I’ll admit it: I used to listen to many design podcasts when working. They help me concentrate on the task I’m busy with. For instance, I could edit portraits or tweak the colors in my photos for hours.
However, this year I noticed that I lack creative ideas to continue working at a professional level. I urgently needed a fresh perspective.
I started listening to podcasts on more specific topics. I was mastering UX basics while exporting TIFFs, contemplating the principles of color theory while adding tags to catalogs, and streamlining complex systems. Design podcasts helped me find a source of inspiration.
Each podcast on this list contributed to my creative growth and inspired me to implement and test new ideas.
Let’s be honest: it does not make sense to listen to every design podcast, even if it has a professional intro. Many podcasts promise to provide useful information, but replace it with pointless conversations about mindset and success stories.
If you think that a podcast will help you build a portfolio, expand your client base, or understand the specifics of the design process better, it won’t. You need to apply your knowledge in practice.
Here’s what most creative professionals do not want to consider:
We decided to test 30+ design podcasts to see how they help. On this list, you will find the best podcasts that helped us change the way we work on design briefs, improve collaboration within a team, or create presentations.
Listening to interviews can be quite useful. It will allow you to get valuable insights. However, unless you start building something, you won’t be able to learn. Be sure to use the best free graphic design software to test new tools or purchase a pro-grade computer for graphic design to implement your projects like a pro.
Design Matters is hosted by Debbie Millman. The first episode of this podcast was released back in 2005. It is still considered one of the most important art and design podcasts.
The episodes focus on the motivation of people who shape the industry, the things that influenced them, and the processes they are involved. Millman explores how and why specific things were created.
Some episodes are dedicated to broader issues that can be suitable for professionals from different fields. They include photography composition tips, information about the best storytelling principles, and branding elements.
Top topics: Creative process, vulnerability, branding, career development, storytelling
This podcast analyzes how doorknobs, sidewalks, signage, and other things that often remain unnoticed transform our lives. It helped me see how challenging it can be to make mundane things meaningful.
It can be considered one of the best system design podcasts. It delves into such topics as architecture, public spaces, product evolution, and sound design. Some episodes are full of innovative graphic design ideas. The hosts and guests discuss the importance of function and form in real environments.
When editing wedding photos, I once had to stop working to finish an episode about the acoustics of government buildings. It was utterly fascinating. Besides, some episodes are suitable even for those who are looking for graphic design podcasts.
Top topics: Architecture, signage, sound, product function, urban design
This UX design podcast will appeal to designers who specialize in interfaces or digital products. UI Breakfast was hosted by Jane Portman. It covers a variety of practical, actionable topics and is easy to understand. You will discover that it’s more similar to a chat conversation on design rather than a lecture.
The podcast covers a range of useful topics, from usability testing and UX copywriting to founder interviews and basics of visual hierarchy. You can also find some episodes on how teams work, offering insights relevant when researching or collaborating with the best UI/UX design agencies.
When listening to this web design podcast, I discovered some useful tips on how to communicate with clients and bring my point across using briefs.
Top topics: UI/UX, SaaS design, product strategy, career growth, A/B testing
Whether you are a freelance professional, prefer to work in-house, or want to build a creative brand, this podcast is what you need. It was hosted by Chris Do. The Futur Podcast unveils what is hidden behind the Instagram filters and explores what it takes to become successful in the creative world.
The episodes include interviews, lectures, and Q&A sessions about all sorts of topics, including money, mindsets, marketing, and confidence.
This design podcast explores the basics of content presentation and review the tools creatives use daily. The hosts and guests provide useful recommendations that you could apply when using any Instagram photo editor or editing pics before publishing them on social media. It stands out for its direct approach and motivational impact.
Top topics: Pricing, branding, business development, confidence, social media for creatives
This six-part documentary series was created as a beautiful tribute to Italian artist and designer Gabriele Devecchi. It has a distinct poetic feel and provides insights into the main principles of craftsmanship.
Each episode includes personal stories in different cultural contexts and demonstrates how art and design transform society and get shaped by it in turn.
The podcast is somewhat similar to a museum audio guide, making it truly unique. Some episodes reminded me of interviews with the best photographers that explored the impact of context, form, and legacy on visuals.
Top topics: Italian design history, personal storytelling, avant-garde movements, legacy, craftsmanship
Launched by Farrow & Ball, The Chromologist is one of the most unusual podcasts I have ever discovered. It starts with a guest sharing stories about four colors that transformed their life. It will be interesting for anyone curious about color psychology, people’s life stories, and interior design.
Tan France, Christopher John Rogers, and other guests share personal stories on how colors shaped their memories and identity. If you are interested in photography, graphic design, and interiors, it will help you see color palettes in a new light.
Top topics: Color, interior, photography
You might be surprised to discover that it is indeed a podcast about a sofa. However, it’s quite engaging. It was launched to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Togo couch.
When listening to it, you will understand better how this piece of furniture became a worldwide design symbol. The creators conduct informative interviews with curators, designers, and collectors to discover the principles of successful branding and consider what makes an item impactful. They analyze the basics of ergonomics as well.
If you have ever tried using free furniture design software or creating a product sketch from scratch, this podcast will allow you to understand how forms appear in culture. It’s one of the most useful product design podcasts for those who are interested in how to create successful designs.
Top topics: Product legacy, furniture design, branding, nostalgia, cultural obsession
Game Maker’s Notebook offers plenty of insights for many creative professionals, not only game designers. It will help you learn how to create immersive environments, discover what user choices are, and master the methods of emotional storytelling. It’s a great choice for those who want to design projects while considering interaction and building a strong narrative.
I have discovered many useful ideas about flow and feedback when listening to this game design podcast. It helped me build photo presentation websites and design shoot storyboards.
You will also understand better how the best game design and development companies consider user experience. While this podcast is mostly on game design, it’s also useful for those who are interested in other topics beyond gaming.
Top topics: Level design, storytelling, player psychology, interactive design, world-building
Hosted by InVision, Design Better is an engaging podcast about the importance of collaboration, structured systems, and cooperation between team members. Whether you work at a studio, want to improve collaboration with the development team, or want to build solid management skills, this is your choice.
Among the guests, you will see employees of such companies as Airbnb and Dropbox. The episodes cover a variety of topics, including design systems, cross-functional collaboration, and scalable workflows. It’s one of the most useful design podcasts for those who want to build solid, long-term strategies.
Top topics: Design systems, team management, collaboration, leadership, workflow optimization
It would be a mistake to assume that all design podcasts were released for the same purpose. Some of them allow listeners to build hard skills, others inspire them, and help them to discover new creative ideas. You can also find plenty of podcasts that offer only a short distraction.
Here are the main topics covered in design podcasts. Consider the ones you might be interested in to choose the right podcast for your needs.
| Podcast type | What you get | When to listen |
|---|---|---|
|
Industry interviews
|
Practical experience, mindset transformation
|
When you're looking for new ideas or a source of inspiration
|
|
UX/product-focused
|
Practical tips, workflow improvement recommendations
|
During planning, wireframing, or briefs
|
|
Branding & business
|
Positioning, pricing, and visibility
|
When working on pitches or rebranding
|
|
Design history & theory
|
Big-picture context, inspiration
|
When you are interested in new angles or references
|
It’s better to listen to some episodes during long walks. However, there are plenty of podcasts that you will need to listen to at your desk to take notes. When choosing a podcast, consider your current goals and find the most relevant option for your needs.
If a podcast does not allow you to discover efficient ideas, time-tested strategies, or revelations that will help you change your way of thinking, consider it a source of entertainment.
At FixThePhoto team, we consider podcasts in the same way we analyze design software. We focus on theory but want to see whether they are suitable for creative work.
We prefer not to listen to them while we are busy with casual tasks. Instead, we listen to them when performing daily tasks, including photo retouching, layout planning, client brief reviewing, and brainstorming.
During our testing, we focused on the following things:
We listened to podcasts about different stages of creative projects, from creating concepts to editing them during post-production. It helped us discover the podcasts that helped us make the right decisions and solve problems more effectively.
Some episodes helped us streamline our processes. Others changed the way we presented photos. These podcasts became an invaluable part of our daily toolkit. We included the most useful podcasts in this list.
The best shows inspire listeners and provide them with valuable advice. They should challenge your abilities and provide information about professional techniques you can use.
Yes, you will learn new information about many topics, including processes, decision-making, collaboration, and productivity. It will help you become successful in the visual industry. You may also listen to home design podcasts to renovate your interiors.
Yes, even if they include only audio, they still allow creatives to discover how to improve their creative direction abilities, build solid storytelling skills, and get new insights from visual psychology.
Whether you are listening to a sound design podcast or episodes on other issues, focus on topics that can help you solve a particular problem. If it helps you discover new ideas in 10 minutes, continue to listen to it.
If the episode contains a lot of useful information, then yes. If you listen to storytelling episodes, just consider the ideas discussed there.
Even if you watch one episode per week, it will allow you to master valuable skills. Consider it passive learning that will help you find a source of inspiration.
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