and its impact on post-WWII American culture.
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Episode 67: All Mascots Are Wieners in Our Eyes
January 17: It's only appropriate that we talk sports this week. Why? This was when the first Super Bowl was played in L.A. back in 1967, with the Green Bay Packers defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 35–10. Speaking of Wisconsin athletics, the first thing that comes to mind four us is the Famous Racing Sausages from Milwaukee! If you haven't listened to this episode yet, it's time to ketchup.
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Episode 66: The Failure of Google Glass
January 10: Remember when the iPhone was first announced? Well, it happened this week back in 2007. Now, the iPhone is one of the world’s most successful products. Most tech never hits that milestone. Some comes before its time, and sometimes it goes sideways and gets creepy. Here’s an excerpt from one of our episodes about a tech product with lofty aspirations that didn’t quite make the cut: Goog
Episode 65: 1979, Disco and the Opening of Studio 54
January 3: This week, way back in 1979, the double-album soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever reached sales of 25 million worldwide, making it the then best-selling LP in history. To honor this milestone, it’s only appropriate we highlight one of our episodes that celebrated a temple of the disco scene: Studio 54. Beautiful people, bumping tunes and an anything goes atmosphere with Andy War
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