Two Designers Walk Into a Bar: Recent Episodes
Todd Coats and Elliot Strunk
Be sure to visit our full website at twodesignerswalkintoabar.com for episode extras! ”Two Designers Walk Into a Bar” is where hosts Todd Coats and Elliot Strunk take listeners on a tour of popular culture through the minds of experienced graphic designers and marketing communicators. Starting with a theme, they each choose a piece of artwork and then use equal parts humor and insight to compare and contrast two items likely in your library, mini storage unit or memory.
Episode 57: Andy Warhol: Album Covers Take a Walk on the Wild Side - Part 1 Beginning with the backstory of one of the most iconic albums of all time, 1967’s “The Velvet Underground and Nico,” we return to The Factory scene as it was becoming commercially successful—but no less of a sideshow—as musicians come calling for new ideas or simply hipster art cred. We also discuss the design work Warhol created for bands like the Rolling Stones and the idea of turning a disposable record holder into individual artistic keepsakes.
Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-57-albums-wild-side-1
Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.
Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode wraps-up the chronicle of The Factory’s downward slide. Drella has made the scene at The Factory and there has been some fallout. A script entitled “Up Your Ass” led to Andy Warhol barely cheating death at the hands of its author, Valarie Solanas. She called the Factory dwellers the “Stupidstars” and Warhol “a vulture and a thief.” The resulting scars Andy had — both physical and emotional — would last the rest of his life.
Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-56-silver-wears-off-2
Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.
Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode begins the chronicle of The Factory’s downward slide. If you work with and entertain people living on society’s fringes, things happen…some good, some not so good. Add a constant flow of amphetamines and acid and the not so good can take a deadly turn. During this time, Andy Warhol was easily the most famous artist in America and enjoyed being the messiah of cool, until all of that changed on June 3, 1969.
Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-55-silver-wears-off-1
Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.
Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We wrap-up the second of our two episodes by talking about just how high (pun intended) the Silver Factory could get. Powered by the social unrest brewing in the mid-1960s, this collection of junkies, drag queens and hangers-on led by the Oddball Oracle made some great work and also caused a lot of irritation in the art world. Andy couldn’t be stopped.
Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-54-rise-of-silver-2
Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.
Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 53: Andy Warhol: New York and Rise of The Silver Factory - Part 1 We begin with the first of two episodes talking about the rapid and unprecedented success of Andy Warhol’s Silver Factory. It was part studio, part party palace and part crash pad for tripping pop stars, street gurus and suicidal Superstars. It didn’t take long for Andy’s hangers-on and wanna-be this or thats to become household names within this hub of design, fine art, music, movies and celebrity worship.
Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-53-rise-of-silver-1
Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.
Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Easily New York’s most successful commercial illustrator, Ambitious Andy wanted to be accepted in the hoity-toity fine art world. Unfortunately, he found that would take a little time and the right moment. The explosion of consumerism set him up to be a household name.
Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-52-warhol-becomes-center
Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.
Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We begin this episode with an introduction to the cultural chaos of the mid-1960s. As The Beats began to fade and the Hippies take center stage, changes were happening in both the U.S. and overseas that would set the stage for new forms of art and expression. Warhol found himself in the right place at the right time.
Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-51-emergence-of-pop
Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.
Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you. Support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pepsi announced it’s moving forward by moving backwards (sort of), returning to more of a traditional look for their logo and cans. (Think black. It's a slimming color.) But as they kick their last logo to the curb, we go back in time to discuss how they became saddled with this burdensome brand look in the first place. We talk ovals, smiles, globes, magnetic fields and cosmic forces of the universe in this special breathtaking and scientifically-tangential episode.
Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-50-pepsi-logo-story
Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.
Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you. Support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hi, it’s Todd and Elliot here with a quick announcement about Season 3.
We’re going to be mixing it up a little bit from our first two seasons. Think themes. Think mini-series.
We heard streaming services like Netflix make crazy money with these things so we thought, Why not?
(We have a rather large bar tab we need to pay.)
Anyway… We’re still talking design and pop culture, but how certain people in specific eras left lasting impressions on our culture.
The Beats. Studio 54, 80s modern and 90s grunge.
We’re hard at work on these episodes right now. In the meantime, catch-up on past episodes you may have missed, visit our YouTube channel to see what we look like in person, visit our website for episode notes and other extras, and be sure to review us on your listening platform of choice.
We look forward to sharing drinks and conversation very, very soon.
Today we’re back with the part two sampler of our second season. Think of it as the B-side of your favorite cassette tape found in that boom box you forgot about. Thought about listening? Not sure where to start? Here’s where. Slap some more chips and dip on your plate, prep a fancy Mai Tai and join us as we find ourselves back in the bar.
Featured Episodes...
Episode 21: Well-Designed Books https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-21-well-designed-books
Episode 22: Iconic Images https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-22-iconic-images
Episode 23: Rocking Logos https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-23-rocking-logos
Episode 24: Horror Posters https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-24-horror-posters
Episode 25: TV Show Openers https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-25-tv-opening-credits
Episode 26: Secret Codes https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-26-secret-codes
Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!
https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-40-best-of-season-02-part-02
Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.
Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.
Sometimes, in spite of their better judgement, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is frequent artist, occasional sax player and North Carolina resident Kyle T. Webster. Today we ask him some thought-provoking questions over a few drinks.
If you like this episode, be sure to listen to our other three conversations with Kyle.
Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!
https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-29-bar-snacks-kyle-webster-1
Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.
Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.
Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is artist, North Carolina resident and all-around nice guy Lenny Terenzi. Today we ask him even more thought-provoking questions over a few drinks.
If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other three we've had with Lenny.
Find show notes and other extras on our full episode page: https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-28-bar-snacks-lenny-terenzi-1
Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is a designer, autodidact and bon vivant in Seattle and beyond named Terry Marks. Today we ask him even more thought-provoking questions over a few drinks.
If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other three we've had with Terry.
Sometimes, in spite of their better judgement, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is frequent artist, occasional sax player and North Carolina resident Kyle T. Webster. Today we ask him some thought-provoking questions over a few drinks.
If you like this episode, be sure to listen to our other two conversations with Kyle.
Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is artist, North Carolina resident and all-around nice guy Lenny Terenzi. Today we ask him even more thought-provoking questions over a few drinks.
If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other two we've had with Lenny.
Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is a designer, autodidact and bon vivant in Seattle and beyond named Terry Marks. Today we ask him even more thought-provoking questions over a few drinks.
If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other two we've had with Terry.
Today we’re back with a whole plate full of appetizers from our second season. Think of it as your favorite cassette tape dug out of that shoebox in the back of your closet. Thought about listening? Not sure where to start? Here’s where. Fire up the grill, grab a cold one and join us as we head back into the bar.
Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is frequent artist, occasional sax player and North Carolina resident Kyle T. Webster. Today we ask him more thought-provoking questions over a few drinks.
If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other one we've had with Kyle.
Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is artist, North Carolina resident and all-around nice guy Lenny Terenzi. Today we ask him even more thought-provoking questions over a few drinks.
If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other one we've had with Lenny.
Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is a designer, autodidact and bon vivant in Seattle and beyond named Terry Marks. Today we ask him even more thought-provoking questions over a few drinks.
If you like this conversation, be sure to listen to the other one we've had with Terry.
Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is frequent artist, occasional sax player and North Carolina resident Kyle T. Webster. Today we ask him some thought-provoking questions over a few drinks.
Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is artist, North Carolina resident and all-around nice guy Lenny Terenzi. Today we ask him some thought-provoking questions over a few drinks.
Sometimes, in spite of their better judgment, friends choose to join us in the bar. One of our drinking buddies is a designer, autodidact and bon vivant in Seattle and beyond named Terry Marks. Today we ask him some thought-provoking questions over a few drinks.
Today, we’re doing our dutiful service by revealing secret signs and symbols hidden in plain sight. Once you see them you can’t unsee them. Join us in this public service, preferably in a public house, looking for a ring at the bottom of your beer mug when we secretly sneak back into the bar.
Nothing sets the stage quite like title design. Today we explore two different examples of amazing work that went above and beyond to get viewers excited about each episode of a TV series. Make sure your streaming accounts are paid up, the popcorn is popped and you have the right amount of rum to Coke. It’s time once again to take a seat at the bar.
Today, we celebrate the spooky, cheesy B-movie posters of the mid-fifties sci-fi era. Belief will be suspended. Hearts will race and we’ll all need a couple shots of liquid courage as we cower together back in the bar.
Dig up your torn jeans, your old leather jacket and some quarters for the jukebox. Today we’re talking rock logos. Just like the music, there’s no question this artwork is meant to agitate and stick it to The Man! Grab your chain wallet and a couple of lukewarm PBR tallboys. It’s time to kick down the doors, turn up the volume and join us back in the bar.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Today we share the stories of two iconic images that have had gallons upon gallons of ink spilled about them since their debut, becoming indelibly woven into the fabric of our pop culture. So dig up your old Viewmaster, mix yourself a couple of amazing Sazeraks, and picture yourself strolling in to meet us back around the bar.
Todd and Elliot welcome you to the bar. Just like a quick tickle of the taste buds before pulling a full pint of the newest microbrew, this preview provides a taste of what our podcast is all about, except for your ear buds. Design. Pop culture. High art. Low art. Comedy. Tragedy. Enjoy.
Shhhhhhh. Today, we’re digging into our inner bookworms. We’re looking at books with both great design and great content. And our shelves are loaded. Speaking of, get the bartender’s attention and order another round of smoky lowballs, and join us back in the bar.
You may consider them funny, bizarre or annoying, but there’s no question they are the biggest fans of their home teams. No, we don’t mean little league parents. Today we’re talking sports mascots. So grab your batting helmet that holds a couple of cold beers, a box of Cracker Jack and your favorite foam finger. Let’s all give three cheers as we belly-up to the bar!
Attention all armchair vexillographers! Today we’re waving the flag of good design for, well, flags. We’re talking bright colors, geometry, history, symbolism, patriotism and some other words we’ve probably forgotten. We’ve mixed some fun layered drinks, pulled out our travel guides and sketch pads, and are ready for you to join us back here in the bar.
Today, regardless of the time of the week you’re listening, it’s Saturday morning. We have cartoons. Yes, you heard us right. Cartoons!!! Whatever drink you’re about to enjoy, we hope one of the main ingredients is either maple syrup, Lucky Charms or some combination of the two. Journey back to your childhood with us, just like when your parents snuck you into the bar!
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. Today we’re going to bring you a couple of stories from games past, discussing the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Mix your favorite flaming cocktail, arrange yourself in the proper luge position for easy listening and join us on our victory lap as we celebrate returning to the bar.
Today, as theaters begin welcoming more people, we are directing our attention to the art of cinema once again. While our bar isn’t fancy enough to be found in the lobby of a high-end theater, we can certainly discuss a couple of movies with pivotal scenes that have a designed object at the center of them. So load-up IMDb on your phone, add some extra butter to that bucket of popcorn, and join us once again as we slide back into our seats here at the bar.
We can argue that most, if not all, successful companies pay attention to what they put into the world. Their product, brand, customer experience and other touch points are their calling card. Today we discuss what happens when companies do everything right on paper but the results end up turning out horribly wrong. The cocktail served during today’s happy hour will be a mix of craft and humility with a hint of failure. Get the bartender’s attention, place your order and join us once again here in the bar.
Today, we close-out with part two of our “best of” from last season. It’s a time to give one last toast to some of our favorite bits as we move on to Season Two. So grab a vintage vino, join us and relive some favorite memories as we journey back into the bar.
Today, we’re providing some snack-ready sound bites from our first season. Think of it as our highlight reel, appetizer platter, and mix tape all rolled into one. For those of you have thought about listening to us but have somehow lacked the motivation, this is your cheese-stuffed, flakey-crusted, golden opportunity. So grab that mixed six pack of craft beer, toss a few pizza rolls in the oven, and join us once again as we wander back into the bar.
Today, we’re talking about what happens when something created to sell a product not only outlasts it, but also grows bigger than its humble origins to the point it has its own center of gravity. With apologies to Flo, Max Headroom and that stoned kid who used to try to sell us Dell computers, we’ll be discussing a couple of cultural touchstones. So find your best convenience store-bought cigar, mix your booze with a fun fizzy soda, and join us once again as we belly up to the bar.
Today, our conversation centers around sticky, tasteless cardboard. If that description reminds you of the bubble gum that accompanies trading cards, you’re not far off. But, instead, we will be talking about two of our favorite novelty card series from the ‘70s and ‘80s. So get your mitts on some collector’s guides and a six pack of forgettable wine coolers. It’s time to kick open the door as we roll back into the bar.
Today, we’re discussing roadside beauties: a couple of those iconic signs that were beacons of convenience and comfort for mid-century travelers taking advantage of their middle class position and our country’s expanding interstate system. So pull off at the nearest rest stop, grab a sandwich from the cooler in your backseat, and take a journey with us once again as we stroll back into the bar.
Today, we’re discussing incidental icons. Or, we should say objects made by others that have fit so well with company brands, it’s impossible to separate them from their adopted corporate parent. If you’ve bought new tires or have streamed a movie lately, you may have an idea of what we’ll be talking about. So grab that 20-year-old Scotch you’ve been saving for a special occasion—or one of the beers you bought last night—and kick back with us once again as we belly up to the bar.
There was so much good material we shared for our movie logos that we ran out of time...just as our listeners were likely running out of patience. But we’re back! And you the listeners are back! So let’s tie-up our movie logos with a bow and move on to more Hollywood lore when two designers walk back into a bar.
Today’s conversation is all about movie logos. There have been many, many iconic movies whose logos are firmly imprinted on pop culture and we’re excited to be discussing a couple of our favorites. Grab that bowl of popcorn, throw a bit of vodka in that extra large ICEE you just bought, and settle in for another conversation with us as we stroll back into the bar.
Everyone remembers their first time. Today, we take a stroll down memory lane to revisit a particular typeface and discuss how, no matter where we have seen it since, we are reminded of the moment when our eyes first met. So pop open a cold one, dust off that old type specimen book, and grab a stool next to us at the bar.
Today, we shine the spotlight on some unsung heroes of the design world: underappreciated logos. The ones you sleep near in hotel rooms, seek out when you need to fill your car’s gas tank or your own stomach, and put a match to when you want to have a little fun. So put a splash of special something in that evening coffee, or kick back with a local brew, and join us as we walk back into the bar.
Today, we’re discussing street culture: the need for speed, fun in the sun, and rebels without a cause. We talk about two iconic characters that have influenced several generations of artists, musicians, and tinkerers of all stripes. Find a nice slab of pavement, grab your favorite t-shirt, and let’s get started.
Oh yeah! Today, we’re feeling greeeat in the land of advertising mascots where geckos, tigers and bunnies grow rich, the elves do the baking and they all want to sell us something. Join the Doughboys, the Crockers and the Choculas as we Cap’n Crunch through time to avoid the Noid when Two Designers Walk Into a Bar.
Today, we’re getting involved, raising our hands, being counted and exercising our civic appreciation for great poster design. We’ll be moved and take a stand as we reach across the aisle... to get another cocktail... when two designers walk into a bar.
Today, we venture back to the groovy 1970s. Bottoms were belled, hips were hugged, music went grand...and cheesy, and the nation gussied-up for the big 2-0-0. We’ll meet-up with Harvey Wallbanger, Tom Collins, and a couple of pieces of iconic pop culture that have impacted us both. So pull up a stool and join in.
Today, we try to convince you, the listener, that it’s worth your time to indulge us, the two tipsy designers. We’ll discuss the inspiration for what you’re listening to now, some of our creative influences, and do our best to answer questions like “Why another podcast about design?”, “Who do these two guys think they are?” and, most importantly, “Isn’t it about time for last call?”