Are you a designer looking for fresh inspiration? Feeling stuck in a creative rut? One of the best ways to get your innovative juices flowing is by immersing yourself in the wisdom of design experts—and the easiest way to do that is by popping in your earbuds and tuning into a podcast.
But with so many shows out there, where should you start? Don‘t worry, we‘ve got you covered. We‘ve rounded up 7 of the best design podcasts that consistently deliver brilliant insights, imaginative ideas, and motivating success stories. Whether you‘re a graphic designer, UX designer, illustrator, or any kind of creative professional, these shows will help you level up your skills and reignite your passion for your craft.
1. Design Matters with Debbie Millman
Debbie Millman‘s pioneering podcast Design Matters has been a key part of the design podcast landscape since 2005. Over the years, Debbie has interviewed hundreds of creative luminaries, including influential graphic designers like Chip Kidd, Paula Scher and Michael Bierut, as well as artists, writers, curators, and thought leaders from diverse fields.
Debbie has a gift for drawing out her guests‘ unique perspectives and distilling the essence of their creative philosophies. Listening to Design Matters feels like having an intimate conversation with your design heroes. You‘ll come away with newfound knowledge, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for the power of design.
Some of my favorite recent episodes include:
- Brené Brown on the Courage to Create
- Elizabeth Alexander on Language That Frees Us
- Nick Cave on Creating from Dreams and the Unconscious
Key Takeaways:
- Creativity requires vulnerability and the courage to express your authentic self
- Designing with empathy and understanding different perspectives is crucial
- Inspiration can come from anywhere—art, literature, nature, dreams—stay open!
2. 99% Invisible
99% Invisible is not strictly a "design podcast"—it‘s a show about all the thought that goes into the things we don‘t think about. But for host Roman Mars and his team, design is everywhere, from the utensils we use to the buildings we inhabit to the systems that shape our world.
With over 500 million downloads to date, 99% Invisible is one of the most popular podcasts in the world. And it‘s easy to see why. Each episode immerses you in a different facet of design, revealing the fascinating stories behind the objects and environments we often take for granted.
For example, in the episode "Interrobang", Roman explores the history and mystery of a little-used punctuation mark that combines a question mark and an exclamation point. In "Squatters of the Lower East Side", we learn how abandoned buildings in 1980s Manhattan became a hotbed of experimental art and activism.
By zooming in on the minute details of design, 99% Invisible opens our eyes to the beauty and complexity of the constructed world. After listening to a few episodes, you‘ll never look at your surroundings the same way again.
Key Takeaways:
- Every design decision has a story behind it—dig deeper to understand
- Constraints breed creativity
- Mundane objects can be sources of wonder when you examine them closely
3. The Honest Designers Show
One of the hardest parts of being a designer is dealing with all the psychological baggage that comes with putting your work out into the world: the impostor syndrome, the fear of failure, the endless comparison to other creatives. That‘s why The Honest Designers Show feels like such a gift.
Hosts Tom Ross, Ian Barnard, Lisa Glanz and Dustin Lee are all successful independent designers who know firsthand the ups and downs of the design life. In each episode, they share candid stories about their own struggles and triumphs, swap tips on the business side of freelancing, and answer listener questions on everything from overcoming creative block to raising your rates.
The magic of this show is how the hosts‘ vulnerability creates a judgment-free space for discussing the aspects of design work that often go unspoken. By sharing the messy reality behind the polished portfolios, Tom, Ian, Lisa and Dustin remind us that even the designers we admire most face the same doubts and challenges we do. It‘s incredibly reassuring and motivating.
Some standout episodes include:
- Overcoming Perfectionism & Procrastination
- Imposter Syndrome – You‘re Not Alone
- Lessons from Our Biggest Failures
Key Takeaways:
- Every designer struggles with self-doubt sometimes—you‘re not alone
- Done is better than perfect
- Embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow
4. Revision Path
Did you know that as of 2019, only 3% of design professionals were Black? (Source) Revision Path host Maurice Cherry is on a mission to change that statistic by showcasing the incredible work of Black designers across the diaspora.
Each week, Maurice sits down with a different Black designer to learn about their journey into the design field, the challenges they‘ve faced in their career, the work that inspires them, and their vision for the future. Guests have ranged from up-and-coming students to industry veterans at major tech companies to Maurice‘s own design heroes.
What makes Revision Path so vital is how it celebrates the diversity of Black design talent and highlights the perspectives and experiences that are often underrepresented in mainstream design discourse. By amplifying these voices, Maurice is helping to build a more equitable and inclusive design community.
If you‘re new to the show, some great episodes to start with are:
- Natalie Nixon – Figure 8 Thinking
- Janell Langford – Branding, Presentation Tips, Working with Sesame Street
- Reggie Weaver – Diversity & Inclusion in Design
Key Takeaways:
- Representation matters—seek out diverse perspectives in your creative influences
- Your unique background and experiences are an asset
- Mentorship and community support are key for BIPOC designers
5. The Futur Podcast
If you‘re a designer with entrepreneurial dreams, The Futur Podcast needs to be in your regular rotation. Hosted by Chris Do, CEO of brand strategy firm Blind and an influential design thought leader, this show is all about the intersection of creativity and business acumen.
Through a mix of interviews and solo episodes, Chris shares hard-won lessons on everything from pricing your services to productizing your knowledge to building a standout brand. He has a talent for breaking down complex business concepts into actionable advice that you can apply to your own design practice.
One of the things I appreciate most about The Futur is how Chris emphasizes the mindset shifts required to succeed as a creative professional. It‘s not just about mastering technical skills, but also learning to value your expertise, communicate your worth, and develop the confidence to charge what you‘re worth.
Some of the most impactful episodes for me have been:
- Positioning Yourself as a Premium Brand
- How to Attract High Quality Clients
- Overcoming the Fear of Selling
Key Takeaways:
- Your mindset is as important as your design skills
- Presenting yourself as an expert allows you to charge premium rates
- Build an audience by consistently showing up and providing value
6. Layout
If you want to stay on the cutting edge of design, technology, and culture, add Layout to your playlist immediately. Hosted by Dan Mall and Kevin Sharon, two design industry veterans whose resumes include big tech clients like Apple, Google, and Nike, this show always has its finger on the pulse of where design is heading next.
Each episode feels like eavesdropping on a conversation between friends at the cool kids‘ table at a design conference. Dan, Kevin and their guests enthusiastically geek out about the latest tools and trends, share their predictions for the future, and review impactful recent work. The vibe is casual yet substantive, striking the perfect balance of entertaining and enlightening.
Some of the most fascinating recent episodes have explored topics like:
Key Takeaways:
- Stay curious about new tools and trends, even if you don‘t adopt them all
- The most impactful design solves real problems for people
- Having strong opinions is good; being open to changing them is even better
7. Design Better Podcast
The Design Better Podcast is a treasure trove of insights from design leaders at the world‘s top companies. Produced by InVision, the popular design collaboration platform, this podcast gives you an inside look at how designers at places like Netflix, Slack, Airbnb, Pinterest, and Nike approach their work.
Hosts Aarron Walter and Eli Woolery have a knack for steering the conversations toward the bigger questions that drive design innovation: How can we create more inclusive products? What does it mean to design with empathy? How can designers influence business strategy? What skills do designers need to thrive in the future?
If you‘re looking for tactical tips, Design Better has those too. You‘ll learn frameworks for UX research, best practices for design sprints, strategies for stakeholder buy-in, and other tools you can start applying in your own work immediately. But the real value is in the high-level wisdom that will shift your thinking and push your design practice to the next level.
Some episodes I frequently revisit and recommend are:
- Developing Adaptability as a Designer
- Why Business Thinking is Critical for Designers
- The Importance of Designing for Inclusion
Key takeaways:
- Designers need to think strategically and understand the business
- Inclusive design is essential—and it starts with diverse teams
- The best design leaders are adaptable, empathetic, and continuously learning
Listen, Learn, and Level Up
Whether you‘re seeking inspiration, practical advice, or thought-provoking conversations, these seven podcasts offer an abundance of valuable content to support your growth as a designer. But don‘t just take our word for it—dive in and discover the shows that resonate most with you.
To get the most out of your podcast listening, try:
- Taking notes on key insights and ideas as you listen
- Choosing one takeaway from each episode to implement in your work
- Discussing episodes with your design peers to solidify your learning
The world of design podcasts is always expanding and there are so many more excellent shows worth exploring. If these seven whet your appetite, check out Wireframe, Tentative, Clever, and Obsessed With Design for even more audio inspiration.
Happy listening! With these shows in your earbuds, you‘re well on your way to supercharging your creativity and taking your design skills to new heights in 2024 and beyond.
Note: Statistics on podcast listenership and demographics taken from Buzzsprout, January 2023.
