Scratching the Surface is a podcast about design, theory, and creative practice. Hosted by Jarrett Fuller, each episode features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with designers, architects, writers, academics, artists, and theorists about how design shapes culture.
Aric Chen is a curator, writer, and design historian. He was recently appointed the general and artistic director of Rotterdam’s Het Nieuwe Institute (The New Institute) and previously served as curatorial director for Design Miami, curator at large for M+ and creative director of Beijing Design Week.
He also is a professor and founding director of the Curatorial Lab at the College of Design and Innovation at Tongji University. In this episode, Jarrett and Aric talk about the value of wide interests and multidisciplinary careers, building M+’s collection, and what he hopes to do in his new job.
Photo: Aric Chen / Photography: Yoha Jin
Listen to the podcast
More info
Jarrett Fuller is a designer, writer, educator, editor and podcaster. He is an assistant professor of graphic design at North Carolina State University (beginning August 2021); director of twenty-six, a multidisciplinary design and editorial studio; hosts the design podcast Scratching the Surface; and is a contributing editor at AIGA Eye On Design.
He previously worked as a designer at Facebook, Warby Parker, and The Whitney Museum of American Art. He received his BFA in graphic design from Kutztown University and his MFA in graphic design and critical studies from Maryland Institute College of Art. His work and writing can be seen at jarrettfuller.com or twenty-six.design.