Typeradio Podcast

Michael Bierut talks about words, and why design can’t fix bad content. Writing well is a challenge. Initiating Design Observer, his motivation and what he found the hardest. And finally the most important lesson he has learned. Design Observer :: Massimo Vignelli :: File Download (21:54 min / 20 MB)

Michael Bierut talks about his particular rituals and obsessions. He compares song writing to design and why it is similar. The most important quality of a designer. His heroes, how he doesn’t collect. His ideologies such as ‘there is always more than one way to solve a design problem’. Pentagram :: Michael Bierut Eye Interview :: Cole Porter :: Wim Crouwel :: Pushpin :: File Download (23:08 min / 21 MB)

Rudi Protrudi explains how the news works in the USA, how the youth movement in the 60s died and more political issues. Rudi is very sure that here is no hope for the US, especially for creatives. And the people in the US do not even care. He ends this episode with telling us how he would like to be remembered. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Fuzztones last tour :: File Download (14:51 min / 21 MB)

Fuzztones frontman Rudi Protrudi talks about his art education and how he came to run his own record label. The last Fuzztones tour was in 2007. What now? After working at Meta design Markus Strumpel moved to India to work as a graphic designer for the Tibetan government in exile and the Dalai Lama. He talks about how this came about, the cultural differences between the West and Tibet and his upcoming projects. Finally he reflects on the current political situation in Tibet and China. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Markus Struempel :: Dalai Lama :: File Download (18:24 min / 25 MB)

Graphic designer Markus Strümpel and Fuzztones frontman Rudi Protrudi start off by telling us how they met and how they started working together. Rudi explains why musicians should do everything when running a band, and why he moved to Berlin. He also reminisces about his own ‘sweet 16’ years. Single handedly responsible for the garage rock revival (duly noted), Rudi talks about his influences and the early days of his career. We end this episode with the Fuzztones song ‘Johnson In A Headlock’. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Fuzztones :: Fuzztones tribute album :: File Download (17:03 min / 24 MB)

In what way does Yang Liu think the economic boom affected Chinese graphic design? Teaching both in Bejing and Berlin, in what way are the students different? What city does she consider her ideal city as a designer? Yang Liu talks about her interest in the Bejing Opera and upcoming projects like a book and an exhibit called East Meets West. Is it different to work for Chinese clients? And does Yang work with both western as Chinese writing systems? (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Yang Liu interview :: File Download (11:38 min / 16 MB)

Yang Liu has tried various religions but chooses to be part-time religious. She talks about what inspired her to be a graphic designer. She doesn’t feel more German nor Chinese, she thinks she belongs everywhere. She talks about her favourite dish and her heroes, her poster designs for the Berlin Aquarium, local Berlin hero polar bear Knut and where you can hug a panda bear. What is specifically chinese about her work? Is she considered a foreigner in China? (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Yang Liu :: Yang Liu posters :: Pho - vietnamese noodle soup :: File Download (11:33 min / 16 MB)

Via Malcolm’s first choice of music, early German experimental electronic music, we stumble upon a fascination for all things German. Malcolm feels a little disappointed with current bands, but he does admire Rammstein and Kraftwerk. He explains how this German fascination influences his design work and way of thinking. As he embraced digital technologies early on, going hand in hand with his interest in mass communication, he saw it rather as an opportunity to explore new disciplines and ways of thinking. And things will keep on changing dramatically, also the role of the designer. New media have been democratised. Malcolm doesn’t care about the technology, he is much more interested in how people communicate. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Krautrock :: Malcolm Garrett interview :: File Download (13:01 min / 12 MB)

Malcolm believes that new generations growing up with the latest digital technology will keep surprising us in the future. He foresees that the change of expectations and usage with this generation will stun us all. Malcolm thinks a lot about what he does and why he does things, sometimes too much. He tries to add layers to it. He prefers to think twice and act once, and tries not to think too much about creativity and intuition. Design just something he does. Malcolm talks about current projects like the Dublin Public Transport system and Dynamo London. He finally explains why he doesn’t really care how he is going to be remembered. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Malcolm’s studio AIG :: Dynamo London :: File Download (10:14 min / 9 MB)

Typeradio talked on the phone to Malcolm Garrett. As religion is the root of all evil Malcolm doesn’t want any part of it. He doesn’t trust himself as he is easily persuaded and difficult to convince. He is weary of heroes and currently questions the value of his possessions, although he does have a quite specific collection. Malcolm was once invited to join a punk band but never aspired to be a musician. Actually, he doesn’t even hold musicians in very high regard. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Malcolm Garrett bio :: Malcolm’s former studio AMX :: Seditionaries shop :: File Download (12:42 min / 12 MB)

The last two of Anschlaege’s 7 design principles. Their view on how money changed after the fall of the Berlin Wall. We end with how they would like to be remembered. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) www.anschlaege.de :: File Download (13:22 min / 12 MB)

Anschlaege explain how their work is politically influenced? They believe in opinions, not just politics, and they work in the public sphere. They also do commercial jobs, but not without thoroughly discussing it. And it has to be interesting too, and interchanged with free work. They sometimes offer unusual solutions to their clients. Finally we go over the 7 principles that they published on their website and which they change every six months. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) www.anschlaege.de :: File Download (13:28 min / 12 MB)

Anschlaege is a design studio with principles, Typeradio talks with Axel Watzke and Christian Lagé (third member Steffen Schuhmann wasn’t present). They believe in ideas rather than ideologies. Why are they concerned with social issues? They were 14 years old when the Berlin wall came down, which made a big impression. Everything is possible, but why choose graphic design? They talk extensively about the Kraut project, for which they traveled all over Germany producing daily newspapers locally. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) www.anschlaege.de :: File Download (16:06 min / 15 MB)

We ask editor Oliver Gehrs if Dummy Magazin is a magazine. Does it have a lot of competition? Dummy’s policy is to not mix content and ads. Will the magazine live longer with its always changing design and theme? Oliver explains that Dummy is happy to be a specialised magazine for a smaller audience rather than educate the masses. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Dummy Magazin blog :: File Download (13:21 min / 18 MB)

Dummy magazine editor Oliver Gehrs tells us how and why Dummy was initiated and how it was financed. Every issue is completely different, in logo design, layout and the articles. Why? And how does that work? It’s a journalistic decision to have different designers and writers for every issue. It’s also much more fun, according to Oliver. How are the designers picked? Dummy never puts design over content. Oliver talks about the relationship with their sellers and explains how the subjects and themes get picked. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Dummy Magazin :: File Download (16:14 min / 22 MB)

Do books like Los Logos kill creativity? Nicolas explains the best way to use Los Logos. Will there be a Quatros Logos? Logos rejected by clients are often the best. What are the differences between the Swiss and the Germans? Nicolas tells us why he moved to Berlin, his future plans, like Etcetera publications. Does he have a favorite Swiss designer? (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Nicolas studio: Onlab :: Etcetera publications :: Altitude book :: File Download (13:02 min / 18 MB)

Nicolas Bourquin explains what he does, he sets things in context, be it a book, video or an exhibition. As an art director / editor for Die Gestalten he finds this multi-disciplinary work inspiring. He advocates why books are not at all an obsolete medium and talks about the Los Logos book project and the selection process for it. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Nicolas Bourquin :: Die Gestalten :: File Download (15:31 min / 21 MB)

Why did Klaus Voormann retire from the music business? What filled the gap that music left in his life? What current bands does he like? He talks about his cooperation with Stefan Gandl, the Hamburg Days book, the Turbonegro record sleeve and finally his music production work for the German band Trio (Da Da Da). (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Stefan Gandl :: Trio - Da Da Da video :: File Download (14:09 min / 20 MB)

Typeradio talks on the phone to graphic designer and musician Klaus Voormann. He tells the story how he met and hooked up with The Beatles. Voormann designed the covers for The Beatles’ Revolver and Anthology albums. Besides that he played bass guitar with members of the Beatles, Mannfred Mann’s Earth Band and many other world famous artists. But what is the favourite musician he played with? (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Klaus Voormann :: The Beatles :: Klaus Voormann video interview :: File Download (13:03 min / 18 MB)

We hear the M.E.E.K. typographic synthesizer in action. While Frank is playing the instrument, Rob is explaining what is happening and what can be seen. (Recorded at Typeradio’s Sweet16) Meek FM :: File Download (17:46 min / 25 MB)