Designer
Creative Boom’s article by Tom May explores Paradiso Festival, a new five-day creative retreat founded by Héctor Ayuso in Mérida, Mexico. The event reimagines the traditional design conference format by removing stages and hierarchies, fostering authentic conversations among creatives like Paula Scher, Oliver Jeffers, and Jessica Hische. With cultural immersion, local experiences, and a focus on community, Paradiso aims to redefine what a creative gathering can be.
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.
The article celebrates 20 years of Debbie Millman’s pioneering podcast Design Matters, reflecting on its origins, evolution, and enduring mission to explore creativity. Millman discusses the early challenges of launching a design-focused show in 2005, her most meaningful interviews, and the upcoming 20th anniversary event at Symphony Space in New York City. She emphasizes her continued passion for storytelling and connecting with creative minds across disciplines.
This interview from The Brand Identity’s 'The Designers' series features Pentagram senior designer John Sampson, who discusses his path from student to working under Natasha Jen in New York. He reflects on his early influences, his experience with custom lettering and 3D work, and balancing personal projects with agency life. Sampson also shares insights on learning, technology, and creative growth in the design industry.