Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold Titelbild

Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold

Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold

Von: Chapter 2
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 Cheers & Tiers welcomes you into a circle of design leaders whose bonds were forged during iconic AIGA design leadership retreats and conferences. These gatherings were more than just strategic sessions with the nation’s chapter leaders—they were moments of shared growth, laughter, and camaraderie that shaped careers and lives, blending organizational development with celebratory toasts and even the occasional human pyramid. Fellow design leaders Erik and Rachel as they reconnect with friends about shared experiences, memorable lessons, and transformative moments gleaned that defined this extraordinary group. Join us as we honor the relationships and memories that continue to shape design and leadership today.© 2025 Chapter 2 Erfolg im Beruf Sozialwissenschaften Ökonomie
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  • 026: Allan Espiritu & Nick Prestileo for AIGA Philadelphia

    026: Allan Espiritu & Nick Prestileo for AIGA Philadelphia
    Jan 17 2026

    Allan Espiritu and Nick Prestileo didn’t set out to build a gallery, host legendary parties, or flip a mattress at an AIGA retreat—but somehow, they did all three. In this episode, the former AIGA Philadelphia presidents unpack a leadership era driven by joy, generosity, and a heavy dose of “why not?” They reflect on building a design community from the ground up, earning national credibility without losing their weirdness, and how trust, good vibes, and some tequila under the sink made Philly one of the most iconic chapters in AIGA history. Also: Art Chantry with a hammer, getting locked in a closet during an opening, and the power of just saying yes.

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    Key Takeaways

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    • Say yes, then figure it out: Nick’s “yes-man” energy led to leadership, chaos, and deep connection

    • Joy is strategy: Allan led with fun and intention—not formality—and it worked

    • Improv leadership works: The Philly board thrived on a “yes, and” model

    • Make the rules you want to follow: Their chapter challenged AIGA norms and still pulled off a national retreat

    • Design community is real: Lifelong friendships, national networks, and a bar under the bathroom sink prove it

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    Key Moments in This Episode

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    00:55 – First AIGA impressions: From Manhattan design to mutual funds and velvet curtains

    03:10 – Allan’s big goal: Build community, make Philly matter nationally

    08:30 – Building a gallery, a vibe, and a keg-fueled design hangout

    16:40 – Spody, sponsorships, and mystery wine in milk bottles

    21:50 – The bathroom bar: Allan’s secret stash under the sink

    28:40 – Salt Lake City retreat: colonial costumes and on-stage panic

    35:40 – After-after-parties: A ruined mattress and a disassembled sink

    42:10 – Leading by vibes: how Allan brought out the best in everyone

    46:30 – The “yes, and” board: fun first, excellence followed

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    About Our Guests

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    Allan Espiritu is a designer, educator, and founder of GDLOFT PHL. He served as President of AIGA Philadelphia and is Chair of Graphic Design at Rutgers–Camden. Known for blending creative rigor with rebellious energy, Allan helped put Philly’s design scene—and its parties—on the map.

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    Nick Prestileo is a creative operations leader, design educator, and former AIGA Philadelphia President. Known for his spreadsheet skills, mascot costumes, and unstoppable yes-saying, Nick helped build one of AIGA’s most memorable chapter cultures.
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    Featuring

    Guest Allan Espiritu, connect on LinkedIn

    Guest Nick Prestileo, connect on LinkedIn

    Host Erik Cargill, connect on LinkedIn

    Host Rachel Elnar, connect on LinkedIn

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    Support the Show

    • Theme music: Loose Ends by Silver Ships Plastic Oceans
    • Produced by Chapter 2 Media
    • Subscribe to the Together by Design newsletter for more community-building and podcast episode updates

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    Sponsored by: Able Made, The Original Off Pitch Soccer Style: shop now
    Sponsored by: Draplin Design Company, check us out!
    Sponsored by: The People's Graphic Design Archive: browse, contribute, and research
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    50 Min.
  • 025: Debbie Millman & Michael Bierut of AIGA New York

    025: Debbie Millman & Michael Bierut of AIGA New York
    Dec 20 2025
    Before they were design royalty, Debbie Millman and Michael Bierut both remember what it felt like to be on the outside. Debbie got kicked out of an AIGA special interest group for doing work that was “too commercial.” Michael, working at one of design’s most prestigious studios, felt like a dinosaur compared to the experimental West Coast crowd.In the late 1990s, before you could connect with designers online, AIGA was the only game in town. And getting seated next to the right person at a leadership dinner could change everything.This is the story of how two people who didn’t quite fit in helped transform AIGA from an exclusive club into something more like a real community—one email, one dinner, one “yes” at a time.Key TakeawaysAIGA retreats were the only channel: Before digital, sitting next to the right person at dinner could change your career.Both sides felt excluded: Too experimental and too commercial designers have been shut out by AIGA—sometimes at the same timeGetting kicked out taught inclusion: Being told her work was too commercial shaped how Debbie led as president.Leadership means making space: Especially for people who feel like outsiders.Saying yes builds community: To emails, invitations, and people who aren’t in the club.AIGA survived by embracing change: Desktop publishing, the internet, social media—every threat became an evolution.Key Moments in This Episode03:08 – The dinner that changed everything: Debbie sits next to Michael at the Baltimore leadership retreat11:06 – Why that first dinner mattered: AIGA felt elitist, and the warmth of one conversation shifted everything12:33 – The evolution question: Milton Glaser voices what democratizing AIGA will mean for the organization's identity18:46 – Getting kicked out: Debbie is removed from the brand experience group for being too commercial27:59 – AIGA’s impact on career: Both credit the organization as essential to their success30:12 – Before digital connection existed: AIGA was the only way designers could meet each other49:23 – Leadership advice: When in doubt, say yes52:58 – Making people feel seen: Why Michael still answers every email he receivesAbout Our GuestsDebbie Millman is one of the most influential voices in contemporary design. Her podcast Design Matters is celebrating 20 years of documenting design culture with over 500 episodes, while her leadership at AIGA and SVA has helped democratize access to design education and community. A prolific author, brand consultant, and artist, she's built a career on the belief that design should be inclusive, intellectually rigorous, and deeply human.Michael Bierut is a designer's designer—a Pentagram partner for 35 years (now semi-retired) whose client work is matched by his contributions to design discourse and education. From co-founding Design Observer to serving as AIGA President during a pivotal era of digital transformation, he's helped shape how designers think about their profession. For over three decades, he's taught at Yale School of Art, where his influence extends far beyond any single project or logo.FeaturingGuest Debbie Millman, connect on LinkedInGuest Michael Beirut, connect on LinkedInHost Erik Cargill, connect on LinkedInHost Rachel Elnar, connect on LinkedIn Support the ShowTheme music: Loose Ends by Silver Ships Plastic OceansProduced by Chapter 2 MediaSubscribe to the Together by Design newsletter for more community-building and podcast episode updatesSponsored by: Able Made, The Original Off Pitch Soccer Style: shop nowSponsored by: Draplin Design Company, check us out!Sponsored by: The People's Graphic Design Archive: browse, contribute, and research
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    55 Min.
  • 024: Carlos Estrada of AIGA Detroit & Oen Michael Hammonds of AIGA Austin

    024: Carlos Estrada of AIGA Detroit & Oen Michael Hammonds of AIGA Austin
    Dec 6 2025
    Carlos Estrada and Oen Michael Hammonds have never worked in the same city, but they’ve long shared the same goal: making AIGA a more inclusive, welcoming space for everyone. In this episode, they reflect on decades of volunteer leadership across chapters, task forces, and national roles, while swapping stories about moments that changed them, students that inspired them, and the value of making space for others to shine.From barstool pivots to back-to-back retreats, they unpack what it really means to lead with purpose, listen with humility, and make the design world feel a little less lonely. Key TakeawaysMentorship multiplies: Both Oen and Carlos credit student connections as their reason for staying in AIGA for the long haul.Listening matters: Some of the best leadership moments come from pausing, not pushing.Lead from the middle: Being on the team doesn’t always mean being in the spotlight.Keep the ladder down: They’ve both benefitted from people making space—and now they do the same.Representation matters: Seeing someone like you can shift an entire career path.Key Moments in This Episode00:55 – First AIGA impressions: A bar conversation that leads to decades of service03:20 – From Puerto Rico to Detroit: Carlos finds design and identity at work05:10 – Sorority house, party of one: Oen’s student housing surprises07:40 – Finding community at AIGA Austin and AIGA Detroit09:30 – Retreats that reveal real leadership: especially the awkward ones12:20 – Letting others lead: why stepping back is a power move16:45 – Students, stories, and staying connected20:10 – The task force that changed everything24:40 – Designing inclusion vs. checking boxes27:00 – How local culture shaped each chapter’s evolution30:50 – Advice for future leaders: Make space, then hold it34:10 – The quiet confidence that builds belongingAbout Our GuestsCarlos Estrada is a Creative Director and Information Architect with two decades of experience in print and digital design. He specializes in typography, interaction, and brand strategy—using design as a tool for communication and problem-solving. He’s worked with clients from Herman Miller to grassroots nonprofits and serves in AIGA leadership as Equity Chair and Detroit President. He also mentors through multiple community programs, championing inclusive design and meaningful impact.Oen Michael Hammonds is a Senior Design Director who works at the intersection of design and business, guiding the strategy and delivery of experiences that support clear goals and real user needs. He partners across teams to build scalable, human-centered solutions. He also teaches globally and mentors early- and mid-career designers, sharing honest stories about the challenges and victories that shape a design career.FeaturingGuest Carlos Estrada, connect on LinkedInGuest Oen Michael Hammonds, connect on LinkedInHost Erik Cargill, connect on LinkedInHost Rachel Elnar, connect on LinkedIn Support the ShowTheme music: Loose Ends by Silver Ships Plastic OceansProduced by Chapter 2 MediaSubscribe to the Together by Design newsletter for more community-building and podcast episode updatesSponsored by: Able Made, The Original Off Pitch Soccer Style: shop nowSponsored by: Draplin Design Company, check us out!Sponsored by: The People's Graphic Design Archive: browse, contribute, and research
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    56 Min.
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