Medieval heraldry, originating in 12th-century Europe, was a sophisticated system of visual identity that combined symbolism, strict design rules, and legal significance to distinguish individuals and families. Its influence endures today in modern branding and graphic design, where logos and emblems often echo heraldic elements in both form and function.

Cuban graphic design, particularly through poster art, reflects a powerful fusion of creativity, politics, and cultural identity, serving as both a mirror of societal change and a tool for activism. This episode reveals how Cuban designers, working under challenging conditions, developed a globally influential visual language that shaped public perception and challenged dominant narratives.

Underground newspapers of the 1960s and ’70s were vital tools of political and cultural resistance, blending radical content with experimental graphic design to support movements like the New Left, Black Power, and Women’s Liberation. Despite their marginalization by mainstream media, these publications formed a dynamic network of alternative press that shaped both activism and visual culture.

Drummer magazine, launched in 1975 amid post-Stonewall resistance and LGBTQ+ repression, became a groundbreaking platform for gay leather and BDSM subcultures, amplifying radical queer voices and challenging mainstream norms. Through art, fiction, and political commentary, it redefined gay masculinity, celebrated sexual diversity, and left a lasting legacy on queer identity and liberation.

Willi Smith was a pioneering Black fashion designer who revolutionized casualwear with his “Street Couture” aesthetic, blending affordability, inclusivity, and artistic collaboration. His visionary work across fashion, theater, public art and even graphic design, left a lasting legacy, cemented by his influence on unisex design and posthumous honors that celebrate his enduring impact on the industry.

This podcast episode explores the transformative impact women have had on the magazine industry, from early print to digital formats, through design, editorial leadership, and cultural influence. It highlights pioneering figures—past and present—who redefined magazine aesthetics, expanded representation, and turned magazines into platforms for empowerment and social change.

Between 1557 and 1561, a group of former sex workers living in a Venetian convent operated one of early modern Europe’s first female-run printing presses, producing at least twenty-five works out of necessity and collective labor. Their overlooked contributions reveal how marginalized women used typography as a physical and spiritual act of self-redefinition, leaving behind a legacy of resilience embedded in the very material of their printed texts.

Kustom Kulture was a 1950s–60s American subculture centered around hot rods and custom cars, reflecting a distinctly masculine identity and influencing mainstream car design. Though short-lived, it left a lasting legacy on American visual culture, with iconic graphics like flames, flying eyeballs, and characters like Rat Fink still influencing lowbrow art and pop-surrealism today.

Jackie Ormes was a pioneering African-American cartoonist whose groundbreaking comic strips, like Patty Jo ’n’ Ginger and Torchy Brown, tackled social and political issues with wit and style. She also broke barriers by creating the first African-American girl dolls with diverse wardrobes, challenging racist stereotypes and empowering Black representation in media.

Tove Jansson was a groundbreaking Finnish artist and writer best known for creating the Moomins, through which she blended whimsical storytelling with subtle themes of queer identity, feminism, and nonconformity. Her work challenged societal norms and bridged the gap between fine art and popular illustration, reflecting her personal experiences and artistic vision.

In this first part of a special multi-part Halloween series, we take a look at the history of horror and fantasy illustration. This episode focuses on historical trends and developments spanning from the stone age to the early 20th Century.

Brummett Echohawk was an Indigenous artist with an international reputation, but he was much more than that. Born in Oklahoma and a member of the Pawnee tribe, Echohawk was also a writer, public speaker, actor, and served in the military as part of the 45th infantry during World War II where he saw action in Italy. Limited histories of Brummett Echohawk tend to remember him well for his contributions to the art world. His work as a commercial artist, illustrator, and cartoonist has not received as much attention. More research is needed to uncover that part of Echohawk’s history so we can see the depth of his contribution to the history of illustration, a problem we hope today’s episode will begin to rectify.

Countless historians, archaeologists, and scientists study cave paintings. Some try to figure out the meaning of the ancient images, while others try to understand the purpose of the paintings, and still others study how those early artists did what they did, from figuring out the process of making paint to going and putting it on a cavern wall. The methods, techniques, and tools used to make prehistoric cave paintings tell a lot about the beginnings of graphic design technology by answering how prehistoric people created them.

This episode broadly covers the Art Nouveau movement, which had an outsized impact on the illustration field in the early 20th century and beyond.

This episode covers the work and influence of the Capcom Design Team- an in-house group of illustrators and designers responsible for producing artwork for seminal video games like Street Fighter II and Marvel vs Capcom.

Islamic art during the Ottoman Empire, which lasted from the 14th to the early 20th century, blended various styles from Persia, Byzantium, and earlier Islamic traditions. This blend created a unique artistic style rich in geometric patterns, vibrant colors, and intricate calligraphy. This style was prominently featured in mosques and palaces. The 16th century, the peak of Ottoman art, was a time of outstanding architectural achievements. Famous architects like Mimar Sinan built stunning structures, such as the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, which showcased large domes and slender minarets. Ottoman art was not just about architecture; it also excelled in ceramics, like the famous Iznik tiles, textiles, calligraphy, and manuscript illumination, especially in the decoration of the Qur'an. As the Ottoman Empire's power declined in the 19th century, Western influences began to appear in its art. The Ottoman period remains a significant chapter in the history of Islamic art, known for its unique combination of diverse artistic traditions.

Toys and Games have been a bastion for creativity and design for decades, providing the perfect blend of commerce and imagination needed to sustain a livelihood for a variety of artisans. Recent publications and kickstarted research powered by nostalgia for aging millennials has led to a plethora of data about these industries and the practitioners who take part in it.

Treasure Planet is an infamous film in the Animated Disney canon. Known primarily as a financial failure that has since gained cult status, this episode covers the making of the film and the critical response to it at the time of its release in 2002 and since.

This episode takes a look at the life and career of illustrator Lynd Ward, a prominent 20th Century illustrator and godfather of the Modern Graphic Novel.

This episode examines the contributions of popular Mexican illustrator José Guadalupe Posada.