Scratching the Surface

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Bonus Interviews

Charles Saumarez Smith on the dramatic architecture of John Vanbrugh
Saumarez Smith's new biography on 18th century playwright and architect, a favorite of Venturi and Scott-Brown has lessons for today's designers.
Vishaan Chakrabarti on 10 years of PAU
The architect, urbanist, and writer reflects on the first decade of the studio he founded to connect architecture and urban design.
Michael Bierut on the enduring influence of Theo Crosby
A conversation about the Pentagram co-founder on what would have been his 100th birthday.
Julia Watson on the intelligence of water
In the follow-up to her popular book, LO-TEK, the designer and researcher returns with a field guide that blends ancestral wisdom and digital…
Inside Mitch Goldstein’s Studio Practice
The designer, educator, and author reflects on the recent evolution in his work and where it's heading next.
Nat Pyper’s Queer Year of Love Letters
A conversation about using typefaces to connect to the past and how all writing is collaborative.
Scott Klinker’s Life After Cranbrook
After twenty-four years, the director of Cranbrook's Industrial Design program steps down. We caught up with him to hear about what's next.
Eventually Everything Connects: Andrew Satake Blauvelt on mid-century modernism and his ongoing critical project
A new exhibition at the Cranbrook Art Museum expands our definitions of mid-century modern design.
How Ian Lynam wrote a history of Japanese Graphic Design
A few questions for the designer and writer about his monumental new book on Japanese graphic design history.
How Aggie Toppins is Thinking Through Graphic Design History
A conversation about the designer-educator's new book that thinks about how historical references can influence contemporary practices.
Jeffrey Schnapp on what we can still learn from Bruno Munari
With the new English translation Munari's 1977 book Fantasy, we talk to the fellow polymath about process, creativity, and imagination.
Alexandra Cunningham Cameron on the Smithsonian Design Triennial
We catch up with the co-curator to hear about the big ideas behind this year's exhibition.
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