Kelly Komp shares his thoughts with Communication Arts

Five Designers Share Their Treasured Finds

by Kelly Komp

Creative exploration: We splurge on knowledge and inspiration. My partners and I organize and host the annual Cusp Conference at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. A conference about “the design of everything,” Cusp is a two-day gathering of thinkers, innovators, creators, visionaries and explorers from the arts, sciences, technology, business and design. It’s about getting people out of the world they know and immersing them in a flood of ideas that ultimately help break down barriers and connect unknown dots.

Must-read book: Don Norman’s revised and expanded edition of The Design of Everyday Things.

Commuting necessity: Podcasts. I have an eclectic roster on rotation during my weekly commute: American History Tellers, DH Unplugged, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, No Agenda, Radiolab, Waking Up and WTF with Marc Maron. I must mention that I have to spend roughly two hours in the car about five days a week.