In this episode of Type Speaks, host Rae sits down with designer and artist Zach Hobbs for a wide-ranging conversation about punk, process, and the joy of making. We trace Zach’s beginnings in Alabama, from skateboarding and comic books to discovering punk music and realizing that design could merge his love of visuals and sound. He reflects on the distinction between art and design, the influence of DIY punk graphics, and why working with his hands gives his projects a unique voice in today’s digital-first world. Along the way, Zach shares how “building to think” fuels his process, why play leads to his most exciting work, and how balancing corporate projects at IDEO with personal passion work keeps him creatively fulfilled.

Zach Hobbs is a designer, artist, and Communication Design Director at IDEO, where he has spent over a decade leading transformative projects across branding, culture, and innovation. His work ranges from rebranding humanitarian organizations to creating fan experiences for sports teams, while his personal practice includes exhibiting in the U.S. and Europe and designing posters and album art for punk and experimental bands. A dedicated mentor and speaker, Zach champions creativity as both craft and play, encouraging designers to embrace experimentation, imperfection, and the freedom to make work that feels alive.