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17
Mike Chapman
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Why This Episode Matters
Mike Chapman brings design stories to millions on CBS—not through colorful scarves and furniture rearranging, but by explaining what designers actually do to mainstream audiences. In this conversation, he reveals why the design community has been "mishandled" by television, how partnerships with institutions like the German Design Council surface the best stories, and why America could become a design force to rival Europe. For designers who want their work seen and companies with stories worth telling, this is a masterclass in design media.
Key Takeaways
Design has been mishandled by television
The typical "design show" features someone rearranging furniture and surprising homeowners. That's not helping the design cause. Chapman's mission is to explain what designers actually do to mainstream audiences.
The biggest companies in the world are design-led
When an executive says the design department "puts lipstick on the pig," he's missing the point. All major successful companies put design at the forefront. Innovation, pivoting, staying fresh—that's what design does.
Industrial designers are the most misunderstood
People think industrial designers design factories. After appearing on Chapman's show, one designer said his friends finally understood what he does after years of glazed-over eyes at barbecues.
America can be a design force to reckon with
Chapman believes that if American designers get organized, they have the resources to compete with European design leadership. So many cool people and cool design happening—they just need coordination.
Partner with design institutions for credibility
Working with the AIA, German Design Council, IDSA, and award programs helps surface the best stories. The cream has already risen to the top through their awards systems.
Conversation Outline
00:00 — The cocktail question: I produce TV shows about design
04:00 — From Australia to New York: where the bigger design conversations happen
07:00 — Why design attracted him: a cause that wants to be known and respected
10:00 — Industrial designers are the most misunderstood designers
14:00 — How the shows work: changing stories every 4-5 minutes
20:00 — Partners: AIA, German Design Council, IDSA, AHLA
28:00 — Why mainstream exposure matters for the design community
35:00 — Innovation by Design: the show about industrial design
42:00 — Looking for Swiss projects and European stories
50:00 — The value of design for companies: all big companies are design-led
57:00 — Looking for graphic design stories
1:00:00 — What he believes: America can be a serious design force
Mike Chapman
→ Founder & Executive Producer of ByDesign TV
→ Creator of "America by Design" on CBS
→ Creator of "Australia by Design" — 7 seasons on Channel 10
→ Partner with German Design Council, AIA, IDSA, AHLA
→ Bringing design stories to mainstream audiences of millions
→ Based in Manhattan, originally from Australia
Show Notes & Links
Mentioned In This Episode
→ CBS — American network where Chapman's shows air
→ Channel 10 — Australian network for "Australia by Design"
→ German Design Council — partner organization for finding stories
→ AIA (American Institute of Architects) — partner organization
→ IDSA (Industrial Designers Society of America) — partner for Innovation by Design
→ AHLA (American Hotel & Lodging Association) — partner for hotel design show
→ Good Design Awards Australia — where partnership model began with Brandon Gien
→ Beyond 2000 — Australian show from the 90s that inspired Chapman
→ RTL — European network comparison for Channel 10
Partner With This Podcast
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