Cey Adams is a soft-spoken legend. A New York City native, he emerged from the downtown graffiti scene before becoming the creative director of Def Jam Recordings, where he designed for Run DMC, The Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z, among others. In this episode of First Things First, we talk about the relationship between art, music, and design, what makes a good client, and the importance of passion. First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “Coexistenz” by Loyalty Freak Music from the album “TO CHILL AND STAY AWAKE.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Loyalty_Freak_Music/TO_CHILL_AND_STAY_AWAKE/Loyalty_Freak_Music_-_TO_CHILL_AND_STAY_AWAKE_-_01_Coexistenz This episode features an edited version of “get out” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/get_out_1716 This episode features an edited version of “The Zeppelin” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album “Aeronaut.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Aeronaut/The_Zeppelin_1908 This episode features an edited version of “Acme Coke” by Roger Plexico from the album “No Man’s Land.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Roger_Plexico/No_Mans_Land/Roger_Plexico_-_No_Mans_Land_-_06_Acme_Coke

First Things First

Cey Adams

Jeremy Leslie loves magazines. He leads magCulture: a design studio, online resource, magazine shop, and events producer. He divides his time between designing, writing, and curating. His book The Modern Magazine was published in 2013 and the online magCulture Journal is a key source of editorial-design opinion and news. In this episode, we talk about magazines as recording devices and the evolution of ideas in the space where print and digital meet. First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “One Cool Minute” by Loyalty Freak Music from the album “MINIMAL AMBIENT BOUNCE.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Loyalty_Freak_Music/MINIMAL_AMBIENT_BOUNCE/Loyalty_Freak_Music_-_MINIMAL_AMBIENT_BOUNCE_-_02_One_Cool_Minute This episode features an edited version of “Stars Are Out” by Podington Bear from the album “Daydream.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Daydream/Stars_Are_Out_1389 This episode features an edited version of “Triumph” by Jon Luc Hefferman from the album “Production Music.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jon_Luc_Hefferman/20170730112628821/Triumph

Jeremy Leslie

Graphic designer and filmmaker Marina Willer is a partner at global design firm Pentagram. Before joining Pentagram, she was head creative director at Wolff Olins in London, where she lead iconic work like the visual identity of Tate Modern. In this episode, we talk about her film, Red Trees, which tells the story of today’s refugee crisis through the lens of her own family. And we talk about the role of the designer in a world that is overrun by consumption. This interview was recorded in 2019 at the What Design Can Do conference in Mexico City. First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   This episode features an edited version of “Like Swimming” by Broke For Free from the album “Leaf.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Leaf/Broke_For_Free_-_Leaf_-_02_Like_Swimming This episode features an edited version of “Outmoded Waltz” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Outmoded_Waltz This episode features an edited version of “As Colorful As Ever” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/As_Colorful_As_Ever This episode features an edited version of “Acme Coke” by Roger Plexico from the album “No Man’s Land.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Roger_Plexico/No_Mans_Land/Roger_Plexico_-_No_Mans_Land_-_06_Acme_Coke

Marina Willer

Tina Roth Eisenberg has many preoccupations and passions, she started a Temporary Tattoo company called Tattly, a Global community meet up group called Creative Mornings, and a Digital task organizer called Teux Deux. After studying design in Switzerland and Germany, she moved to Brooklyn in 1999 and worked as a designer eventually starting the design blog swiss miss that became one of the world’s most visited design websites.  In this episode of First Things First, we talk about magic and the importance of listening to everything the universe has to tell you.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   This episode features an edited version of “Lorca” by Thorn1 from the album “The Leave of Leaves.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Thorn1/The_Leave_of_Leaves/02_-_Thorn1_-_Lorca This episode features an edited version of “Bumble” by Podington Bear from the album “Daydream.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Daydream/Bumble_1908 This episode features an edited version of “Broke For Free” by Murmur from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/Murmur_1979 This episode features an edited version of “Seashore” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Seashore

Tina Roth Eisenberg

Named one of Fast Company’s ‘Most Creative People in Business’, Robert Brunner is the designer of such iconic products as the Apple PowerBook and Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. Former Director of Industrial Design for Apple, he laid the foundations for moving computers from the utilitarian to the desirable and helped define Apple as the most powerful brand and technology company in the world. In 2007, Robert founded San Francisco-based design studio Ammunition to communicate ideas through products, brands and their surrounding experiences.  In this episode of First Things First, we talk about the meaning that objects can hold, the shift from the world of corporate design to design consulting, and why sometimes a fridge, should just be a fridge. To learn more about Robert, visit ammunitiongroup.com First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter This episode features an edited version of “Golden Hour” by Podington Bear from the album “Springtime.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Springtime/Golden_Hour_1973 This episode features an edited version of “Everybody” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Everybody This episode features an edited version of “One And” by Broke For Free from the album “Leaf.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Leaf/Broke_For_Free_-_Leaf_-_08_One_And This episode features an edited version of “Upbeat” by Jon Luc Hefferman from the album “Production Music.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jon_Luc_Hefferman/20170730112628821/Upbeat

Robert Brunner

Paul Lavoie founded Taxi in Montreal in 1992 with his partner Jane Hope.  The ad agency became widely known for its innovative work and soon grew an international reach working with a wide range of global brands. Lavoie left Taxi to devote his time to Beau Lake, a luxury paddleboard and lifestyle brand he co-owns that’s a modern interpretation and tribute to vintage wood power boats They have recently released an electric runabout boat that promises to revolutionize cottage life to be more quiet and sustainable. In this episode of First Things First, we talk about the effect of the wilderness on Paul’s outlook, the intersection of advertising and design, and designing a new logo for Canada. To learn more about Paul, visit beaulake.com   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “Daydreamer” by Podington Bear from the album “Daydream.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Daydream/Daydreamer_1068 This episode features an edited version of “Knock Knock” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/Knock_Knock_1483 This episode features an edited version of “Until The End” by Ryan Andersen from the album “Happy Life - Americana Volume One.” The original can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ryan_Andersen/Happy_Life_-_Americana_Volume_One/Until_The_End

Paul Lavoie

Pia Betton links design thinking to business. Originally from Denmark, Pia’s 20 year career spans brand development, corporate design, design research, innovation and communication. Her international client portfolio covers private companies from many different industries like Lego, Bosch, Bang & Olufsen, and Carlsberg. In this episode of First Things First, we talk about the challenge of growth, the challenge of change, and the challenge of Design Thinking. First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “Tweedlebugs” by Podington Bear from the album “Daydream.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Daydream/Tweedlebugs_1497 This episode features an edited version of “Sidewalk Chalk” by Broke For Free from the album “Leaf.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Leaf/Broke_For_Free_-_Leaf_-_07_Sidewalk_Chalk This episode features an edited version of “Shift of Currents” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album “Aeronaut.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Aeronaut/Shift_of_Currents

Pia Betton

Jessica Bellamy is an information designer. She tells visual stories using data and personal narratives. She started her design career working with nonprofits and community groups to create visuals that break down complex service and policy information. In 2015, she created a small design agency called GRIDS: The Grassroots Information Design Studio. She creates infographics for social change. In this episode, we talk about how design can be used as a tool to help fight for social justice and the problem with askholes. First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “get out” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/get_out_1716 This episode features an edited version of “Once more with you” by Loyalty Freak Music from the album “MINIMAL AMBIENT BOUNCE.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Loyalty_Freak_Music/MINIMAL_AMBIENT_BOUNCE/Loyalty_Freak_Music_-_MINIMAL_AMBIENT_BOUNCE_-_01_Once_more_with_you This episode features an edited version of “Murmur” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/Murmur_1979

Jessica Bellamy

This episode of First Things First was recorded as part of our Live Magazine project at DesignThinkers, in Toronto. The interview is with Sid Lee creative director, Laura Stein and was done by Frontier Senior Designer, Tristan Marantos. To learn more about Live Magazine, visit frontier.is and look for Live Magazine in our media section. First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter This episode features an edited version of “Luminous” by Broke For Free from the album “Leaf.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Leaf/Broke_For_Free_-_Leaf_-_05_Luminous

Live Episode: Laura Stein

Grace Hwang leads Design at Carrot, a technology company that helps people quit smoking. For 12 years, she lead healthcare focused projects around the world in her role at IDEO, a global innovation consultancy. IDEO is most famous for popularizing the term design thinking. Design thinking recognizes that design school teaches how to put people at the centre of what you do. Design lead companies are the ones that put people first with the understanding that what’s good for people is good for business. With Carrot, Grace is working to understand how better designed experiences can help change hard to break bad habits and behaviours. In this episode, Grace talks about Need Finding, Touchpoints, and Dairy Queen.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is   Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “The Collector” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/The_Collector_1242 This episode features an edited version of “Big Blue” by Podington Bear from the album “Uplifting.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Uplifting/Big_Blue This episode features an edited version of “Seashore ” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Seashore This episode features an edited version of “A Year” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/A_Year

Grace Hwang

Jessica Hische describes herself as a "Lettering artist, author, illustrator, letterpress printer, and type designer" but also a "Mother, procrastiworker, and a million other things". She has worked with many well recognized brands, authors, and other designers on a multitude of different kinds of projects. In this episode, we talk about her new book, “Tomorrow I’ll be Brave” and the downside of labels.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is   Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “Streetbeat Heat” by Podington Bear from the album “Dance.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Dance_1228/Streetbeat_Heat This episode features an edited version of “Outmoded Waltz” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Outmoded_Waltz This episode features an edited version of “Associations” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Associations

Jessica Hische

This episode of First Things First was recorded live on stage at Design Thinkers in Toronto with Bonnie Sielger about her book, Dear Client. Siegler was voted one of the 50 most influential designers working today by GDUSA. Her career spans a wide range of influential clients and projects like the Trump parody autobiography You Can’t Spell America Without Me. Other recent clients of her design studio, Eight and a Half, include The New Yorker, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. In this episode we talk about the good and the bad when it comes to working as a designer with clients.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is   Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “get out” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/get_out_1716 This episode features an edited version of “Humble Pie” by Podington Bear from the album “Uplifting.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Uplifting/Humble_Pie This episode features an edited version of “Everybody” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Everybody This episode features an edited version of “Only Knows” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/Only_Knows

Live Episode: Bonnie Siegler

Forest Young is a designer and educator whose ranging knowledge stretches to all points of the map, challenging the listener in unexpected ways. At Wolff Olins, he leads design initiatives for the world’s most influential companies recently competing a brand refresh for Uber. His work has been exhibited at MoMA, he is the recipient of many awards and is a graduate of the graphic design program at Yale University. In this episode, we talk about, well, just about everything.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is   Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “Funk” by Podington Bear from the album “Dance.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Dance_1228/Funk This episode features an edited version of “Associations” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Associations This episode features an edited version of “Vittoro” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album “Aeronaut.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Aeronaut/Vittoro_1103

Forest Young

Michael Bierut is a proper gentleman. With his sharp dress punctuated by an iconic hat and scarf, he moves through a room with the gravity of one of the world’s best known designers. But his iconic status is paired with an arresting attentiveness. He’ll write you a surprising and unexpected personal note thanking you for something you should probably be thanking him for. That personable attitude comes through in conversation. In this episode of First Things First we’ll discuss how your own children could become the best critics of your work, the perils and pitfalls of holding onto a stubborn ideology, and the deliciously reductive work of book jacket design.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “Seashore” by Podington Bear from the album “Carefree.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Carefree/Seashore This episode features an edited version of “If” by Broke For Free from the album “Layers.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Layers/If This episode features an edited version of “Acme Coke” by Roger Plexico from the album “No Man’s Land.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Roger_Plexico/No_Mans_Land/Roger_Plexico_-_No_Mans_Land_-_06_Acme_Coke This episode features an edited version of “The Zeppelin” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album “Aeronaut.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Aeronaut/The_Zeppelin_1908

Michael Bierut

Ellen Lupton believes that design tells stories that touch peoples’ minds and bodies. She asks how a song tastes and how designers engage the senses to create richer and more inclusive experiences. In this episode, Ellen talks about the tyranny of visual perception, the ultimate self serve convenience store, and why designers should be thinking about ethics in everything they do.   First Things First is produced as part of Frontier Media. Learn more at www.frontier.is Host: Paddy Harrington Producer and Editor: Max Cotter   Frontier’s sponsor music is an edited version of “sketch (rum-portrait)” by Jahzzar from the album “Sketches.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Sketches/sketch_rum-portrait_1585 This episode features an edited version of “One And” by Broke For Free from the album “Leaf.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Leaf/Broke_For_Free_-_Leaf_-_08_One_And This episode features an edited version of “Sidewalk Chalk” by Broke For Free from the album “Leaf.” The original can be found at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Leaf/Broke_For_Free_-_Leaf_-_07_Sidewalk_Chalk

Ellen Lupton

From the Association of Registered Graphic Designers and Frontier Media, it’s First Things First, a show about how design shapes and creates our world.

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First Things First

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