Best Todd Coats And Elliot Strunk Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 115: NBC, Netflix and Network Branding 40:10

Play Pause

2d ago40:10

40:10

When we say "TV network," what do you think of? When we say "TV network brand," what pops into your head? Is it a logo or a sound? Is it an animation or an app? Is it a signature show? Today we’re going to be talking about a couple of identities made for NBC and Netflix. We discuss the origin stories for both their visuals and their sounds. So add …

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Episode 114: The Fall and Rise (Again) of Tiki Culture 36:30

19d ago36:30

36:30

We’ve been exploring the Polynesian Pop trend that swept suburbia. From the 1930s to the ‘70s, tiki culture was everywhere. And then, like the tide going out, it was gone. Today we talk about the factors that brought it back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s (hint: swing, thrifting and SpongeBob) and how tiki is influencing artists today. Grab a Bah…

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Episode 113: Embracing and Evolving the Tiki Style 33:32

1M ago33:32

33:32

Today, we're continuing our series on tiki culture as we look at how professional designers embraced and evolved the island aesthetic. Was it low brow? High brow? A symbol of exotic adventure? A goofy gimmick? Regardless, the movement left a deep imprint on graphic, interior, fashion, product, and architectural design, in applications ranging from …

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Episode 112: Tiki Culture: The Story of Post-War Polynesian Pop 32:19

2M ago32:19

32:19

Today we’re dressing up the bar with coconut mugs, gardenia flowers, surf boards and pu-pu platters because we’re diving into the first of a three episode series on Tiki culture. We’ll talk about the origins and influences — it’s not as simple as you think — and learn why this very Americanized look took off throughout the country and set sail acro…

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Episode 111: Good Movies and Old Books - A Conversation with Matt Stevens (Part 2) 35:58

2M ago35:58

35:58

Today we’re returning to the bar with Matt Stevens, a designer and illustrator who has been successful working with clients ranging from a tequila brand to clients like Apple TV+ and Netflix. But what we have in common is not only a love for design, but also pop culture. So we’re talking with him about a personal project that grew into an actual pr…

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Episode 110: Good Movies and Old Books - A Conversation with Matt Stevens (Part 1) 35:51

3M ago35:51

35:51

Today we’re sitting down with a new friend, a designer and illustrator who has been successful working with clients ranging from a local hot dog shop to clients like Airbnb and Facebook. But what we have in common with Matt Stevens is not only a love for design, but also pop culture. So we’re talking with him about a personal project that grew into…

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Episode 109: Foxes, Flies and the Design of Blaxploitation Posters 46:56

3M ago46:56

46:56

If you’ve ever caught a late-night flick full of high-speed chases, stylish wardrobes, and unforgettable soundtracks, you might’ve stumbled into the bold, brash world of blaxploitation. This genre wasn’t just about action—it brought civil rights, empowerment, and attitude to the screen, with a mix of crime, martial arts, westerns, horror, comedy, p…

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Episode 108: Cups, Plates and Trophy Design 35:11

3M ago35:11

35:11

If you wander into any school, bar or thrift store, you're bound to see a collection of trophies. Have you ever wondered why they often look like cups, plates and other objects you wouldn't think about grabbing after a robust game of tennis or an intense hockey match? We did, and we’ve got a couple of amazing examples we’re talking about today: Wim…

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Episode 107: U.S. Wartime Propaganda Posters 37:15

4M ago37:15

37:15

We want you! If you’re looking for something to volunteer for, if you’re ready to be part of something bigger than yourself...Something that will make you see the world in a new way and make new friends...While spending some time together in the trenches or back home supporting the effort, then listen to our wartime propaganda episode! Today we’re …

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Episode 106: The State Flags of Ohio and Maryland 46:14

4M ago46:14

46:14

Today we’re talking about a couple of state flag designs. And just like everyone here in the bar, they have unique appearances and colorful histories. In one corner we have the funky flag from Ohio, and in the other we have the boldly graphic flag of Maryland. It’s time to order a couple of Aviation cocktails. We’re gonna be getting into some diffe…

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Episode 105: Iconic Book Covers for Jurassic Park and The Great Gatsby 36:32

5M ago36:32

36:32

Today we’re going all literary, getting in touch with our bookish sides. We’re not being antisocial, but we’ve brought a couple of books to the bar. And in spite of that phrase we all hear so often, we're gonna judge two books, Jurassic Park and The Great Gatsby, by their covers. So order up a couple of Tequila Mockingbirds. We’ve brought our libra…

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Episode 104: Movie Studio Logos for 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers 49:32

5M ago49:32

49:32

Today we’re going aaaalllll Hollywood. We're talking about movie studio logos, quite possibly the oldest examples of liquid branding, with one logo that's been relatively unchanged over close to 100 years and another that has gone through a bit of an identity crisis only to return to a familiar form: 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers. So have yo…

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Episode 103: Game Show Logos for The Gong Show and Match Game 1:04:53

6M ago1:04:53

1:04:53

Today we’re going to be talking about game show logos – the good, the bad and the ugly — and how sometimes all of those qualities could be found in a single piece of artwork. We’re zeroing in on a couple that are loud, busy and colorful, just like the era they were created in and the sets they were created for: The Gong Show and Match Game. So grab…

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Episode 102: Al Hirschfeld and Elvis, Postage Stamps - Part 2 49:34

6M ago49:34

49:34

Today we’re going to be talking some more about postage stamps. The way they reflect pop culture and how they are an art form that celebrates other art forms. We’ve got some stamps with fluid line work and a whole lotta shakin’ going on… Al Hirschfeld and Elvis have entered the building. Mix-up a couple of 2-Cent Stamp cocktails and join us once ag…

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Episode 101: The Penny Black and Dag Hammarskjöld, Postage Stamps - Part 1 41:46

7M ago41:46

41:46

Today we’re going to be talking about postage stamps: the history and origin of them, who uses them and whether or not they’re still relevant in our age of email and mail order deliveries. And, of course, the art of it all and why stamps still matter today. We touch on the controversy of who invented the stamp, the fraud associated with early mail …

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Episode 100: Food Mascots with Kirk + Kurtts 31:55

7M ago31:55

31:55

What do Betty Crocker, Charlie Tuna, Tony the Tiger and the oddball characters from Off Limits Cereal have in common? Along with fellow creatives Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts of the “Kirk and Kurtts” design podcast, they were all our drinking buddies one evening! We chewed the fat with Kirk and Andy about some classic characters and their impact on …

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Episode 99: Cat Posters with Paul Hennessey 43:02

8M ago43:02

43:02

Cats. You may love 'em, hate 'em or feel indifferent, but there's no escaping their power, especially if you spend any time online. Cats have a long history in the world of advertising. In our latest episode, we invite friend and poster expert Paul Hennessey back into the bar to discuss the appeal of cat posters aesthetically and financially, discu…

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Episode 98: Goodyear’s Blimp, Pixar’s Luxo Lamp and How Objects Become Company Icons (Classic) 1:04:44

8M ago1:04:44

1:04:44

The Goodyear Blimp is turning 100 years old, so we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes. Ever wonder why a tire company is most known for a blimp? Or why an animation studio has a desk lamp as its trademark? We did. Turns out Goodyear and Pixar didn’t invent either of these things. Learn the origin stories of Goodyear’s blimps, Pixar’s loveabl…

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Episode 97: The ‘80s: New Wave Gets Fashionable (Classic) 36:17

9M ago36:17

36:17

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes. Video may have killed the radio star, but it poured gasoline on the spark of New Wave. As MTV exploded, youth culture moved to center stage and companies making wearables were more than happy to cater to changing tastes. In this episode we focus on Vans and Swatch, a couple of iconic fashion accessories…

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Episode 96: Elliot and MTV's The Real World 16:12

9M ago16:12

16:12

Today we’re bringing you an example of the bonus content you can find on our Patreon page. In the summer of 1994, the television show The Real World was filming in San Francisco. That same summer Elliot ended up in SF for an internship. One day those two worlds collided in a true Gen X moment. So sit back with a plate full of wings and one of your …

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Episode 95: Return to the Mailbag 40:24

9M ago40:24

40:24

In this episode we take a step back from our typical subject matter to dig into our mailbag once again as we answer questions submitted by you, our listeners. Topics include record album art, April Fool’s pranks, Taylor Swift, listener reviews, Broadway shows and some recent speaking gigs. We also plug one of our favorite bar foods: onion rings. So…

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Episode 94: Iconic Music Videos - Part 2 47:24

10M ago47:24

47:24

We’re bringing some video tapes with us into the bar — or at least some trusty YouTube links. Why? We’re talking music videos! And we have so much to share, we’ve broken this subject into two episodes. For today, we dusted off an older gem and coupled it with a more current one: a gritty and fun “Need You Tonight” from Australia’s INXS and Taylor S…

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Episode 93: Rural Electrification, Hope for Obama and Posters for Good (Classic) 45:03

10M ago45:03

45:03

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes. With Election Day happening in the United States, we wanted to mark the occasion with two amazing poster designs. We examine bringing electricity to rural parts of the United States 80 years later and inspiring a nation to rally behind an unknown presidential candidate named Barack Obama, along with how…

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Episode 92: Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, Tarantula and the Amazing Art of Reynold Brown (Classic) 58:38

10M ago58:38

58:38

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes. For our special Halloween episode, and because of our love of B movies, we wanted to pay homage to one of the best horror poster artists of all time, Reynold Brown. We talk about the movie (and poster for) Tarantula, plus what is arguably one of the most recognizable staples of pop culture: the poster f…

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Episode 91: Iconic Music Videos - Part 1 43:53

11M ago43:53

43:53

We're bringing some video tapes with us into the bar -- or at least some trusty YouTube links. Why? We're talking music videos! And we have so much to share, we've broken this subject into two episodes. For today, we've dug into the backs of our closets and dusted off a couple of favorites from yesterday that are still killing it today: a-ha's illu…

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Episode 90: Roller Coaster Logo Battle 54:55

11M ago54:55

54:55

Our latest episode is for the thrill seekers. We're pitting roller coaster logos against each other. And not just any roller coasters...We're each representing our home states. So, buckle up by pulling the restraint harness tightly against you, and grab a couple of quick high octane shots. We've got our hands up and our drink lids on tight... We're…

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Episode 89: Looking Back on Four Years 45:15

12M ago45:15

45:15

In honor of International Podcast Day, we’re taking a look back at our own origin story. How the podcast began, why we continue to do it and what could be coming next. It’s the story of two friends, one shared profession and the pop culture love that kickstarted it all. Mix-up a couple of White Russians. We’re taking it slow and philosophical as we…

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Episode 88: Talking Music Posters with Paul Hennessey 33:02

12M ago33:02

33:02

Both eye-catching and informative, posters are one of the most highly collectible forms of design. They are used to promote products, places, events, art, political movements and almost anything else you can think of. Today we're joined by a special guest from across the Pond, Paul Hennessey, who owns two poster shops in the UK. We talk cats, food …

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Episode 87: Gen X and the Golden Age of Magazines 58:54

1y ago58:54

58:54

The late '80s and the '90s were a golden age for magazines. With the World Wide Web a few years away, advertising dollars were being pumped into print and art directors and publishers did not disappoint with their offerings. In this episode we talk about Raygun, Wired, Rolling Stone and Vibe and the approaches of David Carson, Plunkett + Kuhr, Fred…

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Episode 86: Gen X Music Appears from Underground 59:48

1y ago59:48

59:48

The late '80s and the '90s were a golden age for Gen X music, even well beyond the long shadow of Nirvana's Nevermind. We flipped through the crates to prep for this episode. With sore fingers and tired eyes we walk through iconic albums by Bjork, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Pixies. Grab your favorite concert t-shirt and a cool PBR. It's time…

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Episode 85: Selling to Gen X Without Selling Out 55:02

1y ago55:02

55:02

Gen X was coming of age during cynicism and ironic detachment. A DIY attitude rooted in authenticity coupled with increasing access to personal tech and an explosion of choices in alternative media. And most importantly, lack of trust in corporations. Companies (and their marketing departments) had to think of ways to sell to those who didn’t want …

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Episode 84: Denver, Los Angeles and Stories of Designing for the Olympic Games (Classic) 57:45

1y ago57:45

57:45

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes. Bum-bum-ba-bum-bummm…Nothing brings the world together every couple of years like the Olympic Games. With such a large stage and a chance to influence audiences around the globe, designers jump at the chance to create something great. In this episode we discuss what did (or didn’t) happen in Denver in 1…

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Episode 83: When Gen X Came of Age 42:04

1y ago42:04

42:04

Let’s plop down on the couch in your favorite record store or skate shop for a few minutes. It’s time to relive the end of the 1980s and begin a new decade of cultural change. In this episode we discuss what was in the news, the invention of the "slacker" character, the mood of skepticism, irony and emotional detachment that grew out of the glossy …

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Episode 82: Riffs on Riffs Crossover 1:12:43

1y ago1:12:43

1:12:43

Record albums. You know 'em. You love 'em. But do your favorites fall short when art overshadows music (or vice versa)? We invited a couple of buddies to the bar — Joe Watson and Toby Brazwell from the Riffs on Riffs podcast — for a conversation about a handful of desert island-level albums: how they sound, what they look like and if, ultimately, t…

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Episode 81: Fun Food Containers 52:24

1y ago52:24

52:24

History repeats itself... There are no new ideas… Everything old is new again… Sure, we get excited when we have custom meal kits delivered to our homes or when we see amazing food in farmer’s markets and grocery stores near our homes. But food marketing has been around for a really long time. Today we discuss a couple of popular approaches from ye…

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Episode 80: Vernacular Architecture 52:40

1+ y ago52:40

52:40

Did you ever look at a building with a business inside and think, “Yeah…that totally used to be something else” and wonder how you knew that? You know, the jewelry store that used to be a pizza parlor or the drive-up coffee shop that was once a spot to drop off film are peppered in towns all across the country. Today we’re talking about a couple of…

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Episode 79: Signs of the Times 46:52

1+ y ago46:52

46:52

There are visual icons that have symbolized professions for so long their origin stories are unknown to the very customers served by them. These independent businesses are owned by all kinds of people serving millions on a daily basis throughout the world, all using these same basic signs outside their establishments. We're discussing barber poles …

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Episode 78: The Reflex Blue Conversation 44:15

1+ y ago44:15

44:15

We were lucky enough to have Donovan Beery of the long-running design podcast The Reflex Blue Show pull up a stool next to us. We talk about some of our shared pop culture influences, listening to vinyl (and the creative opportunities record albums afford) and where we go to find inspiration (hint: Wikipedia addictions). We also found out Reflex Bl…

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Episode 77: Hey, Nice Package! 45:35

1+ y ago45:35

45:35

There are some products so iconic that you know what they are as soon as you lay your eyes on them. The color, the shape or some other distinctive brand feature says, “Accept no substitute. There is no equal.” Pour yourself a drink on the rocks, kick back against the bar and listen as we uncork the stories of the bottles from Coca-Cola and Absolut …

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Episode 76: The ‘80s: New Wave Gets Fashionable 35:38

1+ y ago35:38

35:38

Video may have killed the radio star, but it poured gasoline on the spark of New Wave. As MTV exploded, youth culture moved to center stage and companies making wearables were more than happy to cater to changing tastes. In this episode we focus on Vans and Swatch, a couple of iconic fashion accessories found on the wrists and feet of Gen X. As we …

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Design Crimes: Comic Sans: Who’s Laughing Now? 3:20

1+ y ago3:20

3:20

Todd Coats and Elliot Strunk, the creators behind the hit design and pop culture show Two Designers Walk Into a Bar, announced last week at the PodFest Expo Upfronts the release of their newest investigative true-crime series, Design Crimes: Comic Sans, Who’s Laughing Now?, set to drop on April 15, 2024. The five-part show, hosted by Strunk and Coa…

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Episode 75: The ‘80s: New Wave and the Boob Tube 47:22

1+ y ago47:22

47:22

If New Wave was a style and attitude, television was how it was delivered to the masses. In this episode, we talk about two important touchstones during one of pop culture’s signature eras: the launch of MTV and the debut of Miami Vice. It's all pastel wonder and neon glow in our latest episode as New Wave meets the boob tube. Turn on, tune in and …

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Episode 74: The ‘80s: Punk Meets Tech, New Wave is Born 39:43

1+ y ago39:43

39:43

Bold colors. Funky haircuts. The Cold War and the Cola Wars. Video games and MTV. Japanese electronics and European fashion. Iconic music and movies... If New Wave was a style and attitude, then music was the delivery device. In this episode we discuss the political climate, creative activity and DIY attitudes that led to the formation and rise of …

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Episode 73: Pepsi, Tropicana and the Challenge of Good Design 8:25

1+ y ago8:25

8:25

February 28: This week marks a quirky moment in pop culture (and soft drink) history. Michael Jackson's hair caught fire back in 1984 while shooting an ad for Pepsi, which was, to put it mildly, a production challenge. In this mini-episode we talk about the origins of the original Pepsi Challenge and a foolproof way to make small children cry. Drin…

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Episode 72: Six Marines, One Photographer. The Story of Iwo Jima 9:36

1+ y ago9:36

9:36

February 21: This week marks the anniversary of an event that was made famous by one of the world’s most iconic photos: the raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima. We talk about how the photo came to be and why it's still instantly recognizable today. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, …

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Episode 71: The Goodyear Blimp: More Than a Bunch of Hot Air 10:43

1+ y ago10:43

10:43

February 14: This week marks the anniversary of an accident. Not a normal accident. A blimp accident. The USS Macon, one of the two largest helium-filled airships ever created, crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California and sank. This reminds us of one of our favorite company icons floating over a stadium near you: The Goodyear Blim…

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Episode 70: Black Cats, Fireworks and Celebrating a Logo We Love 7:44

1+ y ago7:44

7:44

February 7: Logos and graphics are an important part of sports. This week marks the moment back in 1988 when Michael Jordan made his signature slam dunk from the free throw line, inspiring the Air Jordan brand and, more specifically, the Jumpman logo. But there are logos we love that don’t have the same iconic status. Here's the explosive story beh…

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Episode 69: KISS and their Flaming Wheel of Death 9:34

1+ y ago9:34

9:34

January 31: Way back in 1973, KISS played their first show at the Popcorn Club in Queens. Now, it's no secret that Todd is a member of the KISS Army, so we felt highlighting their coming out party was appropriate for this week's mini-episode where we talk about the artwork for their landmark album “Rock ‘n Roll Over." - - - - - Visit our full episo…

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Episode 68: When the Beats Moved a Generation 11:49

1+ y ago11:49

11:49

January 24: This week marks an important pop culture moment when Bob Dylan arrived in New York in 1961 after dropping out of college, playing a show at Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village. His performance reminds us of the Beats, one of our favorite eras. We take a few minutes to jump into our origin story about that movement and its impact on post-WWII…

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Episode 67: All Mascots Are Wieners in Our Eyes 10:19

1+ y ago10:19

10:19

January 17: It's only appropriate that we talk sports this week. Why? This was when the first Super Bowl was played in L.A. back in 1967, with the Green Bay Packers defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 35–10. Speaking of Wisconsin athletics, the first thing that comes to mind four us is the Famous Racing Sausages from Milwaukee! If you haven't listened…