On this episode of Design Matters, Debbie Millman talks to Brenda Danilowitz, Chief Curator at the <a href="http://www.albersfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Josef and Anni Albers Foundation</a>, and Philip Tiongson, a principal at <a href="http://www.potiondesign.com/" target="_blank">Potion</a>, a design and technology firm specialzing in interactive expereinces, about Josef Alber's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Interaction-Color-50th-Anniversary-Edition/dp/0300179359" target="_blank">Interaction of Color</a>. To mark the 50th anniversary of this groundbreaking book, Yale University is realeasing an <a href="http://yupnet.org/interactionofcolor/" target="_blank">iPad app</a> of the book. The Interaction of Color mobile app for iPad helps the user understand the book&rsquo;s ideas, view the plates, experiment, and create and share designs. This interactive edition of one of the most influential books on color ever written offers users an entirely new way to experience Josef Albers&rsquo;s original masterwork.

Design Matters With Debbie Millman: Brenda Danilowitz & Philip Tiongson

Named "America's Best Interior Designer" by CNN and Time Magazine, Sheila Bridges founded her own interior design firm in 1994. Sheila has designed residences and offices for many prominent entertainers, entrepreneurs and business professionals including the 8,300 square foot Harlem offices for former President Bill Clinton and his staff. Along with running a successful interior design business, Sheila hosted four seasons of Sheila Bridges Designer Living for the FINE LIVING Network. Sheila has been a regular contributor on NBC's Today Show, has appeared on Oprah and has been profiled in numerous national and international publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, O The Oprah Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Ebony, Essence, House & Garden, Traditional Home and Black Enterprise.

In 2007, Sheila's passion for interiors inspired her to design furniture and home furnishings under the name Sheila Bridges Home, Inc. Sheila's Harlem Toile De Jouy wallpaper is represented in the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum's permanent wallpaper collection. Her work has been showcased in many exhibits and museum including The Studio Museum in Harlem and The Museum of Art and Design, both in New York City.

She is the author of Furnishing Forward: A Practical Guide to Furnishing for a Lifetime (hardcover in 2002 and paperback in 2005) and The Bald Mermaid: A Memoir, released on August 1st, 2013.

Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Sheila Bridges

Neil deGrasse Tyson—world-renowned astrophysicist, Emmy-nominated host, and author—is one of the most popular and influential figures in modern science. He joins to discuss his cosmic career and new book, “Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Best of Design Matters: David Kwong

Carson Ellis is the author and illustrator of the bestselling picture books “Home” and “Du Iz Tak?”. She joins to talk about her life living on a farm in Oregon and her remarkable career illustrating numerous award-winning books for children.

Best of Design Matters: Carson Ellis

The works of artist Olafur Eliasson explore the relevance of art in the world at large. He joins to discuss his three-decade career creating sculptures, installations, paintings, photographs, and film utilizing natural elements—light, color, water, and movement—to alter viewers’ sensory perceptions.

Best of Design Matters: Olafur Eliasson

Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, and Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design, are two of the most influential creative and technological leaders shaping how we experience the digital world. Together, they represent the rare combination of engineering and design at its highest level, shaping how Apple products feel and behave. They join live at the Apple Headquarters to discuss the much anticipated launch of iOS 26.

Craig Federighi and Alan Dye

James Dyson is a visionary inventor, designer, educator, and founder of Dyson, a global company transforming ordinary household appliances into design and engineering marvels. He joins to discuss his iconic career, the role of failure in the creative process, and how good design can reshape the way we live.

James Dyson

In celebration of Pride Month, we’re revisiting conversations with accomplished LGBTQ+ guests—Carol Leifer, Paul Tazewell, Sonya Passi, Leisha Hailey, and Kate Moennig—about the journeys that led them to fulfilling professional lives and the influences that shaped who they are today.

Pride 2025 with Carol Leifer, Sonya Passi, Paul Tazewell, Leisha Hailey, and Kate Moennig

Jennifer Pastiloff is a bestselling author of the memoir On Being Human and travels the world with her workshop, blending writing, yoga, and radical honesty. She joins to discuss turning pain into purpose, the power of vulnerability, and her new book, Proof of Life.

Jennifer Pastiloff

Dr. Joy Buolamwini is a computer scientist and a poet of code who uses art and research to illuminate the social implications of artificial intelligence. She joins to discuss her career as the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, her best-selling book Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What is Human in a World of Machines, and her featured role in the acclaimed Netflix documentary Coded Bias.

Dr. Joy Buolamwini

Lulu Miller is a Peabody Award–winning journalist, co-host of Radiolab, founder of the podcast Terrestrials, and author of the acclaimed book Why Fish Don’t Exist. She joins to discuss her career at the intersection of science, philosophy, and storytelling, inviting us to question how we understand the world and our place within it.

Lulu Miller

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston has spent his career exposing corruption in business and government. A relentless muckraker, he’s written The Making of Donald Trump and It’s Even Worse Than You Think, offering a searing look at the Trump administration’s impact on America. This archival episode with David Cay Johnston first aired in 2018, during Donald Trump’s first term. The conversation remains just as urgent and relevant today.

Best of Design Matters: David Cay Johnston

Tim Ferriss is a five-time New York Times bestselling author, a legendary podcaster with over a billion downloads, a prolific angel investor, and a relentless experimenter. During his fourth visit to Design Matters, he shares the story behind Coyote, a new card game he’s quietly been crafting—and the mindset that brought it to life.

Tim Ferriss

Betty Buckley—Tony-winning Broadway legend, Olivier nominee, and beloved “Voice of Broadway”—has spent nearly six decades in theater, film, television, and music. Best known for Cats and Sunset Boulevard, she is an American Theater Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the American Songbook Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She joins to discuss her remarkable career, enduring artistry, and the stories behind her most memorable roles.

Betty Buckley

To celebrate 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits some of her most memorable conversations with design legends Massimo Vignelli, Michael Bierut, Paula Scher, Chip Kidd, and Louise Fili—icons whose voices and vision have shaped the field.

20th Anniversary celebration with design legends Massimo Vignelli, Michael Bierut, Paula Scher, Chip Kidd and Louise Fili

In honor of 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits standout moments from her conversations with some of the most celebrated voices in graphic storytelling—Chris Ware, Alison Bechdel, Roz Chast, Seth, and Lynda Barry. This special retrospective highlights the artistry, humor, and humanity of five groundbreaking creators whose work has transformed the world of comics and beyond.

20th Anniversary celebration with graphic novelists Chris Ware, Alison Bechdel, Roz Chast, Seth and Lynda Barry

To mark 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits some of her most memorable conversations with acclaimed non-fiction writers Lisa Taddeo, Malcolm Gladwell, Anne Lamott, Maria Konnikova, and Alain de Botton. This anniversary collection captures the insight, candor, and wisdom of five extraordinary thinkers whose work continues to shape how we see ourselves and the world around us.

20th Anniversary celebration with non-fiction writers Lisa Taddeo, Malcolm Gladwell, Anne Lamott, Maria Konnikova, and Alain de Botton

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega reflects on her pioneering career, the artistry behind her storytelling, and the lasting cultural impact of songs like “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner.” She joins to discuss her new album, Flying with Angels, which poignantly captures the struggles and resilience of our time.

Suzanne Vega

Stephen J. Dubner is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and co-creator of Freakonomics—the cultural phenomenon that, over the past 20 years, has grown into a global franchise, changing how millions think, revealing the hidden side of everything, and challenging us to question what we know.

Stephen J. Dubner

To celebrate 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits highlights from her conversations with groundbreaking artists Bisa Butler, Deborah Kass, Marilyn Minter, Amy Sherald, and Ai Weiwei. This anniversary collection brings together the voices of five visionaries whose work challenges conventions, sparks dialogue, and redefines the role of art in our culture.

20th Anniversary celebration with legendary artists Bisa Butler, Deborah Kass, Marilyn Minter, Amy Sherald, and Ai Weiwei

In honor of 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits memorable conversations with memoirists Elissa Altman, Thomas Page McBee, Ashley C. Ford, Josh Brolin, and Isaac Fitzgerald. This anniversary collection reflects on the candor, resilience, and storytelling power of five voices who have turned personal experience into unforgettable art.

20th Anniversary celebration with memoirists Elissa Altman, Thomas Page McBee, Ashley C. Ford, Josh Brolin, and Isaac Fitzgerald

In celebration of 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits one of the show’s most endearing traditions—the very first question. For years, she’s opened each conversation with a playful, deeply researched inquiry: something personal, unexpected, and revealing. In this special anniversary episode, listeners will hear some of Debbie’s favorite first questions and the illuminating answers they inspired.

Surprising First Questions

Neil deGrasse Tyson—world-renowned astrophysicist, Emmy-nominated host, science communicator, and author—is one of the most influential voices in modern science. In this live conversation, recorded at On Air Presents, he joins Debbie Millman to explore the role of science education and why defending science has never been more vital.

Neil deGrasse Tyson at On Air Presents

Debbie Millman talks to Simon about the fruits of good leadership: "To see your team achieve more than they thought they were capable of, that they will advance the organization further than you even imagined — because they believe, and they are greatful, and they're inspired — it's all worth it. All the sacrifices. It always is."

Design Matters With Debbie Millman: Simon Sinek

Debbie talks to writer Tim Ferriss about the strategies he has used to change his life.

Design Matters with Debbie Millman: 2009-2016

Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Tim Ferriss

Debbie talks to Seth Godin about how to live in our difficult political moment. “What we have to figure out is how to disconnect ourselves from the circle of fear and from the circle of contempt and even panic and make something that matters instead.”

Design Matters with Debbie Millman: 2009-2017

Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Seth Godin

Debbie talks to Hamilton director Thomas Kail about his career and about the joys of collaboration.

Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Thomas Kail

Debbie talks to author and researcher Brene Brown about belonging, courage, and vulnerability.

Design Matters

Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Brene Brown

Debbie brings Paula Scher to the stage to discuss clients, career, and aging. “What’s good about it is that it doesn’t matter that you’re not growing because you’re in your fifties. And the thing about your fifties is you have power.”

Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Paula Scher

Debbie talks with pastry chef and Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi about her career and long apprenticeship.

Design Matters with Debbie Millman

Design Matters From the Archive: Christina Tosi

On this episode cartoonist Lynda Barry talks to Debbie about learning how to draw, and the damaging effects of one’s own opinion.

Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Lynda Barry

Design Matters by Debbie Millman features interviews with designers, artists and cultural leaders, including Lawrence Weiner, Barbara Kruger, Malcolm Gladwell, Eric Kandel, Stefan Sagmeister, John Maeda, Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones, Michael Arad, Milton Glaser, Massimo Vignelli, Paula Scher, Steven Heller, Jonah Lehrer, among others.

In 2011, Design Matters received the People’s Design Award from the prestigious Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards.

Subscribe to Design Matters for free on iTunes, where new episodes are uploaded weekly: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/design-matters-debbie-millman/id328074695

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