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Design Better co-hosts Eli Woolery and Aarron Walter explore the intersection of design, technology, and the creative process through conversations with guests across many creative fields, helping you hone your craft, unlock your creativity, and learn the art of collaboration. Whether you’re design curious or a design pro, Design Better is guaranteed to inspire and inform. Vanity Fair calls Design... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes259Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Design Better

Latest Episodes

Jonathan Adler was one of our favorite guests, so we’ve been angling to get him back ever since. He started as a potter and now designs furnishings and interiors that are decadent, but layered with meaning and humor. A lot has happened since we last ... more

We all know that there is something fractured about the workplace, that makes it inefficient, and at times inhumane. If only someone was thinking deeply about those problems, and how to address them…

Visit our Substack for the full episode: https://... more

A few years ago, Dropbox redesigned its website and revenue dropped by thirty percent. It was an all-hands-on-deck moment: people working weekends, everyone hunting for a systemic failure.

Visit our Substack for bonus content and more: desig... more

Like a lot of parents, Eli struggled over the years to get his kids more into reading and away from screens. He wasn’t necessarily on the search for a technological solution, but then an interesting device came our way: the Yoto Player, a screen-free... more

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Recent Guests

Clay Parker Jones
Head of Org Design and Development at Airbnb
Airbnb
Episode: Clay Parker Jones: author of "Hidden Patterns" on why your team isn't really a team
Angel Steger
VP of Design at Wealthfront, former designer at Pinterest/MySpace/23andMe/Dropbox/Meta
Wealthfront
Episode: Angel Steger: Wealthfront's VP of Design on what architecture teaches you about software
Jeffery Hammoud
Chief Design Officer, Rivian
Rivian
Episode: Jeff Hammoud: Chief Design Officer of Rivian on constraints, color, and what separates designers from stylists
Eric Ries
Lean Startup author and entrepreneur
Author of Incorruptible
Episode: Eric Ries: Lean Startup author on why good companies go bad, and why good design is critical to success
Ian Bogost
Game designer, Atlantic contributor, and philosopher of the everyday
Washington University in St. Louis; The Small Stuff author
Episode: Ian Bogost: Game designer, Atlantic writer, and philosopher of the ordinary, on the small stuff that makes life delightful
Mark Havens
Co-author of WAIL, The Visual Language of Prestige Records
Authors of WAIL
Episode: Chris Entwisle and Mark Havens: authors of WAIL on the constraints that led to timeless designs for Prestige Records
Chris Entwisle
Co-author of WAIL, The Visual Language of Prestige Records
Authors of WAIL
Episode: Chris Entwisle and Mark Havens: authors of WAIL on the constraints that led to timeless designs for Prestige Records
Niyati Gupta
Senior Product Designer at Netflix, previously at Google/Autodesk/Meta
Netflix
Episode: Niyati Gupta: Netflix Product Design Lead on what happens when a designer becomes a product manager, and why your influence might not be in your title
Mike Schnaidt
Creative Director at Fast Company; author of Creative Endurance
Fast Company
Episode: Mike Schnaidt: Fast Company Creative Director on typography, creative endurance, and designing for the long haul

Hosts

Eli Woolery
Host of Design Better with a focus on design culture, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary work.
Aarron Walter
Co-host of Design Better, guiding conversations on design leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the craft of building design systems.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Insightful every time

    Each episode brings real world perspective useful to your design practice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    D'urville
    United States2 months ago
  • Ads

    Great podcast but waaaaaayyy too many adds that are way too long. Stop selling out and focus on content.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    NVSF95
    United Statesa year ago
  • More industrial design

    A real design podcast like we all need. Only wish there was more episodes on product / industrial design! SCAD episode was amazing

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kev_paris_88
    United States2 years ago
  • Great interview

    Inspiring and full of energy, culture, curiosity and very easy to follow up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Agheor
    Italy2 years ago
  • Not anymore

    Used to be a great show. Now hidden behind a 7$/month paywall. The “free” shows are now 20 minutes long, including 8 minutes of ads and announcements to cconvert listeners into subscribers. Not worth it anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    highway84revisited
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Design Better is a beacon of inspiration for anyone passionate about the intersection of design, technology, and creativity!
A well-curated lineup of guests and thoughtful questions that spark new ideas.
Listeners appreciate the depth and accessibility, and the long-form conversations that go beyond surface-level insights.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#13
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#238
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#24
United Kingdom/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#25
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#8
Germany/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#36
Australia/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Clay Parker Jones: author of "Hidden Patterns" on why your team isn't really a team
Q: Can you talk to us a little bit about true purpose and how companies find that and articulate it and keep teams pointed towards it?
He emphasizes a founder-led or design-team-driven focus on a clear, authentic purpose, codified in a document and reinforced by ongoing reference and accountability to that purpose across teams.
Clay Parker Jones: author of "Hidden Patterns" on why your team isn't really a team
Q: So I presume that you are working closely with both of these fellows and many other folks at Airbnb. But how did you find your way into that role?
Clay describes his path into a unique org-design role at Airbnb through prior work at Underhill/Undercurrent, relationships with senior leaders, and a shared belief in redesigning the people function to enable better collaboration and outcomes.
Eric Ries: Lean Startup author on why good companies go bad, and why good design is critical to success
Q: Have your views on the Lean Startup methodology changed over the last 15 years?
Eric Ries explains that while the core principles have held up, he has refined how he communicates them and emphasizes enduring commitments that enable speed, rather than blaming speed itself for problems. He notes the ideas have instead evolved into a broader, bridging approach across disciplines like design, engineering, and management.
Chris Entwisle and Mark Havens: authors of WAIL on the constraints that led to timeless designs for Prestige Records
Q: Take us behind the scenes. Who are the characters that are creating these covers? Who are they? What's their background?
The designers were a mix of young artists, photographers, and graphic designers in 1950s New York, many working for hire and coming from fine art backgrounds; Reid Miles was a standout who bridged commercial art and more painterly, cross-disciplinary approaches, with others like Hannon and Young contributing distinct visual voices.
Ian Bogost: Game designer, Atlantic writer, and philosopher of the ordinary, on the small stuff that makes life delightful
Q: What would that change be if designers had a magic wand to improve software design for better, more gratifying experiences?
Increase curiosity and widen the scope of phenomena designers consider; treat as a core practice to notice and value the subtle, everyday signals in interactions, not just KPIs or outcomes.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Design Better

What is Design Better about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Design Better features in-depth conversations with leaders at the intersection of design, technology, and creativity. Episodes frequently center on design culture, practical design leadership, and how design collaborates with engineering, product, and business strategy. Notable angles include design ethics, long-term thinking, and the evolving role of AI in design and product work. A recurring strength is bringing high-profile designers and thinkers (authors, professors, founders) into long-form, thoughtful discussions that balance theory with actionable insights. The show often reveals pragmatic approaches to collaboration, team dynamics, and building sustainable design practice across industries. A standout aspect is its ability to connec... more

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How many subscribers and views does Design Better have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Design Better?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Design Better:

1. Design Matters with Debbie Millman
2. Creative Confidence Podcast
3. Monocle on Design
4. Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
5. Pioneers of AI

How many episodes of Design Better are there?

Design Better launched 9 years ago and published 259 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Design Better?

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What guests have appeared on Design Better?

Recent guests on Design Better include:

1. Clay Parker Jones
2. Angel Steger
3. Jeffery Hammoud
4. Eric Ries
5. Ian Bogost
6. Mark Havens
7. Chris Entwisle
8. Niyati Gupta

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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