Women Designers You Should Know

This dual feature episode highlights Corita Kent’s journey from nun to Pop Art pioneer, using screen printing to champion love and justice, and Britt Rohr’s modern take on printmaking as the founder of Swell Press, blending craftsmanship and storytelling in her designs.

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Sources:

• Book: Learning by Heart: Teaching to Free the Creative Spirit by Corita Kent and Jan Steward

About Corita

Corita Kent (1918–1986), also known as Sister Mary Corita, was a nun, artist, and educator whose screen prints and serigraphs fused Pop Art with powerful messages of love, justice, and activism. As chair of the art department at Immaculate Heart College, she inspired a generation of students with her innovative teaching methods and bold use of everyday imagery. Her works, including the iconic Love stamp and Rainbow Swash mural, continue to resonate globally as symbols of creativity and compassion. Today, Corita is celebrated for her unique ability to elevate the ordinary into the extraordinary.
 

About Britt

Britt Rohr is the founder of Swell Press, a California-based letterpress studio known for its meticulous craftsmanship and timeless designs. With a passion for tactile art forms, Britt has carved out a niche in creating bespoke print pieces that marry modern aesthetics with the classic charm of letterpress. Her work has been featured in numerous publications and admired for its ability to tell meaningful stories through design. 

Follow Britt:
Instagram: @swellpress
Website: SwellPress.com
 

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Explore the life and legacy of graphic design pioneer Jacqueline Casey, whose bold, modernist posters defined MIT’s visual identity for decades — with insights from designer Michael Bierut, we uncover how Casey infused Swiss design principles with American ingenuity, led campus-wide design efforts, and created work that remains timeless and influential.

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Sources:

• Article: Eye Magazine Feature "Jacqueline Casey. Science and design"
• Article on Thérèse Moll

About Jacqueline (Jackie)

Jacqueline Casey was a pioneering graphic designer whose work defined the visual identity of MIT for over three decades. Born in 1927 in Quincy, Massachusetts, she studied fashion design and illustration at MassArt before finding her way into graphic design. In 1955, her lifelong friend Muriel Cooper recruited her to the MIT Office of Publications, where Casey absorbed the principles of Swiss modernism and gave them her own twist—infusing wit, visual metaphors, and bold typography into her work.

As Director of MIT’s Design Services Office, she led campus-wide design efforts, creating posters and materials for scientific conferences, exhibitions, and cultural events. Her ability to simplify complex ideas with elegance and playfulness made her work timeless and celebrated globally. Today, her posters are held in the collections of MoMA, the Cooper Hewitt, and the MIT Museum, solidifying her as a quiet yet powerful force in modernist design history.
 

About Michael

Michael Bierut is one of the most influential graphic designers of our time. A partner at Pentagram since 1990, his work spans iconic logos, brand identities, and campaigns for clients like The New York Times, Mastercard, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Bierut has been a longtime educator at Yale, co-founded Design Observer, and authored celebrated books, including How to Use Graphic Design to Sell Things. His work is held in the permanent collections of MoMA and the Cooper Hewitt, and his thought leadership continues to shape the design world.

Follow Michael:
Instagram: @mbierut
Website: Pentragram.com
Threads: @mbierut

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Discover the story of Marget Larsen, a trailblazing designer whose iconic Christmas boxes, bold typography, and fearless creativity shaped mid-century advertising and design in San Francisco right as the psychedelic / counterculture era was budding, with industry insights from guest Sean Adams, previous AIGA President, and Dean at Art Center.

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Sources:

• Book — Baseline Shift
• Design Observer Article by Sean Adams
• Communication Arts Feature
• Book — Earthquakes, Mudslides, Fires & Riots: California and Graphic Design by Louise Sandhaus

About Marget

Marget Larsen was a trailblazing designer and art director who transformed mid-20th-century advertising with her bold, unconventional approach. Born in San Francisco in 1922, Larsen began her career at I. Magnin, where she discovered her passion for typography and lettering while taking night classes at the California School of Fine Arts. She rose to prominence as the art director at Joseph Magnin, a trendsetting department store, where her iconic Christmas boxes turned gift packaging into collectible works of art. Larsen later joined the boutique agency Weiner & Gossage, where her groundbreaking ads combined witty copy with daring typography, earning national acclaim. From designing bread wrappers to creating fundraising sweatshirts for Beethoven enthusiasts, Larsen’s fearless creativity knew no bounds. Despite her immense contributions, Larsen’s name remains largely forgotten in design history, though her work continues to inspire with its playful wit and timeless innovation. She passed away in 1984, leaving behind a legacy that shaped advertising, packaging, and graphic design as we know it.
 

About Sean

Sean Adams is a celebrated designer, author, and educator whose work has shaped the design industry for decades. As the Dean of the Visual Art and Communication Design Department at ArtCenter College of Design, Sean has mentored countless designers while championing the importance of design history and storytelling. He is the only two-term national president in AIGA’s 100-year history and a recipient of the prestigious AIGA Medal, the organization’s highest honor. Sean co-founded the renowned design firm AdamsMorioka, working with iconic clients like Disney, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and The Metropolitan Opera. He has authored several influential books, including The Designer’s Dictionary of Color and How Design Makes Us Think. As a passionate advocate for elevating overlooked figures in design history, Sean brings his expertise and insight to today’s conversation about Marget Larsen’s remarkable contributions to the field.

Follow Sean:
Instagram: @seanaadams
Website: AdamsMorioka.com
LinkedIn: Sean Adams

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For hundreds of years, society has systematically kept women from rising to their full potential—whether through laws denying them the right to own property, vote, or even open a bank account without a man’s signature—and today, I'm diving into the receipts.

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(**Trigger Warning: This episode discusses Suicide) This dual feature episode celebrates Ellen Raskin’s transformation from a prolific book designer to an award-winning author, seamlessly blending design and storytelling in works like The Westing Game. Briar Levit shares her own journey as a designer and author, using mediums like film, exhibitions, and publications to champion stories that inspire.

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Important Links:

• Graphic Means Documentary
• New Book — Briar Levit: On Design, Feminism, and Friendship

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Sources:

• Book — Baseline Shift by Briar Levit
• Article — Cooperative Children's Book Center

About Ellen

Ellen Raskin (1928–1984) was a trailblazing designer and author who seamlessly blended her expertise in graphic design with her passion for storytelling. Born in Milwaukee during the Great Depression, Raskin pursued a fine arts degree at the University of Wisconsin before launching a prolific career in New York City, where she designed over 1,000 book covers, including the original cover for A Wrinkle in Time. Later, she transitioned to writing, creating critically acclaimed children’s books known for their intricate plots and visual clues. Her most famous work, The Westing Game, won the Newbery Medal in 1979 and remains a beloved classic. Ellen’s books, including The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel) and Figgs & Phantoms, exemplify her unique ability to combine puzzles, humor, and thoughtful storytelling, leaving an enduring legacy in children’s literature.
 

About Briar

Briar Levit is a graphic designer, educator, and filmmaker whose work brings underrepresented voices in design history to light. With nearly two decades of teaching at Portland State University, Briar encourages her students to explore design’s role in shaping culture and amplifying diverse perspectives. She gained widespread acclaim for her documentary Graphic Means: A History of Graphic Design Production, which chronicles the evolution of design tools and highlights women’s significant contributions during the shift from manual to digital production. Briar’s feminist advocacy is further reflected in her book Baseline Shift, which celebrates the pivotal yet often overlooked roles of women in design. A former art director at Bitch magazine, she’s dedicated her career to showing how design can be a tool for activism, history, and cultural critique.

Follow Briar:
Instagram:  @briarlevit
Website:  briarlevit.com

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This dual feature episode explores Eileen Gray’s journey from interior design to groundbreaking modernist architecture, including the challenges of vandalism, loss, and rediscovery, alongside Emily Farnham’s dedication to preserving architectural history and working on both Mandy Moore and Lilly Collin's Mid-Century homes.

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Sources:

• Documentary — Gray Matters: Architect and Designer Eileen Gray (2014)
• Book — Eileen Gray: Her Life and Work by Peter Adam
• Book — Eileen Gray: Design and Architecture 1878–1976 by Philippe Garner (Taschen)

About Eileen

Eileen Gray (1878–1976) was a groundbreaking designer and architect whose work pioneered modernism in the 20th century. Originally born in Ireland, she spent her career in France, becoming a self-taught architect and an innovator in furniture design. She's known for blending functionality with bold, avant-garde aesthetics. Her early career began with mastering lacquer work, a craft she honed despite its physical challenges, and she became a leading figure in Art Deco. Gray’s most iconic work is the E-1027 house, a modernist masterpiece designed with meticulous attention to detail and human-centered design principles. Despite her contributions, her achievements were often overshadowed by her male contemporaries, including the controversial vandalism of her work by Le Corbusier. Gray’s designs, like the Bibendum Chair, the E-1027 table and her modular lacquer screens, continue to inspire today. Rediscovered in her later years, she is now celebrated as a trailblazer who forged her own path, proving that vision and resilience can leave a lasting mark on the world of design.
 

About Emily

Emily Farnham is the founder of Emily Farnham Architecture, a Los Angeles-based practice known for its innovative and holistic approach to residential design. With an impressive career that spans architecture, interiors, and custom design, Emily's projects balance aesthetics, function, and personalization. She holds a Master of Architecture degree from Harvard's Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia's School of Architecture. Before establishing her practice in 2014, Emily honed her skills at several leading design firms in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, and San Francisco. This diverse background equipped her with the expertise to tackle projects of varying scales and complexities, from residential spaces to large-scale civic and educational buildings. Emily is a licensed architect in California and a LEED-accredited professional, known for her meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of the construction process.

Follow Emily:
Instagram: @emilyfarnhamarchitecture
Website: emilyfarnham.com

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This TRIPLE feature episode delves into the life of Agnes Martin, whose serene abstract expressionist art was born from a strict, meditative process and a journey of balancing inner turmoil. Michelle and Ellen, co-founders of Nature, share their layered stories of changing creative disciplines, finding balance, and embracing risks in their own design process.

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Sources:

• MoMA.org Agnes Martin Page
• Book — Agnes Martin: Painting, Writings, Remembrances by Arne Glimcher
• The Guardian Article — Agnes Martin: the artist mystic who disappeared into the desert

About Agnes

Agnes Martin may not be a household name, but her influence on abstract art is profound and lasting. Known for her minimalist grids and soft color bands, she crafted paintings that evoke pure calm and joy, all while living in near-total solitude in the New Mexico desert. Martin’s life is as intriguing as her art—she left the bustling New York art scene at the peak of her career to follow a deeply personal path. Though she struggled with mental health challenges, her discipline and commitment to simplicity made her a ‘desert mystic’ of the art world. Her story is one of resilience, solitude, and visionary work. Discover her life and legacy on episode 24 of the podcast.
 

About Michelle & Ellen

We take a curious and open-minded approach to the work that we do. We ask a lot of questions and have an affinity for both referencing the past and co-creating the future. We value our clients, their trust and their brands over everything. Relationships above all else. Our work is far beyond transactional and the connections that we create with the people we work with usually far out-live the span of the project. We have a lot of repeat clients and we take that as the highest compliment. We don’t believe that cold + pixel perfection equals luxury and we ardently swear by moments of wabi sabi and human-ness as drivers of resonance. We think that design done well and that is built from your narrative has the ability to cut through noise and stand out in vivid definition to the right people. Along with our client work we have a tightly edited resource shop for fellow designers. We believe that a rising tide lifts all boats and anything we learn the hard way on this journey we happily share with others.

Follow Nature:
Instagram: @hellowearenature
Website: by-nature.co

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67% of creative professionals reported experiencing burnout, with women more likely to report feeling overwhelmed by their work environments. Badal Patel opens up about how she struggled with creative burnout, and what she does now to prevent it from happening. 

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About Badal:

Badal is the founder of Super Spicy. A small yet seasoned studio focusing on creative direction, branding, and design with extra flavor. She creates impactful brand experiences that merge style with substance through her unique perspective and design sensibilities. Her studio, Super Spicy, focuses on a variety of different areas including branding, packaging, website, campaign, print, and more. Badal’s goal with Super Spicy is to drive culture forward by sharing more nuanced stories and creating more representation.

Working remotely between NYC and LA, Badal has built up a roster of talented individuals that she collaborates with including but not limited to: strategists, designers, copywriters, illustrators, and photographers. She believes collaboration creates better work and aims to create the diverse teams of talent specific to the needs of each project.

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A dual feature episode exploring Ray Eames' transformative impact on mid-century design and Amanda Jane Jones' reflections on creativity, authorship, and the lessons we can draw from Ray's life.

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Sources:

• Documentary — Eames: The Architect and the Painter (2011)
• Podcast — New Angle: Voice — Ray Eames: Beauty in the Everyday
• Website — Pioneering Women of Architecture: Ray Kaiser Eames
• Book — Eames: Beautiful Details
• Website — Eames Office Official Website
• Film — Powers of Ten (1977)
• Film — Tops (1969)

About Ray

Ray Eames was more than a design partner—she was the quiet force behind every iconic creation that bears the Eames name. From the revolutionary Lounge Chair to the vibrant, Mondrian-inspired glass walls of their Case Study House, Ray’s vision and meticulous artistry shaped modernism as we know it.

But behind the sleek lines and bold colors was a woman often mistaken for a man—'Ray,' they assumed, must surely be Charles's male counterpart. This misconception gave her an unexpected advantage, opening doors that might have otherwise stayed closed.

Yet, Ray’s journey was anything but easy. She endured a lifetime of her contributions being overshadowed, her name eclipsed by Charles’s fame, and even the painful betrayal of his infidelity. Still, she poured everything into their work, her impact far deeper than most people know.
 

About Amanda

NEW BOOK! Mother / Founder

Amanda Jane Jones is a graphic designer, author, and illustrator whose minimalist aesthetic has redefined modern editorial and product design. Amanda’s talent became widely recognized through her role as the founding designer of Kinfolk, where she crafted the magazine's iconic, minimalist style, inspiring countless designers and publications.

Her creative influence extends beyond editorial design; she has collaborated with major brands such as Opinel, Revival Rugs, Solly Baby, and Schoolhouse Electric, blending her clean and thoughtful aesthetic across diverse projects. In addition to brand collaborations, Amanda has illustrated children’s books, including Yum Yummy Yuck and The Hair Book, inspired by her own children and designed to engage young readers with playful simplicity.

Amanda’s latest project, Mother / Founder, celebrates the journeys of 68 women balancing the challenges of entrepreneurship and motherhood. Her work has been featured by Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, and online platforms such as Mother Mag, Cup of Jo, and Domino. Now based in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, Amanda continues to shape the design world with her distinctive vision, seamlessly blending elegance, versatility, and purpose into each project​

Follow Amanda:
Instagram
Website: amandajanejones.com

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Learn the untold story of architect and furniture designer, Charlotte Perriand, whose innovative designs and fearless independence reshaped modern interiors and how she escaped Le Corbusier's shadow, with insights from special guest Adi Goodrich, spatial designer, who reflects on how Charlotte's legacy continues to inspire today's designers.

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Sources:

• The Guardian Article
• Charlotte Perriand Autobiography “A Life of Creation”
• Book: Living with Charlotte Perriand by Francois Laffanour and Cynthia Fleury
• Book: Charlotte Perriand: The Modern Life by Justin McGuirk
• Book: Charlotte Perriand: Inventing a New World (Published by the Foundation of Louis Vuitton)

About Charlotte

Charlotte Perriand was a visionary French designer and architect whose contributions to modernist design reshaped how we think about furniture and interior spaces. In 1927, after famously being dismissed by Le Corbusier with the remark, "We don’t embroider cushions here," she eventually joined his studio and co-designed iconic pieces like the LC4 Chaise Longue and LC2 armchair.

Though these collaborations are what she is most known for, Perriand’s career extended far beyond them. She designed the modular Nuage Bookshelf and minimalist Tokyo Bench, blending functionality with clean, modernist aesthetics. Perriand was also integral to larger architectural projects like the Unité d'Habitation, where she introduced multifunctional interiors, and the Les Arcs Ski Resort, where her modular furniture designs embraced the natural environment.
 

About Adi

Adi Goodrich is a Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary designer known for her vibrant and imaginative approach to Environmental design, Interiors, and furniture. Growing up in Chicago, she was heavily influenced by her father’s work in architectural and furniture restoration, which fostered her love for craftsmanship from a young age. Adi studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and La Sorbonne in Paris, where she explored various disciplines including painting and art history.

Goodrich first gained attention working on window displays for Barneys New York and Anthropologie, which led to a flourishing career in set design for films, commercials, and photoshoots. Adi is Co-founder of Sing-Sing Studio, a creative practice she shares with her partner, filmmaker, Sean Pecknold where they have worked with major brands such as Apple, Google, Nike, Target, and more, bringing a unique blend of storytelling and design to each project. Adi also launched her own furniture line, in 2022 called "Sing-Thing." Her work is characterized by a bold use of color, materials, and a focus on creating spaces that are narratively driven. Learn more about Adi's design approach and career on Episode 22 of the podcast. 

Follow Adi
adigoodrich.com
@adigoodrich
sing-sing.co
@singsingstudio

 

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Hear how Susan Skarsgard built her career from calligraphy to founding the GM Design Archive, blending art, design, and education to leave her mark on both the art and automotive worlds.

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About Susan

Susan Skarsgard (b. 1954) is a designer, artist, and author whose career bridges the worlds of fine art and industrial design. With roots in Detroit, Susan’s passion for calligraphy led her to study under Austrian master calligrapher Friedrich Neugebauer and to apprentice with legendary Detroit lettering master Jerry Campbell. Under Campbells' tutelage, she designed logos and lettering for advertising and automotive clients before ultimately joining General Motors Design in 1995. She earned her MFA from the University of Michigan in 2004. 

At GM, she initially applied her skills to emblem and nameplate design for cars and trucks, but her most lasting legacy was founding the department GM Design Archive & Special Collections, which is the official repository for the history of design at General Motors. Susan is also the author of Where Today Meets Tomorrow, the definitive book on the history of the iconic GM Technical Center designed by Eero Saarinen.

Her journey as a woman navigating a male-dominated industry, along with her stunning work in calligraphy and book arts, is truly inspiring. 
 

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This dual feature episode highlights Elaine Lustig Cohen’s self-taught rise to modernist graphic design and fine art, alongside Steven Heller’s efforts to rewrite design history by amplifying the contributions of women like Elaine.

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Sources:

• elainelustigcohen.com
• The Daily Heller: Elaine Lustig Cohen’s New Website by Steven Heller
• The New York Times Article by Anita Gates

About Elaine

Elaine Lustig Cohen (1927–2016) was a pioneering modernist designer and artist, known for her bold, abstract book covers and museum catalogs that helped shape mid-century American graphic design.

After the sudden passing of her husband, renowned designer Alvin Lustig, Elaine—without any formal training—took over his studio in the 1950s, working with high-profile clients like Philip Johnson, Richard Meier, General Motors, and the Jewish Museum.

What set her design style apart was her ability to merge avant-garde European influences, like Constructivism and Bauhaus principles, with the clean, functionalist aesthetics of American modernism. She brought typography to the forefront, often treating it as a visual and emotional narrative element, while incorporating geometric abstraction to create a sense of movement and rhythm. Her work is now part of the permanent collections at MoMA, LACMA, and Cooper Hewitt.
 

About Steven

Steven Heller is one of the most prolific design historians and writers in the field, having authored, co-authored, or edited over 200 books on design, illustration, and popular culture. He is best known for his long-running column, The Daily Heller, published by Print magazine, which offers daily insights on visual culture, design history, and current events. In addition to his writing, Heller is the co-chair of the School of Visual Arts MFA Design/Designer as Author + Entrepreneur program, where he continues to shape future generations of designers.

Throughout his career, Heller has been a steadfast advocate for women in design. His work has consistently featured and celebrated the contributions of women who have been overlooked in design history. He has worked to bring attention to underrepresented figures in the industry, often calling for a rewriting of design history to include more women. As early as the 1990s, Heller began amplifying the work of female designers, championing their influence on design movements across modernism, typography, and visual communication. He has been vocal about the importance of gender equality in the design industry and has pushed for more inclusive recognition of the women whose innovations have shaped the field.

In 2011, Heller was awarded the AIGA Medal for his outstanding contributions to design journalism, education, and history. His ongoing commitment to uncovering the stories of women in design has made him not only a key figure in documenting design history but also an advocate for equity in the industry. Through his work, he has inspired a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of the design world, one that reflects the achievements of all its contributors.

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Uncover the fascinating story of Zelda Wynn Valdes, whose mastery of the mermaid silhouette led to her creation of the iconic Playboy Bunny costume, with insights from special guest Tobi Ashiru.

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Check out the original reel / video this podcast was based on: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6EDEMrLDsn/

Sources:

• Dazzling Zelda (Children's Book by Farai Simoyi and Aura Lewis)

About Zelda Wynn Valdes:

Zelda Wynn Valdes (1901 – 2001) is often overlooked in design history even though she was one of the most influential fashion designers known for her hourglass silhouette dresses, and helping popularize the mermaid dress.

In fact, the femininity of her work caught the eye of Hugh Hefner who commissioned her to design the iconic and patented playboy bunny costume in 1960.

But before that, In 1948, Valdes became the first black person to open her own boutique on Broadway in Manhattan.

Zelda’s alluring yet sophisticated dresses were embraced by prominent figures such as Joyce Bryant, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Eartha Kitt, Josephine Baker, Diahann Carroll, Dorothy Dandridge, and Mae West. She even designed Maria Cole’s gown for her wedding to Nat King Cole in 1948.

Zelda continued her impactful career until her passing in 2001, contributing to over 80 ballet productions at the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

She made it her mission to leave the door wide open for all the black women designers following in her footsteps. She led a fashion coalition that was founded with the sole purpose of promoting black designers.

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(**Trigger Warning: This episode discusses an explicit Murder) A brutal massacre at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin estate, where love, scandal, racism, paranoia, and murder intersect in a story that few have heard, involving the murder of his mistress, Martha Borthwick Cheney, at his beloved home he designed for their love.

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Sources:

PBS.org — Wright at the Time
History.com — The Massacre at Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Love Cottage’ by Christopher Klein
All That's Interesting — The Life and Death of Mamah Borthwick, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Controversial Lover by Jessica OConnor
Solved Murders Podcast Part 1 & Part 2 (2021)

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This dual feature episode highlights both Lella Vignelli and Giorgia Lupi and their focus on human connection through design. Lella Vignelli's multi-hyphenate modernist design, along with Giorgia Lupi’s innovative approach to data visualization.

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Sources:

• Designed by: Lella Vignelli by Massimo Vignelli (Rochester Institute of Technology)

About Lella

You’ve likely heard of Massimo Vignelli, the renowned designer behind iconic works like the New York City Subway map, but did you know that behind many of those projects was an equally brilliant mind? Lella Vignelli—Massimo’s wife and design partner—was a powerhouse in her own right. With a background in architecture, she seamlessly blended elegance and functionality in everything from interior spaces to product design. Her meticulous attention to detail was the driving force behind many of their best-known works, including the timeless Handkerchief Chair and the stunning interiors of Saint Peter’s Church in New York.

Lella was more than just Massimo’s collaborator—she was a visionary who believed in creating design that was truly timeless, free of trends and fads. Yet, despite her immense contributions, Lella’s name often remained in the background. So, why is her story so often overshadowed? And how did she quietly reshape modern design?

Tune in to this episode to hear the incredible legacy of Lella Vignelli—a designer whose work deserves to be front and center.

About Giorgia

Giorgia's Books:
This is Me and Only Me
Observe Collect Draw!: A Visual Journal
Dear Data: A Friendship in 52 Weeks of Postcards

Giorgia Lupi is an Italian information designer, a partner at design firm Pentagram, and co-founder of research and design firm Accurat. She is a co-author of Dear Data, a collection of hand drawn data visualizations, along with information designer Stefanie Posavec. Her work is also part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art.

In 2011, Lupi co-founded research and design firm Accurat, that combines design and data to create data visualizations, interfaces, and tools. Among their clients are Google, IBM, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Starbucks, United Nations, the World Economic Forum and the Museum of Modern Art. Lupi's influences for her work come from fascinations by geometrical feel and balance of abstract art compositions.

Follow Giorgia Lupi on Instagram: @giorgialupi
Giorgia Lupi's Website: giorgialupi.com

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Host, Amber Asay, explores the male designers who have either championed or dismissed the contributions of women in the design world. From Le Corbusier’s undermining of female collaborators to Paul Rand’s advocacy for Lella Vignelli, we dive into the varying dynamics of support—or lack thereof—among iconic male figures in design. Tune in to hear who lifted women up and who left them in the shadows.

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Read Anne Helen Petersen's original article here: A Unified Theory of Glen Powell

And Celeste M Davis's poem and full article linked here: The men who like women and the men who don't. Yes we can tell.

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In this double feature, discover how Anni Albers revolutionized the traditional craft of weaving into a modern art form as a Bauhaus trailblazer, while Marian Bantjes shares her creative journey of transforming ornamental graphic design into a contemporary storytelling medium.

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Sources:

• 1968 Interview with Anni Albers — conducted 1968 July 5, by Sevim Fesci, for the Archives of American Art
• Book — On Weaving by Anni Albers – A seminal work where Anni reflects on her life, her craft, and the philosophies behind her approach to weaving.
• Book — Anni and Josef Albers: Equal and Unequal by Nicholas Fox Weber – A comprehensive biography that delves deep into Albers' life and work, offering insights into her creative process and legacy.
• Book — Anni and Josef Albers: Art and Life by Julia Garimorth, Vincent Broqua, and Brenda Danilowitz
• Video — "Bauhaus: The Face of the 20th Century" (1994) – A BBC documentary that covers the history of the Bauhaus, including interviews and insights into Anni Albers' role within the movement.
• Video — "Black Mountain College” Visionaries Episode – This documentary explores the experimental college where Anni and Josef Albers taught, emphasizing its influence on modern art and design.
• The Josef & Anni Albers Foundation – https://albersfoundation.org/ – The official website of the Albers Foundation, featuring extensive information on her life, work, and exhibitions.
• MoMA Learning: Anni Albers – https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/anni-albers/  – A resource that provides an educational overview of Anni Albers’ work within the context of modern art.

About Anni Albers

Anni Albers is widely considered to be the foremost textile designer of the 20th century. She made major innovations in the field of functional materials and at the same time she expanded the possibilities of single weavings and individual artworks. She was also an adventurous graphic artist who took printmaking technique into previously uncharted territory.

Not only was she a pioneering textile artist, and printmaker, but she was an educator whose work redefined the boundaries between craft and fine art. She may arguably be THE person responsible for helping the masses see textile as art, not just craft. She studied at the Bauhaus, taught at Black Mountain College in North Carolina, where she continued to push the limits of weaving, experimenting with unconventional materials and techniques. Her book On Weaving (1965) remains a seminal text in textile design.

About Marian Bantjes

Marian's Books:
I Wonder
Pretty Pictures

Marian Bantjes (b. 1963) @bantjes is a Canadian graphic artist who is known for her signature maximalist style. Her intricate ornamentation creates texture and illusion, and challenges the minimalist boundaries of traditional graphic design.

Her clients include Pentagram, Saks Fifth Avenue, Print Magazine, Wallpaper* , WIRED, Creative Review, The Guardian (UK), The New York Times, AIGA, TypeCon, and more.

Her career spans 3 stages: she started in the 80s as a book typesetter for a publishing company and then from there she became partner at a small design firm in Canada, working on brand identity and communication designs.

In 2003 Marian decided to embark on the work that has brought her international recognition and fame as a world-class visual designer

Her work has an underlying structure that frames its fluid nature and she has an impressive way of interweaving word and image.

She says "throwing your individuality into a project is heresy" but she has built a career doing just that, as her signature style is unmistakable. In 2007 she released Restraint, a typeface that integrates her style of ornamentation to be used as shapes and borders.

Marian has been honored with several awards over the years and her work is now part of the permanent collection at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.

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This dual feature episode highlights Phyllis Madonna’s fearless and eccentric design vision for the Madonna Inn, alongside branding expert Emily Heyward’s journey co-founding Red Antler and her insights into building iconic brands, including the lasting cultural impact of the Madonna Inn.

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Links: 
madonnainn.com
Their signature goblet (inspired by Alice Turney Williams wallpaper and rug designs)
Obsessed: Building a Brand People Love From Day One by Emily Heyward

About Phyllis:

Phyllis Madonna is a visionary designer, philanthropist, and co-founder of the iconic Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California. Born in 1928 in Orange County, she moved to the Central Coast in 1948 after marrying Alex Madonna. Although she had no formal design training, Phyllis’s creative instincts played a crucial role in shaping the Inn’s distinctive style, famous for its eclectic themed rooms and lavish use of pink. Encouraged by her husband to take the lead in designing the rooms, Phyllis’s designs became the heart of the Inn, transforming it from a roadside motel into a world-renowned destination.

Beyond her work at the Inn, Phyllis has made significant contributions to her community, supporting local arts organizations and spearheading the Phyllis Madonna Musical Revue and Fashion Show, which raised millions for women’s shelters over three decades. Her blend of creativity, community spirit, and entrepreneurial drive has made her a beloved figure on California’s Central Coast​

About Emily Heyward:

Emily Heyward is a co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of Red Antler, a leading brand agency known for launching some of today’s most successful startups, including Casper, Allbirds, and Hinge. With a background in advertising and a degree in postmodern theory from Harvard, Emily pivoted from working with big brands to helping emerging companies create purposeful, consumer-driven identities. She has been recognized as one of the Most Important Entrepreneurs of the Decade by Inc. Magazine and is the author of Obsessed: Building a Brand People Love from Day One, which explores how brands can inspire deep loyalty from their very beginnings. With a reputation for building “cult brands,” Emily is frequently featured in media outlets like Forbes and Fast Company, and she continues to be a prominent voice in brand strategy

Buy Her Book: OBSESSED

Emily Heyward Website
Follow Emily on Instagram

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Host Amber Asay dives into the untold stories of design power couples where the husbands received most of the credit, exploring how history has often overlooked the equally brilliant contributions of their wives.

(This new bonus series, called "Extra Sketches" will be where we explore common themes and trends within women designer stories.)

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Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee
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This dual feature episode spotlights Betty Cooke, the minimalist jewelry designer known for her sculptural creations, alongside Ellen Lupton, celebrated graphic designer and author, who reflects on Cooke’s influence and shares insights from her own legendary career in design and education.

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Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee
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Join this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknow
Have a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay

Links:

Thinking with Type, book by Ellen Lupton
Extra Bold, book co-authored by Ellen Lupton
Betty Cooke's Store

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About Betty Cooke:

We recently lost another design legend, Betty Cooke, whose passing marks the end of an era in modernist jewelry design. Born in 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland, Betty Cooke was a trailblazing designer celebrated for her minimalist and sculptural jewelry. Her work is defined by clean lines, geometric forms, and a timeless elegance that resonated across generations. After studying at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), where she later became a beloved faculty member, Betty opened her own studio and eventually co-founded The Store Ltd., a Baltimore institution that showcased her work for over five decades. Her jewelry, often handcrafted in silver and gold with touches of wood or acrylic, is iconic for its simplicity and boldness—pieces that remain instantly recognizable as “Betty Cooke.” Cooke’s influence is immortalized in museums, galleries, and in the collections of those fortunate enough to own her designs. Her legacy is one of innovation, elegance, and unwavering dedication to her craft.

About Ellen Lupton:

Ellen Lupton is one of the most influential voices in contemporary graphic design. Born in 1963, she is a celebrated designer, writer, curator, and educator whose work has profoundly shaped design education and practice. After graduating from Cooper Union in 1985, she became a curator at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, where she curated groundbreaking exhibitions that connected design to culture and society. Ellen is perhaps best known for her book Thinking with Type, first published in 2004, which has become an essential guide for designers and is used in classrooms worldwide. Beyond her writing, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the Graphic Design MFA program at MICA, inspiring generations of designers with her innovative teaching methods. Her body of work extends to over 20 books, exploring topics from typography to storytelling in design. Ellen’s contributions continue to influence how designers think, create, and communicate in today’s visual world.

Keep up with what Ellen Lupton's up to:
Instagram  |  Website

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