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 Feb 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.

8.26

125 votes

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#2 - Bjarke Ingels: Architecture

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired Feb 10, 2017

Architect Bjarke Ingels unites function, fantasy and sustainability in “pragmatic utopian” designs like a clean power plant topped with a ski slope.

8.19

140 votes

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#3 - Paula Scher: Graphic Design

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired Feb 10, 2017

Graphic designer Paula Scher paints with words, developing the visual language of iconic brands and institutions around the world.

8.10

129 votes

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#4 - Jonathan Hoefler: Typeface Design

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired Sep 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.

8.00

35 votes

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#5 - Christoph Niemann: Illustration

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired Feb 10, 2017

From New Yorker covers to Instagram sketches, illustrator Christoph Niemann plays with abstraction and interactivity -- and questions authenticity.

7.91

279 votes

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#6 - Neri Oxman: Bio-Architecture

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired Sep 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.

7.90

51 votes

Directors: Morgan Neville

Writers:

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#7 - Olafur Eliasson: The Design of Art

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired Sep 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.

7.78

50 votes

Directors: Jason Zeldes

Writers:

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#8 - Tinker Hatfield: Footwear Design

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired Feb 10, 2017

Tinker Hatfield's background in architecture and athletics sparked his game-changing shoe designs for Nike, including the iconic Air Jordan series.

7.71

211 votes

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#9 - Es Devlin: Stage Design

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired Feb 10, 2017

Stage designer Es Devlin crafts evocative sets for concerts, operas, plays and runway shows using light, film, sculpture -- and even rain.

7.63

180 votes

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#10 - Ian Spalter: Digital Product Design

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired Sep 25, 2019

On the heels of leading influential projects for Nike and Instagram, Ian Spalter explains the process of experimenting with new product designs.

7.41

41 votes

Directors: Scott Dadich

Writers:

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#11 - Ilse Crawford: Interior Design

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired Feb 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.

7.36

101 votes

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#12 - Ralph Gilles: Automotive Design

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired Feb 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.

7.27

113 votes

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#13 - Ruth Carter: Costume Design

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired Sep 25, 2019

A visual storyteller and frequent Spike Lee collaborator, Ruth E. Carter won an Oscar for her Afrofuturistic costume design for "Black Panther."

7.18

44 votes

Directors: Claudia Woloshin

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#14 - Cas Holman: Design for Play

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired Sep 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.

6.81

32 votes

Directors: E. Chai Vasarhelyi

Writers:

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