This week on the DesignThinkers podcast, host Nicola Hamilton is joined by Debra Bishop, an award-winning creative director and one of the most influential voices in editorial design. Over the past four decades, Bishop has shaped the look and feel of some of publishing’s most iconic titles—from her early days at Rolling Stone, to launching magazines at Martha Stewart, to serving as a design director at The New York Times.
For the last eight years, she brought her bold, playful vision to The New York Times for Kids, a monthly print-only section beloved for its inventive layouts, striking typography, and respect for young readers. The project published its final issue at the end of August, though Bishop continues her work at the Times. This interview was recorded before the official announcement came out—so you won’t hear her talk about the closure, but you might sense a little mourning in the conversation.
In this episode, Hamilton and Bishop discuss the joys and challenges of redesigning magazines, what she learned from design legends like Paula Scher, Fred Woodward, and Robert Priest, and how she has continued to expand the possibilities of what publications for kids, women, and niche audiences can look like. We also explore why she still believes in the enduring power of magazines—even as the industry continues to evolve.
Whether you’re a designer, editor, or simply someone who’s ever loved a great magazine, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and a whole lot of design wisdom.
DesignThinkers Podcast is back for a third season! Join host and RGD President Nicola Hamilton as she digs into the archives of the DesignThinkers conference, reconnecting with past speakers about their talks and ideas that have shaped Canada’s largest graphic design conference. Follow the RGD on Instagram @rgdcanada or visit them at rgd.ca. Purchase tickets to the upcoming DesignThinkers conference at designthinkers.com.
The post The Enduring Power of Magazines with Debra Bishop appeared first on PRINT Magazine.