“PSDs, PTSD and inner peace”: How two friends are disrupting design discussions via a podcast

Although only releasing their first episode in March of 2021, Drew and James have been having similar design-focused conversations for a number of years now. First meeting on Rhode Island School of Design’s (RISD) MFA programme, the pair were drawn to each other for they were both “black sheep” amongst “the polished design work being done in the programme”, explains Drew. “RISD prides itself on not having a house style, but there is a style that tends to be a little more traditional and conservative,” adds James. “I don’t know if disgruntled is quite the right word, but I think Drew looked to me to discuss his insecurities, and those insecurities were my issues with the programme.” During their time in New England – in between “cold days eating shellfish” – the pair offered the other a shoulder to lean on while attempting to learn design. This soon blossomed into a friendship based on an appreciation about the practice, and them both being comfortable with discussing the wider industry’s flaws.

Throughout their subsequent careers, James and Drew have remained close friends and design confidants. The possibility of a podcast first developed from the concept of a part-solo practice, part-collective Drew dreamt of creating. Titled Graphic Support Group, they decided to structure it with the aim of supporting; the designers who come in and out to create projects would support each other, and in turn support their clients. As a result, conversations would be a key part of this practice – leading Drew to reach out to James about the possibility of starting a podcast to kick things off. James – whose practice includes interviewing designers first through his early blog Graphic Hug and now his publishing label Pudding, which explores the interactions between design and music – had always thought of moving into podcasting, but refrained until he had someone to banter along with in the process. As you’ll hear on any episode, their friendship and personal experiences makes for a perfect partnership of honest hosts.

The key byproduct of the conversations Drew and James facilitate is the idea of “humanising and demystifying the designer”, explains Drew. An individual who “always was, and continues to be, starstruck and attracted to these figures”, the result on his own practice has been a niggling sense of comparison. “In my personal life, it’s been this struggle of 'wow I could never be like this person'. But as my career developed, I gained confidence and became friends with these people. I realised I could just do these things too and, in fact, why am I putting people on pedestals? They do deserve to be on pedestals, but maybe so do I?” In sharing this internal monologue, Drew was met with designers – even those he romanticised – who often felt the exact same. “I thought it would be fun to record some of these breakthroughs.”

By focusing on the emotion felt in the process of design, Graphic Support Group – even in just the 27 episodes shared so far – is breaking down a sense of gatekeeping the industry has unfortunately developed. Decades of discussion around design has led to heralded figureheads leading aesthetic outputs, in turn making those who didn’t adapt to such trends feel like outsiders. But what Graphic Support Group also reveals is how these figureheads are often feeling the same. For instance, in James’ case, some of the most interesting conversations he's had centre around guests discussing “the manicured and curated personality versus who they are in everyday life". Drew adds: “For a long time in design, elitism and prestige were the most important aspects… I think what we’re really trying to do is create a space where people feel comfortable sharing their vulnerabilities both within their emotional psychological life, but also their design life."

Humour is additionally a key tool in how the podcast’s hosts achieve this openness. Even the name is an example of this, conceived as “a sentiment that is genuine, but to call it outright ‘Graphic Support Group’ is a deadpan joke,” says James. “We want to be really genuine, pure and intentional about our desire to create a space for support and care, but we also want it to be a pleasant experience. We don't want to take it too seriously, because at the end of the day, we’re talking about design which we are passionate about.”