Jessica Helfand

Michael Bierut|Audio

East Meets West

Or collaboration vs. “one person making one thing at one time”

Michael Bierut|Audio

Inside the Lines

Michael and Jessica discuss the The Grid, which uses artificial intelligence to design websites, the history of grids, and the unlikely success of coloring books for adults.

Michael Bierut|Audio

The Observatory: The Inevitable

On this episode, Michael and Jessica talk about death (not taxes): how designers have to think about preventing death and representing death, and whether death is “just another design challenge.” Also, the color blue.

Michael Bierut|Audio

The Observatory: Land, Rand, Mad Men

Michael and Jessica talk about a panel they participated in at the Paul Rand exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York, plus the return of Mad Men and the fate of photography giants Kodak and Polaroid.

Michael Bierut|Audio

The Observatory: Such Watch

On this episode of The Observatory, Michael and Jessica talk about Jonathan Ive, the rollout of the Apple Watch, and Michael Graves

Michael Bierut|Audio

The Observatory: FYI We Are Graphic Designers

This week, Michael and Jessica talk about graphic designers on screen, highlights from What Design Sounds Like, and Michael’s trip to Design Indaba.

Jessica Helfand|Thesis Book Project

License to Risk: The Square Revisited

Jessica Helfand shares her MFA thesis

Jessica Helfand|DesignIndaba

Making Change 05: Why Design Matters

Change the world, or change ourselves?

Jessica Helfand|DesignIndaba

Making Change 04: Why Vigilance Matters

George Clooney’s non-profit, the Satellite Sentinel Project, is a serious initiative. They’re not designers. But their platform is stunningly visual, and worth a look.

Jessica Helfand|DesignIndaba

Making Change 03: Why Pictures Matter

Moving pictures—literally and emotionally

Jessica Helfand|DesignIndaba

Making Change 02: Why Warning Matters

The larger social impact of our visual and verbal choices

Jessica Helfand|DesignIndaba

Making Change 01: Why Character Matters

In Cape Town this week, the question of designers making change is being thoughtfully examined. Who are we to make changes and what kinds of changes might we consider making, if indeed we can make them at all?