February 20, 2019

Change Lab Podcast Explores Transformative Power of Creativity

Fourth season dives deep in to sneaker culture, wildlife conservation, art, advertising, movie magic and the value of education


How do artists and designers look at the world starting in childhood? 
What did they do creatively? Where did those experiences take them in their careers and lives? How does their work deepen their humanity?


Today, ArtCenter College of Design launches a new season of a podcast featuring intimate 45-minute interviews with leading artists and innovators, using change as a framework to explore their creative coming of age and the ways in which the creative process has been a catalyst for transformation—personally, professionally and globally.

The bi-weekly show targets listeners seeking to understand the biographical and creative influences that inform and inspire some of the world’s most passionate minds. Change Lab: Conversations on Transformation and Creativity is hosted by ArtCenter President Lorne M. Buchman and distributed across all major podcast platforms, including iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play and the Apple Podcasts app.

“I want to uncover where the creative spirit is, and when it was first evident,” says Buchman. “It also seems to disarm people when they talk about themselves as kids. I want to create a tone of honesty, forthrightness and trust in the process.”

The fourth season of Change Lab podcast kicks off with the story of sneaker designer Ari Montanez. In an inspirational 40-minute conversation with Buchman, New Jersey native Montanez traces the origins of his dream to become an athletic shoe designer and the mentor who helped him make that dream a reality. Just before graduating with a degree in Product Design from ArtCenter in 2018, Montanez accepted a job at No.One, a startup sneaker company in Venice, Calif. specializing in high end handmade shoes.

On March 5, 2019, listeners will be treated to the lively intellect of Mariana Prieto, founder of Design for Wildlife, a collective of creative professionals working with wildlife organizations to bring innovative solutions to complex social issues directly affecting conservation around the world.

On March 19th, trailblazing artist and designer Rebeca Méndez brings her inimitable global perspective to the Change Lab microphone. Her life and work stand as a testament to defying the conventions of the design field and expanding the definition of what it means to be a working artist and designer. She has forged her own path through punishingly uncharted terrain that’s taken her to the arctic tundras of the earth’s poles, as well as many untamed territories.

On April 2nd, listeners are treated to a conversation with advertising guru Jeff Goodby. A director and illustrator, Goodby is among the co-founders and serves as co-chair of Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco. He is best known for his original idea, “got milk?,” that sparked one of the most popular advertising campaigns ever created.

During the April 16th episode, listeners get to know the thinking behind the box office magic created by filmmaker Zack Snyder. A prolific producer of films such as Wonder Woman and Aquaman, Snyder is an alumnus of ArtCenter and deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of storytellers. Among the many feature films Snyder directed are Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice; Man of Steel; Sucker Punch; Watchmen and 300.

In the April 30th episode, Buchman visits with furniture designer and fellow academic leader, Rosanne Somerson, president of Rhode Island School of Design. Together, they explore the creative process, the relationship of making and knowing as well as how artists rethink social systems to benefit society.

Now in its fourth season, previous Change Lab guests have included award-winning playwright and performer Lisa Kron; graphic designer, writer, curator and educator Ellen Lupton; photographer, filmmaker and creative director Matthew Rolston; Lumi founder and CEO Jesse Genet and Fuseproject founder, designer and entrepreneur Yves Behar.

To subscribe to the Change Lab podcast, visit www.artcenter.edu/changelab

Social Media
@artcenteredu
@lorneBuchman
#changelabpod
#sneakerdesigner

About ArtCenter
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education. ArtCenter offers 11 undergraduate and seven graduate degrees in a wide variety of industrial design disciplines as well as visual and applied arts. In addition to its top-ranked academic programs, the College also serves members of the Greater Los Angeles region through a highly regarded series of year-round continuing education programs for all ages and levels of experience. Renowned for both its ties to industry and its social impact initiatives, ArtCenter is the first design school to receive the United Nations’ Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status. Throughout the College’s long and storied history, ArtCenter alumni have had a profound impact on popular culture, the way we live and important issues in our society.

Contact:
Teri Bond
Media Relations Director
ArtCenter College of Design
teri.bond@artcenter.edu
O 626 396-2385
M 310 738-2077

Photo of Change Lab guest Ari Montanez, sneaker designer.
In the season opener of Change Lab, sneaker designer Ari Montanez traces the origins of his dream to become an athletic shoe designer. Photo by Juan Posada.
Photo of Change Lab guest Rebeca Méndez, artist and designer.
Trailblazing artist and designer Rebeca Méndez joins the Change Lab conversation March 19, 2019. Photo by Juan Posada.
Photo of Mariana Prieto, founder of Design for Wildlife.
On March 5, 2019, listeners will be treated to the lively intellect of Mariana Prieto, founder of Design for Wildlife. Photo by Juan Posada.
Photo of prolific filmmaker Zack Snyder, guest on Change Lab podcast.
During the April 16th episode, listeners get to know the thinking behind the box office magic created by filmmaker Zack Snyder.