In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack sits down with Darryl Norsen, a graphic designer and art director known for his distinctive work with numerous estates and artists, including the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, Joni Mitchell, Little Feat, and contemporary groups like Phish, Green Day, Kurt Vile, and many more.

This conversation dives deep into the art and inspiration behind album, poster, and merch design, exploring Darryl’s process when working with archival projects versus new artists. Darryl shares his philosophy on using “organized chaos” as a design creed and why he believes designers should “get their hands dirty” by incorporating physical items like collage and imperfections into their work. He explains his perpetual search for interesting and sometimes esoteric typography, often redrawing or tweaking typefaces to ensure the final product is unique and memorable. Darryl makes a strong case for the importance of physical media (vinyl, posters, and CDs) and the lasting value of finding inspiration everywhere.

Whether you’re a designer looking for new inspiration, a fan curious about the design process behind your favorite artist’s merch, or someone in the music industry looking to better understand creative design, this episode offers a peek behind the curtain of modern music art direction.

🔗 For more about Darryl Norsen: www.dnorsen.com

💿 For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the trusted manufacturing partner for artists and labels—major and independent—producing high-quality vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, and merchandise. Start your next project at: www.atozmedia.com