In this episode of Type Speaks, co-hosts Ray and Emiko sit down with Briar Levitt. We dive deep into the origins and purpose of the People's Graphic Design Archive, the importance of saving design history, especially the ordinary and underrepresented, and how inspiration often comes from the tactile, the analog, and the unexpected. Plus, we talk about thrift finds, Oz books, quilt magazines, and the quiet power of uploading one artifact at a time.
Briar Levit is a Professor of Graphic Design at Portland State University. Levit’s feature-length documentary, Graphic Means: A History of Graphic Design Production, which follows design production from manual to digital methods, established an obsession with design history—particularly aspects not in the canon. She currently collaborates with Louise Sandhaus, Brockett Horne, and Morgan Searcy on The People’s Graphic Design Archive. She recently edited a book of essays for Princeton Architectural Press called Baseline Shift: Untold Stories of Women in Graphic Design History.
What is Type Speaks?
What is design? Who does it? And, more importantly, how and why do they do what they do?
From type and color to everyday objects and the games we play with friends, guests share their perspectives on the power of design. Through honest conversations, you’ll hear about the challenges and, the breakthroughs, and how design goes beyond looking good. It’s about solving problems…
Or, put simply: these are people Rae wants to talk to, and now you get to hear from them too!
Join host Rae on Type Speaks for conversations with the people behind the design.