Somnath Bhatt

Can design be a realm of pure magic? How do designers manipulate symbols imbued with historical texture and richness? How does a trans spirit not only survive but thrive in abundance? Rin Kim—a New York–based trans multidisciplinary chimera, demi, hydra, mutt, graphic designer, filmmaker, alchemist, performance artist, writer, and yong (룡)—discusses these and other questions in a new interview. When asked banal questions about their design process and career Rin returns with mystical pleasures, spells of vengeance, and prayers of golden victory.

“In times of COVID-19, the line between work and leisure time is blurring. Many have to work at home, which makes it really hard to set clear boundaries,” says Vienna- and Zurich-based designer Anna Zimmermann. “The New Office products might offer ways to cope better with this situation.”

“The impetus for this interview was kind of selfish,” writes the Walker’s Somnath Bhatt. “As a designer of south Asian background, I wish I’d read something like this when I was a student.” Here he speaks with Shiva Nallaperumal and Juhi Vishnani, founders of the India-based design studio November, about their work developing a framework for a plural design practice, gathering a regionalized Indian graphic archive, exploring nuances of world typography, and questioning what it means to design in an era of rising fascism.

To date, artist and educator Maia Ruth Lee has made some 250 sculptural glyphs from the scrapped steel decorative elements that adorn fences and window bars around New York City. Here, she talks about the process of making a new lexicon of symbols and the connection between feeling, intuition, and language.

Expand your understanding of graphic design with the Insights Design Lecture Series, presenting five leading designers from around the world. Dive into the thinking behind their work. The 2020 lineup features branding expert Leland Maschmeyer, LA multidisciplinarian Daniel DeSure, hyper-aesthete Hassan Rahim, magazine expert Veronica Ditting, and a special bonus lecture/movie from ethically-driven designer Ruben Pater.