Whether you’re driving to work, walking to the shop, or running a marathon, podcasts are an excellent tool for learning on the go. And for designers and creatives, there’s a plethora of interesting audio content out there to be heard. Enough, in fact, to keep you occupied for months (maybe even years!). 

So we’ve gathered up 20 podcasts that we think all designers and creatives can enjoy!

Being Freelance 

The life of a freelancer can be a lonely affair. Not only that, but the logistics of a creative solo career can be difficult to navigate at the best of times. Luckily, Steve Folland is on-hand with Being Freelance, a podcast “where creative freelancers chat about being, well, freelance.”

Bad Design

Sometimes in order to know how to do something right, you have to know how to do it wrong. And to talk us through good ideas gone wrong, there’s the Bad Design podcast.

The Logo Geek

Into logos? Look no further. Ian Paget dives deep into that very subject in this aptly named podcast. Featuring interviews with successful designers from around the world, The Logo Geek is packed full of interesting insights and actionable advice. (Note: it’s not exclusively about logos.) 

Shop Talk

Simply put, Shop Talk is “a podcast about building websites”. No nonsense. It’s all about front-end web design and development. So whether this sort of thing is your bag, or if you’re just a designer hoping to learn a little more about the technical aspects of web design, there’s lots to learn here.

Arrest All Mimics

Hosted by illustrator, author, and art-director Ben Tallon, Arrest All Mimics: The Creative Innovation Podcast offers an intriguing look into the careers of a broad range of creative folk. Featuring a whole host of guests, from illustrators and publishers to musicians and game designers, this is definitely one for those interested in creative diversity.

Adventures In Design 

In their own words, Adventures In Design is “a daily talk show for creatives just like you, exploring how others design happiness into their professional lives.” Fun, interesting, and informative. It’ll certainly keep you entertained on the drive to work.

The Honest Designers Show

As you might have guessed, this is a podcast about designers talking open and honestly about life within the industry. They don’t shy away from the uglier aspects of the career, either. Topics such as plagiarism and creative failure sit comfortably alongside discussions on breaking out of your comfort zone and networking. This may be a particularly rewarding listen for anyone who has ever felt jaded, uncertain, or unconfident at any point in their career.

Design Matters

Debbie Millman is something of a pioneer in the world of design podcasts. Indeed, the website itself describes Design Matters as “the world’s first podcast about design.” Here you’ll find a wealth of inspiring and informative conversations with a huge variety of creatives, including designers, writers, artists, curators, and musicians. Take your pick!

Design Better

Design Better “delivers insights from the world’s most renowned creative leaders, empowering teams to transform their practice and build remarkable products”. Featuring talks with remarkable leaders in the design field, there’s an endless amount of insight and inspiration to be gleaned from this podcast.

Creative Pep Talk

Illustrator Andy J. Miller hopes to bring you to a place of creative wellbeing through a series of “ridiculous analogies, personal stories and artist interviews” in this colourful and creative podcast. If you’re in a creative or professional rut, are feeling lost, or just need a bit of motivation, then Creative Pep Talk is well worth your time.

99% Invisible

Hosted by Roman Mars, 99% Invisible is “about all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about — the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world”. It’s an incredibly interesting podcast, absolutely guaranteed to teach you something new and thought-provoking.

Hurry Slowly

“Hurry Slowly is a podcast about how you can find more calm, comfort, and clarity through the simple act of slowing down”. In these times the importance of going slowly is not only underrated but oftentimes crucial. This podcast offers us the fresh perspective that productivity and creativity don’t need to rely exclusively on speed and intensity.

The Creative Boom Podcast

Featuring conversations with emerging and established creatives, The Creative Boom Podcast is a great source of inspiration for creative souls. And with 59 episodes so far published at the time of writing, there’s enough content to keep you inspired for a good long while.

Do Good Podcast

A feel-good podcast that strives to share inspiring and uplifting stories from all over the globe. From the podcast’s “about” page: “There’s so much good happening right now on the planet, which isn’t getting nearly enough attention it deserves – we hope by sharing these people’s stories it’ll inspire listeners to go out there and show more of what they are made of and do their own bit of good in the world”.

Creative Rebels

In the podcast’s own words, “Inspiring interviews with creative people who have rebelled against the 9-5 (..And advice on how you can too)”. So if you’ve ever found yourself dreaming of a more alternative work life, Creative Rebels could be the podcast for you.

Perspective Podcast

From the website: “This is fuel for your mind and creative grind. Each week, Scotty Russell of Perspective-Collective and his guests breakdown the art of healthy hustling, overcoming the inner critic, and fearlessly chasing your creative dream.”

Digital Noir Presents: Humans Aren’t Robots

A fantastic series of conversations with designers and creatives, aimed at “uncovering the human elements of teams and modern business practices”. This podcast is very diverse, with episode topics ranging from empathy and wellbeing to “sex tech” and blockchain trading.

Art Juice

This is an excellent choice for the art-loving designer. Featuring conversations with a wide range of artists and creatives, Art Juice dives deep into the artistic process and provides a bounteous inspiration along the way.

No Such Thing As A Fish

A podcast that’s worth listening to for the title alone. No Such Thing As A Fish is brought to you by the creators of the hit BBC panel show QI, and follows a fairly simple format: each week the presenters discuss interesting facts that they’ve unearthed in the previous seven days.

Though not as design-focussed as most of the other podcasts on this list, No Such Thing As A Fish is perfect for stimulating creativity and curiosity.

North Vs South

Two designers, one from the north of England and one from the south, talk about design. What could be better than that?

Content for creatives

So now you know what to do on those long commutes, but what about when you’re back home on the sofa? If you’re stuck for what to watch, treat your eyes to these 7 great design documentaries.