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PODCAST

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar

Evergreen Podcasts

Pop culture inspires some serious fun. Join hosts Todd Coats and Elliot Strunk, two creatively curious pals living between the bookends of grand museums and dive bars, the sweet spot where highbrow and lowbrow become drinking buddies. They talk influential work and uncover stories of how the familiar became iconic. Think Behind the Music for the stuff we love. ----- Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/ for images, links, episode extras and more. ----- Two Designers Walk Into a Bar is part

arts design

All Episodes

32:29

Episode 124: Talking Food Mascots with Kirk + Kurtts...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2026/01/07

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.What do Betty Crocker, Charlie Tuna, Tony the Tiger and the oddball characters from Off Limits Cereal have in common? Along with fellow creatives Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts of the “Kirk and Kurtts” design podcast, they were all our drinking buddies one evening! We chewed the fat with Kirk and Andy about some classic characters and their impact on pop culture (and snacking), and why these same techniques invented decades ago still work today. Order a

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33:33

Episode 123: The Origin Story of Rudolph the...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/12/24

We have one more Christmas gift for our listeners! Today we’re going to be talking about a holiday icon that began as a marketing stunt. (Let’s be honest. Sometimes it feels like Christmas is just one big marketing stunt.) But we’re with friends, so we're getting into the Christmas spirit. (Or spirits!)Today we’re going to be talking about everyone’s favorite red-nosed reindeer, Rudolph, and his origin story from a retail store’s marketing department to being the guide at the front of Santa’s

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50:34

Episode 122: Trailblazing Toys - Hot Wheels Cars and...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/12/10

Just in time for Christmas, we've brought some classic toys with us that have become iconic collectibles.First, we suggest you grab your seat belt and buckle-up as we white knuckle the wheel and talk the fast-paced glitz of Hot Wheels cars, and then we’re gonna fight for truth and justice as we get our hands on some highly collectible Mego superhero action figures. So order up a couple of Caped Crusaders. We’re gonna be crossing the finish line with all of our Super Listeners, right here in the

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37:02

Episode 121: Giving Thanks for Norman Rockwell’s Four...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/11/26

As we head into the holiday season, we’re giving thanks by spotlighting the four freedoms—Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Fear and Freedom from Want—along with the man who brought them to life in ways everyone could understand: Norman Rockwell.We talk about how while critics threw shade his way, Rockwell created what is arguably the most iconic Thanksgiving image of all time, parodied and remixed over the years. So mix up a couple of vodka and cranberries and serve them up in

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56:27

Episode 120: Politicians, Superheroes and Stars -...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/11/12

Magazines. They’re still big business, but today’s magazines are a pale imitation of what they once were. And being on a magazine cover meant that you hit the big-time. Sometimes that was amazing, other times not so much.Today we’re discussing some iconic covers that made statements from the shelves of newsstands and delivered surprises to unsuspecting mailboxes. John Lennon, Demi Moore, Richard Nixon, New York City, Apple and Batman have all made the cut. So ask your bartender for a round of

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37:53

Episode 119: Scary Good Posters - The Thing and...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/10/29

Since it’s still October, we’re continuing with the second of our two Horror Month episodes here in the bar. If you didn’t get enough shock and terror from our last episode, you just weren't listening closely...Come to think of it, that could be said about any of our episodes.Today we’re discussing a couple of amazing horror movie posters for The Thing and Creature from the Black Lagoon. The stories that inspired them, the artists who created them (Reynold Brown and Drew Struzan) and what makes

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40:46

Episode 118: Monster Sponsors - Gritty from Philly...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/10/15

Since it’s October, we’re gonna jump into the next two episodes with Horror Month here in the bar.Horror? Sure, regular listeners will wonder why this month is somehow different from any other, but don’t worry. The quality is still the same, only this time we’re talking about some characters created for the amusement of both the young and the young-at-heart. We’re talking about the origin stories of Monster Cereals from General Mills and the mascot Gritty from the ice in Philly. So order a couple

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46:52

Episode 117: The Batmobile and the DeLorean - Iconic...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/10/01

While we don't recommend drinking and driving, we do recommend talking pop culture and cars while sitting safe and sound on a couple of bar stools.Buckle up as we travel back in time to discuss what are arguably the two most popular cars in pop culture: the original 1960s Batmobile and the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Sometimes they worked, oftentimes they didn't. If you smell some burning rubber, it's not from us thinking—at least not this week. Instead, it's a high-octane topic coupled with

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43:48

Episode 116: Cat Posters with Paul Hennessey (Classic)

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/09/17

We’re taking a short break. In the meantime, grab a drink and kick back with one of our classic episodes.Cats. You may love ‘em, hate ‘em or feel indifferent, but there’s no escaping their power, especially if you spend any time online. Cats have a long history in the world of advertising. In this classic episode we invited friend and poster expert Paul Hennessey back into the bar to discuss the appeal of cat posters aesthetically and financially, discuss a few of our favorites and decode why

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40:10

Episode 115: NBC, Netflix and Network Branding

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/09/03

When we say "TV network," what do you think of? When we say "TV network brand," what pops into your head? Is it a logo or a sound? Is it an animation or an app? Is it a signature show?Today we’re going to be talking about a couple of identities made for NBC and Netflix. We discuss the origin stories for both their visuals and their sounds. So add us to your queue. We're gonna be sipping on a couple of Cobra Strikes as we get this show underway back here in the bar. - - - - - Visit our full

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36:30

Episode 114: The Fall and Rise (Again) of Tiki Culture

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/08/20

We’ve been exploring the Polynesian Pop trend that swept suburbia. From the 1930s to the ‘70s, tiki culture was everywhere. And then, like the tide going out, it was gone. Today we talk about the factors that brought it back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s (hint: swing, thrifting and SpongeBob) and how tiki is influencing artists today. Grab a Bahama Mama and join our conga line as we swing, sway and sashay back into the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the

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33:32

Episode 113: Embracing and Evolving the Tiki Style

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/08/06

Today, we're continuing our series on tiki culture as we look at how professional designers embraced and evolved the island aesthetic. Was it low brow? High brow? A symbol of exotic adventure? A goofy gimmick? Regardless, the movement left a deep imprint on graphic, interior, fashion, product, and architectural design, in applications ranging from kitsch to high-concept.We'll gonna figure out the price of some amazing tiki drinks, get some quarters sticky with pineapple juice and throw some

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33:19

Episode 112: Tiki Culture: The Story of Post-War...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/07/23

Today we’re dressing up the bar with coconut mugs, gardenia flowers, surf boards and pu-pu platters because we’re diving into the first of a three episode series on Tiki culture. We’ll talk about the origins and influences — it’s not as simple as you think — and learn why this very Americanized look took off throughout the country and set sail across the globe.Grab your tiki mugs, some fresh-cut pineapple and a chilled pitcher of Classic Mai Tais. We’re spinning some good ol’ exotic sailor

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36:58

Episode 111: Good Movies and Old Books - A...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/07/09

Today we’re returning to the bar with Matt Stevens, a designer and illustrator who has been successful working with clients ranging from a tequila brand to clients like Apple TV+ and Netflix.But what we have in common is not only a love for design, but also pop culture. So we’re talking with him about a personal project that grew into an actual project, his new book Good Movies as Old Books. We dig into subjects as varied as a scorpion penis, The Karate Kid, living and working in North Carolina,

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36:51

Episode 110: Good Movies and Old Books - A...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/06/25

Today we’re sitting down with a new friend, a designer and illustrator who has been successful working with clients ranging from a local hot dog shop to clients like Airbnb and Facebook.But what we have in common with Matt Stevens is not only a love for design, but also pop culture. So we’re talking with him about a personal project that grew into an actual project, his new book Good Movies as Old Books. It’s time to grab a bag of popcorn and add some rum to your overpriced Coke. We’re

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47:56

Episode 109: Foxes, Flies and the Design of...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/06/11

If you’ve ever caught a late-night flick full of high-speed chases, stylish wardrobes, and unforgettable soundtracks, you might’ve stumbled into the bold, brash world of blaxploitation. This genre wasn’t just about action—it brought civil rights, empowerment, and attitude to the screen, with a mix of crime, martial arts, westerns, horror, comedy, prison breaks, and even musicals.Today, we’re diving into two of the era’s most iconic films: Foxy Brown and Super Fly. We’re also shining a light on the

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36:11

Episode 108: Cups, Plates and Trophy Design

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/05/28

If you wander into any school, bar or thrift store, you're bound to see a collection of trophies. Have you ever wondered why they often look like cups, plates and other objects you wouldn't think about grabbing after a robust game of tennis or an intense hockey match? We did, and we’ve got a couple of amazing examples we’re talking about today: Wimbledon's Venus Rosewater Dish for women's tennis and The Stanley Cup for men's hockey.We’re digging into the curious history of why some of the biggest

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38:15

Episode 107: U.S. Wartime Propaganda Posters

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/05/14

We want you! If you’re looking for something to volunteer for, if you’re ready to be part of something bigger than yourself...Something that will make you see the world in a new way and make new friends...While spending some time together in the trenches or back home supporting the effort, then listen to our wartime propaganda episode!Today we’re discussing the histories of two of the most iconic posters (and characters) in the world: Rosie the Riveter and Uncle Sam. It’s time to salute the

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47:14

Episode 106: The State Flags of Ohio and Maryland

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/04/30

Today we’re talking about a couple of state flag designs. And just like everyone here in the bar, they have unique appearances and colorful histories. In one corner we have the funky flag from Ohio, and in the other we have the boldly graphic flag of Maryland.It’s time to order a couple of Aviation cocktails. We’re gonna be getting into some different states of mind today in the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and

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35:47

Episode 105: Iconic Book Covers for Jurassic Park and...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/04/16

Today we’re going all literary, getting in touch with our bookish sides. We’re not being antisocial, but we’ve brought a couple of books to the bar. And in spite of that phrase we all hear so often, we're gonna judge two books, Jurassic Park and The Great Gatsby, by their covers.So order up a couple of Tequila Mockingbirds. We’ve brought our library cards (and Todd’s credit card) with us to the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional

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131 results

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