Seeing Senses with Sarah Hyndman
Where there’s more than meets the eye.
What if your senses were the secret to creating unforgettable stories?
Uncover the magic and science behind what makes us feel, starting at first sight.
From the colour of sound to shapes that taste sweet. I’ll take you behind the scenes with perfumers, scientists, writers, chefs, artists, musicians, makers, designers and athletes, to reveal how they connect what we see to what we sense. Because the real alchemy happens when we talk to people across different disciplines.
Are you a creator, small business or simply curious? If you want to know how the senses shape your audience’s emotions, memories and choices, and how you can use this to tell stories people want to talk about, then this podcast is for you.
Links:
More Seeing Senses content & info.
Book Sarah Hyndman to speak at your event.
Sarah’s the founder of Type Tasting and the curator of The Sensologists briefings .
Find Sarah on LinkedIn and on Instagram.
Seeing Senses with Sarah Hyndman
Designing for laughs with Rob Alderson
Design, comedy and the power of first reactions.
“There aren’t many creative practices where that’s so short: that connection and that sort of intensity between the audience and the artist.”
What do graphic design and stand-up comedy have in common? Writer, editor and occasional comedian Rob Alderson joins Sarah to explore how both design and humour bypass our conscious minds and speak to us before we can explain why.
From navigating the invisible systems of everyday design to the spontaneous chaos of a crowd-sourced comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe, Rob reflects on the power of structure, timing, and human connection. You’ll hear why Debbie McGee became the accidental mascot of his live show, how parsnips can teach you about creative disappointment, and why a fridge sign reading “Not cool” made Rob laugh. If you’ve ever tried to explain what design actually does, or found yourself laughing at something before you know why, this one’s for you.
Guest
Rob Alderson is the editor of Design Week, the UK’s oldest design magazine (designweek.co.uk). He previously held creative leadership roles at It’s Nice That, WeTransfer and Vimeo. However, the British Comedy Guide website says very simply “Rob Alderson is a comedian”.
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Head to Seeing Senses on Substack for updates and extras.
You’ll find sense-hacking experiments and book recommendations from the guests. Become a paid subscriber to support the making of this podcast (with extra episodes and content).
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Key takeaways
• Humour often exists beyond conscious thought, revealing deeper emotional connections.
• Graphic design impacts daily life in subtle yet significant ways.
• Design is often undervalued in society, requiring better communication of its importance.
• AI is changing the design landscape, prompting discussions about the future of the industry.
• Designers need to articulate their value to clients to ensure their work is appreciated.
• The intimacy of stand-up comedy creates a unique audience connection.
• Comedy relies on tension and jeopardy, both for the performer and the audience.
• Ephemeral experiences create lasting memories.
• Aesthetics and memory don’t always align.
• Embracing humour in daily life can enhance experiences.
00:00 // The Power of Laughter and Design
10:06 // The Intersection of Design and Daily Life
19:58 // Navigating the Future of Graphic Design
19:56 // The Art of Comedy and Its Connection to Design
25:52 // Crowdsourcing Creativity in Comedy
27:31 // The Chaotic Final Show
28:48 // Audience Engagement and Unexpected Stories
30:51 // The Joy of Unraveling Personal Narratives
32:14 // The Power of Community and Shared Experiences
35:29 // The Future of Interactive Comedy
37:36 // The Magic of Ephemeral Experiences
39:07 // Childhood Memories and Their Impact
42:42 // The Aesthetics of Meaning and Memory
44:01 // Embracing Humor in Everyday Life
Host
Sarah Hyndman is a designer/researcher, author and speaker. You can book her to speak or bring her activity lab to your event or organisation here via Type Tasting. Sarah is the founder of Type Tasting and curator of The Sensologists.
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Seeing Senses. Where there’s more than meets the eye.
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Theme music by AudioKraken. Thank you to Radim Malinic for the inspiration to make a podcast, and to podcasters Mili Tharakan, Klaudia Mitura and Suze Cooper for your generous advice.