The Trump administration ordered warning signs hung outside Smithsonian museums flagging "inaccurate information." For one designer, it hit close to home. Full commentary here: bit.ly/3UmfhA4

We went from avoiding people who disagree to no longer needing people at all. That's the quiet impact of AI.

Helder Santo, CEO for AKQA’s Americas region, on doubt, collaboration, and what happens when the second brain never gets pulled in. designobserver.com/ai-will-offer-…

Customer experience quality in the U.S. fell to a new low in 2025. Fourth consecutive year of decline.

The companies bucking that trend started at the top. Kate Watts on what it actually looks like to treat the customer experience as something worth designing. bit.ly/3RkJvlY

Juneteenth was supposed to mark the end of slavery. But the right to vote was a separate fight — and it took another hundred years. Today, that right is at risk, and the fight is back.

@Alanah_ACLU, executive director of the @ACLUSouthUnited, explains why on our upcoming

Subscribe now, first episode dropping soon: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896…

One Supreme Court case. Ten episodes. The inside story of Louisiana's fight over maps, power, and representation — and why it matters everywhere else too.

Draw the Line, asks a simple question: who is fighting for your vote?

First episode drops soon, stay tuned. Extended //t.co/Nt2kjL0Eyd

The boy who flew too close to the sun. You know the story. @ParisOneForty is painting the one you don't. The Icarus Diaries has been unfolding since February. Start from the beginning: designobserver.com/category/the-i…

Between us? Designing for fewer people might actually change more. Deborah Khodanovich makes the case that gossip isn't a guilty pleasure — it's a community design practice. Full interview: bit.ly/4e9zCzS

What does it feel like to stand in front of art and not know if a human made it?

At Art Basel Hong Kong, that wasn't a hypothetical.

Swipe through and decide for yourself: human or machine? Then head to the full piece to find out — and why the answer might matter less than you EkiEHWB

Pandiscio Green is hiring an Art Director and Designer to lead concept-driven brand work for global clients.

Explore this role and more on the Design Observer Job Board:
DesignObserver.com/jobs

New year, new opportunities. Brooklyn Public Library is hiring a Junior Designer to join its Marketing & Communications team. Explore this role and more on the Design Observer Job Board: DesignObserver.com/jobs

WNBA players have made their message clear using protest tees to spotlight pay inequity and demand a fair share of the game they’ve built. Read more on how players have turned warmups into protest, and made labor rights the heart of the game. designobserver.com/say-it-with-yo…

Design As returns September 9th! Hosted by Lee Moreau, Season 3 features global voices from design, tech, and business exploring how AI intersects with design. New episodes every Tuesday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/des…

We're looking for Radical collaborators! Have you submitted yet? 👀 wkf.ms/45zZQaz

For Cécile Beliot, CEO of Bel Group, food is far more than those iconic Mini Babybel cheese wheels wrapped in red wax. In our Aspen Institute special, she shares how she’s leading massive transitions in energy, food sourcing, and food education—while reminding us that food is a human right.

🎧 Listen now at DesignObserver.com or wherever you get your podcasts. designobserver.com/on-location-at…

Your words, not ours. ❤️ This is why we do what we do and why we want to hear from YOU. Take the survey → wkf.ms/46yx7UA

Help us shape the future of Design Observer (and maybe win a T-shirt).

What is a Radical Collaborator? At Design Observer, it’s someone breaking silos and building solutions that reflect many voices. That’s the spirit of this year’s DO20. 👇 Learn more and nominate by Sept 5: wkf.ms/45zZQaz

We’re looking for Radical Collaborators who break silos, cross disciplines, and solve urgent challenges together. Nominate for the Design Observer 20 -> open now through Sept 5, 2025: wkf.ms/45zZQaz

Tom Haslett left Wall Street on his 40th birthday to ask a bigger question: What’s money for? In his new Design Observer column, he explores how wealth, power, and purpose collide - and how investing in people can deliver the greatest returns. Read the story: designobserver.com/whats-money-fo…

Nominations are open for The Design Observer 20: Radical Collaborators! We're looking for people, projects, and ideas using design to solve urgent challenges through cross-disciplinary collaboration. Deadline Sept 5, 2025. Nominate here: wkf.ms/45zZQaz

Food branding without borders: chai, culture, and the politics of packaging. Read more: designobserver.com/food-branding-…

Real talk on real leadership. Michael Bush reminds us that trust isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a business imperative. And it starts with leaders who are willing to listen, act, and create consistent experiences for every employee, not just a select few. Read more: designobserver.com/candace-parker…

In a rapidly changing Lisbon, where tourists consume more than they observe, tour guides design not just routes, but memory — a subtle authorship of truth. Read more: designobserver.com/walkie-talkie-…

In this new preface to How to Speak Machine, John Maeda revisits a decade of technological transformation, from invisible computing to the rise of generative AI, and what it means to teach machines to speak human. designobserver.com/should-we-teac…

“What do we lose when nostalgia is weaponized to obscure today’s rise of state-sanctioned violence?” designobserver.com/dispirited-awa…

New DBBD episode is live: Michael C. Bush and Candace Parker on purpose, pride, and the future of leadership—from the boardroom to the locker room. Two powerful perspectives on what it takes to lead with trust, resilience, and vision. Listen now designobserver.com/candace-parker…

“Machines seem to speak our language but they don’t yet speak human.” In the new preface to How to Speak Machine, technologist & designer @johnmaeda explores how we got here and why teaching AI to reflect our values is the real work ahead. 🔗 designobserver.com/should-we-teac…

New episode of The Design of Business | The Business of Design is now LIVE. Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work, on how linking purpose to pride builds trust, and why great leadership starts with listening and hope. designobserver.com/candace-parker…

NEW on DBBD: a double double with Michael C. Bush on workplace culture and WNBA legend Candace Parker on leadership, perception, and the power of sports. Are we finally seeing women’s sports more clearly? Listen now designobserver.com/candace-parker… #GPTW

Are we training the systems that will replace us? In this #DBBD clip, Designer Ethan Marcotte explains how automation doesn't replace jobs overnight, it reshapes them. First you supervise the AI. Then your role is devalued. 🔗 designobserver.com/compassionate-…

.@debbiemillman never imagined she'd say this out loud. In this clip, she reflects on how her partner, @rgay, helped her embrace a new creative chapter, and what it taught her about the rest of her life. Listen to the full episode 🔗 designobserver.com/love-letter-to…

Debbie Millman reflects on what Pride means to her as a queer woman. Not pride in herself, but in shared experience, and in the justice of being who you are. From the latest episode of The Design of Business | The Business of Design podcast 🎙️ designobserver.com/love-letter-to…

Debbie Millman doesn’t hold back: “We’re not just facing a constitutional crisis, we’re in a capitalist one, too.” In this clip, she calls out the branding world’s failure to stand up to racism and power. Listen to the full exchange on the latest #DBBD designobserver.com/love-letter-to…

DO EIC Ellen McGirt joined Volvo’s Giuseppe Perri & The Economist’s Adam Morris at Figma Config London 2025 for a master class on design, innovation & AI. “Everyone needs to upskill,” says Morris. Designers are already using these tools. Watch: youtu.be/boX1bBNBgto?si…

This isn’t just about design. It’s about legacy, loss, and the quiet strength passed down from mother to daughter. 🔗 Read the full story here designobserver.com/dear-mother-i-…

“The key to collaboration? Get the right people in the right place and aim high.” Hear more from Jon M. Chu on building creative culture. 🎧 Listen + subscribe: designobserver.com/making-space-j…

Director Jon M. Chu shares how becoming a parent shifted his perspective on storytelling, identity, and legacy. Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. designobserver.com/making-space-j…

Cities aren’t built to adapt to climate change or to help people thrive. Architect Michael Eliason explains why our so-called “comprehensive plans” fail us & how we can design for the unknown. Listen to the DB|BD Season 12 premiere, out now on all platforms 🎧 designobserver.com/dbbd-season-12…

Christine Platt talks about Afrominimalism and how living with less can lead to so much more. Her journey from burnout to balance inspired the upcoming book “Less is Liberation.” Learn how creating space in your life can improve your mental and physical health. designobserver.com/less-is-libera…

🚨 Bonus Design As episode alert! What does it mean to conduct design research in large corporations? How can we find the "why" at the core of customer needs and socially meaningful innovation? Tap the link to listen 🎧 designobserver.com/bonus-episode-…

This week on Design As, we explore the evolving meaning of being a designer. Who gets to call themselves one? Why does it matter? And how does design shape both creators and the world around them?

🎧 Listen now on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/4f8wkk…

This week on Design As, we explore the evolving meaning of being a designer. Who gets to call themselves one? Why does it matter? And how does design shape both creators and the world around them?

🎧 Listen now on Apple podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/des…

Read essays and explore more insights like this in The Observatory, our twice-monthly newsletter for makers, thinkers, and wayfinders. 💌 Sign up at designobserver.com/newsletters/

How do we embrace change when it feels too late? In this thought-provoking essay, @ellmcgirt reflects on on the fragility of our systems, the resilience of nature, and the power we hold to redesign the future for good.👇 designobserver.com/the-parable-of…

Our guest this week, Paolo Ciuccarelli, Founding Director of The Center for Design at Northeastern University, discusses how data can connect diverse audiences and where designers play a critical role. designobserver.com/design-as-visu…

How do designers turn raw data into conversations that matter?

This week on Design As, we’re diving into the world of Visualization, and why it’s is a key tool for shaping narratives and driving change. 🗣️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/des…

Another episode of Design As is here! This week, we discuss Design As Visualization. Who’s doing the seeing? Who’s doing the making? And who’s putting it out into the world for others to see? Listen now 🎙️ designobserver.com/design-as-visu…

#design #designas #newpodcast #dataviz #data

Surprise! A bonus episode of Design As just dropped, and it’s a good one. @pentagram’s Giorgia Lupi takes us on a deeply personal data visualization project to share her recovery from Long Covid. ❤️‍🩹

See her graphics and slides come to life in this one-of-a-kind presentation. e! youtu.be/rQMOHjeI9Uk

Care is central to design. Explore how leading experts reimagine the role of care, from creating meaningful products to fostering authenticity, in the latest episode of Design As.

🎧 Listen to “Design As Care” now, and subscribe to Design As on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your . designobserver.com/design-as-care/

How does care shape design? The latest episode of Design As explores care in products, practice, classrooms, and data. Host @moreaulee speaks with experts on how care transforms design for individuals and society. Listen now: designobserver.com/design-as-care/
#DesignAsPodcast

How can design shape governance and drive change? In the latest episode of Design As, @moreaulee talks with Shin-pei Tsay, Geoff Mulgan, and Chelsea Mauldin about using design to address complex systems and engage communities. Listen now: designobserver.com/design-as-gove… #DesignAsPodcast

Episode 1 of Season 2 is here: Design As Governance. How does design influence governance and help create systems for transformation? Host @moreaulee sits down with @newurbanmechs, @geoffmulgan, Chelsea Mauldin (@publicpolicylab) to explore how design drives innovation in local, onal policy.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform. designobserver.com/design-as-gove…

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe!

Season 2 of Design As celebrates the thinkers and makers redefining what design means today—and tomorrow. Swipe through to explore insights from @moreaulee’s essay and subscribe for weekly episodes starting Jan 7th.

📖Read more 👇designobserver.com/announcing-des…
#DesignAsPodcast tion #design #DesignInspiration

🎙️ "Design As" is back for Season 2!

Listen to the trailer and subscribe now to explore how design can transform lives and shape a world for everyone.

Season two launches Jan 7th! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/des…

Genny Castillo is on a mission to mobilize the Latino vote in Georgia. Days before the election, she’s got one message: text everyone you know—yes, even your ex! Find out why her work matters in the latest She the People with @aimeeallison Listen now 👇 designobserver.com/make-a-plan-to…

Why do narratives matter in politics? In Ep. 4 of She the People, @ltinthecity interviews Moya Bailey (@moyazb) on misogynoir's impact on Kamala Harris. Then @AimeeAllison sits down with @crystalechohawk on how Native communities are reclaiming their narratives.

🎧 Listen now: designobserver.com/shifting-narra…

NEW: @SaruJayaraman has spent 20+ years fighting for @onefairwage, and we're closer than ever to ending the subminimum wage in 2024. Watch and listen to her powerful episode on She the People now 👇 designobserver.com/the-halls-and-…

NEW She the People episode out today! @aimeeallison talks building power & changing the rules of the political game for women of color with @RepBarbaraLee. Listen to the episode now. 🎧👇 #SheThePeople #BarbaraLee #Leadership #WomenInPolitics #BlackWomenLead designobserver.com/the-halls-and-…

In this week’s episode of She the People with @aimeeallison, we’re breaking down the data and learning how women of color are driving political change in bold new ways. Tune in now! 🎙️ designobserver.com/in-the-work-ft…

As AI transforms our world, Google's @writingprincess shares why we must act now to ensure these technologies serve everyone equitably. In this #DBBD episode, hear how Black women are leading the fight for transparency and ethical practices in AI. 🎧🔥 #Activism #EthicalTech menInTech designobserver.com/s11e10-activis…

🚨 New Podcast Alert! 🚨
The first episode of She the People is here! 🎙️ Tune in as @AimeeAllison talks with civil rights attorney @MayaWiley about resilience, leadership, and her legacy of justice.

Listen now: designobserver.com/but-joy-cometh…

🎉 Big news! We’re launching She the People with @aimeeallison, a new podcast from Design Observer. Dive into stories of women of color shaping the future. Episodes drop 9/6! 📅 Subscribe now so you don’t miss a thing. 🔗 Apple direct link podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she…
#SheThePeople #BIPOC #Election2024

🎙️ New #DBBD episode! Join us as we chat with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tracy K. Smith about the power of poetry, her recent works, and finding faith in tough times. Tune in and hear her read a poem live! 🌟 open.spotify.com/episode/43pciu… #Podcast #TracyKSmith #Poetry #CreativeJourney

🎙️ New #DBBD episode featuring Production Designer Olivia Peebles! 🌟 Olivia talks about her work on "Killers of the Flower Moon," "Oppenheimer," and more. Dive into her approach to authentic storytelling and the impact of A.I. on art. Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/2dpART…

New DB|BD episode! 🎙️💡 @shaminasingh of @Mastercard's Center for Inclusive Growth discusses why an inclusive global economy is a redesign project. Learn about her journey, the power of humility, and supporting small businesses worldwide. Listen now 👇 designobserver.com/feature/s11e6-…

In our latest episode of DBBD, @linzsports explains how this moment in the #WNBA fits into three decades of league history, why player activism can’t be ignored, and what mainstream sports media gets wrong in their coverage of the league. Listen now👇 designobserver.com/feature/s11e5-…

New #DBBD episode! 🏀 WNBA Commissioner @CathyEngelbert discusses the league's explosive growth, player activism, and why the @WNBA is both the moment and a movement.🎧 Listen below #WNBA #Leadership #WomenInSports designobserver.com/article.php?id…

New York City is currently facing a crisis in post-pandemic poverty. Robin Hood CEO @RichardBuery explains what is driving the uptick, how effective partnerships are built, and why he’s betting big on A.I. as a poverty-fighting tool. designobserver.com/feature/s11e4-…

In the latest episode of DB|BD we chat with Jonsara Ruth and Alison Mears, co-founders of Healthy Materials Lab @parsonsdesign, about their mission to revolutionize housing design for health & equity. Listen now 🎧 on Apple, Spotify, or at the link below. designobserver.com/article.php?id…

In our latest episode of DBBD, @theblcklst founder @franklinleonard shares how he's leveraging his platform to drive diversity and inclusion in the film industry. Tune in to explore his unique vision to redesign Hollywood ▶️ designobserver.com/feature/s11e2-…

We're back with Season 11 of The Design Of Business | The Business of Design! Don't miss iconic artist @WEEMSCarrie as we dive into her role in public life and learn how to throw a party to change the world. ▶️ Listen now on Spotify, Apple or dbbd.designobserver.com

The Design Of Business | The Business of Design podcast is back for our 11th Season! We're kicking off the conversation with renowned artist @WEEMSCarrie. Listen now to uncover how she uses the power of convening people to confront big truths. ▶️ designobserver.com/feature/s11e1-…

🎙️ Don't miss an unforgettable episode of Design Matters. Join @debbiemillman and special guest David Remnick, Editor of @NewYorker, for an in-depth conversation about his legendary life and career. Live at the On Air Fest #DesignMatters #OnAirFest soundcloud.com/designmatters/…

Don't miss the latest episode of Design Matters as @debbiemillman chats with the incredible Lucy Sante about her memoir "I Heard Her Call My Name," exploring themes of identity, growth, and the power of embracing one's true self. Listen now ▶️ soundcloud.com/designmatters/…

A Nobel Prize-winning economist offers a powerful critique of modern capitalism, shedding light on its flaws and the need for a paradigm shift in economic analysis. Read the latest Equity Observer by @ellmcgirt us9.campaign-archive.com/?u=7eb69153072…

This week on #DesignMatters: Author @priscillagilman joins @debbiemillman to talk about her memoir, a candid account of loss and grief, forgiveness, and love. Listen now ▶️ soundcloud.com/designmatters/…

This week on #DesignMatters: Carrie Brownstein joins @debbiemillman to talk about her new memoir, and her iconic roles as co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the legendary punk band Sleater-Kinney, and in TV series Portlandia. Listen now ▶️ soundcloud.com/designmatters/…

Through his floral art, John Caleb Pendleton is redefining storytelling– from commemorating historical figures to igniting conversations about Black masculinity, his work is a testament to the power of creativity. Learn more + see his creations 💐 below designobserver.com/feature/celebr…

New York Times bestselling author and journalist @SuleikaJaouad joins @debbiemillman this week on #DesignMatters to discuss her remarkable life, career, and bestselling memoir, Between Two Kingdoms. Listen now ▶️ soundcloud.com/designmatters/…

2024 is shaping up to be quite the challenge, but guess what? We're ready to tackle it head-on. Equity Observer is your ticket to stay informed, inspired, and engaged. Subscribe now and join a community making a difference. Read the first issue ⬇️ mailchi.mp/designobserver…

Tune in to the “Design As” podcast as we weave together stories that inspire change. This week host, @moreaulee ignites a conversation on citizenship and design that challenges conventional narratives. Listen now 🗣️ 👇
designobserver.com/feature/design…

In the latest episode of Design As, Lily Tsai, Director and Founder @mitgovlab, challenges us to envision a design approach centered on connection. Hear insights that reshape how we view the intersections of people, ideas, and connections. 🗣️ 👇 designobserver.com/feature/design…

This week on #DesignMatters: @rgay sits down with Emmy-nominated comedian, writer, producer, actor, radio personality, and podcaster @roywoodjr. He joins the Design Matters Live Tour to discuss his career. Listen 🎧 now on Apple, Spotify, or at the link👇 soundcloud.com/designmatters/…

"Is feeling like a citizen always attached to a particular territory?" On the latest episode of Design As, @OliverEscobar challenges our conventional understanding of citizenship and explores an idea of belonging that transcends boundaries. 🎧Listen now👇 designobserver.com/feature/design…

On the latest episode of “Design As,” @Shari_Davis1, co-executive director of the @PBProject invites us to redesign the concept of citizenship, emphasizing the importance of belonging, relationships, and global unity. 🤝 Listen now 👇 designobserver.com/feature/design…

"You don't need to be an expert in the complexity of A.I. to ask better questions." Our Editor in Chief @ellmcgirt explains to @indeed CEO Chris Hyams why the move- fast-and-break-things ethos needs to be re-examined. Watch the full video on YouTube 📺 youtu.be/6byoLaVoDFE?fe…

On the latest episode of "Design As," @ellmcgirt takes us on a captivating journey on how storytelling can be used to reframe complex issues. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or at the link 👇 designobserver.com/feature/design…

The legendary @AudieCornish joins @DebbieMillman live from the #DesignMatters tour to talk about her career in journalism, covering national, political, and breaking news for over two decades. Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or at the link. 👇
soundcloud.com/designmatters/…

On the latest episode of Design As, @moreaulee highlights the importance of representation in corporate leadership and the need for designers at the decision-making table. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or at the link
designobserver.com/feature/design…

In a world filled with self-proclaimed experts, the pivotal moment comes when we admit we don't have all the answers. Join @mslima, @moreaulee, and @ellmcgirt as they delve into the crucial link between humility and understanding complexity.
Listen now 👇 designobserver.com/feature/design…

This week on Design Matters, powerhouse musician, and eldest daughter of Johnny Cash, @rosannecash joins @debbiemillman to talk about her life and legendary career as a singer, songwriter, and author. Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or at the link soundcloud.com/designmatters/…

Today on "Design As" @jamerhunt challenges us to broaden our perspective on systems and complexity. It's not just about technology; it's about the intricate dance of technological, social, and biological systems. Listen now 🎧 + subscribe 👇
designobserver.com/feature/design…

On this week’s #DesignMatters w @debbiemillman: New York Times bestselling author @IsaacFitzgerald recounts his early years in Boston, an ongoing search for forgiveness, and a more expansive definition of family. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or at the link.soundcloud.com/designmatters/…

Are we asking the same questions or having the same conversations over and over? In this episode of “Design As” @mamaazure makes the case for why it’s important to continue searching for answers. Listen now on Apple, Spotify or at the link. designobserver.com/feature/design…