In their own words
The practice had less to do with the output and more with getting myself in a proper frame of mind for the rest of my day.
artists create meaning, designers create solutions
Cooper Black is a perfectly good font, but in my mind it is a fat, happy font associated with the logo for the National Lampoon, the sleeve of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds album and discount retailers up and down the US.
Articles & interviews
- Elizabeth Goodspeed on why design writing needs designers writing
In this opinion piece, designer and writer Elizabeth Goodspeed argues that design writing benefits when designers themselves take part in it. She explores how writing helps designers articulate their thinking, connect their creative and analytical practices, and make design discourse more reflective and nuanced. The article highlights examples like Ray Masaki, Michael Bierut, and Steven Heller to illustrate how writing and design can inform each other.
- "Need for More Age Diversity in Creative Teams Highlighted"
Katie Cadwell’s column for If You Could Jobs explores the lack of age diversity in creative teams and the challenges faced by older professionals in the industry. She argues that experienced creatives bring invaluable insight and stability, and that the industry should better support and celebrate them. The piece highlights examples of senior designers still thriving and calls for more inclusive representation across creative workplaces.
- "Nicer Tuesdays: Creative Talks in NYC This September - Tickets Available!"
It’s Nice That announces the return of Nicer Tuesdays to New York in September 2025, featuring talks from Michael Bierut, Andrew B. Myers, Madeline Montoya, and Tina Tona. The event will cover topics from collage and photography to editorial design, with a Q&A hosted by Elizabeth Goodspeed. Partners include GF Smith, Legion Paper, and Love Corn.
- Branding for Windham Campbell Prizes by Pentagram
BP&O features Pentagram’s refreshed identity for Yale University’s Windham Campbell Prizes, originally designed by Michael Bierut’s team in 2013 and updated in 2024 by Andrea Trabucco-Campos. The new iteration retains the bracket motif but introduces a vibrant blue palette and motion elements, creating a flexible and dynamic system across print, digital, and environmental applications.
- Michael Bierut Explores Creative Process in "The Art of Dailiness"
In this reflective essay, Michael Bierut shares insights from his long-running 100 Day Project, a daily drawing exercise that began in 2002 as a personal response to post-9/11 disorientation. The piece explores how routine and discipline can fuel creativity, and how the project evolved into a teaching tool at Yale School of Art, inspiring countless students and creatives worldwide.
- Chantal Jahchan’s collages draw inspiration from Wikipedia rabbit holes
The article profiles designer Chantal Jahchan and her intricate editorial collage work for major publications like The New York Times and The Atlantic. It explores her research-heavy process, often sparked by 'Wikipedia rabbit holes', and her transition from Pentagram to freelance editorial design. Jahchan’s collages blend archival imagery and conceptual depth to visually interpret complex stories.
- Hotlist 2025: 25 Most Popular Design Studios Voted by Peers
Creative Boom’s 'Hotlist 2025' highlights 25 of the most admired design studios worldwide, as voted by industry peers. The article celebrates leading agencies such as Pentagram, PORTO ROCHA, Ragged Edge, and &Walsh for their innovative branding and design work across sectors from tech to fashion. It aims to inspire creatives by showcasing studios that are shaping contemporary design culture.
- Branding for Thick Pickle by Studyhall
BP&O’s Thomas Barnett reviews Studyhall’s self-initiated conceptual brand ‘Thick Pickle’, a humorous and maximalist identity project that blurs the line between satire and viable product. The article critiques its trend-driven nature and questions the seriousness of its intent while praising its visual exuberance and experimental design approach.
- Logo & Branding for Expensify by The Collected Works
BP&O’s feature by Emily Gosling explores The Collected Works’ rebrand for Expensify, which introduces a playful, illustration- and motion-led identity that challenges conventions in the finance sector. Collaborating with Augenblick Studios, CoType, and Newlyn, the project includes custom typefaces, vibrant colors, and a bold visual system that balances fun with functionality. The article praises the creativity while questioning the necessity of branded merchandise and the green logo’s resemblance to recycling symbols.
- “There’s no rulebook, only what you dream up.” We explore the futuristic, tech-focused world of FAY
The Brand Identity interviews Aron Fay, founder of Brooklyn-based studio FAY, about the studio’s fusion of design and technology. Fay discusses the team’s approach to creating future-forward brand identities and generative tools, highlighting their work for Lobe, a spatial sound studio in Vancouver. The conversation explores how FAY integrates creative technology into branding to produce immersive, evolving experiences.
- New Brand Identity for .Oddity Frangrance by .Oddity Studio
BP&O’s feature on .Oddity Studio’s self-initiated project, .Oddity Fragrance, explores how the Hong Kong-based collective merges design and scent to create a multi-sensory brand experience. The project, developed with perfumer Mark Buxton, emphasizes craftsmanship, conceptual storytelling, and the intersection of art and design. The article positions the work as an experimental, poetic, and tactile exploration of inspiration and sensory perception.
- Talia Cotton on working at Pentagram, inspiring students and creating meaningful design with code
The Brand Identity interviews designer and coder Talia Cotton about her dual role at Pentagram, her teaching at Parsons, and her philosophy of creating meaningful design through code. Cotton discusses her generative identity for Guilty by Association, her workflow using Javascript and Figma, and her commitment to making coding accessible to designers. The conversation highlights how code can drive inclusive, bias-aware design solutions.
- New Visual Identity Forward Majority by Order
BP&O features Order’s new visual identity for Forward Majority, a political action committee focused on strengthening Democratic influence in U.S. state legislatures. The Brooklyn-based studio created a bold black-and-white identity centered on expressive typography using Original Sans and Graphik, rejecting traditional red/blue political color schemes. The design emphasizes clarity, progress, and a break from conventional political aesthetics.
- Anthony Zukofsky on the multidisciplinary balance of design, education and writing in his practice
The Brand Identity interviews New York-based designer and educator Anthony Zukofsky about his multidisciplinary practice that spans design, teaching, and writing. Zukofsky discusses his career path through studios like Pentagram, Google, and Instrument, his teaching role at the School of Visual Arts, and his approach to balancing creative and academic work. The conversation highlights his reflections on leadership, learning, and the evolving nature of design practice.
- Margot Lévêque details her unconventional journey from biology degree to the forefront of type design
The Brand Identity interviews French designer Margot Lévêque about her unconventional path from studying biology to becoming a leading independent type designer. She discusses her education, collaborations with studios like Pentagram, &Walsh, and Dinamo, and her self-initiated projects such as 'In House' and 'Our Type Design Guide for Beginners.' The conversation highlights her passion for serif typography, her creative process, and her philosophy on freelancing and self-driven work.
- Jesse Reed details Order's identities, Standards Manual's books and Michael Bierut's wisdom
The Brand Identity interviews Jesse Reed, co-founder of Order and Standards Manual, about the evolution of his Brooklyn-based studio, their publishing ventures, and lessons learned from Michael Bierut at Pentagram. Reed discusses the studio’s modular approach to identity design, particularly for MoMA, and the balance between client work, book publishing, and their new digital brand guidelines platform, Standards.
- New Logo & Brand Identity for On Rye by Pentagram
BP&O features Pentagram’s brand identity for On Rye, a Washington DC sandwich shop inspired by the Jewish deli. Designed by Michael Bierut, the identity balances modern urban typography with traditional interior cues and vibrant food photography. The project includes signage, menus, and a website that reflect the deli’s wholesome yet contemporary positioning.