We’re currently in the midst of an audio revolution. Podcasts have fast become one of the most popular forms of entertainment, offering bursts of radio to suit all hobbies and interests—regardless of how niche they might be.
Creatives are spoilt for choice when it comes to design-specific shows, which can make choosing just one or two a difficult task. To help you out, here we share our top 40 creative podcasts to liven up your commute, as chosen by the teachers at Shillington.
1. 99% Invisible
Ever wonder how inflatable men came to be regular fixtures at used car showrooms? Curious about the origin of the fortune cookie? Want to know why Sigmund Freud opted for a couch over an armchair? Wonder no longer. 99% Invisible answers the questions you’ve forever pondered, and more.
2. Ted Talks
If you’re a fan of Ted Talks, you’ll appreciate the podcast versions for your morning commute. Ted Talks Daily takes your favourite elements of its videos and transfers to an audio format. Every weekday, it offers thought-provoking ideas on every subject imaginable–from Artificial Intelligence to Zoology.
3. Creative Waffle
A firm favourite of ours, Creative Waffle is run by Shillington London graduate, Mark Hirons. A short format podcast, it brings the best designers, artists and creatives to its listeners, sharing tips, advice and insight into the design world. Recent guests include Aaron Draplin and Anthony Burrill. And be sure to catch Paula Scher, coming soon.
4. Design Matters
Hosted by Debbie Millman, who recently spoke at our New York campus and features in our #MillmanMonday video series, Design Matters is, in fact, one of the world’s very first podcasts, having been broadcasted independently for over 13 years. The show focuses on “how incredibly creative people design the arc of their lives.” A must listen.
5. A Piece of Work
A podcast hosted by Broad City’s Abbi Jacobson, A Piece of Work covers everything you’ve ever wanted to know about contemporary art but were too afraid to ask. You’ll find no pretention here, just interesting commentary on a subject that’s so important to our industry.
6. Australian Design Radio
Based in Sydney, Australian Design Radio provides the global creative community with conversation and commentary on design within Australia. Each episode explores the work and life of an industry guest while embracing “all tangents”.
7. Starving Artist
Specifically focused on how to make money in the creative industries, this is a particularly useful one for designers and artists alike. Honor Eastly grills successful artists on their financial situations, so you don’t have to. An invaluable listen.
8. CreativeMornings
Spearheaded by Tina Roth Eisenberg, aka Swissmiss, CreativeMornings aims to make the creative community more accessible. Every month, breakfast and short talks are offered for free to anyone and everyone as part of events held around the world. An extension of the physical concept, the podcast shares speakers from “design legends to hometown heroes”.
9. Pencil VS Pixel
Described as where “creation meets creators”, Pencil VS Pixel is a resource for artists to share their creative process, principle and the payoff in “doing what we do”. From Jean Jullien to Lisa Congdon, you can expect interviews with many high profile designers here.
10. The Design of Business | The Business of Design
DBBD provides an exploration into how design works within complex organisations to shape decisions and products. Through conversations with its interview guests, the thoughts of designers from many industries are shared at the Yale School of Management.
11. The Reflex Blue Show
Touted as one of the best podcasts covering the graphic design industry, The Reflex Blue Show was founded in 2008. It’s since grown to include a webcomic, 1PT.Rule, an online shop and video reviews.
12. Adventures in Design
This daily talk show is aimed at creatives “just like you”. The premise is to explore how others design happiness into their professional lives, in an often educational, and always entertaining, way.
13. Greyscalegorilla
A resource from motion design tool provider, Greyscalegorilla, this podcast covers handy tutorials and learning material to help designers to better use its products. It’s particularly useful to students and entry-level graphic artists.
14. The Deeply Graphic DesignCast
Each episode of The Deeply Graphic DesignCast focuses on new graphic design-related topics, with a few relevant tangents along the way. In addition, the hosts also answer listener-submitted questions in every show.
15. The Accidental Creative
The Accidental Creative provides tips and interviews with industry leaders to millions of listeners every week. Having been running for over a decade, it’s a solid choice for artists and designers seeking inspiration.
16. Typeradio
Focusing solely on type and design, Typeradio describes itself as, “Type is speech on paper. Typeradio is speech on type.” Broadcasting questions, answers, performances and events, key interviewees include the likes of Peter Saville.
17. How to Curate Your life
Hosted by SMUG founder, Lizzie Evans, How to Curate Your Life is aimed at helping creatives achieve a successful work-life balance. With a decade of working as a creative entrepreneur in the design world, Lizzie is well placed to offer advice, tips and tricks.
18. Blogtacular
Unpacking the failures and successes of some of the world’s most established creatives, Blogtacular covers everything from art to Instagram with exclusive interviews and commentary by host Kat Molesworth.
19. Monocle 24
Monocle’s Culture editor and his guests discuss what has piqued their interest in a “one-stop shop for lively reports and in-depth interviews” on the latest in art, film, books and the media.
20. Designed in London
From three London-based graphic designers–Natasha Nuttall, Soofiya and Sherida Kuffour–is Design in London, a podcast that celebrates the capital’s booming industry.
21. Design Life
Tackling the issues facing young creatives, Design Life is a podcast about design, run by two self-confessed “serial side project addicts.” Filling a previous gap in the market hosts Charli and Femke breath new life into the subject.
22. The Creative Leap
Addressing a subject that interests many, Cat Byrne highlights women that have created a career out of the hobbies that they love. Offering tips and tricks from inspirational women around the world, it covers many different areas of business.
23. Ctrl Alt Delete
A well-loved podcast far and wide, Emma Gannon’s Ctrl Alt Delete is a fascinating listen, covering topics from social media to feminism, creativity to mental health, and everything in between. Emma’s star-studded list of guests includes Lena Dunham, Gillian Anderson, Alice Levine and Zoella to name but a few.
24. One Girl Band
Created specifically for female entrepreneurs, One Girl Band is hosted by Brighton-based Lola Hoad–a creative coach and writer. The episodes alternate between shining a spotlight on women in business and short bursts of practical advice. The aim of the show is to “empower, support and connect.”
25. Hashtag Authentic
The internet can be both a help and hindrance in showcasing your creative work. To make sure your portfolio cuts through the noise, Hashtag Authentic–the weekly podcast for dreamers, makers and creatives–will ensure you’re reaching the right audience at the right time. Sara Tasker of ‘Me & Orla’ guides you through lessons and strategies to help grow your social following.
26. Cavern of Secrets
Simply tagged “A show about extraordinary women”, Cavern of Secrets by Lauren Mitchell highlights the brightest and best in the creative field.
27. Arrest All Mimics
A creative innovation podcast, Arrest All Mimics is the brainchild of illustrator, author and art director, Ben Tallon. Featuring industry interviews and commentary on the current design scene, Ben provides the inside story from some of the most exciting people and projects of the moment.
28. Lean Into Art
Hosts Jerzy and Rob discuss various topics surrounding communication in art and design. Both having a background in the creative industries, the show is informative and engages ideas not normally discussed.
29. Late Nights with Trav and Los
Best friends Travis and Carlos talk late into the night, exploring new ideas and concepts for creative professionals. They argue, share secrets and interview their industry heroes–what could be better than that?
30. Shop Talk Show
This live podcast hosted by Chris Coyier and Dave Rupert focuses on front-end web design, development and UX. A must-listen for lovers of beautifully designed websites.
31. Creative Pep Talk
Helping you “build a thriving creative career”, Andy J Pizza is here to assist you in finding and developing your artistic gifts, while connecting them to the audience that needs them most. It’s a sure fire way to put some pep in your step.
32. The Poster Boys
Designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith discuss the best movie posters, teasers and campaigns to catch their collective eye over the past year. They chat design trends, film branding and the importance of context when comparing the work of agencies to that of freelancers, all the while drawing on their own experiences.
33. Being Freelance
Put simply, this is the podcast “where creative freelancers chat about being, well, freelance.” For something that can be quite lonely at times, this podcast provides support on issues affecting many self-employed designers and artists–all with the underlying message–“you are not alone”.
34. Song Exploder
In a fascinating show by Hrishikesh Hirway, musicians are asked to take apart their songs piece by piece in order to tell the story of how they were made. Each episode features a different artist and song, and recent guests have included Trent Reznor and Lorde, amongst many, many others.
35. The Design Jones
Featuring some of the biggest names in creativity, The Design Jones includes interviews with all manner of people working on the UK art and design scene. Hosted by Ade Mills, it’s an interesting peek inside the minds of the industry’s finest.
36. Savvy Painter
Every week, the Savvy Painter features interviews with the world’s most highly respected artists and visionaries, with a specific focus on painting. Be inspired by Antrese Wood and her guests.
37. Artist Decoded
An unabridged documentation of conversations between artists, Artist Decoded is dedicated to “breaking down the barriers we tend to set up in our own mind.” The aim of the show is to inspire future creatives to have the courage to explore and experiment.
38. Brushes of Doom
Focusing on the strange and unusual, Brushes of Doom highlights the work of artists operating in various fields. Hosted by X, a tattoo artist based out of Central California, the show stems from a passion to share and educate.
39. Illustration Age
Pitched as the “ultimate resource for illustrators”, Illustration Age comprises conversations with artists, art directors and art reps to help offer creative professionals a look under the hood at the inner workings of the industry.
40. Twenty Thousand Hertz
A particularly niche podcast, Twenty Thousand Hertz discusses the stories behind the world’s most recognisable sounds. From the noises of the Disney Parks to those onboard an aircraft, you’re in for an astonishing listen.
Did you enjoy this resource piece? Check out our resource section for lots more like it, including ‘50 Essential Terms Every Graphic Designer Should Know By Heart‘ and ‘22 Awesome Online Shops for Stationery Addicts‘.
If all these enlightening podcasts have left you inspired to change careers then maybe Shillington is the place for you! Head to our website to find out more about our Course and Approach, Graduate Testimonials and the next Info Session dates.
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