The Observatory Newsletter

Jessica Helfand|Audio

Episode 128: Decoding Luxury

Guest host Avery Trufelman talks about Articles of Interest, clothing, luxury; Larry Rosenberg’s Breath by Breath; Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu

Michael Bierut|Audio

Episode 80: Age and Authenticity

The Age of Post-Authenticity and the Ironic Truths of Meme Culture, a Prince George parody account, American house numbers

Jessica Helfand|Audio

Episode 129: Spatial Justice

A conversation with De Nichols about cities, monuments, and designing for community.

Michael Bierut|Audio

Episode 81: American Royalty

Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle; Tom Wolfe as design writer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Patrick Melrose; the scent of Play-Doh

Michael Bierut|Audio

Episode 97: Candidates and “Creatives”

2020 presidential campaign logos, 50 Books | 50 Covers, the “creative” hustle, Ellsworth Kelly stamps, Olivia Colman in Flowers

Michael Bierut|Audio

Knockout

Are boxing and photography hipster pleasures? Are they past their prime, or do they have a bright future?

Michael Bierut|Audio

Episode 52: Dictator Style

Peter York on autocrat chic, Sunday in the Park with George, BBC interview with Robert Kelly, Jessica Dimmock’s The Convention

Michael Bierut|Audio

Episode 102: The Long View

Black hole image, Dyson Airblade, Titus Kaphar, Liz Jackson, Comic Sans takeover

Michael Bierut|Audio

Episode 119: Soldiers and Generals

Kyle Chayka’s “The Longing for Less”; minimalism; Hugh Weber joins Design Observer; Don Norman on collaboration; Maggie Gram on design thinking; the death of Mr. Peanut; Fanchon & Marco

Michael Bierut|Audio

September Issues

Google’s new logo, design thinking, and lessons from Oliver Sacks

Michael Bierut|Audio

Episode 55: Sea and Sky

Earth Day, the March for Science, EPA Graphic Standards Manual, Design and Exclusion, Big Little Lies, Five Came Back

Michael Bierut|Audio

Episode 89: Headsets and Holograms

VR typography, Glenn Gould hologram tour, Paul Rand ephemera auction, Robert Venturi, Mark Lamster’s Philip Johnson biography, Werner’s Nomenclature of Colors