Abstract: The Art of Design

Episodes Season 1

Premiere Date: Feb 10, 2017
Exec. Producers: Scott Dadich, Morgan Neville, Dave OConnor, Jon Kamen, Justin Wilkes

1 Christoph Niemann: Illustration
From New Yorker covers to Instagram sketches, illustrator Christoph Niemann plays with abstraction and interactivity -- and questions authenticity.

2 Tinker Hatfield: Footwear Design
Tinker Hatfield's background in architecture and athletics sparked his game-changing shoe designs for Nike, including the iconic Air Jordan series.

3 Es Devlin: Stage Design
Stage designer Es Devlin crafts evocative sets for concerts, operas, plays and runway shows using light, film, sculpture -- and even rain.

4 Bjarke Ingels: Architecture
Architect Bjarke Ingels unites function, fantasy and sustainability in "pragmatic utopian" designs like a clean power plant topped with a ski slope.

5 Ralph Gilles: Automotive Design
As Fiat Chrysler's global head of design, Ralph Gilles steers the brand into the future with sleek new sports cars and a self-driving electric van.

6 Paula Scher: Graphic Design
Graphic designer Paula Scher paints with words, developing the visual language of iconic brands and institutions around the world.

7 Platon: Photography
Platon's fearless portraits capture the souls of world leaders and ordinary people. A shoot with Gen. Colin Powell provides a window into his process.

8 Ilse Crawford: Interior Design
Interior designer Ilse Crawford creates spaces and objects that engage the senses and promote well-being, from high-end hotels to Ikea furniture.

Episodes Season 2

Premiere Date: Sep 25, 2019
Exec. Producers: Scott Dadich, Morgan Neville, Dave OConnor, Jon Kamen, Justin Wilkes

1 Olafur Eliasson: The Design of Art
Olafur Eliasson creates sensory-rich immersive installations, including a lamp-lit sun at the Tate Modern and chunks of Arctic ice on city streets.

2 Neri Oxman: Bio-Architecture
Can we design our way out of an ecological crisis? At the MIT Media Lab, professor Neri Oxman cultivates new materials that emulate nature.

3 Ruth Carter: Costume Design
A visual storyteller and frequent Spike Lee collaborator, Ruth E. Carter won an Oscar for her Afrofuturistic costume design for "Black Panther."

4 Cas Holman: Design for Play
As founder of toy company Heroes Will Rise, Cas Holman crafts tools and objects designed to inspire kids (and adults) to play creatively.

5 Ian Spalter: Digital Product Design
On the heels of leading influential projects for Nike and Instagram, Ian Spalter explains the process of experimenting with new product designs.

6 Jonathan Hoefler: Typeface Design
While researching vintage watches as inspiration for a new font, Jonathan Hoefler delves into his work for Apple, Obama's "Change" campaign and more.