Two Designers Walk Into a Bar

Episode 131: Fabric Patterns and the Stories Behind Camouflage and Paisley

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:13:00 -0000

There are some new tablecloths here in the bar, which has gotten us thinking about fabric patterns. Today we’re going to be talking about a couple of patterns that, if you don’t personally have them in your wardrobe, you likely know someone who does. We’ve brought in the funky character known as paisley and the shady character known as camouflage.

So ask the bartender to mix up a couple of Army & Navies because we’re gonna be having a “wrap session” (get it?) back here in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-131-fabric-patterns

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 130: Cups, Plates and Trophy Design

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0000

With March Madness wrapping-up and spring break calling, we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

If you wander into any school, bar or thrift store, you're bound to see a collection of trophies. Have you ever wondered why they often look like cups, plates and other objects you wouldn't think about grabbing after a robust game of tennis or an intense hockey match? We did, and we’ve got a couple of amazing examples we’re talking about today: Wimbledon's Venus Rosewater Dish for women's tennis and The Stanley Cup for men's hockey.

We’re digging into the curious history of why some of the biggest wins come with even stranger hardware. It’s time to grab a couple flutes of champagne to help us toast our latest episode, right here in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episode-130-trophy-design-classic

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 129: Punk Meets Tech and New Wave is Born (Classic)

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0000

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

Bold colors. Funky haircuts. The Cold War and the Cola Wars. Video games and MTV. Japanese electronics and European fashion. Iconic music and movies...

If New Wave was a style and attitude, then music was the delivery device. In this episode we discuss the political climate, creative activity and DIY attitudes that led to the formation and rise of one of pop culture’s signature eras.

So place your order for a couple of 'Synth Wave cocktails, because we’ve got new haircuts and we're gonna be poppin' and lockin' back here in the bar.

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Mentioned in this episode:

“New Wave Graphics Are the Most Influential Designs You’ve Probably Ignored”

https://eyeondesign.aiga.org/why-new-wave-graphics-are-the-most-influential-designs-youve-probably-ignored/

“The History and Bands of New Wave Music”

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/new-wave-music-guide

“Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die: Punk Graphic Design” and “Reversing Into the Future: New Wave Graphic Design”

https://www.emmanuelgallery.org/punk-and-new-wave

“My Frame is True: New Wave Posters - in Pictures”

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2021/oct/02/punk-and-new-wave-posters-reversing-into-the-future-in-pictures

Reversing Into the Future, a book from Andrew Krivine

https://www.printmag.com/daily-heller/the-daily-heller-and-the-beast-goes-on/

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-129-punk-meets-tech

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon [ https://patreon.com/twodesignerswalkintoabar?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink ] for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 128: Homage Designs - A Poster for Swatch and an Orgy for Disney

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0000

Everyone says that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But if that were true, copyright law wouldn’t need to exist.

We’re discussing a couple of items that could be called homages…or could be called unfair (or even unauthorized) use (but we’ll leave that up to you): a Swatch poster from the ‘80s and The Disneyland Memorial Orgy from the '60s, two projects with colorful artwork and equally colorful backstories.

So place your order for a Rainbow Paradise, because we’re drawing unwanted attention once again here in the bar.

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-128-homage-designs

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 127: Psychedelia Comes Down, Hangs Around and Gets Reinvented

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0000

For one last time, we’re delving into the depths of our expanded minds to talk about the impact of psychedelia on popular culture. We may have been at the bar a bit too long getting our minds…expanded. We have a lot to talk about today as we discuss what happened with psychedelia after The Summer of Love and Woodstock.

(Spoiler alert: Nothing like going mainstream to kill a counterculture style.)

So help us out by grabbing a couple of Flaming Unicorns as we come back down to earth, right here in the bar.

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-127-psychedelia-part-3

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 126: The 1960s and the Era of Peak Psychedelia

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0000

In our last episode we talked about the origins of psychedelia and learned about Bicycle Day celebrated every April. (Hint: it involved a lot of science and experimentation along with maybe a little bit of balance.)

Today we dive into the era of peak psychedelia: the mid ‘60s. We talk about the design and music inspired by this—ahem—experimentation and how that informed pop culture for a generation.

So, ask the bartender for some Magic Mushroom cocktails and join us as we trip our way back into the bar.

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-126-psychedelia-part-2

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 125: The Origin Story of Psychedelia

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0000

Today we’re taking a trip through the looking glass.

We’re kicking off our series on psychedelia with its origins, the impact on a generation of pop culture and its lasting effects. Psychedelia’s origins are messy, fascinating, and full of odd little historical crosscurrents. We discuss science, bicycle rides and the first official album of psychedelic music.

So, ask the bartender for a couple of Psychedelic Frogs—and to see if they can stop the walls from dripping rainbow colors—as we chase the white rabbit through the window and back into the bar.

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-125-psychedelia-part-1

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 124: Talking Food Mascots with Kirk + Kurtts (Classic)

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0000

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

What do Betty Crocker, Charlie Tuna, Tony the Tiger and the oddball characters from Off Limits Cereal have in common? Along with fellow creatives Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts of the “Kirk and Kurtts” design podcast, they were all our drinking buddies one evening!

We chewed the fat with Kirk and Andy about some classic characters and their impact on pop culture (and snacking), and why these same techniques invented decades ago still work today.

Order a Bedrock Fizz for yourself (and maybe a few for all of us). It’s time to join four designers back in the bar.

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⁠Watch the full conversation⁠ on our YouTube channel and ⁠visit our full episode page⁠ for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit ⁠our merch page⁠ to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on ⁠Patreon⁠ for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 123: The Origin Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0000

We have one more Christmas gift for our listeners! Today we’re going to be talking about a holiday icon that began as a marketing stunt. (Let’s be honest. Sometimes it feels like Christmas is just one big marketing stunt.) But we’re with friends, so we're getting into the Christmas spirit. (Or spirits!)

Today we’re going to be talking about everyone’s favorite red-nosed reindeer, Rudolph, and his origin story from a retail store’s marketing department to being the guide at the front of Santa’s sleigh.

So ask the bartender for a couple of Rudolph’s Tipsy Spritzers because it’s the holiday season back here in the bar.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-123-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 122: Trailblazing Toys - Hot Wheels Cars and Mego Action Figures

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Just in time for Christmas, we've brought some classic toys with us that have become iconic collectibles.

First, we suggest you grab your seat belt and buckle-up as we white knuckle the wheel and talk the fast-paced glitz of Hot Wheels cars, and then we’re gonna fight for truth and justice as we get our hands on some highly collectible Mego superhero action figures.

So order up a couple of Caped Crusaders. We’re gonna be crossing the finish line with all of our Super Listeners, right here in the bar. (And just like airline-size liquor bottles, these toys make perfect stocking stuffers.)

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Mentioned in this episode:

• Hot Wheels Cars

• Mego Action Figures

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-122-trailblazing-toys

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon or subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 121: Giving Thanks for Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:00:00 -0000

As we head into the holiday season, we’re giving thanks by spotlighting the four freedoms—Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Fear and Freedom from Want—along with the man who brought them to life in ways everyone could understand: Norman Rockwell.

We talk about how while critics threw shade his way, Rockwell created what is arguably the most iconic Thanksgiving image of all time, parodied and remixed over the years.

So mix up a couple of vodka and cranberries and serve them up in a gravy boat. It's time to join us as we give thanks to be with you, our listeners, back here in the bar.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Norman Rockwell

Four Freedoms

Freedom From Want

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 120: Politicians, Superheroes and Stars - Noteworthy Magazine Covers

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Magazines. They’re still big business, but today’s magazines are a pale imitation of what they once were. And being on a magazine cover meant that you hit the big-time. Sometimes that was amazing, other times not so much.

Today we’re discussing some iconic covers that made statements from the shelves of newsstands and delivered surprises to unsuspecting mailboxes. John Lennon, Demi Moore, Richard Nixon, New York City, Apple and Batman have all made the cut.

So ask your bartender for a round of Boulevardiers and make sure all your subscriptions are up-to-date. We’re bringing a tall stack of reading materials with us to the bar.

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-120-noteworthy-magazine-covers

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 119: Scary Good Posters - The Thing and Creature from the Black Lagoon

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Since it’s still October, we’re continuing with the second of our two Horror Month episodes here in the bar. If you didn’t get enough shock and terror from our last episode, you just weren't listening closely...Come to think of it, that could be said about any of our episodes.

Today we’re discussing a couple of amazing horror movie posters for The Thing and Creature from the Black Lagoon. The stories that inspired them, the artists who created them (Reynold Brown and Drew Struzan) and what makes these posters great.

So order a round of Black Magic Margaritas for everyone. We’re dimming the lights and lighting some candles back here in the bar.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Thing

Creature from the Black Lagoon

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-119-scary-good-posters

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 118: Monster Sponsors - Gritty from Philly and Monster Cereals from General Mills

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Since it’s October, we’re gonna jump into the next two episodes with Horror Month here in the bar.

Horror? Sure, regular listeners will wonder why this month is somehow different from any other, but don’t worry. The quality is still the same, only this time we’re talking about some characters created for the amusement of both the young and the young-at-heart. We’re talking about the origin stories of Monster Cereals from General Mills and the mascot Gritty from the ice in Philly.

So order a couple of Corpse Revivers. We’re moaning and groaning as we shake off the cobwebs back here in the bar.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Monster Cereals from General Mills

Gritty

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-118-monster-sponsors

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 117: The Batmobile and the DeLorean - Iconic Pop Culture Cars

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:28:00 -0000

While we don't recommend drinking and driving, we do recommend talking pop culture and cars while sitting safe and sound on a couple of bar stools.

Buckle up as we travel back in time to discuss what are arguably the two most popular cars in pop culture: the original 1960s Batmobile and the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Sometimes they worked, oftentimes they didn't. If you smell some burning rubber, it's not from us thinking—at least not this week. Instead, it's a high-octane topic coupled with some Golden Cadillacs from our bartender. Enjoy.

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-117-iconic-pop-culture-cars

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 116: Cat Posters with Paul Hennessey (Classic)

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0000

We’re taking a short break. In the meantime, grab a drink and kick back with one of our classic episodes.

Cats. You may love ‘em, hate ‘em or feel indifferent, but there’s no escaping their power, especially if you spend any time online.

Cats have a long history in the world of advertising. In this classic episode we invited friend and poster expert Paul Hennessey back into the bar to discuss the appeal of cat posters aesthetically and financially, discuss a few of our favorites and decode why their traits and quirks make them perfect for so many different types of products.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-116-cat-posters-with-paul-hennessey-classic

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Mentioned in this episode:

Paul Hennessey, Grafix Gallery

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 115: NBC, Netflix and Network Branding

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0000

When we say "TV network," what do you think of? When we say "TV network brand," what pops into your head? Is it a logo or a sound? Is it an animation or an app? Is it a signature show?

Today we’re going to be talking about a couple of identities made for NBC and Netflix. We discuss the origin stories for both their visuals and their sounds.

So add us to your queue. We're gonna be sipping on a couple of Cobra Strikes as we get this show underway back here in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-115-network-branding

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 114: The Fall and Rise (Again) of Tiki Culture

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0000

We’ve been exploring the Polynesian Pop trend that swept suburbia. From the 1930s to the ‘70s, tiki culture was everywhere. And then, like the tide going out, it was gone.

Today we talk about the factors that brought it back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s (hint: swing, thrifting and SpongeBob) and how tiki is influencing artists today.

Grab a Bahama Mama and join our conga line as we swing, sway and sashay back into the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-114-tiki-culture-part-3

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 113: Embracing and Evolving the Tiki Style

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Today, we're continuing our series on tiki culture as we look at how professional designers embraced and evolved the island aesthetic. Was it low brow? High brow? A symbol of exotic adventure? A goofy gimmick? Regardless, the movement left a deep imprint on graphic, interior, fashion, product, and architectural design, in applications ranging from kitsch to high-concept.

We'll gonna figure out the price of some amazing tiki drinks, get some quarters sticky with pineapple juice and throw some exotica on the jukebox. Join us as we sway our hips and hula back into the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-113-tiki-culture-part-2

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 112: Tiki Culture: The Story of Post-War Polynesian Pop

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Today we’re dressing up the bar with coconut mugs, gardenia flowers, surf boards and pu-pu platters because we’re diving into the first of a three episode series on Tiki culture. We’ll talk about the origins and influences — it’s not as simple as you think — and learn why this very Americanized look took off throughout the country and set sail across the globe.

Grab your tiki mugs, some fresh-cut pineapple and a chilled pitcher of Classic Mai Tais. We’re spinning some good ol’ exotic sailor yarns back here in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-112-tiki-culture-part-1

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 111: Good Movies and Old Books - A Conversation with Matt Stevens (Part 2)

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Today we’re returning to the bar with Matt Stevens, a designer and illustrator who has been successful working with clients ranging from a tequila brand to clients like Apple TV+ and Netflix.

But what we have in common is not only a love for design, but also pop culture. So we’re talking with him about a personal project that grew into an actual project, his new book Good Movies as Old Books. We dig into subjects as varied as a scorpion penis, The Karate Kid, living and working in North Carolina, The Thirsty Beaver and a character named Flapjack.

It’s time to grab a box of candy and take your bathroom break. We’re welcoming Matt Stevens – our drinking buddy – back to the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-111-movies-books-and-matt-stevens

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 110: Good Movies and Old Books - A Conversation with Matt Stevens (Part 1)

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Today we’re sitting down with a new friend, a designer and illustrator who has been successful working with clients ranging from a local hot dog shop to clients like Airbnb and Facebook.

But what we have in common with Matt Stevens is not only a love for design, but also pop culture. So we’re talking with him about a personal project that grew into an actual project, his new book Good Movies as Old Books.

It’s time to grab a bag of popcorn and add some rum to your overpriced Coke. We’re welcoming Matt Stevens – our first time drinking buddy – to the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-110-movies-books-and-matt-stevens

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 109: Foxes, Flies and the Design of Blaxploitation Posters

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0000

If you’ve ever caught a late-night flick full of high-speed chases, stylish wardrobes, and unforgettable soundtracks, you might’ve stumbled into the bold, brash world of blaxploitation. This genre wasn’t just about action—it brought civil rights, empowerment, and attitude to the screen, with a mix of crime, martial arts, westerns, horror, comedy, prison breaks, and even musicals.

Today, we’re diving into two of the era’s most iconic films: Foxy Brown and Super Fly. We’re also shining a light on the artists who brought these stories to life outside the theater with posters as explosive and eye-catching as the movies themselves.

So grab a couple of high-octane shots and get ready—this episode is about to be a funky, action-packed ride, right here in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-109-blaxploitation-film-posters

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 108: Cups, Plates and Trophy Design

Wed, 28 May 2025 10:00:00 -0000

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-108-trophy-design

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Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 107: U.S. Wartime Propaganda Posters

Wed, 14 May 2025 10:00:00 -0000

We want you! If you’re looking for something to volunteer for, if you’re ready to be part of something bigger than yourself...Something that will make you see the world in a new way and make new friends...While spending some time together in the trenches or back home supporting the effort, then listen to our wartime propaganda episode!

Today we’re discussing the histories of two of the most iconic posters (and characters) in the world: Rosie the Riveter and Uncle Sam.

It’s time to salute the bartender while asking for a couple of Red White and Blue Shooters. We’re falling in line and supporting the effort today in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-107-us-wartime-posters

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Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 106: The State Flags of Ohio and Maryland

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Today we’re talking about a couple of state flag designs. And just like everyone here in the bar, they have unique appearances and colorful histories. In one corner we have the funky flag from Ohio, and in the other we have the boldly graphic flag of Maryland.

It’s time to order a couple of Aviation cocktails. We’re gonna be getting into some different states of mind today in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-106-state-flags-ohio-maryland

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Mentioned in this episode:

Ohio State Flag

Maryland State Flag

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 105: Iconic Book Covers for Jurassic Park and The Great Gatsby

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 12:58:00 -0000

Today we’re going all literary, getting in touch with our bookish sides. We’re not being antisocial, but we’ve brought a couple of books to the bar. And in spite of that phrase we all hear so often, we're gonna judge two books, Jurassic Park and The Great Gatsby, by their covers.

So order up a couple of Tequila Mockingbirds. We’ve brought our library cards (and Todd’s credit card) with us to the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-105-iconic-book-covers

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Mentioned in this episode:

Jurassic Park

The Great Gatsby

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 104: Movie Studio Logos for 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Today we’re going aaaalllll Hollywood. We're talking about movie studio logos, quite possibly the oldest examples of liquid branding, with one logo that's been relatively unchanged over close to 100 years and another that has gone through a bit of an identity crisis only to return to a familiar form: 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers.

So have your people call our people, because we’re having a three martini lunch and making some amazing deals here in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-104-movie-studio-logos

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Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 103: Game Show Logos for The Gong Show and Match Game

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Today we’re going to be talking about game show logos – the good, the bad and the ugly — and how sometimes all of those qualities could be found in a single piece of artwork. We’re zeroing in on a couple that are loud, busy and colorful, just like the era they were created in and the sets they were created for: The Gong Show and Match Game.

So grab the remote, ask the bartender for a couple of Slot Machine cocktails and join us once again as we spin the wheel and roll the dice right here in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-103-game-show-logos

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Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 102: Al Hirschfeld and Elvis, Postage Stamps - Part 2

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Today we’re going to be talking some more about postage stamps. The way they reflect pop culture and how they are an art form that celebrates other art forms. We’ve got some stamps with fluid line work and a whole lotta shakin’ going on… Al Hirschfeld and Elvis have entered the building.

Mix-up a couple of 2-Cent Stamp cocktails and join us once again as we send you a couple more stories from right here in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-102-postage-stamps-part-2

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Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 101: The Penny Black and Dag Hammarskjöld, Postage Stamps - Part 1

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Today we’re going to be talking about postage stamps: the history and origin of them, who uses them and whether or not they’re still relevant in our age of email and mail order deliveries. And, of course, the art of it all and why stamps still matter today.

We touch on the controversy of who invented the stamp, the fraud associated with early mail and how the U.S. Postal Service misprinted a commemorative stamp for Swede Dag Hammarskjöld on purpose.

Ask the bartender for a couple of Air Mail cocktails and join us as we deliver the goods right here in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

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Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 100: Food Mascots with Kirk + Kurtts

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0000

We chewed the fat with Kirk and Andy about some classic characters and their impact on pop culture (and snacking), and why these same techniques invented decades ago still work today.

Order a Bedrock Fizz for yourself (and maybe a few for all of us). It’s time to join four designers back in the bar.

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Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel and visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

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Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 99: Cat Posters with Paul Hennessey

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Cats. You may love 'em, hate 'em or feel indifferent, but there's no escaping their power, especially if you spend any time online.

Cats have a long history in the world of advertising. In our latest episode, we invite friend and poster expert Paul Hennessey back into the bar to discuss the appeal of cat posters aesthetically and financially, discuss a few of our favorites and decode why their traits and quirks make them perfect for so many different types of products.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

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Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send us an email and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 98: Goodyear’s Blimp, Pixar’s Luxo Lamp and How Objects Become Company Icons (Classic)

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0000

The Goodyear Blimp is turning 100 years old, so we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

Ever wonder why a tire company is most known for a blimp? Or why an animation studio has a desk lamp as its trademark? We did. Turns out Goodyear and Pixar didn’t invent either of these things. Learn the origin stories of Goodyear’s blimps, Pixar’s loveable Luxo lamp, and how these adopted objects transcended their initial utility to become known around the world.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-98-adopted-icons-classic

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 97: The ‘80s: New Wave Gets Fashionable (Classic)

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

Video may have killed the radio star, but it poured gasoline on the spark of New Wave. As MTV exploded, youth culture moved to center stage and companies making wearables were more than happy to cater to changing tastes. In this episode we focus on Vans and Swatch, a couple of iconic fashion accessories found on the wrists and feet of Gen X.

As we wrap-up our season on New Wave, let us know if you feel there's something we missed. We just might circle back down the road.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-97-new-wave-gets-fashionable-classic

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 96: Elliot and MTV's The Real World

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Today we’re bringing you an example of the bonus content you can find on our Patreon page.

In the summer of 1994, the television show The Real World was filming in San Francisco. That same summer Elliot ended up in SF for an internship. One day those two worlds collided in a true Gen X moment.

So sit back with a plate full of wings and one of your favorite beers from college. It's time to join us back in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-96-the-real-world

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and remember to support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 95: Return to the Mailbag

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:28:00 -0000

In this episode we take a step back from our typical subject matter to dig into our mailbag once again as we answer questions submitted by you, our listeners. Topics include record album art, April Fool’s pranks, Taylor Swift, listener reviews, Broadway shows and some recent speaking gigs. We also plug one of our favorite bar foods: onion rings.

So sit back with your favorite warm and cozy beverage. It's time to join us back in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-95-listener-mail

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 94: Iconic Music Videos - Part 2

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0000

We’re bringing some video tapes with us into the bar — or at least some trusty YouTube links. Why? We’re talking music videos! And we have so much to share, we’ve broken this subject into two episodes.

For today, we dusted off an older gem and coupled it with a more current one: a gritty and fun “Need You Tonight” from Australia’s INXS and Taylor Swift’s surreal technicolor dreamscape that is “ME!” We discuss the thinking behind each and then present some closing takeaways to understand why they all work.

So slide the tables aside and hold our drinks once again… We’re gliding across the dance floor and bellying up to the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-94-music-videos-part-2

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 93: Rural Electrification, Hope for Obama and Posters for Good (Classic)

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0000

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

With Election Day happening in the United States, we wanted to mark the occasion with two amazing poster designs. We examine bringing electricity to rural parts of the United States 80 years later and inspiring a nation to rally behind an unknown presidential candidate named Barack Obama, along with how Lester Beall and Shepard Fairey made these big ideas easy to understand. And since Todd loves controversy, he shares the story of how Mr. Fairey found himself in a legal entanglement over his poster work.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-93-civic-posters-classic

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 92: Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, Tarantula and the Amazing Art of Reynold Brown (Classic)

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 14:13:14 -0000

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

For our special Halloween episode, and because of our love of B movies, we wanted to pay homage to one of the best horror poster artists of all time, Reynold Brown. We talk about the movie (and poster for) Tarantula, plus what is arguably one of the most recognizable staples of pop culture: the poster for Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman. (The movie? Not so much.)

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-92-horror-posters-classic

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 91: Iconic Music Videos - Part 1

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:00:00 -0000

We're bringing some video tapes with us into the bar -- or at least some trusty YouTube links. Why? We're talking music videos! And we have so much to share, we've broken this subject into two episodes.

For today, we've dug into the backs of our closets and dusted off a couple of favorites from yesterday that are still killing it today: a-ha's illustrative "Take on Me" and Peter Gabriel's surreal "Sledgehammer." We discuss why they were made, the creative motivations for each and the unsung heroes (beyond the musicians) who brought these ideas to life and into our homes (and heads).

So slide the tables aside and clear off the dance floor…We’re spilling our drinks as we moon walk our way across the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-91-music-videos-part-1

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 90: Roller Coaster Logo Battle

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Our latest episode is for the thrill seekers. We're pitting roller coaster logos against each other. And not just any roller coasters...We're each representing our home states.

So, buckle up by pulling the restraint harness tightly against you, and grab a couple of quick high octane shots. We've got our hands up and our drink lids on tight... We're taking a high-speed drop back into the bar!

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-90-roller-coasters

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 89: Looking Back on Four Years

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 10:00:00 -0000

In honor of International Podcast Day, we’re taking a look back at our own origin story. How the podcast began, why we continue to do it and what could be coming next. It’s the story of two friends, one shared profession and the pop culture love that kickstarted it all.

Mix-up a couple of White Russians. We’re taking it slow and philosophical as we wander back into the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-89-looking-back

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 88: Talking Music Posters with Paul Hennessey

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Both eye-catching and informative, posters are one of the most highly collectible forms of design. They are used to promote products, places, events, art, political movements and almost anything else you can think of. Today we're joined by a special guest from across the Pond, Paul Hennessey, who owns two poster shops in the UK. We talk cats, food sauces, whether Paul may be Banksy and music posters for the Live Aid concerts and Duran Duran's album Rio.

Pour yourself a pint and belly on up. It's time to join us and our special guest expert back in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-88-music-posters-with-paulh

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 87: Gen X and the Golden Age of Magazines

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 10:00:00 -0000

The late '80s and the '90s were a golden age for magazines. With the World Wide Web a few years away, advertising dollars were being pumped into print and art directors and publishers did not disappoint with their offerings. In this episode we talk about Raygun, Wired, Rolling Stone and Vibe and the approaches of David Carson, Plunkett + Kuhr, Fred Woodward and Gary Koepke. Elliot also tells the story of trying to get an internship at one of these lauded publications.

Flip to your favorite liquor ad and show it to your nearest mixologist. It's time once again to join us back in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-87-genx-magazines

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 86: Gen X Music Appears from Underground

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 10:00:00 -0000

The late '80s and the '90s were a golden age for Gen X music, even well beyond the long shadow of Nirvana's Nevermind. We flipped through the crates to prep for this episode. With sore fingers and tired eyes we walk through iconic albums by Bjork, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Pixies.

Grab your favorite concert t-shirt and a cool PBR. It's time once again to join us in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-86-genx-music

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 85: Selling to Gen X Without Selling Out

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Gen X was coming of age during cynicism and ironic detachment. A DIY attitude rooted in authenticity coupled with increasing access to personal tech and an explosion of choices in alternative media. And most importantly, lack of trust in corporations. Companies (and their marketing departments) had to think of ways to sell to those who didn’t want to be sold to... Advertisers like Benetton, the Gap and and Diesel Jeans undertook this task with some interesting results.

Grab a cold growler of your DIY homebrew and join us back in the bar.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-85-selling-to-genx

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 84: Denver, Los Angeles and Stories of Designing for the Olympic Games (Classic)

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0000

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

Bum-bum-ba-bum-bummm…Nothing brings the world together every couple of years like the Olympic Games. With such a large stage and a chance to influence audiences around the globe, designers jump at the chance to create something great. In this episode we discuss what did (or didn’t) happen in Denver in 1976 and the Technicolor vibrancy of Los Angeles in 1984.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-84-design-for-champions-revisit

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 83: When Gen X Came of Age

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Let’s plop down on the couch in your favorite record store or skate shop for a few minutes. It’s time to relive the end of the 1980s and begin a new decade of cultural change.

In this episode we discuss what was in the news, the invention of the "slacker" character, the mood of skepticism, irony and emotional detachment that grew out of the glossy 80s, culture jamming and not selling out even as personal technology began to take hold. We also try to get to the bottom of whatever the term "alternative" actually meant.

So crack open your most authentic local brew. It's time to dig in the crates.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-83-genx-comes-of-age

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 82: Riffs on Riffs Crossover

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Record albums. You know 'em. You love 'em. But do your favorites fall short when art overshadows music (or vice versa)? We invited a couple of buddies to the bar — Joe Watson and Toby Brazwell from the Riffs on Riffs podcast — for a conversation about a handful of desert island-level albums: how they sound, what they look like and if, ultimately, the combination works. We talk earworms, visual puns, the classic and the obscure, leveraging their expertise to make us look smart and their wallets to cover our tab.

Crack open a beverage, find a seat and see if any of your picks are on our list.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-82-riffs-on-riffs

Check out Riffs on Riffs when you need a break from us.

https://evergreenpodcasts.com/riffs-on-riffs

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 81: Fun Food Containers

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:00:00 -0000

History repeats itself... There are no new ideas… Everything old is new again…

Sure, we get excited when we have custom meal kits delivered to our homes or when we see amazing food in farmer’s markets and grocery stores near our homes. But food marketing has been around for a really long time. Today we discuss a couple of popular approaches from yesterday that continue to reappear in pop culture today: Charles Chips and fruit crate labels.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-81-fun-food-containers

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 80: Vernacular Architecture

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Did you ever look at a building with a business inside and think, “Yeah…that totally used to be something else” and wonder how you knew that? You know, the jewelry store that used to be a pizza parlor or the drive-up coffee shop that was once a spot to drop off film are peppered in towns all across the country. Today we’re talking about a couple of businesses that, in their respective heydays, could be found in shopping centers and strip malls everywhere.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-80-vernacular-architecture

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 79: Signs of the Times

Wed, 22 May 2024 10:00:00 -0000

There are visual icons that have symbolized professions for so long their origin stories are unknown to the very customers served by them. These independent businesses are owned by all kinds of people serving millions on a daily basis throughout the world, all using these same basic signs outside their establishments. We're discussing barber poles and pawnbroker balls, two icons that, unless you’re truly in the middle of nowhere, you can find within minutes of where you live, work or both.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-79-signs-of-the-times

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 78: The Reflex Blue Conversation

Wed, 08 May 2024 10:00:00 -0000

We were lucky enough to have Donovan Beery of the long-running design podcast The Reflex Blue Show pull up a stool next to us.

We talk about some of our shared pop culture influences, listening to vinyl (and the creative opportunities record albums afford) and where we go to find inspiration (hint: Wikipedia addictions). We also found out Reflex Blue was inspired by bar conversations as well!

Bottoms up!

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-78-reflex-blue

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 77: Hey, Nice Package!

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0000

There are some products so iconic that you know what they are as soon as you lay your eyes on them. The color, the shape or some other distinctive brand feature says, “Accept no substitute. There is no equal.” Pour yourself a drink on the rocks, kick back against the bar and listen as we uncork the stories of the bottles from Coca-Cola and Absolut Vodka.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-77-nice-package

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 76: The ‘80s: New Wave Gets Fashionable

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0000

As we wrap-up our season on New Wave, let us know if you feel there's something we missed. We just might circle back down the road.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-76-new-wave-gets-fashionable

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Design Crimes: Comic Sans: Who’s Laughing Now?

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Todd Coats and Elliot Strunk, the creators behind the hit design and pop culture show Two Designers Walk Into a Bar, announced last week at the PodFest Expo Upfronts the release of their newest investigative true-crime series, Design Crimes: Comic Sans, Who’s Laughing Now?, set to drop on April 15, 2024.

The five-part show, hosted by Strunk and Coats, will explore the history of Comic Sans and Vincent Connare, the infamous typeface creator employed by Microsoft who single-handedly destroyed the aesthetic of hundreds of thousands of printed documents and early web pages, and how he became consumed by the world’s hatred of his most famous creation.

Listen now!

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Visit our full press release page for the full story. Happy April Fool’s!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/blog/design-crimes

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 75: The ‘80s: New Wave and the Boob Tube

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0000

If New Wave was a style and attitude, television was how it was delivered to the masses. In this episode, we talk about two important touchstones during one of pop culture’s signature eras: the launch of MTV and the debut of Miami Vice.

It's all pastel wonder and neon glow in our latest episode as New Wave meets the boob tube. Turn on, tune in and enjoy.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-75-new-wave-and-the-boob-tube

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 74: The ‘80s: Punk Meets Tech, New Wave is Born

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Bold colors. Funky haircuts. The Cold War and the Cola Wars. Video games and MTV. Japanese electronics and European fashion. Iconic music and movies...

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-74-punk-meets-tech

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 73: Pepsi, Tropicana and the Challenge of Good Design

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0000

February 28: This week marks a quirky moment in pop culture (and soft drink) history. Michael Jackson's hair caught fire back in 1984 while shooting an ad for Pepsi, which was, to put it mildly, a production challenge. In this mini-episode we talk about the origins of the original Pepsi Challenge and a foolproof way to make small children cry. Drink. It. Up.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-50-pepsi-logo-story

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 72: Six Marines, One Photographer. The Story of Iwo Jima

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0000

February 21: This week marks the anniversary of an event that was made famous by one of the world’s most iconic photos: the raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima. We talk about how the photo came to be and why it's still instantly recognizable today.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-22-iconic-images

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 71: The Goodyear Blimp: More Than a Bunch of Hot Air

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0000

February 14: This week marks the anniversary of an accident. Not a normal accident. A blimp accident. The USS Macon, one of the two largest helium-filled airships ever created, crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California and sank. This reminds us of one of our favorite company icons floating over a stadium near you: The Goodyear Blimp. Float on.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-09-adopted-icons

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 70: Black Cats, Fireworks and Celebrating a Logo We Love

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0000

February 7: Logos and graphics are an important part of sports. This week marks the moment back in 1988 when Michael Jordan made his signature slam dunk from the free throw line, inspiring the Air Jordan brand and, more specifically, the Jumpman logo. But there are logos we love that don’t have the same iconic status. Here's the explosive story behind one of our hard working favorites that hasn’t gotten its rightful due.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-06-unsung-logos

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 69: KISS and their Flaming Wheel of Death

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

January 31: Way back in 1973, KISS played their first show at the Popcorn Club in Queens. Now, it's no secret that Todd is a member of the KISS Army, so we felt highlighting their coming out party was appropriate for this week's mini-episode where we talk about the artwork for their landmark album “Rock ‘n Roll Over."

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-02-1976

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 68: When the Beats Moved a Generation

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

January 24: This week marks an important pop culture moment when Bob Dylan arrived in New York in 1961 after dropping out of college, playing a show at Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village. His performance reminds us of the Beats, one of our favorite eras. We take a few minutes to jump into our origin story about that movement and its impact on post-WWII American culture.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-41-the-beats

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 67: All Mascots Are Wieners in Our Eyes

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

January 17: It's only appropriate that we talk sports this week. Why? This was when the first Super Bowl was played in L.A. back in 1967, with the Green Bay Packers defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 35–10. Speaking of Wisconsin athletics, the first thing that comes to mind four us is the Famous Racing Sausages from Milwaukee! If you haven't listened to this episode yet, it's time to ketchup.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-20-sports-mascots

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 66: The Failure of Google Glass

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

January 10: Remember when the iPhone was first announced? Well, it happened this week back in 2007. Now, the iPhone is one of the world’s most successful products. Most tech never hits that milestone. Some comes before its time, and sometimes it goes sideways and gets creepy. Here’s an excerpt from one of our episodes about a tech product with lofty aspirations that didn’t quite make the cut: Google Glass.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-15-magnificent-flops

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 65: 1979, Disco and the Opening of Studio 54

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

January 3: This week, way back in 1979, the double-album soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever reached sales of 25 million worldwide, making it the then best-selling LP in history. To honor this milestone, it’s only appropriate we highlight one of our episodes that celebrated a temple of the disco scene: Studio 54. Beautiful people, bumping tunes and an anything goes atmosphere with Andy Warhol as part of the mix. You’re about to go past the velvet rope. Welcome to the club!

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-61-factory-meets-54

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 64: Rubber Chickens vs. Whoopee Cushions

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode, rubber is the name of the game as we discuss two products that held the promise of endless hours of entertainment and were found in the pages of comic books for, literally, decades. It’s the visual humor of the rubber chicken versus the sonic disturbance of the whoopee cushion. Dig some quarters out of your piggy bank. We’re all about to learn a thing or two…

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-64-chickens-and-whoopee

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 63: Charles Atlas vs. Art Instruction Schools

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we discuss two products that held the promise of self improvement and were found in the pages of comic books for, literally, decades. It’s Charles Atlas and his Dynamic Tension versus the Art Instruction Schools. Sneak one of your dad’s beers from the garage. We’re all about to learn a thing or two…

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-63-atlas-vs-art

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 62: Ant Farms vs. Sea Monkeys

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we discuss two educational products that were found in the pages of comic books for, literally, decades. It’s Sea Monkeys versus the Ant Farm. Buckle up. We’re all about to learn a thing or two…

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-62-ant-farm-vs-sea-monkeys

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 61: Andy Warhol: When The Factory Meets Studio 54

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Andy Warhol once said, “The key of the success of Studio 54 is that it's a dictatorship at the door and a democracy on the dance floor.” We begin this episode with Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager on the evening of April 26, 1977 as they open the doors to Studio 54, smack-dab in the middle of the glitter and grime in and around Midtown Manhattan. We discuss Warhol moving from being the darling of academic art nerds to mainstream provocateur and celebrity worshiper, bringing his scene with him.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-61-factory-meets-54

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 60: Andy Warhol: Movies Emerge from the Underground - Part 2

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode we continue with the second half of our conversation about Warhol’s anti-films. We talk about lonesome cowboys, sexploitation, screen tests, and how the Factory scene was ripped off for a much more mainstream Oscar-winning movie — which didn’t make Andy very happy. We then wrap-up discussing films influenced by his approach.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-60-movies-emerge-2

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Episode 59: Andy Warhol: Movies Emerge from the Underground - Part 1

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000

The Factory scene produced all sorts of art, including films. We start with Warhol’s anti-film Sleep and dive into underground movies from the period and The Factory’s influence on them. We then shift gears to discuss how that approach popped-up in later “low-fi” movies like John Waters’ Pink Flamingos.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-59-movies-emerge-1

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

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Episode 58: Andy Warhol: Album Covers Take a Walk on the Wild Side - Part 2

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Peel-away bananas. Working zippers. Andy Warhol elevated music album art to a new level. Building on our last episode, we talk about Andy’s influence on other "special" treatments of albums that—especially in our era of digital downloads—make having the real thing from bands like Bob Marley and The Pet Shop Boys worth the effort.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-58-albums-wild-side-2

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

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Episode 57: Andy Warhol: Album Covers Take a Walk on the Wild Side - Part 1

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Beginning with the backstory of one of the most iconic albums of all time, 1967’s “The Velvet Underground and Nico,” we return to The Factory scene as it was becoming commercially successful—but no less of a sideshow—as musicians come calling for new ideas or simply hipster art cred. We also discuss the design work Warhol created for bands like the Rolling Stones and the idea of turning a disposable record holder into individual artistic keepsakes.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-57-albums-wild-side-1

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Bonus Episode: Nostalgia and Marketing: A Conversation with Kate Christensen

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:00:00 -0000

Today we have a special guest we’ve welcomed into the bar.

We reached out to Kate Christensen after reading an article she wrote for the website Marketing Brew about marketing and nostalgia.

We thought “Marketing and nostalgia? Hey, that’s us!”

Kate is currently on the faculty at Indiana University. She’s produced movies for Disney, TV shows for Sony, and is very aware of pop culture through both her background and ongoing research.

We talk about toys, food and childhood memories among many, many topics. And, of course, the movie Airplane! comes up.

So grab your favorite feel-good drink and join us as we jump into our conversation with Kate.

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Visit our full episode page for the video of our conversation, show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/bonus-episode-marketing-and-nostalgia

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 56: Andy Warhol: The Silver Wears Off The Factory - Part 2

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

This episode wraps-up the chronicle of The Factory’s downward slide. Drella has made the scene at The Factory and there has been some fallout. A script entitled “Up Your Ass” led to Andy Warhol barely cheating death at the hands of its author, Valarie Solanas. She called the Factory dwellers the “Stupidstars” and Warhol “a vulture and a thief.” The resulting scars Andy had — both physical and emotional — would last the rest of his life.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-56-silver-wears-off-2

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 55: Andy Warhol: The Silver Wears Off The Factory - Part 1

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

This episode begins the chronicle of The Factory’s downward slide. If you work with and entertain people living on society’s fringes, things happen…some good, some not so good. Add a constant flow of amphetamines and acid and the not so good can take a deadly turn. During this time, Andy Warhol was easily the most famous artist in America and enjoyed being the messiah of cool, until all of that changed on June 3, 1969.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-55-silver-wears-off-1

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 54: Andy Warhol: New York and Rise of The Silver Factory - Part 2

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

We wrap-up the second of our two episodes by talking about just how high (pun intended) the Silver Factory could get. Powered by the social unrest brewing in the mid-1960s, this collection of junkies, drag queens and hangers-on led by the Oddball Oracle made some great work and also caused a lot of irritation in the art world. Andy couldn’t be stopped.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-54-rise-of-silver-2

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 53: Andy Warhol: New York and Rise of The Silver Factory - Part 1

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Episode 53: Andy Warhol: New York and Rise of The Silver Factory - Part 1

We begin with the first of two episodes talking about the rapid and unprecedented success of Andy Warhol’s Silver Factory. It was part studio, part party palace and part crash pad for tripping pop stars, street gurus and suicidal Superstars. It didn’t take long for Andy’s hangers-on and wanna-be this or thats to become household names within this hub of design, fine art, music, movies and celebrity worship.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-53-rise-of-silver-1

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 52: Andy Warhol: Andy Becomes the Center of Pop Life

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Easily New York’s most successful commercial illustrator, Ambitious Andy wanted to be accepted in the hoity-toity fine art world. Unfortunately, he found that would take a little time and the right moment. The explosion of consumerism set him up to be a household name.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-52-warhol-becomes-center

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 51: Andy Warhol: The 1960s Scene and the Emergence of Pop

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000

We begin our fourth season with an introduction to the cultural chaos of the mid-1960s. As The Beats began to fade and the Hippies take center stage, changes were happening in both the U.S. and overseas that would set the stage for new forms of art and expression. Warhol found himself in the right place at the right time.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-51-emergence-of-pop

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

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Support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 50: The Pepsi (Logo) Challenge

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Pepsi announced it’s moving forward by moving backwards (sort of), returning to more of a traditional look for their logo and cans. (Think black. It's a slimming color.) But as they kick their last logo to the curb, we go back in time to discuss how they became saddled with this burdensome brand look in the first place. We talk ovals, smiles, globes, magnetic fields and cosmic forces of the universe in this special breathtaking and scientifically-tangential episode.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-50-pepsi-logo-story

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 49: Listener Mail

Wed, 24 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode we take a step back from our typical subject matter to answer questions submitted by you, our listeners. We discuss meeting sports mascots, paying homage to a creative icon, using big words, MAD Magazine, how we come up with our episode topics and whether or not we’re secretly teachers masquerading as podcast hosts.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-49-listener-mail

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

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Episode 48 1/2: The Beat Era: Frank Sinatra and His Golden…Arm?

Wed, 10 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Turns out we’re not quite ready to let The Beats go! Sticking with our topic of separating myth from reality, we wrap-up our dive into mainstream interpretations with a quick conversation about the movie “The Man with the Golden Arm” which centers on a jazz drummer played by none other than Frank Sinatra. The film’s soundtrack from Elmer Bernstein along with the Saul Bass-designed poster and opening titles helped make this film iconic.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-48-and-a-half-golden-arm

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Episode 48: The Beat Era: Beats, Beatniks and Myth vs. Reality

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0000

For our final episode about The Beats, we touch on the TV debut of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and the introduction of character Maynard G. Krebs. We jump into berets, bongos, sunglasses, sandals and the slang. Where did this popular notion – The Beatnik – come from? While some of it was rooted in reality, this caricature came from a combination of hangers-on and mainstream culture’s response to not understanding The Beats.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-48-beat-myths

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 47: The Beat Era: Illustration and Artwork Styles with Jim Flora

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 09:45:00 -0000

For our final illustration episode, we wrap-up our jazz album conversation by sharing the story and work of Jim Flora. His cartoonish style “betrayed a diabolic humor and uninhibited sense of outrageousness” that evolved over the years to go from borderline obscene to children’s books. We also name names of a couple contemporary artists directly influenced by Flora’s manic work and highlight his album art from “Mambo for Cats.”

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-47-jim-flora

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 46: The Beat Era: Illustration and Artwork Styles with S. Neil Fujita

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Building on our last episode, we continue talking illustrators and jazz albums by sharing the story of S. Neil Fujita. Jump in with us as we recap how pop culture arrived at a “look” for artifacts from the era of The Beats through the work of Fujita, another artist whose work influenced our cultural landscape and help explain why those jazz-themed Pinterest boards you follow look the way they do.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-46-s-neil-fujita

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 45: The Beat Era: Illustration and Artwork Styles with David Stone Martin

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Records have always featured mood-setting illustrations in addition to more standard photographs. In this episode we share the story of the fun and idiosyncratic illustrator David Stone Martin finding jazz music. We then shift into discussing how pop culture arrived at a “look” for artifacts from the era of The Beats being influenced by the atomic age, the space race and jazz, and what that meant for the later work from Martin.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-45-david-stone-martin

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

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Episode 44 1/2: The Beat Era: Andy Warhol and Jazz Albums (Bonus!)

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Any conversation about art will involve Andy Warhol sooner or later. Today we jump in and discuss album illustration from early in his career for Count Basie, a group called Trombone By Three and a duet with Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins. We also discuss the phenomenon of different layouts for album issues and reissues, especially in jazz.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-44-the-beats-bonus

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Episode 44: The Beat Era: John Hermansader and Two Iconic Jazz Album Designs

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 11:00:00 -0000

The jazz label Blue Note Records existed before Reid Miles was hired, so we talk about the guy who set the stage for him: John Hermansader. Once we’ve set the scene, we jaw about a couple of our favorite albums from artists Horace Parlan and Jackie McLean. Who was in charge of designing them? Why did they make the creative choices they did? And, perhaps most importantly, does each album’s look do a good job of translating sound into visuals?

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-44-the-beats

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 43: The Beat Era: The Origins of the Blue Note Records “Look”

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 11:00:00 -0000

This episode begins with the founding of iconic Blue Note Records. Albums from the golden age of jazz—the same ones The Beats listened to—have a distinct look and feel, largely thanks to a single label. We drop into the coffee houses, jazz clubs and record label offices of New York to talk about the late-night, rebellious music people were listening to and some of the personalities behind that work. We then conclude by discussing the design of Lee Morgan’s 1961 album “Leeway.”

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

[Episode page link here.]

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-43-the-beats

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 42: The Beat Era: Pollock’s Drips and How They Changed the Art World

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Our conversation about The Beats continues by revisiting when Jackson Pollock revolutionized art in America and how the media brought that revolution to Middle America. We discuss different spots in the U.S. where The Beats found themselves and name some of their wider influences including the abstract expressionist painters and jazz musicians they shared creative and social spaces with.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-42-the-beats

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Episode 41: The Beat Era: Kerouac’s On the Road and the Movement It Started

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 11:00:00 -0000

We start our collection of episodes about The Beat era with the release of Jack Kerouac’s iconic book On the Road in 1957. We discuss who The Beats were beyond Kerouac (Ginsberg, Burroughs and more), the conformity and consumerism they were questioning and rebelling against, and their impact on pop culture for future generations (including the one you’re in).

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-41-the-beats

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Season 3 Preview: The Beats, Studio 54, 80s Modern and 90s Grunge

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Hi, it’s Todd and Elliot here with a quick announcement about Season 3.

We’re going to be mixing it up a little bit from our first two seasons. Think themes. Think mini-series.

We heard streaming services like Netflix make crazy money with these things so we thought, Why not?

(We have a rather large bar tab we need to pay.)

Anyway… We’re still talking design and pop culture, but how certain people in specific eras left lasting impressions on our culture.

The Beats. Studio 54, 80s modern and 90s grunge.

We’re hard at work on these episodes right now. In the meantime, catch-up on past episodes you may have missed, visit our YouTube channel to see what we look like in person, visit our website for episode notes and other extras, and be sure to review us on your listening platform of choice.

We look forward to sharing drinks and conversation very, very soon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 40: Bar Snacks with Kyle Webster - Part 4 (Dire Straits, Super Mario, Street Fighter, Tennis and Alex Gross)

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 12:31:00 -0000

Sometimes, in spite of their better judgement, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is frequent artist, occasional sax player and North Carolina resident Kyle T. Webster. Today we ask him even more thought-provoking questions over a few drinks:

What’s your favorite album cover?
What video game (arcade or console) is the best?
What’s your favorite sport?
What’s the best Halloween costume you ever had?
You’re at the fair. What is the one thing you never miss?
Who is your favorite “kitsch” or “lowbrow” artist?

If you like this episode, be sure to listen to our other three conversations with Kyle.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episodes-37-40-bar-snacks-kyle-webster

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 39: Bar Snacks with Kyle Webster - Part 3 (Mood Lighting, Bourbon, Egg Nog and A Room with a View)

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 10:00:00 -0000

What was the last thing you bought based on the ad or package?
Tell us about your favorite drink? (We’ll see if the bartender can make it for you.)
What’s your favorite place you’ve had a chance to visit?

If you like this episode, be sure to listen to our other three conversations with Kyle.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episodes-37-40-bar-snacks-kyle-webster

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 38: Bar Snacks with Kyle Webster - Part 2 (Superman II, The Michelin Man, The Kool-Aid Man, Snap, Crackle and Pop, and Hanna-Barbera)

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 10:00:00 -0000

What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
Who was (or is) the best advertising character?
Are you camp Warner Brothers or camp Hanna-Barbera?

If you like this episode, be sure to listen to our other three conversations with Kyle.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episodes-37-40-bar-snacks-kyle-webster

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 37: Bar Snacks with Kyle Webster - Part 1 (MAD Magazine, Puma and Bugs Bunny)

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Sometimes, in spite of their better judgement, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is frequent artist, occasional sax player and North Carolina resident Kyle T. Webster. Today we ask him some thought-provoking questions over a few drinks:

What’s an iconic design from your childhood?
What logo brings a smile to your face?
Who is your favorite cartoon character?

If you like this episode, be sure to listen to our other three conversations with Kyle.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episodes-37-40-bar-snacks-kyle-webster

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 36: Bar Snacks with Lenny Terenzi - Part 4 (Sega, Dr. Strange, Italian Sausage, Guitar and Lowbrow Artists)

Wed, 25 May 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is artist, North Carolina resident and all-around nice guy Lenny Terenzi. Today we ask him even more thought-provoking questions over a few drinks:

What video game (arcade or console) is the best?
What’s your favorite sport?
What’s the best Halloween costume you ever had?
You’re at the fair. What is the one thing you never miss?
Who is your favorite “kitsch” or “lowbrow” artist?

If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other three we've had with Lenny.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episodes-33-36-bar-snacks-lenny-terenzi

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 35: Bar Snacks with Lenny Terenzi - Part 3 (Vodka and Cranberry, The Finger Lakes and Iron Maiden)

Wed, 11 May 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Tell us about your favorite drink? (We’ll see if the bartender can make it for you.)
What’s your favorite place you’ve had a chance to visit?
What’s your favorite album cover?

If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other three we've had with Lenny.

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episodes-33-36-bar-snacks-lenny-terenzi

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 34: Bar Snacks with Lenny Terenzi - Part 2 (Looney Tunes, Superman II, McDonald's Characters and Monster Cereals)

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0000

What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
Who was (or is) the best advertising character?
Are you camp Warner Brothers or camp Hanna-Barbera?

If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other three we've had with Lenny.

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episodes-33-36-bar-snacks-lenny-terenzi

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 33: Bar Snacks with Lenny Terenzi - Part 1 (G.I. Joe, Disney Maps, I Love NY and Foghorn Leghorn)

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is artist, North Carolina resident and all-around nice guy Lenny Terenzi. Today we ask him some thought-provoking questions over a few drinks:

What’s an iconic design from your childhood?
What logo brings a smile to your face?
Who is your favorite cartoon character?

If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other three we've had with Lenny.

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episodes-33-36-bar-snacks-lenny-terenzi

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 32: Bar Snacks with Terry Marks - Part 4 (Steve Miller, Blue Note Records, Centipede, Meat Pies, the Fez and the Art of Alex Toth)

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is a designer, autodidact and bon vivant in Seattle and beyond named Terry Marks. Today we ask him even more thought-provoking questions over a few drinks:

What’s your favorite album cover?
What video game (arcade or console) is the best?
What’s the best Halloween costume you ever had?
You’re at the fair. What is the one thing you never miss?
Who is your favorite “kitsch” or “lowbrow” artist?

If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other three we've had with Terry.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episodes-29-32-bar-snacks-terry-marks

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 31: Bar Snacks with Terry Marks - Part 3 (Wine Labels, The Manhattan and Bali)

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0000

What was the last thing you bought based on the ad or package?
Tell us about your favorite drink? (We’ll see if the bartender can make it for you.)
What’s your favorite place you’ve had a chance to visit?

If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other three we've had with Terry.

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episodes-29-32-bar-snacks-terry-marks

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 30: Bar Snacks with Terry Marks - Part 2 (Clint Eastwood, Big Boy and Space Ghost)

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 11:00:00 -0000

What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
Who was (or is) the best advertising character?
Are you camp Warner Brothers or camp Hanna-Barbera?

If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other three we've had with Terry.

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episodes-29-32-bar-snacks-terry-marks

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 29: Bar Snacks with Terry Marks - Part 1 (Batman, Sinclair Oil and Calvin and Hobbes)

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is a designer, autodidact and bon vivant in Seattle and beyond named Terry Marks. Today we ask him some thought-provoking questions over a few drinks:

What’s an iconic design from your childhood?
What logo brings a smile to your face?
Who is your favorite cartoon character?

If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other three we've had with Terry.

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episodes-29-32-bar-snacks-terry-marks

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 28: Best of Season 2 (Episodes 21 through 26)

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 11:00:00 -0000

We’re wrapping-up our second season with one last six pack. Our mix includes books about Batman and from The Onion, iconic images of Bigfoot and a World War II battle, logos for both The Dead Kennedys and The Ramones, a couple of incredible B movie posters from Reynold Brown, two stunning TV show openers for Carnivalé and Six Feet Under, and we finish up with a conversation about hobo symbols and secrets buried in the one dollar bill.

Featured Episodes:

Episode 21: The Onion, Batman and the Joy of Well-Designed Books https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-21-well-designed-books
Episode 22: Bigfoot, Iwo Jima and the Backstories of Two Iconic Images https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-22-iconic-images
Episode 23: The Dead Kennedys, The Ramones and Punk Rock Logos https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-23-rocking-logos
Episode 24: Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, Tarantula and the Amazing Art of Reynold Brown https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-24-horror-posters
Episode 25: Carnivalé, Six Feet Under and the Joy of Title Design https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-25-tv-opening-credits
Episode 26: Hobos, Dollar Bills and Secret Codes Hidden in Plain Sight https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-26-secret-codes

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-40-best-of-season-02-part-02

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 27: Best of Season 2 (Episodes 15 through 20)

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Today we’re back with a big stack of goodies from our second season. Consider it your Dagwood sandwich of audio deliciousness. Ingredients include product flops from Coca-Cola and Google, movie props including a tiny business card and a giant W, a couple of stories about the Olympics in Denver and Los Angeles (one good, one bad), a return to Saturday morning with some cartoon characters (all of whom happen to be pink), history lessons from Switzerland and Panama in the form of flags, and we finish our meal with an orange from New York and sausages from Milwaukee.

Featured Episodes:

Episode 15: OK Soda, Google Glass and the Stories of Two Magnificent Flops https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-15-magnificent-flops
Episode 16: American Psycho, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and a Couple of Iconic Movie Props https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-16-mad-props
Episode 17: Denver, Los Angeles and Stories of Designing for the Olympic Games https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-17-design-for-champions
Episode 18: The Pink Panther, The Three Little Pigs and the Magic of Saturday Morning Cartoons https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-18-saturday-morning-cartoons
Episode 19: Switzerland, Panama, Patriotism and the Design of Flags https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-19-waving-the-flag
Episode 20: Oranges in Syracuse, Sausages in Milwaukee and the Origin Stories of Sports Mascots https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-20-sports-mascots

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-33-best-of-season-02-part-01

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 26: Hobos, Dollar Bills and Secret Codes Hidden in Plain Sight

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Today, we’re doing our dutiful service by revealing some secrets hidden in plain sight. We begin by talking about the symbols found all over the one dollar bill—think pyramids with eyes—and why they’re part of the bill’s design. We then shift gears to discuss who a hobo was and the alphabet they used to communicate with their fellow travelers.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-26-secret-codes

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 25: Carnivalé, Six Feet Under and the Joy of Title Design

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Nothing sets the stage for a TV show or movie quite like title design. Today we explore two different examples of amazing work that went above and beyond to get viewers excited about each episode of two shows on HBO, Carnivalé and Six Feet Under. We talk about the hints these openers drop, the stories they contain and the talented people who brought them to life, so don’t touch that dial.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-25-tv-opening-credits

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 24: Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, Tarantula and the Amazing Art of Reynold Brown

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 10:00:00 -0000

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-24-horror-posters

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 23: The Dead Kennedys, The Ramones and Punk Rock Logos

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Today’s episode is loud, fast and very DIY. We jump in to talk about two of our favorite logos, one simple and one ornate, from two iconic bands, The Dead Kennedys and The Ramones. We also talk about the artists Winston K. Smith and Arturo Vega, their relationships with the bands, and the sources of inspiration for their artwork.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-23-rocking-logos

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 22: Bigfoot, Iwo Jima and the Backstories of Two Iconic Images

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Photos or it didn’t happen! In this episode we explain the circumstances that led up to two images most people could sketch from memory: Bigfoot walking across a dry creek bed in the woods of California and a group of American soldiers raising a flag halfway around the world from the United States on the island of Iwo Jima. Are they real? Are they fake? We dig in to find out why they have such staying power.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-22-iconic-images

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 21: The Onion, Batman and the Joy of Well-Designed Books

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Na-na-na-na-na-na-na…When it comes to iconic superheroes, few if any are bigger than Batman. And when it comes to satirical news parodies, there’s no bigger name than The Onion. Today we jump into 100 years of news with the Onion’s first book, a collection of front pages entitled Our Dumb Century. We then turn the page to highlight designer and author Chip Kidd’s incredible book Batman Collected that opens with a conversation about a “floppy thing.”

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-21-well-designed-books

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 20: Oranges in Syracuse, Sausages in Milwaukee and the Origin Stories of Sports Mascots

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0000

You may consider them funny, bizarre or annoying, but there’s no question they are the biggest fans of their home teams. No, we don’t mean little league parents. Today we’re talking sports mascots. First we drop into Milwaukee and get in a lap or two with The Famous Racing Sausages. Then we head to Central New York to spend time with the Syracuse Orange. Play ball!

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-20-sports-mascots

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 19: Switzerland, Panama, Patriotism and the Design of Flags

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Flags have existed for thousands of years and are arguably the most well-known symbols for countries, cities and movements. They come in different shapes and sizes with distinctive designs and colors influenced by both patriotism, military association and legend. Today we discuss a couple of our favorites from Switzerland and Panama.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-19-waving-the-flag

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 18: The Pink Panther, The Three Little Pigs and the Magic of Saturday Morning Cartoons

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0000

With this episode, regardless of the time of the week you’re listening, it’s Saturday morning. And for decades nothing was a bigger staple for kids of all ages than morning cartoons. We discuss a couple of our favorites when we start with how The Pink Panther wants to build his dream house, and then we slide into a jazzy update of a famous fable with The Three Little Bops.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-18-saturday-morning-cartoons

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 17: Denver, Los Angeles and Stories of Designing for the Olympic Games

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 10:00:00 -0000

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-17-design-for-champions

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 16: American Psycho, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and a Couple of Iconic Movie Props

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode we discuss two movies where a couple of designed props—one small, one big—set things in motion. First we talk about business cards causing all sorts of problems in American Psycho’s game of boardroom one upmanship. Then we shift to a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad ensemble comedy with a 1963 who’s who of Hollywood as everyone searches for “The Big W.”

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-16-mad-props

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 15: OK Soda, Google Glass and the Stories of Two Magnificent Flops

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Sometimes even the biggest companies can’t figure out what success looks like. In this episode we profile a couple of household names, Coca-Cola and Google, and tell the stories of how OK Soda (a beverage for Gen X slackers) and Google Glass (a product mostly worn by tech bro creeps) came to market and what happened once they did.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-15-magnificent-flops

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 14: Best of Season 1 (Episodes 7 through 12)

Wed, 19 May 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Today we’re providing even more sound bites from our first season. This is your six foot party sub of an episode, so grab a speaker and bring a healthy appetite. We crammed this sandwich full of deliciousness like the typefaces from Tootsie Roll and The Dukes of Hazzard, logos for Ghostbusters and The Rocketeer (with a Hollywood Sign bonus), stories about a blimp and a desk lamp, giant signs for Union 76 and Holiday Inn, product parody cards from the geniuses behind MAD Magazine, and some dogs playing poker and a local pitchman hit it big. Bon appetit!

Featured Episodes:

Episode 07: Tootsie Rolls, The Dukes of Hazzard and Childhood Memories https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-07-first-impressions
Episode 08: Ghostbusters, The Rocketeer and Logos Made for Adventure https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-08-movie-logos
Episode 08 1/2: The Origin Story of the Hollywood Sign https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-08-movie-logos
Episode 09: Goodyear’s Blimp, Pixar’s Luxo Lamp and How Objects Become Company Icons https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-09-adopted-icons
Episode 10: Union 76, Holiday Inn and Signs from the Open Road https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-10-roadside-beauties
Episode 11: Wacky Packages, Garbage Pail Kids and the MAD Magazine Connection https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-11-wacky-garbage
Episode 12: Dogs Playing Poker, Ernest P. Worrell and Pitchmen Going Pop https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-12-when-pitchmen-go-pop

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-14-best-of-season-01-part-02

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Episode 13: Best of Season 1 (Episodes 1 through 6)

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Today we’re providing some hot and ready sound bites from our first season. This is your Everything sheet pizza to satisfy a larger appetite, so pack earbuds and bring a bib. Toppings include MAD Magazine, KISS and the 200th birthday party of the United States, posters for rural electrification and a little hope courtesy of Barack Obama and Shepard Fairey, Reddy Kilowatt and Big Boy, street culture in the form of a blue screaming hand and a character named Ratfink, and a bunch of unsung logos for businesses including Black Cat Fireworks, Voodoo Doughnuts and a local gas station. Dig in.

Featured Episodes:

Episode 01: MAD Magazine, Humor and Finding Pop Culture Inspiration https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-01-teaser
Episode 02: KISS, The Bicentennial and the Year 1976 https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-02-1976
Episode 03: Rural Electrification, Hope for Obama and Posters for Good https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-03-civic-posters
Episode 04: Reddy Kilowatt, Big Boy and Advertising Mascots https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-04-advertising-mascots
Episode 05: Rat Fink, Screaming Hands and West Coast Street Culture https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-05-street-culture
Episode 06: Voodoo Doughnuts, Black Cat Fireworks and Other Unsung Logos Mascots https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-06-unsung-logos

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-13-best-of-season-01-part-01

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 12: Dogs Playing Poker, Ernest P. Worrell and Pitchmen Going Pop

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Hey, Vern. In this episode we discuss how artwork advertising cigars became a cornerstone for kitsch and a character promoting local businesses became a movie star. What is the deal with dogs playing poker, anyway? And how did Ernest P. Worrell go from plugging local car lots in Nashville to saving Christmas in movie theaters across the country? We answer these questions and introduce you to what may be the coolest artist name in history.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-12-when-pitchmen-go-pop

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 11: Wacky Packages, Garbage Pail Kids and the MAD Magazine Connection

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we talk parody in glorious sticker form. As it turns out, both Wacky Packages and Garbage Pail Kids sprang from the same fountain of genius as MAD Magazine and both were printed and distributed by the trading card company Topps. We discuss the origins of each, the products they poked fun at and connect the dots to share what makes both collections so much fun.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-11-wacky-garbage

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 10: Union 76, Holiday Inn and Signs from the Open Road

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode we take to the road and journey back in time to when car culture was still growing and a couple of iconic brands beckoned travelers who wanted convenience and comfort. We talk about The Orange Ball from Union 76, The Great Sign from Holiday Inn and where these signs can be found today.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-10-roadside-beauties

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 09: Goodyear’s Blimp, Pixar’s Luxo Lamp and How Objects Become Company Icons

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0000

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-09-adopted-icons

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 08 1/2: The Origin Story of the Hollywood Sign

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Hooray for Hollywood(land)! In our first bonus episode (there was simply too much goodness to pack into our movie logo stories), we wrap-up our logo conversation and Todd shares a trivia nugget about Ghostbusters and goes deeper on The Rocketeer. We then shift into talking about the most iconic of movie icons: The Hollywood Sign.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-08-movie-logos

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

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Episode 08: Ghostbusters, The Rocketeer and Logos Made for Adventure

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Today we’re telling a couple of stories you won’t find in Tobin’s Spirit Guide or any World War II history book: the logos for the movies Ghostbusters and The Rocketeer. We connect dots between National Lampoon and Ghostbusters and talk about how amazing Art Deco marketing materials from Disney didn’t deliver the box office success The Rocketeer rightly deserves. Proton pack, rocket pack... Doesn’t matter to us as long as your gear includes quality headphones.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-08-movie-logos

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 07: Tootsie Rolls, The Dukes of Hazzard and Childhood Memories

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Today we bring our listeners all sorts of candy, both literally and figuratively. We’re talking about a couple of sweet typefaces — Hobo and Cooper Black — that you have definitely seen throughout your life. Ever watched The Dukes of Hazzard? Hobo. Ever enjoy a Tootsie Pop? Cooper Black. Learn about the origins of both typefaces, why you see them everywhere and pick a side as Todd and Elliot duke it out to determine a winner.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-07-first-impressions

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 06: Voodoo Doughnuts, Black Cat Fireworks and Other Unsung Logos

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0000

What do a coffee drinking lion, a few black cats, a grasshopper, a penguin and a voodoo priest have in common? Aside from being the set-up for a great joke, they represent regional or lesser-known companies we’ve stumbled upon with logos we really like. We talk food (Royal Cup and Voodoo Doughnuts), shipping (Yamato Transport), clothing (The Original Penguin), and explosive stuff like fireworks (Black Cat) and gasoline (Gashopper).

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-06-unsung-logos

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 05: Rat Fink, Screaming Hands and West Coast Street Culture

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0000

For this episode, our bar is firmly planted in California and we’re talking illustration and rebellion. We start in the southern part of the state talking about hot rods, music, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and his famous creation Rat Fink. We then travel up the coast to the town of Santa Cruz to talk skate culture, punk music, Jim Phillips and his equally famous Screaming Hand. We then wrap-up by talking about tribes, language and what these two iconic characters have in common.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-05-street-culture

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 04: Reddy Kilowatt, Big Boy and Advertising Mascots

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -0000

You may think this episode is shocking. You may claim it has sizzle. That means our chosen characters are working their magic. Long before the Energizer Bunny or the GEICO Gecko, advertising icons Reddy Kilowatt and Big Boy rose from humble beginnings to popularity stretching from coast-to-coast (and beyond). We discuss how electricity became humanized, a portly youth inspired a diner owner, and those two characters grew to be embraced by multiple generations (including movie director David Lynch).

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-04-advertising-mascots

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 03: Rural Electrification, Hope for Obama and Posters for Good

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -0000

We went so “red, white and blue” in our 1976 episode that we just had to keep the train rolling with two amazing poster designs. We examine bringing electricity to rural parts of the United States 80 years later and inspiring a nation to rally behind an unknown presidential candidate named Barack Obama, along with how Lester Beall and Shepard Fairey made these big ideas easy to understand. And since Todd loves controversy, he shares the story of how Mr. Fairey found himself in a legal entanglement over his poster work.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-03-civic-posters

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 02: KISS, The Bicentennial and the Year 1976

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 09:30:00 -0000

Why 1976? Plenty of reasons. We discuss each of our ages in this, the banner year our nation was turning 200 and everything in sight had bunting and was painted red, white and blue. KISS was at the height of their powers as Michael Doret’s amazing album art from “Rock and Roll Over” was gracing turntables from coast to coast and the timeless bicentennial star logo from designer Bruce Blackburn was on everything from postage stamps to NASA equipment. And last but not least, Richard Nixon enters the conversation (but not the bar).

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-02-1976

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 01: MAD Magazine, Humor and Finding Pop Culture Inspiration

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 09:30:00 -0000

In our first episode, we discuss our podcast’s humble beginnings including a conversation about illustrator Mort Drucker that got the ball rolling, meeting William Shatner and why MAD Magazine and the movie Airplane! are important parts of our creative sensibilities, and how our show got its name. We consider why all creative people are pack rats and how collecting PEZ dispensers is not a waste of Todd’s time, money or shelf space. And we answer the all-important questions about what “corn pone” means and why a visual medium like design needs an audio medium like a podcast.

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Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-01-teaser

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Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

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Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grab a Quick Drink With Us...

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Todd and Elliot welcome you to the bar. Just like a quick tickle of the taste buds before pulling a full pint of the newest microbrew, this preview provides a taste of what our podcast is all about, except for your ear buds. Design. Pop culture. High art. Low art. Comedy. Tragedy. Enjoy.

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