AIGA Design Podcast

In this episode, we speak with Lisa Gralnek, Managing Director of iF Design USA and Global Head of Sustainability and Impact at iF Design. We cover the scale and rigor behind the iF Design Award — one of the world's most recognized design competitions since 1953 — and how iF has made sustainability a core, embedded criterion in its judging process. We also discuss the launch of the iF Design Academy, what it means to close the gap between design and business fluency, and the risks of outsourcing critical thinking to AI tools. Plus, we reflect on why design thinking became its own victim, what head-heart-hands means in an age of AI, and what we might be collectively unlearning as machines take on more of the work.TOPICS WE ADDRESS:- Lisa's path from political science and fashion to design leadership- How the iF Design Award jury process works across 93 categories and 9 disciplines- Why sustainability now accounts for 20% of the iF scoring criteria — and what that shift has taught applicants and jurors alike- The circular economy and the "R ladder" of repairability, reusability, and recyclability- iF Design's two free-entry competitions: the iF Design Student Award and the iF Social Impact Prize, both aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals- The launch of the iF Design Academy and why designers need more than design education to lead- The upcoming course AI Strategy for Design Leaders (June 2026) — led by Tey Bannerman, former McKinsey partner- Why design thinking became a buzzword without operationalization — and what it would take to bring it back- What the documentary Modernism, Inc.: The Eliot Noyes Design Story says about the long history of design and corporate power- The tension between AI efficiency and the tactile, hands-on learning that makes designers designers- What we might be collectively "unlearning" as AI tools take on more of the creative processRESOURCES MENTIONED:- iF Design: https://ifdesign.com/en/- iF Design Award: https://ifdesign.com/en/if-design-award-and-jury- iF Design Academy: https://ifdesign-academy.com/- iF Design Trend Report (5th annual edition releasing April 28): https://ifdesign.com/en/trend-report- iF Design Student Award: https://ifdesign.com/en/if-design-student-award- iF Social Impact Prize: https://ifdesign.com/en/if-social-impact-prize- Future of XYZ podcast: https://ifdesign.com/en/podcast-future-of-xyz-by-if-design- Lisa Gralnek, "Where Are All the Designers?" (Fast Company): https://www.fastcompany.com/91374558/where-are-all-the-designers- Ellen MacArthur Foundation: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/- Modernism, Inc.: The Eliot Noyes Design Story (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29215800/- UN Sustainable Development Goals: https://sdgs.un.org/goals- AIGA + Yale SOM: Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders: https://www.aiga.org/professional-development/business-perspectives-for-creative-leaders- Subscribe to the AIGA Design Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/aigadesign/- Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode, hosts Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello welcome distinguished professor, author, and creativity expert Robin Landa. Recently honored with the 2025 Stephen Heller Prize for Cultural Commentary, Landa discusses her prolific career as the author of 27 books and her evolving philosophy on design’s role in society. The conversation spans Landa’s origin story: from designing Barbie clothes as a child to honing her craft as a writer. We also explore her latest work, which frames branding not merely as a commercial tool, but as a significant cultural force with ethical responsibilities.

Major Themes
Branding as a Cultural Actor: Landa argues that modern brands have moved beyond simple differentiation and positioning. They are now cultural participants that influence public discourse, equity, and inclusion, carrying a responsibility to contribute positively to the communities that sustain them.
The Evolution of Design Writing: Landa reflects on how writing began as a practical necessity for academic promotion but became a core part of her identity. She emphasizes the importance of design commentary as a form of cultural commentary that should live beyond the "silo" of the design community.
Redesigning the Learning Environment: As an educator, Landa advocates for a shift from the "talking head" factory model of education to active, flexible, and social spaces. She suggests that classrooms should be designed for engagement and participation rather than compliance.
AI and the Human Element: Discussing the rise of AI in the creative workflow, Landa notes that while students need technical fluency, the true value of a designer now lies in judgment, ethics, and lived experience—qualities AI lacks.
Diversity as a Creative Catalyst: Innovation happens at the "edge" where different disciplines and backgrounds meet. Landa highlights the need for structural diversity in creative leadership to move beyond symbolic

References
Branding as a Cultural Force: https://amzn.to/3PH80IC 
Leadership by Design: https://amzn.to/47QOm37 
MasterCard’s Where to Settle: https://www.mastercard.com/news/europe/en/newsroom/press-releases/en/2023/mastercard-s-where-to-settle-platform-to-offer-new-features-job-listings-and-apartment-rentals/ 
Sheba Reef Builders: https://www.shebahopegrows.com/en-en?&=681856277402&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20799781648&gbraid=0AAAAAC66XqpqSC0WC1oRrgVID3xKi880H 
Man Ray - When Objects Dream: https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/man-ray-when-objects-dream

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, hosts Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello sit down with Giorgia Lupi to explore her journey from an architecture student and musician in Italy to a pioneer of data humanism and partner at Pentagram in New York City. Giorgia discusses her latest books, her Love Letter to the New York City subway, and why she recently broke up with ChatGPT. Whether you're a seasoned designer or a curious learner, Giorgia’s insights invite us to see data as a profoundly human, creative, and essential storytelling tool.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction to Giorgia Lupi and her focus on data humanism
02:00 - Giorgia’s early influences: architecture, music, and data collection at her grandmother’s tailor shop
05:00 - Spark moments: designing band album artwork and transitioning into data visualization
06:40 - Discussing her book Speak Data and the process behind it
09:00 - The human stories within data: interviews with leading thinkers on data’s meaning
13:15 - The Dear Data project: weekly postcards and framing personal data conversations
16:00 - Inspired by data visualizations and how personal relationships shape data storytelling
18:00 - Data as a love letter to the NYC subway system: poetic visualization of transit data
25:00 - Designing data for children: This Is Me and Only Me and engaging young audiences
27:30 - The challenge of complex data: finding human stories in big or aggregated datasets
30:20 - Designing the data set: choosing what to include and how to add context
32:00 - Combining qualitative and quantitative data: mentoring teams and storytelling strategies
34:30 - The evolving role of data in design and how to navigate cross-disciplinary data practices
38:00 - Perspectives on AI: cautious optimism, data as a resource, and preserving human creativity
43:00 - Inspirations and making for the sake of making: art exhibitions, painting, and experimentation
45:30 - Final thoughts: cultivating critical thinking and curiosity in a data-driven world

REFERENCES
Our previous episode of the AIGA Design Podcast with Giorgia Lupi from 2020: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/aigadesign/episodes/Giorgia-Lupi-on-Data-Humanism-ecs2f7
Giorgia Lupi’s personal website: https://giorgialupi.com/
Pentagram – The World’s Largest Independent Design Consultancy: https://www.pentagram.com/ 
Speak Data: Artists, Scientists, Thinkers, and Dreamers on How We Live Our Lives in Numbers: https://amzn.to/4qXAQl4 
Dear Data: https://amzn.to/3Msgrqj 
This is Me and Only Me: https://amzn.to/46pMrlH
A Data Love Letter to the Subway: https://www.mta.info/agency/arts-design/digital-art/data-love-letter 
Two Craigs Take on a 1-Year Performance Challenge (2025 AIGA Design Conference): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdjkZu_qvDM 
2Craigs: https://www.2craigs.com/ 
Ruth Asawa, A Retrospective: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5768
Wifredo Lam, When I Don’t Sleep I Dream at MoMA: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5788
Alfred Jensen at the Pace Gallery: https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/alfred-jensen/

In this episode, Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello host Andy Curson and Rob Slowe from Arctic Paper as they dive into sustainable papermaking, the role of print in a digital age, and collaborations with emerging designers. Discover how Arctic Paper balances environmental responsibility with innovation, and how print continues to evolve as a meaningful medium for creativity and storytelling.
Arctic Paper’s portfolio: mills in Sweden and Poland, offering coated, uncoated, book, and high-end papers
The relationship between Arctic Paper and the Munken Design Brand, and insights into their global activities
Collaborations with European design schools for over 20 years, fostering youth creativity
The evolution of agenda design: flexibility, interactivity, and the shift from static to fluid layouts
The value of physical books and print in an era dominated by screens, emphasizing quality and sensory experience
Arctic Paper’s sustainability initiatives: FSC, Cradle to Cradle, CO2 reduction, water conservation, and environmental stewardship
Challenges in translating digital files to print, ICC profiles, and ensuring color fidelity
Digital tools like Munken Sans font and Munken Creator for hybrid design approaches
The future of print: high-end books as niche luxury items, akin to vinyl records
The impact of AI on design and print, emphasizing the importance of tactile, slow media for deep engagement

Resources & Links:
Arctic Paper Official Website: https://www.arcticpaper.com
Munken Paper: https://www.arcticpaper.com/brands/munken/
Munken Sans Typeface: https://colab.munken.com/munken-sans
Munken Creator Web Tool: https://colab.munken.com/munkencreator
FSC Certification: https://fsc.org

Timestamps: 
00:00 - Introduction to the Eyes on Design theme and guests from Arctic Paper
02:29 - Arctic Paper’s global presence and product offerings
04:09 - Clarification of Arctic Paper and Munkin Brand relationship
05:34 - The backgrounds and careers of Andy and Rob in the paper industry
11:34 - Long-standing collaboration with European art and design schools
14:32 - Big shifts in youth design practices: flexibility and interactivity
16:33 - How COVID influenced innovative student projects and engagement with paper
19:04 - Challenges of translating digital files to print on uncoated paper
21:03 - The role of paper quality in creating memorable experiences
24:47 - Arctic Paper’s commitments to sustainability and environmental impact
27:31 - Innovations in reducing water and energy consumption in papermaking
30:14 - The physical environment as part of sustainability and community well-being
31:24 - How Arctic Paper bridges expectations between digital and print media
34:41 - Digital tools and experiments like Munken Sans font and Munken Creator platform
39:24 - The future of luxury books and print as a niche market akin to vinyl records
41:59 - The timeless value of physical books and passing on treasured works
42:35 - AI's role in design, print, and storytelling: preserving tactile skills amid digital growth
45:09 - Looking ahead: embracing both digital and physical mediums, fostering new creatives

Join co-hosts Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello as they kick off a brand-new season of the AIGA Design Podcast. We’re diving deep into our new programming theme, "Eyes on Design."
Whether you’re a long-time listener or brand new to the show, Lee-Sean and Giulia take a moment to (re)introduce themselves and share the backgrounds (and biases) they bring to design discourse.
Have a story to tell? We’re scouting for guests! Send your pitches to [email protected].
Join the conversation: We love hearing from you. Drop us an email or a voice message with your thoughts on the new season
The AIGA Design Podcast is 100% member-supported. Join AIGA today at aiga.org to support our work and connect with our community of design professionals, educators, and leaders.