The BEST episodes of Abstract: The Art of Design
Every episode of Abstract: The Art of Design ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Abstract: The Art of Design!
Step inside the minds of the most innovative designers working today in a variety of disciplines and learn how design impacts every aspect of life.
#1 - Platon: Photography
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/10/2017
Platon’s fearless portraits capture the souls of world leaders and ordinary people. A shoot with Gen. Colin Powell provides a window into his process.
#2 - Bjarke Ingels: Architecture
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/10/2017
Architect Bjarke Ingels unites function, fantasy and sustainability in “pragmatic utopian” designs like a clean power plant topped with a ski slope.
#3 - Jonathan Hoefler: Typeface Design
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/25/2019
While researching vintage watches as inspiration for a new font, Jonathan Hoefler delves into his work for Apple, Obama's "Change" campaign and more.
#4 - Paula Scher: Graphic Design
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/10/2017
Graphic designer Paula Scher paints with words, developing the visual language of iconic brands and institutions around the world.
#5 - Neri Oxman: Bio-Architecture
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/25/2019
Can we design our way out of an ecological crisis? At the MIT Media Lab, professor Neri Oxman cultivates new materials that emulate nature.
#6 - Olafur Eliasson: The Design of Art
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/25/2019
Olafur Eliasson creates sensory-rich immersive installations, including a lamp-lit sun at the Tate Modern and chunks of Arctic ice on city streets.
#7 - Christoph Niemann: Illustration
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/10/2017
From New Yorker covers to Instagram sketches, illustrator Christoph Niemann plays with abstraction and interactivity -- and questions authenticity.
#8 - Tinker Hatfield: Footwear Design
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/10/2017
Tinker Hatfield's background in architecture and athletics sparked his game-changing shoe designs for Nike, including the iconic Air Jordan series.
#9 - Es Devlin: Stage Design
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/10/2017
Stage designer Es Devlin crafts evocative sets for concerts, operas, plays and runway shows using light, film, sculpture -- and even rain.
#10 - Ian Spalter: Digital Product Design
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/25/2019
On the heels of leading influential projects for Nike and Instagram, Ian Spalter explains the process of experimenting with new product designs.
#11 - Ilse Crawford: Interior Design
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/10/2017
Interior designer Ilse Crawford creates spaces and objects that engage the senses and promote well-being, from high-end hotels to Ikea furniture.
#12 - Ralph Gilles: Automotive Design
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/10/2017
As Fiat Chrysler’s global head of design, Ralph Gilles steers the brand into the future with sleek new sports cars and a self-driving electric van.
#13 - Ruth Carter: Costume Design
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/25/2019
A visual storyteller and frequent Spike Lee collaborator, Ruth E. Carter won an Oscar for her Afrofuturistic costume design for "Black Panther."
#14 - Cas Holman: Design for Play
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/25/2019
As founder of toy company Heroes Will Rise, Cas Holman crafts tools and objects designed to inspire kids (and adults) to play creatively.