Elizabeth Goodspeed
Designer · Other · Editor · Creative Director
40 articles · Feb 2024 — Apr 2026
Quotes
“For designers who write, their writing and their work circle the same inquiries, even as the format changes.”
“When more designers write, it starts to change how design itself gets talked about.”
“If the goal is to prove something wasn’t made by AI, faking ‘realness’ on a computer doesn’t really get us anywhere new.”
“A studio name that isn’t self-titled is like a childhood coat bought one size too big – you grow into it.”
“For most of the 20th century, branding treated typography as background, not backbone.”
“What identity designer amongst us hasn’t tried to repurpose an unused colour palette or logo idea for a new client?”
“It’s unclear whether we should just throw up our hands and get that bag (if we don’t, someone else will!) or try to stick to our guns while, yes, still making a living.”
“Today, making work is only half the job of a designer; performing it is the rest.”
“As with the rise of reality TV in the 2010s, personal disclosure became parasocial currency.”
“A Haggadah is really just a zine – self-published, idiosyncratic, and community-driven.”
Articles & interviews
- A new leaf: an exclusive look inside The New York Times Magazine redesign
It's Nice That · Apr 8, 2026
The article offers an in-depth look at The New York Times Magazine’s first major redesign in nearly a decade, led by creative director Gail Bichler and design director Ben Grandgenett. The redesign rethinks the magazine’s visual and editorial systems to better reflect how stories now move across print, digital, audio, and video formats. It emphasizes continuity, experimentation, and the evolving role of design in immersive storytelling.
The New York Times MagazineThe New York Timeseditorial - Elizabeth Goodspeed on why design writing needs designers writing
It's Nice That · Apr 2, 2026
In this opinion piece, designer and writer Elizabeth Goodspeed argues that design writing benefits when designers themselves take part in it. She explores how writing helps designers articulate their thinking, connect their creative and analytical practices, and make design discourse more reflective and nuanced. The article highlights examples like Ray Masaki, Michael Bierut, and Steven Heller to illustrate how writing and design can inform each other.
- Elizabeth Goodspeed on the limits of imperfection as a design strategy
It's Nice That · Jan 29, 2026
Elizabeth Goodspeed critiques the design industry's current fascination with 'analogue' aesthetics, arguing that much of what is labeled handmade is actually digitally fabricated. She explores how imperfection has become a strategy to signal authenticity in an AI-driven creative landscape, questioning whether this trend represents a genuine material shift or merely a symbolic one.
editorial - Review of the Year 2025
It's Nice That · Dec 15, 2025
It’s Nice That’s 'Review of the Year 2025' reflects on the past year’s most popular creative stories, spanning graphic design, illustration, photography, and moving image. The feature highlights the balance between technological innovation and analogue artistry, celebrating diverse creative practices across global cities. The hero illustration by Darren Shaddick accompanies the editorial, marking one of the platform’s top-read features of the year.
It's Nice Thateditorial - Review of the Year 2025: Top 25 Graphic Design
It's Nice That · Dec 15, 2025
It’s Nice That’s annual ‘Review of the Year 2025: Top 25 Graphic Design’ highlights the most-read and influential design stories of the year. The roundup spans topics from the resurgence of Gothic aesthetics and humor in design culture to the global reach of K-pop visuals and food-related branding projects. It reflects a year of curiosity, experimentation, and cultural crossover in graphic design.
- Review of the Year 2025: Top 50 Most Read
It's Nice That · Dec 15, 2025
It’s Nice That’s annual ‘Review of the Year 2025’ highlights the 50 most-read stories across its platform, spanning design, art, technology, and culture. The roundup celebrates creative diversity, from AI debates and ethical design discussions to pop culture-inspired projects and standout visual work by studios and artists worldwide.
MetalsPlains of Yondereditorial - Review of the Year 2025
It's Nice That · Dec 15, 2025
It’s Nice That’s ‘Review of the Year 2025’ reflects on a year where digital innovation and analogue creativity thrived side by side. The editorial highlights the platform’s most-read features, spanning graphic design, illustration, photography, moving image, and talks from Nicer Tuesdays events in London, New York, and LA. The piece celebrates the diversity and energy of the creative industry over the past year.
It’s Nice Thateditorial - Elizabeth Goodspeed on how many designers it takes to make a studio
It's Nice That · Dec 4, 2025
Elizabeth Goodspeed explores the evolving definition of what constitutes a design studio in today’s creative industry. Through the experiences of designers Meredith Hattam and Lotta Nieminen, the article examines how solo practitioners navigate identity, naming, and perception when operating as studios. It highlights a shift toward transparency, flexibility, and collective models in independent design practice.
A Present Force(Studio) Lotta NieminenBvlgariMarimekkobranding - Typeone’s tenth issue shows us the important type design of the 21st century so far
It's Nice That · Nov 25, 2025
Studio Ground Floor designed the tenth issue of Typeone magazine, marking a milestone that reflects on 25 years of type design in the 21st century. The issue features contributions from leading type designers and uses their own typefaces throughout, showcasing the diversity and evolution of contemporary typography. The design continues the flexible editorial system established in 2020, balancing consistency with adaptability to each issue’s theme.
Studio Ground FloorTypeone Magazineeditorial - Elizabeth Goodspeed Explains Why Studios Create Custom Fonts
It's Nice That · Oct 23, 2025
Elizabeth Goodspeed explores the growing trend of design studios creating their own custom typefaces as part of brand identity systems. The article examines how typography has evolved from a supporting role to a central brand asset, citing examples from studios like Koto, Order, and R&M. It argues that custom fonts offer brands originality, flexibility, and stronger visual ownership in an increasingly crowded design landscape.
- "Get Tickets for LA's First Nicer Tuesdays Event: Creative Talks & Inspiration"
It's Nice That · Oct 16, 2025
It’s Nice That announces the first-ever Nicer Tuesdays event in Los Angeles, featuring talks from Mouthwash Studio, Clay Hickson, James Junk, and Thalía Gochez. The event will explore creative processes across design, illustration, and photography, with Dropbox as the event partner. Hosted by Elizabeth Goodspeed, the evening aims to inspire the LA creative community through candid discussions and showcases of artistic practice.
Mouthwash StudioNike RunningAirevent - "Angela Kirkwood and Richard Garfield Revive 'Magical Athlete' Board Game"
It's Nice That · Oct 1, 2025
The article covers CMYK’s reissue of the cult Japanese board game Magical Athlete, featuring new illustrations by Angela Kirkwood and updated gameplay by Richard Garfield. The refreshed edition embraces bold, cartoon-inspired visuals and tactile, plastic-free production. It highlights CMYK’s focus on aesthetics and design-led game experiences.
CMYKCMYKproduct_design - Elizabeth Goodspeed Critiques Prefab Design's Impact on Branding
It's Nice That · Sep 24, 2025
Elizabeth Goodspeed critiques the rise of prefab brand identities sold through platforms like Lyon & Lyon’s Brands Like These. She explores how off-the-shelf branding commodifies design, reducing collaboration and authorship while appealing to startups seeking quick, affordable identities. The article situates this trend within a longer history of speculative branding and self-initiated design work.
- "Exploring the Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Designers Today"
It's Nice That · Aug 28, 2025
Elizabeth Goodspeed’s feature for It’s Nice That explores the complex question of whether an ethical designer can truly exist in today’s commercial landscape. Through perspectives from studios like Pentagram, Koto, and Creech, the piece examines how designers navigate moral boundaries, client choices, and the contradictions of working within a capitalist system. The article highlights how personal values, studio policies, and structural realities shape what 'ethical design' means in practice.
- "Nicer Tuesdays: Creative Talks in NYC This September - Tickets Available!"
It's Nice That · Aug 5, 2025
It’s Nice That announces the return of Nicer Tuesdays to New York in September 2025, featuring talks from Michael Bierut, Andrew B. Myers, Madeline Montoya, and Tina Tona. The event will cover topics from collage and photography to editorial design, with a Q&A hosted by Elizabeth Goodspeed. Partners include GF Smith, Legion Paper, and Love Corn.
- Elizabeth Goodspeed Discusses Designers Becoming Influencers
It's Nice That · Jul 2, 2025
Elizabeth Goodspeed’s essay explores how designers have increasingly become public-facing influencers, blending their personal identities with their professional output. Tracing the shift from modernist anonymity to performative self-branding, she critiques how social media and visibility culture have turned design into a form of ongoing performance. The piece situates this trend within a historical lineage from figures like Sagmeister and Walsh to today’s content-driven creative economy.
Sagmeister Inc.Sagmeister & WalshPublic Worksbranding - "Queer Design Club Unveils Bold Identity Celebrating Queer Voices in Design"
The Brand Identity · Jun 5, 2025
The Brand Identity features Queer Design Club’s refreshed visual identity, which celebrates queer history and community while evolving the organisation’s tone and presence. Co-founders Rebecca Brooker and John Voss collaborated with queer designers Molly O’Neill and Ritesh Gupta, drawing inspiration from archival materials curated by Elizabeth Goodspeed. The new identity embraces Pride-inspired colors, the Martin typeface by Tré Seals, and a playful yet mature aesthetic that reflects the club’s mission for visibility and systemic change.
Queer Design ClubVocal TypeQueer Design Clubbranding - "Thorlo's Bold Rebrand Proclaims Socks as Iconic"
The Brand Identity · Jun 3, 2025
High Tide has rebranded American sock manufacturer Thorlo, emphasizing its 40-year legacy and engineering-led innovation. The new identity centers on the concept of 'movement,' featuring a bold custom wordmark, modern typography, and archival imagery to balance heritage with contemporary confidence.
- Tickets on Sale for Nicer Tuesdays NYC with Top Creatives
It's Nice That · May 15, 2025
It’s Nice That announces the June 2025 edition of Nicer Tuesdays in New York, featuring talks from photographer Dina Litovsky, design studio Little Troop, designer and painter Na Kim, and illustrator Julian Adon Alexander. The event will also include a presentation from Templo on its GF Smith rebrand, with partners Frontify, GF Smith, SuperGay, and Love Corn supporting the evening. The talks will explore topics from photography and identity design to balancing multiple creative practices.
- Nicolas Heller: Becoming New York's Unofficial Talent Scout
It's Nice That · Apr 17, 2025 · Interview
The article features filmmaker and director Nicolas Heller, known as New York Nico, in conversation with Elizabeth Goodspeed at Nicer Tuesdays. Heller discusses his journey from filmmaking to becoming a cultural documentarian through his Instagram account, capturing the unique personalities of New York City. The piece coincides with the release of his debut book, 'New York Nico’s Guide to NYC'.
editorial - "Redefining Passover: Design Challenges Tradition and Identity"
It's Nice That · Apr 10, 2025
Elizabeth Goodspeed explores how contemporary designers are reimagining the Passover Haggadah as a living design object. Featuring work by Dani Balenson, James Anderson, and Deborah Khodanovich, the article examines how modern Haggadot blend tradition with contemporary design approaches, materials, and cultural reflection. It positions the Haggadah as both a ritual guide and a zine-like artifact of Jewish identity and creativity.
Judaica Standard Timejamesanderson.studioJudaica Standard Timeeditorial - Elizabeth Goodspeed Explores Why Designers Joke About Job Hatred
It's Nice That · Mar 27, 2025
Elizabeth Goodspeed explores the pervasive irony and burnout in contemporary graphic design culture, where designers joke about hating their jobs as a coping mechanism for disillusionment. Through interviews with practitioners like Shar Biggers, Joseph Alessio, and Mira Joyce, the piece examines how the optimism of the 'design can change the world' era has given way to cynicism and detachment. Goodspeed argues that sincerity and care may once again become radical acts in a jaded creative industry.
Freelance Studioeditorial - PlayLab Connects Architecture, Bouncy Castles, and Post Malone
It's Nice That · Mar 17, 2025 · Interview
The article celebrates PlayLab’s 20th anniversary, exploring how founders Archie Lee Coates IV and Jeff Franklin built a multidisciplinary studio that bridges architecture, art, and design. Through projects ranging from inflatables to collaborations with Louis Vuitton and Post Malone, the duo reflects on their generalist philosophy and enduring curiosity. The piece highlights their process-driven approach and the value of staying playful in creative practice.
- Talia Cotton Discusses Coding, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship
It's Nice That · Feb 13, 2025 · Interview
The article covers a Nicer Tuesdays New York event where designer and coder Talia Cotton discussed her journey from working at Pentagram to founding her own design and technology agency, Cotton Design. In conversation with Elizabeth Goodspeed, she shared insights into combining coding and creativity and the challenges of becoming her own boss.
- Elizabeth Goodspeed Explores Cultural Ownership and Borrowing
It's Nice That · Feb 12, 2025
In this opinion piece, designer and writer Elizabeth Goodspeed explores how contemporary creatives use public domain and archival imagery, questioning the ethics and implications of treating historical material as a design shortcut. She critiques how copyright law, originally intended to balance creator rights and public access, has evolved to favor corporate control, leaving independent artists vulnerable. The article connects these issues to current design trends that romanticize heritage aesthetics while often overlooking the original context of the imagery.
editorial - Tickets Available for Nicer Tuesdays New York with Creative Icons
It's Nice That · Jan 27, 2025
It’s Nice That announces the February 2025 edition of Nicer Tuesdays in New York, featuring talks from Nicolas Heller (New York Nico), Lexie Smith of Bread on Earth, photographer Daniela Spector, and illustrator Chantal Jahchan. The event will explore themes of documentary storytelling, editorial illustration, and creative research. Hosted by Elizabeth Goodspeed, it promises an evening of inspiration for the creative community.
- "2024's Top 25 Graphic Designs Revealed: Trends and Surprises"
It's Nice That · Dec 17, 2024
It’s Nice That’s annual ‘Review of the Year’ highlights 2024’s top 25 graphic design stories, spanning rebrands, typographic debates, and nostalgic visual trends. The roundup features projects from studios like Collins, Studio Frith, and Little Troop, as well as commentary on industry issues such as unpaid pitching and the use of mockups. The article reflects a year defined by retro aesthetics, thoughtful branding, and critical reflection on design culture.
- "2024 Review: Top 50 Stories in Creative Industry Unveiled"
It's Nice That · Dec 17, 2024
It’s Nice That’s annual ‘Review of the Year 2024: Top 50 Most Read’ highlights the most popular stories of the year, spanning rebrands, creative industry debates, and projects exploring technology’s role in design. The roundup includes features on major rebrands by Wolff Olins, JKR, and Order Design, as well as cultural commentary from writers like Elizabeth Goodspeed and Thomas Steeles.
- Elizabeth Goodspeed Critiques Pantone's "Mocha Mousse" as Dull Luxury
It's Nice That · Dec 16, 2024
In this opinion piece, Elizabeth Goodspeed critiques Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year, Mocha Mousse, exploring how brown reflects class, consumerism, and the commodification of colour. She contrasts Pantone’s corporate influence with grassroots colour phenomena like Charli XCX’s Brat Green, arguing that colour has shifted from a professional design tool to a viral cultural language. The article situates colour trends within broader social and economic contexts, questioning who benefits from colour marketing.
PantoneThe Roweditorial - Elizabeth Goodspeed Explores Design Credit Challenges
It's Nice That · Nov 21, 2024
Elizabeth Goodspeed explores the complexities of credit in design through the case of Athletic Greens’ AG1 identity, originally rebranded by Creech and later evolved by The New Company. The article examines how subtle design updates can blur the line between a rebrand and a refresh, raising questions about authorship and recognition in the creative industry.
- Jessica Hische discusses her new store and children’s book
It's Nice That · Nov 14, 2024 · Interview
The article features lettering artist and author Jessica Hische in conversation with Elizabeth Goodspeed at Nicer Tuesdays New York. Hische discusses opening her two new stores, JH&F and Drawling, and her latest children’s book, 'My First Book of Fancy Letters', which introduces kids to typography. The piece highlights her continued influence in lettering and design education.
editorial - Nicer Tuesdays in New York: Tickets Now Available!
It's Nice That · Oct 23, 2024
It’s Nice That announces the final 2024 edition of Nicer Tuesdays in New York, featuring talks by Talia Cotton, Base Design’s Mirek Nisenbaum, photographer Fumi Nagasaka, and illustrator Richard A Chance. The event will explore topics from coding and web design to editorial illustration and documentary photography, with GF Smith showcasing student work inspired by its Colorplan paper range.
- Elizabeth Goodspeed discusses the rise of political swag
It's Nice That · Oct 17, 2024
Written by designer and writer Elizabeth Goodspeed, this opinion piece explores how political campaign merchandise has evolved into a powerful branding tool in modern U.S. elections. The article traces the history of campaign swag from the 19th century to today’s viral merch drops, analyzing how design, color, and typography reflect shifting political identities and voter engagement. It highlights the growing role of independent creatives and the blurred line between politics, fashion, and consumer culture.
branding - The Sharp Type's revival: Lucas Sharp and Chantra Malee's next steps
It's Nice That · Oct 8, 2024 · Interview
The article is an in-depth interview with Sharp Type founders Lucas Sharp and Chantra Malee, exploring the foundry’s evolution following the sale of its catalogue to Monotype and the launch of its new phase, Volume Two. They discuss the challenges of sustaining innovation in type design, the lifecycle of a foundry, and balancing experimental creativity with functional design. The piece also reflects on their past successes, including Ogg and Sharp Grotesque, and their vision for the next chapter.
Sharp TypeMonotypetypography - Elizabeth Goodspeed Explores Mockup's Power and Risks
It's Nice That · Sep 12, 2024
Elizabeth Goodspeed explores the evolving role of mockups in contemporary graphic design, tracing their rise from simple presentation tools to cultural signifiers within the creative community. The article examines how mockups have become both a necessity and a status symbol, shaping how designers present, evaluate, and even create work. It also reflects on their educational value and the pressures they create for emerging designers.
Mock RealityLayersMockup Maisoneditorial - Exploring the charm of Future Medieval graphics
It's Nice That · Aug 15, 2024
Elizabeth Goodspeed explores the emerging 'Future Medieval' design trend, which fuses gothic and medieval aesthetics with contemporary digital culture. The article highlights Teenage Engineering’s EP–1320 Medieval synthesizer as a key example, alongside illustrators and designers embracing blackletter typography, mythical creatures, and ornate symbolism. The piece situates the trend within a broader cultural fascination with mysticism, fantasy, and historical revivalism.
Silk StudioTeenage EngineeringBeehive Booksbranding - Elizabeth Goodspeed discusses food's influence in advertising and fashion
It's Nice That · Jul 8, 2024
In this column, US editor-at-large Elizabeth Goodspeed explores the growing trend of food imagery in fashion and advertising. She traces its cultural and historical roots, from Dutch still lifes to modern campaigns by brands like Jacquemus and Rhode, arguing that food has evolved from a symbolic subject to a key narrative device in brand storytelling. The piece examines how food’s visual and emotional associations are leveraged to shape consumer perception and cultural meaning.
RhodeJacquemusadvertising - Creatives discuss owning aesthetics in trending styles
It's Nice That · Jun 19, 2024
Written by Elizabeth Goodspeed, this feature explores what happens when a designer’s personal aesthetic becomes a widespread trend. Through interviews with creatives like Bráulio Amado, Robert Beatty, Jen Mussari, and David Rudnick, the article examines the benefits and drawbacks of having one’s style adopted or imitated across the industry. It highlights issues of authorship, authenticity, and the economic pressures that accompany aesthetic popularity.
SquarespaceRefinery29editorial - Luke Tonge and Daniel Alcorn unravel the making of Birmingham Design Festival and its global reach
The Brand Identity · Jun 4, 2024 · Interview
The Brand Identity interviews Birmingham Design Festival co-founders Luke Tonge and Daniel Alcorn about the 2024 edition themed 'Process.' They discuss the festival’s growth, its inclusive curation, and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into organizing one of the UK’s most beloved design events. The conversation highlights their volunteer-driven approach, local collaborations, and the festival’s role in fostering community and creativity.
Birmingham Design FestivalSubstraktPHORMbranding - Behind the curtain: Elizabeth Goodspeed details the history-rich book design of The New Antiquarians
The Brand Identity · Feb 19, 2024
The article profiles Elizabeth Goodspeed’s design for the book 'The New Antiquarians,' written by Michael Diaz-Griffith and published by Monacelli and Phaidon. Goodspeed’s design draws on 18th- and 19th-century typographic traditions, combining historic references with modern digital typefaces and a richly detailed visual system. The project balances maximalism and readability through thoughtful use of typography, illustration, and color.