design educator

Kevin White calls himself a "UX strategist", but that title barely scratches the surface of what he does. Aside from his work as a senior experience designer, he's also a talented illustrator, a design educator, and a devoted family man. But according to Kevin, his origin story as a design professional is an example of what not to do. (Naturally, I had to know more about this.)

We started off talking about the ubiquity of UX in today's modern design industry, and from there Kevin goes into the early days of his career, and we take a slight detour to discuss social media, sound design, branding, and even the historical archives of the Internet! We touched on a lot of topics in our conversation, but I think what stands out the most is that there is no one true path to becoming a designer. Learn more about Kevin in this week's interview!

• Kevin White's Website
• Kevin White on Twitter

---

Help support Revision Path by becoming a monthly patron on Patreon! For just $5 per month, you’ll receive behind-the-scenes access to Revision Path, including special patron-only updates, early access to future episodes, and a lot more! Join today!

---

We're on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher! Visit https://revisionpath.com/iTunes, https://revisionpath.com/spotify or https://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

---

Revision Path is brought to you by Facebook Design, Glitch, Google Design, and Mailchimp.

---

Follow Revision Path on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Atlanta is a city full of possibilities, and Lisa Babb is the kind of person who not only sees them all, but encourages others to see them as well. As an educator, Lisa teaches the next generation of designers that there is room for the table for them in this industry. And as assistant director at Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA), she also helps bring design and art into the local community.

Our conversation started off with a closer look at MODA and talking about how Lisa got her start as a designer and what eventually drew her to Atlanta. From there, we discussed the state of the design community here in the city, as well as how design education has changed over the years. If you're ever in Atlanta, head on down to MODA and say hi!

• Lisa Babb on LinkedIn
• Lisa Babb on Instagram
• Museum of Design Atlanta

---

Help support Revision Path by becoming a monthly patron on Patreon! For just $5 per month, you’ll receive behind-the-scenes access to Revision Path, including special patron-only updates, early access to future episodes, and a lot more! Join today!

---

We're on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher! Visit https://revisionpath.com/iTunes, https://revisionpath.com/spotify or https://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

---

Revision Path is brought to you by Facebook Design, Glitch, Google Design, and MailChimp.

---

Follow Revision Path on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

For our 250th episode, I'm so honored to bring you this conversation with creative director, graphic designer, and entrepreneur Julian Alexander. Julian may be most well known for designing the album cover for 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Trying, and his design work on the Miles Davis box set The Complete Jack Johnson Sessions even earned him a GRAMMY for art direction! Even with those huge accolades under his belt, Julian is a really humble guy, and I think that really comes through in the interview.

We talked about how he got his start in design, his time as a design director for Sony Music, and I asked how his career changed for him after winning the GRAMMY. We also discussed the relationship between design and music, some of his current projects through his studio Slang Inc., and gave some really great advice for designers of all levels. Julian is a true champion for design and designers, and I'm so glad to be able to share his story with you all.

Cheers to 250 episodes of Revision Path!

• Slang Inc.
• Slang Inc. on Instagram
• Julian Alexander on Discogs

---

Help support Revision Path by becoming a monthly patron on Patreon! For just $5 per month, you’ll receive behind-the-scenes access to Revision Path, including special patron-only updates, early access to future episodes, and a lot more! Join today!

---

We're on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher! Visit https://revisionpath.com/iTunes, https://revisionpath.com/spotify or https://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

---

Revision Path is brought to you by Facebook Design, Glitch, Google Design, and MailChimp.

---

Follow Revision Path on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Forest Young is the global principal and head of design at Wolff Olins, and let me tell you...he's a busy, busy guy. Whether he's serving as a design critic at Yale University (his alma mater) or or overseeing award-winning design projects, Forest brings a high level of observation and specificity to his work.

We start off talking about one of Wolff Olins' recent award-winning campaigns Dotdot, and that spurred a discussion about the ethics of bleeding edge future design, and even access to meaningful design criticism through education. One thing Forest says is that dream projects are never in the wrappers you expect them to be, and I totally agree with that. If you're looking for a really deep conversation with someone at the top of their design game, then you'll enjoy this week's interview!

• Forest Young's Website

---

Help support Revision Path by becoming a monthly patron on Patreon! For just $5 per month, you’ll receive behind-the-scenes access to Revision Path, including special patron-only updates, early access to future episodes, and a lot more! Join today!

---

We're on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher! Visit https://revisionpath.com/iTunes, https://revisionpath.com/spotify or https://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

---

Revision Path is brought to you by Facebook Design, Glitch, Google Design, and MailChimp.

---

Follow Revision Path on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

We've had design educators and researchers on Revision Path before, but never a design scholar! Audrey Bennett studies cross-cultural and trans-disciplinary communication that makes use of images that not only impact the way we think and behave, but that also permeate global culture. For the past 20 years, she has done her research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where she currently serves as associate professor of graphics for the Department of Communication and Media.

Audrey and I talked about her journey to becoming a design scholar, and we discussed the notion of a Black design aesthetic, as well as how her work and the design industry has changed with the rapid adoption of technology. Audrey has done a ton of research in the field of graphic design, so if you're looking for a deep dive, make sure you check out the interview, read her papers, and learn more about her work!

• Audrey Bennett's Website
• Audrey Bennett on Academia.edu
• Audrey Bennett on Google Scholar

---

Help support Revision Path by becoming a monthly patron on Patreon! For just $5 per month, you’ll receive behind-the-scenes access to Revision Path, including special patron-only updates, early access to future episodes, and a lot more! Join today!

---

We're on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher as well! Visit http://revisionpath.com/iTunes or http://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

---

Revision Path is brought to you by Facebook Design, MailChimp, Hover, and SiteGround.

Get 60% off all hosting plans at SiteGround by visiting siteground.com/revisionpath!

---

Follow Revision Path on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

We're closing out 2017 by talking with the one and only John Jennings. As a storyteller, editor and artist, John's body of work spans several media: comics, graphic novels, books, and countless panels and talks. He's even the co-founder and organizer of two comics conventions! Currently he's a professor of media and cultural studies at UC Riverside, and he is exploring the connections between design, identity politics and popular media.

John starts off by giving us a primer on afrofuturism and talks about some of his current projects, such as illustrating Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation and finishing the art book Black Comix Returns. From there, we go into topics around art and design as indicators of culture, speculative design, and more. John is really helping advance the conversation around comics and culture, and I couldn't think of a better way to wrap up the year. 2018, here we come!

• John Jennings on Twitter
• John Jennings on Tumblr
• John Jennings' Amazon Author Page
• Email John Jennings

---

Help support Revision Path by becoming a monthly patron on Patreon! For just $5 per month, you’ll receive behind-the-scenes access to Revision Path, including special patron-only updates, early access to future episodes, and a lot more! Join today!

---

Check out this week's episode sponsor -- Sudio! Sudio's headphones are the perfect mix of Scandinavian design and premium sound quality. Get 15% off any purchase using the offer code PATH15.

---

Shop our store on Threadless! Get t-shirts, tanks, mugs, and more! http://revisionpath.com/store

---

We're on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher as well! Visit http://revisionpath.com/iTunes or http://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

---

Revision Path is brought to you by Facebook Design, MailChimp, Hover, and SiteGround.

Save 10% off your first purchase at Hover by visiting hover.com/revisionpath!

Get 60% off all hosting plans at SiteGround by visiting siteground.com/revisionpath!

---

Follow Revision Path on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Gail Anderson is a titan in the design community. As an educator, designer, author, and creative director, her output of work has helped shape and propel the design community worldwide for the past 30 years. Her enthusiasm for design has not abated, and she's now helping teach the next generation of designers at SVA in New York City.

Our conversation touched on some of her most prolific work, including stamps for the U.S. Postal Service and art direction for Rolling Stone magazine. We also talked about her time growing up in the Bronx, discussed how the design community has changed over the years, and she shared her secrets for collaborating that have kept her creating. If you're looking to get inspired, this interview is for you!

• Gail Anderson's Website
• Anderson Newton Design
• Gail Anderson on Instagram
• Gail Anderson on Facebook

---

Help support Revision Path by becoming a monthly patron on Patreon! For just $5 per month, you’ll receive behind-the-scenes access to Revision Path, including special patron-only updates, early access to future episodes, and a lot more! Join today!

---

Shop our store on Threadless! Get t-shirts, tanks, mugs, and more! http://revisionpath.com/store

---

We're on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher as well! Visit http://revisionpath.com/iTunes or http://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

---

Revision Path is brought to you by Facebook Design, MailChimp, Hover, and SiteGround.

Save 10% off your first purchase at Hover by visiting hover.com/revisionpath!

Get 60% off all hosting plans at SiteGround by visiting siteground.com/revisionpath!

---

Follow Revision Path on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Diversity in design for Black people is an important issue, but a lot of its focus tends to go towards employment rather than education. Design researcher Omari Souza has approached the topic from a different angle, and his thesis reveals some startling insights.

Omari shared how he first got into design and how his education at Cleveland Institute of Art and Kent State University inspired his push into design research. Omari is also a new full-time professor at La Roche College in Pittsburgh, so we talked about the importance of representation in design education and even about the design community's silence around political issues concerning Black Americans. We do cover a lot in this interview, and I'm glad we have design researchers like Omari to examine and document this kind of work!

• "Chasing Vertical: Diversity & Recognition in the field of Graphic Design" (PDF)
• Omari Souza at La Roche College's Design Division

---

We are having our first live event! Revision Path: Live with Facebook Design is taking place on November 7 at 6:30pm in Atlanta! This is a special event, so if you want to attend, send us an email at revisionpathlive@fb.com!

---

Help support Revision Path by becoming a monthly patron on Patreon! For just $5 per month, you’ll receive behind-the-scenes access to Revision Path, including special patron-only updates, early access to future episodes, and a lot more! Join today!

---

Shop our store on Threadless! Get t-shirts, tanks, mugs, and more! http://revisionpath.com/store

---

We're on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher as well! Visit http://revisionpath.com/iTunes or http://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

---

Revision Path is brought to you by Facebook Design, MailChimp, Hover, and SiteGround.

Save 10% off your first purchase at Hover by visiting hover.com/revisionpath!

Get 60% off all hosting plans at SiteGround by visiting siteground.com/revisionpath!

---

Follow Revision Path on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

This week's interview is with none other than the venerable Craig Wilkins. Craig is one of the country's leading scholars on African-Americans in architecture, and he's an academic, activist, and author. He can now add one more "A" to his long list of titles -- award winner!

I spoke with Craig fresh off his National Design Awards win, and we talked about a number of things -- his love for Detroit, what made him get involved in architecture, where he sees design education in the future, why design organizations struggle with diversity, and more. It's a far-reaching conversation that I think you'll enjoy regardless of your design discipline. Enough from me though...press play and enjoy the interview!

• Craig Wilkins' Website
• Craig Wilkins on Twitter
• Craig Wilkins on Instagram
• Craig Wilkins at the University of Michigan's College of Architecture

---

Help support Revision Path by becoming a monthly patron on Patreon! Pledges start at $1 per month, and you’ll receive special patron-only updates, early access to future episodes, and a lot more! Join today!

---

Come join the Revision Path community on Slack! http://revisionpath.com/slack

---

Check out the Revision Path store and buy a t-shirt or hoodie to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store

---

We're on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher as well! Visit http://revisionpath.com/iTunes or http://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

---

Revision Path is brought to you by Facebook Design, MailChimp, Hover, and SiteGround.

Save 10% off your first purchase at Hover by visiting hover.com/revisionpath!

Get 60% off all hosting plans at SiteGround by visiting siteground.com/revisionpath!

---

Follow Revision Path on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Our spotlight on Philadelphia continues this week with design strategist and hybrid thinker Natalie Nixon. Natalie has an impressive body of work ranging from fashion to anthropology, and her consulting and research lies at the intersection of creativity and strategy. Aside from her work as associate professor and founding director of the Strategic Design MBA program at Philadelphia University, Natalie is also the editor of "Strategic Design Thinking: Innovation in Products, Services, Experiences and Beyond".

We touched on a lot of different topics: the importance of strategic design, her experience as a Black woman at the Ph.D. level of design, embracing failure, and much, much more. It's an honor to speak with someone at this caliber of design, and I think you'll learn a lot from her words and from her work. Class is in session!

---

Help support Revision Path by becoming a monthly patron on Patreon! Pledges start at $1 per month, and you’ll receive special patron-only updates, early access to future episodes, and a lot more! Join today!

---

Come join the Revision Path community on Slack! http://revisionpath.com/slack

---

Check out the Revision Path store and buy a t-shirt or hoodie to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store

---

February 27 will be our 4th anniversary episode, and you can be a part of the show! Send your comments and voice by February 24!

---

We're on iTunes and Stitcher as well! Visit http://revisionpath.com/iTunes or http://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

---

Revision Path is brought to you by Facebook Design, MailChimp, and Hover. Save 10% off your first purchase at Hover by using the promo code revisionpath!

---

Follow Revision Path on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Philadelphia's own Ron Tinsley is no stranger to the world of design. As the founder of Prophetik Soul Branding + Design, Ron uses his decades of consulting and design experience for "do-gooders, dreamers and optimists". I think that's something we could all use more of, don't you think?

Ron talked about how a twist of fate prompted him to start his design studio, and he walked me through how he tackles projects and his personal design style. We also discussed design organizations, world travel, what he loves about Philly, and whether or not his kids want to follow in his footsteps. Get ready for a really thoughtful and inspiring conversation!

• Ron Tinsley on Facebook
• Ron Tinsley on Medium
• Prophetik Soul Branding + Design
• Prophetik Soul Branding + Design on Facebook
• The Future is #CMYK Poster

---

Come join the Revision Path community on Slack! http://revisionpath.com/slack

---

Check out the Revision Path store and buy a t-shirt or hoodie to help support the movement! http://revisionpath.com/store

---

February 27 will be our 4th anniversary episode, and you can be a part of the show! Send your comments and voice by February 24!

---

We're on iTunes and Stitcher as well! Visit http://revisionpath.com/iTunes or http://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

Interested in sponsoring the Revision Path podcast? Head on over to http://revisionpath.com/donate and help support the show!

Get ready for a great conversation this week as I talk to Anne H. Berry, assistant professor of graphic design at Cleveland State University. I've been familiar with Anne's work for years; her writing at Goshen Commons about diversity and design gave me a lot to think about in the early days of Revision Path. And when she reached out to me to talk about what I was doing, I knew I had to have her on the show!

We start off by talking about her current work teaching at CSU (including a concentration on typography), and from there we discuss the proliferation of Black caricatures throughout the ages and how those inform our current day perceptions and stereotypes. Anne also shares her thoughts on the role that designers should play now, and gives some of her hopes for 2017. I think you're going to get a lot out of this week's episode!

• Anne H. Berry's Website
• Anne H. Berry at Cleveland State University
• Anne H. Berry on LinkedIn
• LightBox
• LightBox on Facebook
• "Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben, and Rastus: Blacks in Advertising, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (Contributions in Afro-American & African Studies)" by Marilyn Kern-Foxworth

---

Come join the Revision Path community on Slack! http://revisionpath.com/slack

---

Check out the Revision Path store and buy a t-shirt or hoodie to help support the movement!

Get 17% off January 6-12 when you use offer code HAPPY17 at checkout! http://revisionpath.com/store

---

We're on iTunes and Stitcher as well! Visit http://revisionpath.com/iTunes or http://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

Interested in sponsoring the Revision Path podcast? Head on over to http://revisionpath.com/donate and help support the show!

Larrie King has a really interesting vantage point in the design community. As an assistant professor of design at Kent State University, he teaches the next generation of designers to take on the challenges of our ever-changing world. And as creative director of Glyphix Studio, he oversees projects and keeps clients happy. It's the best of both worlds!

We spent a good bit of our conversation talking about design education and how he manages both of his roles at KSU. We also spoke on diversity in the design industry, his design influences, and his current work with Lifewater International. Larrie's message of inclusion is really important for designers everywhere, and I'm glad to speak to someone that's really doing the work and paving the way for the future!

• Larrie King's Website
• Larrie King on Facebook
• Larrie King at Kent State University's School of Visual Communication Design
• Glyphix Studio
• Glyphix Studio on Facebook

---

Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, mugs, and buttons to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store

---

Come join the Revision Path community on Slack! http://revisionpath.com/slack

---

We're on iTunes and Stitcher as well! Visit http://revisionpath.com/iTunes or http://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

Interested in sponsoring the Revision Path podcast? Head on over to http://revisionpath.com/donate and help support the show!

I first met Paul Edoho-Eket earlier this year at HOW Design Live here in Atlanta. Paul is a design educator that's currently pulling double duty in Nashville, TN at Nossi College of Art and Fisk University. Talk about dedication!

Since our interview was an extra from HBCU Month, we did spend a good bit of time comparing and contrasting his teaching experiences at Nossi and Fisk. Paul is a Fisk alumnus, and he talked about his time at Fisk, as well as what drives him to give back through education. Paul had a lot to say and the conversation definitely went pretty deep in a few places, so make sure you listen through it all. Thank you Paul for sharing your story!

• Paul Edoho-Eket's Website
• Paul Edoho-Eket on Facebook
• Paul Edoho-Eket on LinkedIn

---

Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, mugs, and buttons to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store

---

Come join the Revision Path community on Slack and learn how you can win free tickets to Revolve Conference 2016! http://revisionpath.com/slack

---

Enter here to win a copy of "Rip The Resume" by top recruiter and diversity strategist Torin Ellis!

---

We're on iTunes and Stitcher as well! Visit http://revisionpath.com/iTunes or http://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!

Interested in sponsoring the Revision Path podcast? Head on over to http://revisionpath.com/donate and help support the show!

Andrea Pippins claims many titles -- educator, designer, author -- but above all, she's an artist first. Andrea just finished her latest book Becoming Me, so this interview came right on time!

We began by talking about Andrea's journey as an author from her first book I ♥ My Hair to today. Andrea also shared what first got her involved in design, spoke about her time at art school at Temple University, touched on her work as a design educator (including her current position at MICA), and a whole lot more. This is an interview you'll definitely want to listen to again and again!

• Andrea Pippins on Instagram
• Andrea Pippins on Twitter
• Andrea Pippins' Website
• Fly

We're closing out January with a great interview with another multitalented creator -- San Francisco's own Ayana Baltrip-Balagás. She's a designer, a photographer, a business owner, an educator, and so much more!

Our conversation started off talking about the Organization of Black Designers, and from there we went into Ayana's history as an actress and dancer (and how that led into photography and design). We also touched on design education, and Ayana shared some great information on design thinking, the importance of Black designers having a strong online presence, and ways that the design industry can really start taking diversity seriously. Thank you Ayana for being a beacon of hope and a force for creative change!

• design : speak
• Ayana Baltrip-Balagás' Blog
• Ayana Baltrip-Balagás on LinkedIn
• Ayana Baltrip-Balagás on Twitter

School might be out for the summer, but learning never stops when Tamika D. Williams is around. She's a photographer and a working designer, and is an associate design professor at Alabama A&M University who is responsible for coordinating the graphic design program for the school's visual art department.

A large chunk of our conversation is about design education at HBCUs, but we also touched on diversity in design academia and talked about what students need to do to succeed as professional designers. Tamika's enthusiasm and dedication to the craft of design is really inspiring, and I'm thrilled to share this conversation with you all. Enjoy!

• WMS Design Studios
• Tamika D. Williams at Alabama A&M University
• Tamika D. Williams' Website
• Tamika D. Williams on LinkedIn
• Tamika D. Williams on Twitter

I'm ending off June with an absolutely amazing interview with design educator Silas Munro. Over the years, Silas has collaborated with some huge names in the art world, such as MoMA, the Walker art Center, and GOOD. (He even taught one of our previous guests on the show -- Ariana Farquharson!)

We spoke a lot about design education and pedagogy, touched on diversity in the field of design vis-à-vis competitions like ADC Young Guns, and explored the notion of an African-American/Black design aesthetic. I love his idea that designers can operate along several different modes of creativity, and his work is living proof of that. It's an exciting time to be a designer thanks to people like Silas!

• Silas Munro's Website
• Silas Munro at the Vermont College of Fine Arts
• Silas Munro at Miami University
• "The Whitest Winners You Know"

---

SPECIAL OFFER! Use discount code revisionpath and save 20% off any purchase at Creative Market! http://goo.gl/kMM0M7

What a great month of interviews! I'm ending November with the amazing De Angela Duff.

I heard about De Angela through Rashida White, and her bio truly speaks for itself. She's designed websites for some of the biggest music artists in the 90s, like Alicia Keys, David Bowie, and Britney Spears. De Angela currently serves as the Co-Director of Integrated Digital Media at NYU, working on next-level technologies like augmented reality and brainwaves. Did I mention she's a diehard Prince fan too? Afrofuturistic!

Press play and learn more about De Angela's inspiring journey and her current work!

• De Angela Duff's Website
• De Angela Duff's Music
• De Angela Duff's Photography
• De Angela Duff on Mixlr

---

SPECIAL OFFER!
The awesome crew at Creative Market have a great deal for you!
Save 20% off your next purchase by visiting http://crtv.mk/revisionpath.
(Tweet them and say thanks!)

---