Fail. Hard. with Will Hall: Recent Episodes
Will Hall
Fail. Hard. is a By Design podcast that explores the relationship between fear, failure, and creativity. Each week, host Will Hall sits down with top designers and makers to explore the various ways that failure and iteration can lead to breakthrough ideas and remarkable creative executions. Sponsored by Adobe.
In this episode of Fail Hard, host Will Hall sits down with legendary photographer Frank Ockenfels III, whose iconic imagery has shaped some of the most defining moments in entertainment. From Breaking Bad and Mad Men to The Bear and American Horror Story, Frank’s visual storytelling has left an indelible mark on television. His work extends to blockbuster films like Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Hunger Games—yet these only hint at the breadth of his prolific 40-year career.
Frank's creative reach spans beyond film and television, with deep roots in the music industry. He’s photographed everyone from Snoop Dogg and Gwen Stefani to cult icons like Tom Waits and Bad Brains, and his work has appeared in every major publication. But what truly sets Frank apart is his ability to capture more than just a subject’s likeness—his portraits are emotional narratives, revealing something deeper and unexpected.
In this episode, Frank reflects on the importance of risk-taking, pushing creative boundaries, and embracing failure as a necessary part of growth. He shares his philosophy of creating raw, emotionally resonant work that defies convention. Frank also delves into his long-standing collaboration with David Bowie, a partnership that epitomizes the magic of creative experimentation and collaboration. Whether working on polished commercial projects or gritty gallery pieces, Frank’s photography remains fearless, always embracing the beauty of imperfection.
CREDITS
Guest: Frank W. Ockenfels III
https://fwo3.com/
https://www.instagram.com/fwo3
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/
Sponsored by Adobe.
In this episode of Fail Hard, host Will Hall sits down with acclaimed industrial designer Scott Henderson for a conversation about design, intuition, and the creative process.
Scott, founder of his own design studio in Brooklyn, shares insights into the role of subconscious creativity, the importance of "trapped energy" in great design, and how fun and joy should never be overlooked in the design process.
They dive deep into how iconic designs—from muscle cars to everyday products—carry a soul, making them timeless and desirable. Whether you're a designer, artist, or anybody aspiring to do something new, this episode offers a fresh perspective on infusing passion and playfulness into your work.
CREDITS
Guest: Scott Henderson
https://scotthendersoninc.com/
https://www.instagram.com/scott_henderson_nyc/
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/
Sponsored by Adobe.
In this episode of Fail Hard, host Will Hall dives deep into the creative chaos of insomnia and the strange beauty of late-night life. Will reflects on his lifelong struggle with sleep, the surreal experiences that come from wandering the streets in the early hours, and the unexpected inspiration found in those dark, quiet moments.
Supplemental videos for some episodes will be posted to Will's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco
CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/
Sponsored by Adobe.
What does it truly mean to be a professional? Beyond dedication, discipline, and perseverance, there's another key factor that often goes overlooked: mindset. In this episode of Fail Hard, host Will Hall unpacks this question, exploring how mental barriers can prevent us from reaching our full potential.
Through compelling stories and real-life examples, Will offers insights into overcoming the internal roadblocks that hold us back.
Supplemental videos for some episodes will be posted to Will's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco
CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/fail-hard-podcast
Sponsored by Adobe.
After a two-year hiatus, Fail Hard is BACK! In this season three premiere, we dive into the idea of creative seasons—those periods of intense growth, reflection, and everything in between.
Host Will Hall shares his journey over the past 24 months and how these moments have shaped his view on creativity and life.
Whether you're in the planting phase of a new idea or hunkered down in the grind, this episode is for you!
Future supplemental videos for some episodes will be posted to Will's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco
CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
https://www.youtube.com/@willhallco
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Associated with ByDesign
https://www.bydesign.global/fail-hard-podcast
Sponsored by Adobe.
We answer some listener mail in this Season Two Finale (Season Three is just around the corner!). Questions covered the pesky topic of procrastination, promoting iteration within organizations, professional advancement, and the somewhat questionable origins of the podcast's name.
CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Sponsored by Adobe.
Creativity is born from constraints. And of all the limitations we have to deal with, the restriction of time is the most profound. In this episode, we explore the topic of time and its relationship to expression and meaning.
CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Sponsored by Adobe.
Montreal's Olympic Stadium is often considered the most poorly managed construction project ever. What started as a $140 million project ballooned to over $3 billion. Every moment of this stadium's 50-year legacy is laced with failure.
This episode explores how the stadium went off the rails and what we can learn from it.
CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Sponsored by Adobe.
Internet fame is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, having a large audience opens doors and builds influence. On the other, it can also become a burden and warp everything around you. In this episode, Christian Watson of 1924us sat down with host Will Hall to discuss navigating success early on, the evolution of his studio, and the virtues of finding your creative voice.
CREDITS
Guest: 1924us // Christian Watson
https://www.1924.us/
https://www.instagram.com/1924us/
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Sponsored by Adobe.
There's an artistic whisper before every significant scientific breakthrough — an intuition of what's to come. In this episode, host Will Hall explores the unexpected relationship between creative exploration and scientific discoveries.
CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
Matt Owens is a Designer and partner at Athletics in NYC. In this episode, Matt sat down with host Will Hall to discuss his early days in music, his time at Cranbrook, the future of creative agencies, and the value of creating programs for your life.
CREDITS
Guest: Matt Owens // Athletics
https://athleticsnyc.com/
https://www.instagram.com/athleticsnyc/
https://www.volumeone.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mattvolumeone/
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
In this second installment of our two-part interview, Draplin of DDC and Field Notes fame sits down with host Will Hall to discuss running a merch empire, the surprise success of his book, and speculations about the next ten years. Hint: sweatpants will still be involved.
CREDITS
Guest: DDC // Aaron James Draplin
https://www.draplin.com/
https://www.instagram.com/draplin/
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
From running his studio, DDC, to starting everyone's favorite EDC, Field Notes, few designers have been more influential than Aaron James Draplin over the past two decades.
In this part one of a two-part interview, Draplin sits down with host Will Hall to discuss his early days at Charles S. Anderson/CSA Archive, the art of building an empire in your backyard, and the virtues of being frugal.
CREDITS
Guest: DDC // Aaron James Draplin
https://www.draplin.com/
https://www.instagram.com/draplin/
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
The Royal Oak. Falling Water. Rocky. In this episode, host Will Hall explores how moments of creative genius often emerge in a single night. But these sparks of inspiration aren't always what they seem to be.
CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
What does it mean to be a professional enthusiast? In this episode, Artist and Creative Director Stephen Pulvirent sits down with host Will Hall to discuss his early days at the luxury watch site Hodinkee, the brand's evolution, the art of risk-taking, and what it's like to start a creative agency.
CREDITS
Guest: Stephen Pulvirent
https://stephenpulvirent.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sjpulvirent/
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
How do you make a passion into a career? In this episode, Daniel Marcello of Brooklyn Coachworks, the premier Land Rover builder, shows how he left the design and advertising industries to start the brand.
CREDITS
Guest: Daniel Marcello // Brooklyn Coachworks
https://www.brooklyncoachworks.com/
https://www.instagram.com/brooklyncoachworks/
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
From his early days working with Brand Jordan and Converse to being a Creative Director at Frog to running his own firm, Michael DiTullo has designed pretty much everything. Michael sits down with host Will Hall to discuss his love of craft and passion for all things design.
CREDITS
Guest: Michael DiTullo
http://www.michaelditullo.com/
https://www.instagram.com/d2lo/
https://www.youtube.com/michaelditullo
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
Season two is almost upon us. Let's set the table.
CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
In this short update, host Will Hall teases Season 2.
CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
Debbie Millman is a highly accomplished designer, author, podcaster, and educator. From establishing the world's first Masters in Branding program at SVA to hosting one of the oldest and most respected podcasts, Design Matters, Debbie has been a part of so many industry firsts, and she's just getting started.
In this second part of a two-part interview, host Will Hall sits down with Debbie to discuss her branding work, iterating in public, and the challenges with social media. They also discuss the value of taking the long view when building a career over a lifetime.
Debbie also shared some highlights from her newest book, Why Design Matters: Conversations with the World's Most Creative People, available for preorder now.
CREDITS
Guest: Debbie Millman
https://www.debbiemillman.com/
https://www.instagram.com/debbiemillman/
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music: Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
Debbie Millman is a highly accomplished designer, author, podcaster and educator. From establishing the world's first Masters in Branding program at SVA to hosting one of the oldest and most respected podcasts Design Matters, Debbie has been a part of so many industry firsts, and she's just getting started.
In this first part of a two-part interview, host Will Hall sits down with Debbie to discuss the challenges with success, the importance of patience, and how she got her start in branding and design.
CREDITS
Guest: Debbie Millman
https://www.debbiemillman.com/
https://www.instagram.com/debbiemillman/
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
When first released in 2013, many thought that Google Glass was going to change the world. Everyone from Oprah to Beyonce endorsed the product, but now, nearly a decade later, Glass is little more than a footnote... or is it? In this episode, host Will Hall explores the legacy of Glass and the virtues of rapid prototyping... even when done in public.
CREDITS
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
Millions of people worldwide use Adobe Creative Cloud to express themselves, make great projects, and get work done. In this week's episode, Adobe's VP of Design Eric Snowden sits down with host Will Hall to discuss how their products have evolved over the years, the art of iteration, and the role of software in the creative process.
CREDITS
Eric Snowden
https://twitter.com/ericsnowden
https://www.instagram.com/ericsnowden/
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
With over a quarter-million employees worldwide, IBM is living up to the name "Big Blue." And facilitating meaningful collaboration both internally and with clients is a top priority. In this episode, IBM Design Principle Oen Michael Hammonds sits down with host Will Hall to discuss design thinking at scale.
CREDITS
Guest: Oen Michael Hammonds
https://www.ibm.com/design/
https://www.instagram.com/oen.hammonds/
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
What started as a passion for music has evolved into a thriving design practice. In this episode, Don Clark of Invisible Creature sits down with host Will Hall to discuss how the studio got its start, the importance of passion in creative work, and how to design your own life.
CREDITS
Guest: Invisible Creature // Don Clark
https://www.invisiblecreature.com/
https://www.instagram.com/icreature/
Invisible Creature's new book, "Face the Music: Twenty Years of Album Art," is available for preorder in their shop:
https://www.invisiblecreature.com/shop/facethemusic-book
Host: Will Hall
https://www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
Emoji has become the fastest-growing language ever. In this episode, type designer and emoji expert Paul D. Hunt sits down with host Will Hall to discuss how emoji has evolved, the challenges of inclusive representation, and the tension between control and freedom. Aunt Violet also stops by to steal the show.
CREDITS
Guest: Paul D. Hunt
https://fonts.adobe.com/designers/paul-d-hunt
Host: Will Hall
www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
Ian Robertson is a professor, prolific author, and one of the world's leading neuroscientists. In this episode, Ian sits down with host Will Hall to explore the effects of failure on the creative mind, how group creativity works, and how to get ideas unstuck.
CREDITS:
Guest: Ian Robertson
https://ianrobertson.org/
Host: Will Hall
www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
https://kariom.art/
https://www.instagram.com/kariomart/
Music:
Spencer Bernstein
https://www.instagram.com/spencerer_/
Sponsored by Adobe.
Over the past 50 years, plastic has quickly become one of the most ubiquitous building materials in the world. It's in nearly everything and is creating countless health and environmental problems.
In this episode, host Will Hall sits down with Architect Alison Mears, co-director of Parson's Healthy Materials Lab, to discuss new processes and materials that are having a profound impact in Pittsburgh.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Alison Mears
https://healthymaterialslab.org/
https://www.instagram.com/alison_mears/
Will Hall
www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
CREDITS:
Host: Will Hall
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
Guest: Alison Mears
Sponsored by Adobe.
Back in the early 80s, Atari was the hottest company in the world. Their games established an entire industry from seminal games like PacMan, Space Invaders, and Yar's Revenge. Then overnight, it was all taken away, thanks to everyone's favorite alien, E.T.
In this episode, host Will Hall sits down with E.T.'s designer Howard Scott Warshaw to discuss this epic collapse and how failure leads to greater meaning.
Contact information:
Howard Scott Warshaw
https://hswarshaw.com/
Will Hall
www.willhall.co
https://www.instagram.com/willhall.co/
CREDITS:
Host: Will Hall
Engineer: Martin Nayeri
Guest: Howard Scott Warshaw
Sponsored by Adobe.
Season 1, Episode 002 of Fail. Hard. a By Design podcast sponsored by Adobe.
Host Will Hall sits down with Designer and educator Martin Venezky. In this episode, they discuss Martin's time at Cranbrook, how he started Appetite Engineers, as well as his photographic works called The New Machinery.
To find out more about Martin, check out his site: www.appetiteengineers.com or his Instagram: www.instagram.com/martinvenezky/
About the host: Will Hall is the Chief Creative Officer at RAIN and a presenter on America by Design on CBS. To find out more about Will, check out his site: www.willhall.co or his Instagram: www.instagram.com/willhall.co
To listen to more episodes of Fail. Hard. or to learn more about America by Design on CBS, check out www.americabydesigntv.com
Season 1, Episode 001 of Fail. Hard. a By Design podcast sponsored by Adobe.
In this pilot episode of Fail. Hard. host Will Hall establishes the premise of the show and invites listeners to come along for the journey.