Episodes

  • Episode 118: Monster Sponsors - Gritty from Philly and Monster Cereals from General Mills

    Episode 118: Monster Sponsors - Gritty from Philly and Monster Cereals from General Mills
    Oct 15 2025
    Since it’s October, we’re gonna jump into the next two episodes with Horror Month here in the bar. Horror? Sure, regular listeners will wonder why this month is somehow different from any other, but don’t worry. The quality is still the same, only this time we’re talking about some characters created for the amusement of both the young and the young-at-heart. We’re talking about the origin stories of Monster Cereals from General Mills and the mascot Gritty from the ice in Philly. So order a couple of Corpse Revivers. We’re moaning and groaning as we shake off the cobwebs back here in the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Monster Cereals from General Mills Gritty - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-118-monster-sponsors - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Episode 117: Iconic Pop Culture Cars

    Episode 117: Iconic Pop Culture Cars
    Oct 1 2025
    While we don't recommend drinking and driving, we recommend talking pop culture and cars while sitting safe and sound on a couple of bar stools. Buckle up as we travel back in time to discuss what are arguably the two most popular cars in pop culture: the original 1960s Batmobile and the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Sometimes they worked, oftentimes they didn't. If you smell some burning rubber, it's not from us thinking—at least not this week. Instead, it's a high-octane topic coupled with some Golden Cadillacs from our bartender. Enjoy. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: The Original Batmobile The DeLorean DMC-12 - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-117-iconic-pop-culture-cars - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • Episode 116: Cat Posters with Paul Hennessey (Classic)

    Episode 116: Cat Posters with Paul Hennessey (Classic)
    Sep 17 2025
    We’re taking a short break. In the meantime, grab a drink and kick back with one of our classic episodes. Cats. You may love ‘em, hate ‘em or feel indifferent, but there’s no escaping their power, especially if you spend any time online. Cats have a long history in the world of advertising. In this classic episode we invited friend and poster expert Paul Hennessey back into the bar to discuss the appeal of cat posters aesthetically and financially, discuss a few of our favorites and decode why their traits and quirks make them perfect for so many different types of products. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-116-cat-posters-with-paul-hennessey-classic - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Paul Hennessey, Grafix Gallery - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Episode 115: NBC, Netflix and Network Branding

    Episode 115: NBC, Netflix and Network Branding
    Sep 3 2025
    When we say "TV network," what do you think of? When we say "TV network brand," what pops into your head? Is it a logo or a sound? Is it an animation or an app? Is it a signature show? Today we’re going to be talking about a couple of identities made for NBC and Netflix. We discuss the origin stories for both their visuals and their sounds. So add us to your queue. We're gonna be sipping on a couple of Cobra Strikes as we get this show underway back here in the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-115-network-branding - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: NBC Chimes Netflix Tudum - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • Episode 114: The Fall and Rise (Again) of Tiki Culture

    Episode 114: The Fall and Rise (Again) of Tiki Culture
    Aug 20 2025
    We’ve been exploring the Polynesian Pop trend that swept suburbia. From the 1930s to the ‘70s, tiki culture was everywhere. And then, like the tide going out, it was gone. Today we talk about the factors that brought it back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s (hint: swing, thrifting and SpongeBob) and how tiki is influencing artists today. Grab a Bahama Mama and join our conga line as we swing, sway and sashay back into the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-114-tiki-culture-part-3 - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Tiki Culture SpongeBob Squarepants The Lowbrow Movement - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Episode 113: Embracing and Evolving the Tiki Style

    Episode 113: Embracing and Evolving the Tiki Style
    Aug 6 2025
    Today, we're continuing our series on tiki culture as we look at how professional designers embraced and evolved the island aesthetic. Was it low brow? High brow? A symbol of exotic adventure? A goofy gimmick? Regardless, the movement left a deep imprint on graphic, interior, fashion, product, and architectural design, in applications ranging from kitsch to high-concept. We'll gonna figure out the price of some amazing tiki drinks, get some quarters sticky with pineapple juice and throw some exotica on the jukebox. Join us as we sway our hips and hula back into the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-113-tiki-culture-part-2 - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Tiki Culture House Industries Palm Springs - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Episode 112: Tiki Culture: The Story of Post-War Polynesian Pop

    Episode 112: Tiki Culture: The Story of Post-War Polynesian Pop
    Jul 23 2025
    Today we’re dressing up the bar with coconut mugs, gardenia flowers, surf boards and pu-pu platters because we’re diving into the first of a three episode series on Tiki culture. We’ll talk about the origins and influences — it’s not as simple as you think — and learn why this very Americanized look took off throughout the country and set sail across the globe. Grab your tiki mugs, some fresh-cut pineapple and a chilled pitcher of Classic Mai Tais. We’re spinning some good ol’ exotic sailor yarns back here in the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-112-tiki-culture-part-1 - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Tiki Culture Don the Beachcomber Trader Vic's - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • Episode 111: Good Movies and Old Books - A Conversation with Matt Stevens (Part 2)

    Episode 111: Good Movies and Old Books - A Conversation with Matt Stevens (Part 2)
    Jul 9 2025
    Today we’re returning to the bar with Matt Stevens, a designer and illustrator who has been successful working with clients ranging from a tequila brand to clients like Apple TV+ and Netflix. But what we have in common is not only a love for design, but also pop culture. So we’re talking with him about a personal project that grew into an actual project, his new book Good Movies as Old Books. We dig into subjects as varied as a scorpion penis, The Karate Kid, living and working in North Carolina, The Thirsty Beaver and a character named Flapjack. It’s time to grab a box of candy and take your bathroom break. We’re welcoming Matt Stevens – our drinking buddy – back to the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-111-movies-books-and-matt-stevens - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Matt Stevens Good Movies as Old Books - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins