Abstract is a Netflix Original documentary series that highlights artists in the field of design. There are currently two seasons out, and each episode is about a different kind of design, using different media.
The episodes that I watched were the Season 2 episode following Ian Spalter and the re-branding of Instagram as well as the season 2 episode with Jonathan Hoefler about Typeface design.
Season 2, Episode 6:
Jonathan Hoefler: Typeface Design
Jonathan Hoefler (1970-) is an American typographer that featured in an episode about Typeface design in the Netflix original documentary: Abstract. In the episode, we follow Hoefler and him talking about typefaces, the process, the inspirations, and how the design affects us.
Hoefler is a very successful typeface designer, he’s the creator of the very successful typeface Champion Gothic(1990) as well as Hoefler Text(1991) and has designed original typefaces for several well-known magazines such as Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and Harper’s Bazaar.
In the episode, we follow Hoefler and him talking about typography in different lights. From looking at typefaces on old watches to get inspiration, to talking about how type is more than just type. A few things that really stuck to me during this episode were the process of making a typeface. Hoefler didn’t go into great detail but he did mention that typography is often made with illusion to get the desired effect. What also stood out to me was how Hoefler always studied typography in different lights, as previously mentioned, he would buy and study old watches and their design, especially the typography to get inspired, as well as older maps and gravestones.
I was taught a lot from this episode and found typography more fascinating than before, due to the impact it has on people and the advanced progress of making it. It is something I will consider practicing and now take more note of when I look at everyday items.
Season 2, Episode 5:
Ian Spalter: Digital Product Design
In this episode, we follow the UX and Digital designer Ian Spalter and the re-design of Instagram. In this episode, we learn the importance of design, user interface, and user experience in everyday products and the history of it, The process, design, and thought process behind the FuelBand as well as Instagram’s history, re-branding, and how successful and influential it is on society today.
Ian Spalter is one of the more well-known product designers as of today, having worked with Instagram, Youtube, and Nike for example. He’s currently the Head of Instagram in Japan and was involved with the now-iconic re-branding of Instagram, making it as we know it today.
In this episode, we follow the UX and Digital designer Ian Spalter and other designers that speak about the whole concept of digital design and how it changes for the better. A big part of the episode is the design behind the re-branding of Instagram in 2016, since Spalter is a very important person behind Instagram’s worth, he’s also currently working there.
One thing that they generally are speaking about in this episode is the users. When working with Digital Product Design, it is very important to know who you’re designing for and what you can do to make change for the better. Depending on where they’re from and what their pattern is in terms of app usage since it’s different depending on where you are in the world.
This is an episode that I’ve seen a handful of times since I first discovered it, it’s very fascinating it and every time I re-watch it, I learn something new due to what we’re studying, I understand it and think differently. It is interesting to see the whole process when making a new digital product and the necessary steps that need to be taken for them to reach a good, if not great finished product that will either help people or connect the world.