Gallery: Celebrate Penny Arcade's Revived Podcast With 10 More Awesome Design Web Shows
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Design freaks (and freaks of any persuasion, really) can find a digital treasure chest of entertaining content in the realm of the podcast. The continuously evolving format, now eight years old, has become a defining voice for a number of massively successful outlets. However, it's still a shaky field, and some well-regarded podcasts have been shuttered. But as per the internet's flexibility, these types of things can come back to life, too. Last week, the team at *Penny Arcade* launched a Kickstarter project to bring back their massively popular podcast, *[Downloadable Content](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pennyarcade/penny-arcades-podcast-downloadable-content-the-ret?ref=users),* which gave listeners the chance to hear about the creative process behind their iconic cartoons. The campaign quickly blew past its $10 goal (yes, ten one dollar bills), surely to become the most oversubscribed project in Kickstarter history. (It's currently 1219940 percent funded with 15 days remaining). The campaign and its comically low target have drawn the ire of some critics who see this as a shameless money grab by a well-funded media company, but others see it as validation for the fledgling medium of podcasting. The pioneers of podcasting struggled for the better part of a decade, but are finally seeing a business model and market develop with enough sophistication to support multiple, high quality series — even in a niche like design. Whether your interest is graphic design, industrial design, architecture or just the creative culture, these 10 currently available, design-associated podcasts and YouTube channels can make a morning commute or a bit of downtime more enjoyable.
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99% Invisible ------------- [*99% Invisible*](http://99percentinvisible.org/) is *This American Life* for design. Every week, host Roman Mars spends 20 minutes covering some facet of design history or practice — not the easiest task, considering design is largely visual while the podcast is audio only. Topics include a faux city square built in post-communist Warsaw, to stories about highway infrastructure and contemporary discussions about design issues like UC Berkley’s polarizing logo redesign. There isn't an equivalent to Nielsen ratings for podcasts yet, but the [Kickstarter campaign for *99% Invisible*](http://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/publishing/most-funded?ref=more#p1) is one of the top-five most funded publishing projects. *Image: Roman Mars*
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PBS Off Book ------------ [*PBS Off Book*](http://www.youtube.com/user/PBSoffbook) is a bi-weekly YouTube program that covers digital culture and the artists that create it. Past episodes have covered data visualization, graphic design, the aesthetics of indie video games and of course, steam punk. New episodes premiere every other Thursday and combine the best of old and new media. A panel of talking heads provide narration and expertise, while fast-paced visuals and detailed show notes expose viewers to a bevy of new ideas, products and creators. *Image: PBS*
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Creative Mornings ----------------- [Creative Mornings](http://www.creativemornings.com/) presentations are like TED talks for designers. Eminent designers, entrepreneurs and other notables share their wisdom and bon mots over bagels and donuts. The talks are meant to provide the mind expanding experience of a conference, but for no cost and without requiring travel to a far-flung convention. The range of speakers is impressive — from the laconic Ben Chestnut, who shared the story of founding Mailchimp, to one of the inspirations for *MadMen*, George Lois. *Image: Creative Mornings*
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Still Untitled: Adam Savage Podcast ----------------------------------- Wired Contributor Adam Savage hosts a [weekly podcast without a name](http://www.tested.com/still-untitled-the-adam-savage-project/). What it lacks in a title it makes up for in fascinating discussions about how to quickly teach yourself skills, where to buy supplies and occasional diversions into pop culture. Spoiler alert, you’ll hear a lot of theories about *Star Wars: Episode VII*. *Photo: Tested.com*
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Extra Credits ------------- *[Extra Credits](http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/show/extra-credits)* is like the Khan Academy for video game designers. Each episode covers an aspect of game design, from balancing player strength in MMORPGs to the multiple functions of avatars in games. Lessons are presented in a fast-paced format that mashes up crude-but-charming line art with screen caps and Reddit-worthy meme pics for effect. While targeted towards game designers, the lessons are applicable to user interface and industrial designers. *Image: Penny Arcade*
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Let's Make Mistakes ------------------- [*Let's Make Mistakes*](http://www.muleradio.net/mistakes/) is less like a formally produced podcast and more akin to eavesdropping on lunchtime conversations at a highly regarded design firm. Host Mike Monteiro, proprietor of Mule Design, has completed high profile projects for companies like Mint.com and other startups, and pontificates on all matters of design. Monteiro and his co-host Leah Reich cover the art of client management, the value of design research and even answer questions from the audience — though be warned, they have little patience for poorly worded queries. In addition to this podcast, The Mule Radio Syndicate, Monteiro's publishing group, also hosts John Gruber's *[The Talk Show](http://www.muleradio.net/thetalkshow/)* which often features discussions of UI design, *[The New Disruptors](http://www.muleradio.net/newdisruptors/)*, a show focused on "designtreprenuers" and *[The SDMR Podcast](http://www.muleradio.net/sdmr/)* on the art and appreciation of sneaker design. *Image: Mule Design*
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The Big Web Show ---------------- *[The Big Web Show](http://5by5.tv/bigwebshow)* a weekly-ish podcast hosted by web standards advocate and designer Jeffrey Zeldman. Guest like Evan Williams, Tina Roth Eisenberg and Dalton Caldwell share their secrets for good design as well as talk shop about emerging trends like responsive design. *The Big Web Show* is part of the [5By5](http://5by5.tv/) network of podcasts, all of which are produced as well as any radio show and cover a broad range of topics. *[Screen Time](http://5by5.tv/screentime)* focuses on the film business and counts Hollywood superstars like Guillermo Del Toro among its guests while Horace Dediu's *[The Critical Path](http://5by5.tv/criticalpath)* is a weekly deep-dive into the world of Apple products. *Image: 5by5*
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Design Matters -------------- Debbie Millman is the OG of design podcasting having hosted her show *[Design Matters](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/design-matters-debbie-millman/id328074695)* since 2009. The show is a no-frills, traditional interview format where Millman spends 30-40 minutes with eminent designers like Khoi Vinh, Chris Ware and Jason Kottke, discussing their background, process and perspective on the design industry. It's like Terry Gross on NPR or Charlie Rose on PBS, meaning it's really good. *Image: Design Observer*
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Ace on the House ---------------- Bawdy comedian Adam Carolla came to fame on *The Man Show*, but has reinvented himself as a tech mogul with a lineup of podcasts that dominate the iTunes charts. His weekly, hour-long home improvement show *[Ace on the House](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ace-on-the-house/id414294132)* combines Carolla's caustic humor with practical advice on masonry, power tools and home decor. For those with questions on how to best design a man cave, Carolla will answer questions submitted on YouTube and Twitter, but be prepared for a cutting critique of your ideas. *Image: ACE Broadcasting*
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Writers Panel ------------- While not a design podcast per se, *[The Writer's Panel](http://www.nerdist.com/podcast/nerdist-writers-panel/)*, part of Chris Hardwick’s Nerdist empire, provides fascinating insights on how creators at the top of their field transform inspiration into salable products. Guest include comedians like Bill Hader, award winning authors like Michael Chabon and Comic book legends like Peter David, as well as a host of professionals with names you likely may not recognize, but whose TV shows and movies you adore. *Image: Nerdist*
