Forming Function

00:48:10

21. Living on the Edge

Forming Function ·

2026/09/30

Why are city borders shaped so weird? Brian tells Paul about the unusual shapes of cities and the four reasons they look the way that they do. He also breaks down why Detroit seems to have a border that is so different from other North American cities. It looks distinctive and recognizable instead of the amoeba shape that other cities have. The story will take you through tales of historical legacies, legal quirks, and how cities grow by annexation. We’ll also look at aspects of Dallas, Washington

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00:01:17

Season 03 Update

Forming Function ·

2026/08/27

We have some new changes in store for season 03! New episodes coming soon!

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00:44:39

Bonus: Detroit Month of Design

Forming Function ·

2025/08/01

We collect more quick stories from the local design community in partnership with the Detroit Design Festival and DesignCore to celebrate 10 years since Detroit’s induction as a UNESCO City of Design! Festival-goers from last year’s events shared off the cuff remarks on a wide range of topics from works of architecture, different design fields, and design-based businesses. Get a taste and then check out the events all September long in Detroit!Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott

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00:58:51

20. Quick Draw

Forming Function ·

2025/06/20

For the season 2 finale, Brian and Sam have a lightning round of quick design stories that were too short for full episodes with special guest Paul Corsi as the judge. We’ll hear about equestrian statues, mansard roofs, coffins, clothing, and more!Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown.Audio editing and mixing by Julia Sikora.Guest starring Paul Corsi.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to suggest a topic at

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00:54:21

19. Reinventing the Wheels

Forming Function ·

2025/06/06

Roller skating and Skateboarding create completely new ways for us to experience the city. Sam talks about her newfound hobby with skating and how it changes the way that you experience motion in your environment. And then Brian gives a short history of skateboarding and talks to some professionals from The Skatepark Project about the design of skateparks. Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown.Audio editing and mixing by Julia Sikora.Guest starring Trevor Staples and Alec Beck from

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00:50:03

18. Metric Mayhem

Forming Function ·

2025/05/23

Standards and measurements may seem boring on the surface, but they are what allow design concepts to manifest into reality. Brian and Sam explore stories behind the units of the metric system (specifically the kilogram, the meter, and the candela) and bring a little life to these otherwise mundane numbers.Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown.Audio editing and mixing by Julia Sikora.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to suggest a topic

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00:36:31

17. Threading the Needle

Forming Function ·

2024/12/20

It’s football season and guest reporter Kelsey Reynolds joins us to talk about how broadcasting, fashion, and the Olympics influence the design of sports jerseys. Then she throws the ball over to Sam to talk about footballs themselves. Go sports!Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Story reported by Kelsey Reynolds and Sam Malott Brown. Story Editing by Jeffrey Brown and Julia Sikora. Audio engineering, and mixing by Julia Sikora. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

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00:30:25

Bonus BS: A Conversation with Gruen Associates

Forming Function ·

2024/11/29

We are joined by Michael Enomoto and Nicole Lawson from Gruen Associates to follow up on our episode about Victor Gruen and shopping mall design. We discuss the impact of Victor’s legacy on the firm today, the future of shopping malls, urban design initiatives, and the many famous architects that passed through Gruen’s office. Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Story Editing by Jeffrey Brown. Audio engineering, and mixing by Julia Sikora. Special Guests: Michael Enomoto and

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00:41:17

16. Beyond the Storefront

Forming Function ·

2024/11/15

The shopping mall is as American as apple pie and the magnetic draw of the one-stop shop is difficult to escape. Yet for all the influence malls have had, they started out practically as the vision of one man. From New York’s Fifth Avenue, to big box stores, to the mall, we explore how Victor Gruen’s design of retail changed the way we shop, socialize, and experience public life. Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Story Editing by Jeffrey Brown and Julia Sikora. Audio

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00:37:59

15. Season of the Witch

Forming Function ·

2024/10/25

For our Halloween special, Sam answers a guest question about the design behind witch costumes from classic fashion motifs to modern interpretations. Niki Tischler joins us to learn more about the historical significance and folklore behind witches hats, shoes, and more. Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Guest starring Niki Tischler. Story Editing, Audio engineering, and mixing by Julia Sikora. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email

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00:49:09

14. Any Card (Part 2)

Forming Function ·

2024/10/11

Sam gives us the deal on playing cards for part two in our pair of stories about decorated pieces of paper. From the artwork on the face, to the composition of the numbers and pips, playing cards come in many forms and act as an open source to imagine games. Sam comes flush with history and gives it to us straight for this full house of an episode. If you haven’t yet, go check out Part 1 of the story, Pick a Card, before listening!Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Story

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00:37:24

13. Pick a Card...

Forming Function ·

2024/09/27

Tarot has been used as a tool for divination for hundreds of years, but one illustrator in particular changed the face of the game - literally. We explore Pamela Colman Smith’s contributions to the famous Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck and the cult origins of the commission. Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Story Editing, Audio engineering, and mixing by Julia Sikora. Special shoutout to the Boston Tea Room in Ferndale, MI for the tarot reading Follow us on Facebook and

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00:48:40

12. Potty Language

Forming Function ·

2024/09/13

Our first-ever guest reporter, Lindsay Hansmann, takes us on a journey through the design evolution of toilets and how sanitation helped the human race survive. Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Story reported by Lindsay Hansmann. Story Editing, Audio engineering, and mixing by Julia Sikora. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to suggest a topic at formingfunctionpodcast@gmail.com. Forming Function Season 2 is supported in part by

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01:09:16

11. Purple Reign

Forming Function ·

2024/08/30

We kick off season 2 with an exploration of the color purple through design history. And then we uncover the meaning of Prince’s “Love Symbol” with art director Mitch Monson. Also: the interpretations behind color theory and Olympics TV branding. Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Story Editing by Jeffery Brown, Audio engineering and mixing by Julia Sikora. Guest starring Mitch Monson. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to

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00:40:05

Bonus BS: Design Fail!

Forming Function ·

2024/05/03

Our theme song creator, Paul Corsi, joins us on the show to talk about the art of creating music and a countdown of design fails. From architectural solar death rays, to useless social media devices, we discuss a number of projects where the designs didn’t fully work out. Produced and Hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Story Editing by Jeffery Brown, Audio engineering and Mixing by Julia Sikora. Guest starring Paul Corsi. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and

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00:55:45

10. Form Follows Fun

Forming Function ·

2023/12/29

Turtles, porpoises, and horses! Our season one finale is a profile of two artists and the inspirations behind their work. The first is Jim Miller Melberg, whose concrete animal playground structures ushered modern designs into the lives of children around the globe. And then to end the season we have a discussion with Craig Friend, a Michigan illustrator who created a work of art that our listeners should already be familiar with…Produced and Hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Audio

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01:01:21

09. Green Means Go

Forming Function ·

2023/11/20

Why DOES green mean go? Sam takes a break from being distracted by blinking lights to discover the design history of traffic lights - including some design innovations that didn’t stand the test of time. Brian takes it behind the wheel and chases the scent of an iconic car accessory. Produced and Hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Audio Mixing and Editing by Jeffery Brown. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and visit our website to suggest a topic at

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00:53:05

08. Brick By Brick

Forming Function ·

2023/10/20

A little plastic toy brick built a worldwide brand... but how did the simple concept of LEGO become so iconic? Sam breaks down how the empire was built and why it continues to thrive. Meanwhile, Brian maps out the brand's homestead heritage and how Bjarke Ingles Group brought the ideas to real life. Produced and Hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Audio Mixing and Editing by Jeffery Brown. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and visit our website to suggest a

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00:51:26

07. Lap of Luxury

Forming Function ·

2023/09/29

How did the French aristocracy affect the furniture of the modern home, and most of the furniture we sit on today? Korey Morris joins us in the studio for our first listener-submitted question to ask about contemporary couches. And Brian springboards into a journey to the very beginnings of comfort in design. And Sam elaborates on the elaborate history of the Rococo movement. Produced and Hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown. Audio Mixing and Editing by Jeffery Brown. Guest starring Korey

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00:59:00

06. Rebel Threads

Forming Function ·

2023/09/01

In this fashion forward discussion, Sam unravels the mystery of what makes blue jeans a timeless staple of comfort. And Brian pieces together how paisley became an iconic pattern, weaving its way across so many subcultures. Also, where do weird city names come from? And how did the textile industry lead to modern computing?

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