0.13: Graphic Design for President! (with Michael Bierut and Leslie Wah)

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When you’re running for President, how you present yourself to the public is crucial. The West Wing often underscored that it’s not just what one says, it’s how one says it. So in this special episode, we look at what goes into designing a Presidential campaign – both fictional, and non-fictional. Michael Bierut designed Hillary Clinton’s ubiquitous 'H' logo, and Leslie Wah designed the logos and signage for all of the West Wing candidates in Season 6. This might be the nerdiest episode of the West Wing Weekly yet!

footnotes —
Michael Bierut - Pentagram
Hillary for America - Design
Pete for America - Design
Hipster Logo Generator
Design Observer Podcast
Serpentine Font
The 2020 Democrats' campaign logos, in graphic detail

West Wing campaign designs from Season 6:

Real-world presidential campaign designs discussed in this episode:

6.18: La Palabra (with Eli Attie and Angelica Salas of CHIRLA)

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Eli Attie joins us again to talk about his third episode in the trilogy of Santos campaign episodes that he wrote for Season 6. We also hear from Angelica Salas of CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) on the real story behind California’s fight over driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants.

footnotes —
CHIRLA (Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights)
Libby App
Ray Wise in “Wishes” by Beach House
What it Takes: The Way to the White House by Richard Ben Cramer

0.12: How Barack Obama Shaped Matthew Santos (with David Axelrod and Eli Attie)

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"Tell me about Barack Obama." That's what Eli Attie said to David Axelrod in 2004, while searching for inspiration to help flesh out the character of Congressman Matthew Santos. In this episode, we talk to both of them to find out what Eli learned and how it shaped the sixth season. And David Axelrod tells us about his own experiences as the guy behind the guy, and what The West Wing means to him.

footnotes —
Barack Obama’s 2004 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address