The WORST episodes of Abstract: The Art of Design

Every episode of Abstract: The Art of Design ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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.

Last Updated: 9/20/2024Network: NetflixStatus: Ended

7.03

39 votes

#1 - 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.

Directors: E. Chai Vasarhelyi

Watch Now:Amazon

7.23

52 votes

#2 - 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."

Directors: Claudia Woloshin

Watch Now:Amazon

7.35

111 votes

#3 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.38

102 votes

#4 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.58

52 votes

#5 - 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.

Directors: Scott Dadich

Watch Now:Amazon

7.69

178 votes

#6 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.74

202 votes

#7 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.89

274 votes

#8 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon

8.02

62 votes

#9 - 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.

Directors: Jason Zeldes

Watch Now:Amazon

8.03

63 votes

#10 - 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.

Directors: Morgan Neville

Watch Now:Amazon

8.15

127 votes

#11 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon

8.16

43 votes

#12 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon

8.22

142 votes

#13 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon

8.26

122 votes

#14 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon