This is our last episode of Working File, at least for a little while. Linda and Maurice join Matt and Andy to go down the list of possible topics for shows that we never got to make. It's a Working File lightning round! Thanks to all of our contributors over the past year who helped make the show a reality. Links Discussed Wrist Robot Machine Lear…

This episode features Matt and Andy having a one-on-one conversation about the future of Working File and the difference between expressive and functional design projects. Links Discussed On the Grid Numerology The Beginning of Infinity David Cole Waterfall ModelBy Matt McInerney and Andy Mangold

Matt is back for a lively discussion with Victoria and new contributor Daisy Sun about self-esteem and how to get a job when the world tells you that you're underqualified. Should you apply for a job if you don't meet the posted requirements? How do you break into an industry that feels elite and inaccessible to you? Is getting fired from Ben & Jer…

Matt and Andy take an episode off and Maurice wrangles three new contributors from all over the country to discuss how geography influences design community. Richard Wade Morgan, Kim Green, and Jamal Collins call in from Atlanta, Boseman, and Clevenland, respectively, and compare their experiences as a designer in different locales.Links DiscussedS…

Long time contributor Maurice Cherry organized this episode where Andy, Matt, and new contributor Jon Lewis discuss what it's like starting your own business as a designer. What are the reasons to start something new instead of getting a normal, stable job? What are the most difficult parts that no one ever tells you about? Links Discussed Lunch Me…

We take a break from our normal topical panel shows this week for something different. Prompted by an interview with Simon Sinek, Andy and Linda have a one-on-one discussion about our generation's attitudes towards work and social media. How does our approach to our careers differ from our parents'? Are connections made through social media less me…

This episode is all about education. Andy, Matt, Meg, and Maurice share their origin stories as we discuss the differences between being self-taught and learning about design through a formal, paid program. How do you find your voice when you begin your career working for others? How do you learn humility after you've spent four years and tens of t…

Annie and Jon join us for a speculative discussion about the future of design. Will artificial intelligence and machine learning replace us in the future? How will we develop taste in automated systems? What will become of our industry when capitalism finally implodes? Links Discussed “Merlin Manndroid” AirBNB Design Artificial Intelligence Assembl…

On this episode, Matt, Andy, and Kristy are joined by new contributor Sabrina Majeed to discuss what it means to be senior in any field. Find out what potential employers think of your years of experience and what it means to be a mature designer. Links Discussed On Being a Senior Engineer Buzzfeed Slack Bill O'Reilly Kate Arnonwitz Hire Sabrina…

This episode reunites Matt and Andy with Dan Auer, cohost of On the Grid, the podcast that eventually led to the creation of Working File. We get caught up on developments in Dan's life and discuss how we've grown and changed in the five years since we recorded the first episode of On the Grid. Links Discussed On the Grid My Brother, My Brother, an…

Robyn and Chappell join us for an episode all about the presence or absence of “weird” sensibility in graphic design. We start off talking about the new art direction of Bloomberg Businessweek but end up discussing capitalism, Snapchat, and the SR-71 Blackbird. Links Discussed Bloomberg Businessweek Adobe Acrobat Vectors Conference Laverne and Shir…

Andy and Matt are joined by Lola and Kara to answer listener questions about design managers, creative staffing agencies, how user choice affects modern product design, and of course, whether or not design can change the world. Links On a team, what do you look for in a leader/design director? How is design changing as consumers of creative content…

Andy and Matt are joined by Cap and Maurice to talk about our relationship with conferences and other design events. Even though all four of us have spoken at events before, why is it that we almost never attend them ourselves? What responsibility do conference organizers and speakers have to the greater community? Links Unconference Design Thinker…

On this episode we’re tackling a potentially sensitive subject: money. Linda and Annie join Matt and Andy for a candid discussion about their past jobs and how much money they made doing them. When is it appropriate to negotiate for a higher salary, and how do you do it? Is there a difference between how much we deserve to be paid and what we’re ac…

Chappell and Robyn join us for a lively episode wherein we discuss the language we use to describe ourselves and our work. With her recent transition to the private sector, Chappell gives us her take on agency life and the vernacular associated with it. Find out why the words we use matter, even just internally. Links Sidecar Communication Studies …

Matt and Andy are on their own this week having a practical discussion about proposals and how we communicate with potential clients. What is the right amount of information to provide and the best way to provide it? Why do we keep sending 8.5″ by 11″ pdfs when no one is printing them out? Links Motel Friends of The Web Pentagram Adobe Creative Clo…

This episode is all about our relationship with the AIGA and more general feelings about design community and discourse. Annie, Matt, and Andy are joined by new contributor Nicole Killian to discuss our relationship with the AIGA and centralized representation of our industry. Why do so many of us feel distanced from our de facto professional organ…

Matt and Andy are joined by Kristy Tillman and new contributor Cap Watkins to discuss design management. We learn about some of the traits of bad managers and discuss how to advocate for design within an organization. Should design work be diversified and spread throughout a company, or is specialization valuabale? Links The Seed of this Episode So…

Kara Haupt and Victoria Rushton join us on the eve of Matt’s wedding and the first day of Kara’s new job for a candid discussion about our confidence and sense of self-worth. As designers, our value is constantly measured against other designers, other industies, and our own unforgiving standards. How do we come to terms with having a creative job …

This marks the beginning of a conversation that we’ll be continuing in the future: the relationship between design and politics. Maurice Cherry and Robyn Kanner join us to talk about whether or not design is inherently political, turning down jobs for ethical reasons, and practical ways we can have a positive impact on the world around us. Links My…

This episode, featuring Linda Eliasen and Jon Gold, addresses the relationship between the design process and production. Does an understanding of the materials and techniques used to manufacture your designs make you a better designer, or hold you back from doing truly innovative work? When should we push limitations of production and when should …

Victoria Rushton and Annie Yiling-Wang join us to discuss criticism in a professional context. For many of us, what was once formal critiques with peers during our education has been replaced by a confusing array of criticism from a variety of people. How does feedback differ when it comes from our clients, our peers, or our superiors? Links Orange…

Andy and Matt are joined by Kristy Tillman and Lola Landekic for a conversation about side projects and the culture that surrounds them. We talk about the virtues and pitfalls of pursuing a self-initiated projects and whether we should hold people accountable for the things that they make. What role should side projects play in your portfolio, and …

On this episode of Working File, which is actually the first one we ever recorded, we’re joined by Satchell Drakes and Jen Mussari to discuss being a designer in the public eye. How is being a famous designer different than being a famous dentist? Is one particular personality type or kind of design work rewarded by social media? What are we saying…

This episode is all about the distinction between working individually and working collaboratively. Gitamba Saila-Ngita and Meg Lewis join us for a discussion where we talk about our preferred work environments, the difference between design education and practicing design professionally, and conflict resolution amongst coworkers and clients. When …

Our inaugural show is all about the state of the design community, design journalism, and what Working File should be. Chappell Ellison and Maurice Cherry join us for a conversation about the difference between design discourse in public and private spaces. We find out that Andy has high expectations for designers and discuss the nature of criticis…

Recorded March 17th, 2016. The last episode of On the Grid. Check out our new shows: Working File and Good Bad Show Working File Our new panel show about design Good Bad Show Andy and Matt's new show where they plan argue about things that are objectively good or bad (or if anything can be) iOS 7 Episode Listener Survey Episode Ferguson episode Eve…

Recorded March 10th, 2016. How are things at school? Send your emails to mail at onthegrid.co and tweet to @gridshow.

Recorded March 3rd, 2016. This week we talked about Content Strategy and Copywriting.

Recorded February 25th, 2016. This week we talked about... The Pitch.

Recorded February 18th, 2016. This week: Kanye loses Andy's vote, matching stainless steel appliances, and the diversity of Friends of the Web. Last Call Lyrics 30 Hours Lyrics Kanye West asked Mark Zuckerberg for $1 billion on Twitter "I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex" Rapper Killer Mike faces flak for ‘uterus’ comment at Sanders ral…

Recorded January 27, 2016. Andy said some pretty controversial things about logos this week... You should probably listen to find out what he said.http://idisagreewithandy.man.gold/

Recorded February 11th, 2016. Andy tells us how planning a murder mystery party is like design... and more logo vs. interface followup. "Buzz, Your Girlfriend... WOOF!" Andy... WOOF! Speed trolling Fozzy Whittaker Full list of Super Bowl 50 prop bets Proposition bet Rudy Giuliani gets mad about Beyonce "You're talking to middle America..." Whatcham…

Recorded February 4th, 2016. This week: All the reasons Andy was wrong about logos. "Today's 100% Men project brought to you by beer, football, and design" "Design Disruptors" Designer News Thread Square Cash idisagreewithandy.man.gold

Recorded January 17th, 2016. This week Andy and Matt sat at a table and talked about talent. Chuck Wepner Wepner claimed that he was the inspiration for the movie Rocky. (Wasn't named Rocky though) Zords Was Mozart Deaf? Wassily Kandinsky’s Synesthesia Explained Synesthesia

Recorded January 14th, 2016. This week Andy brought in some real work for us to discuss. f.lux Night Shift mode in iOS 9.3 Monster Factory Henry Rollins

Recorded January 7th, 2016. This week Andy finally gave in and decided to create a portfolio for Friends of the Web. Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Friends of the Web Robot or Not? Podcast

Recorded December 23rd, 2015. In our last episode of the year we responded to listener comments about how to improve the show. Our year end show last year On the Grid #100 Limited Resources Podcast Misophonia Our subreddit feedback thread Matt does troll Andy on Twitter... The episode about Andy's logo The 99 Designs experiment…

Recorded December 15th, 2015. This week Andy digs in on an idea from the previous episode: Can anything ever be objectively good or bad? Gangnam Style Chacaron The Shining Lenny Bruce The Blob Cultural relativism The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris Killer Mike's Six-Part Interview With Bernie Sanders

Recorded December 9th, 2015. This week we talked about designing something timeless... or at least designing something _you_ can live with forever.

Recorded December 1st, 2015. This week we talked about tradition and Andy's secret plans to run for office. Frere-Jones Type Andy launched this site on Tuesday Nathan for You Nathan for You - Dumb Starbucks Nathan For You - Party Planner

Recorded November 24th, 2015. This week: Design as a luxury service and what happens when you can't afford it. Thing Explainer What If? Book What If? Blog

Recorded November 17th, 2015. We discussed the symbols we create and rally around. And more on the next great American invention. Annie Atkins "I'm talkin' about Mountain Dews baby!" Eiffel Tower meets peace sign in show of solidarity after attacks It Gets Better Project 99% Invisible 173: Awareness Story of the AIDs ribbon Uber changes UberX cars …

Recorded November 10th, 2015. This week we discussed the next great American invention and the aesthetics of wealth. The Quarter Century Jacket | A 25 Year Guarantee Your business card is CRAP! Joel Bauer - How to pack your suitcase Everyday carry Secret decoder ring Tiffany & Co Identity AIGA position on spec work The First Things First Manifesto …

Recorded November 5th, 2015. Exhaustion, Leases, Art, Madden and robot video games as a form of self-expression. Olafur Eliasson FastCap Flatback Story Pole 16 Foot Tape

Recorded October 27th, 2015. This week we interviewed Dan. Fateful Findings "I think it is a worse movie than The Room..." - Andy Swift (band) Sanctity (band) Chiodos Shirt

Recorded October 22nd, 2015. This week we talked about negotiating. My uncle calling me like, "Where ya at?" The Lonely Island - SEMICOLON Drake playing Wii Tennis Drake's Tuna Sandwich Nick Offerman GIF WHAT?! LETTERS! Mixtape Monday

Recorded October 8th, 2015. This week we were joined again by Maurice Cherry. We talked about podcast accessibility and how designers deal with real problems. Revision Path Black in Design Conference Organization of Black Designers DesigNation Living Fully with Dr. Kathy McCoy Maurice's Student The Joy of New Pursuits Kathy McCoy's blog about Mauri…

Recorded October 6th, 2015. This week, a little bit of follow up from the previous episode, and Andy wonders how much you can really ask of your clients. Bonobos Huffduffer Blog about Huffduffer

Recorded October 1st, 2015. This week we discussed the process of starting a new project, explaining how we want to work, and the language we use to describe it. Primer The Death and Life of Great American Cities A Pattern Language The Andy Template