Episode 20: Ted Irvine, Senior Design Director, Vox Media (SB Nation)

"If you are fundamentally strong in [typography, composition, grids, layout, etc.] it will translate back the digital space." Ted Irvine, Senior Design Director at Vox Media – the digital media company that includes SB Nation, The Verge, Polygon, Curbed, Eater and more – joins the show this week to tell the story of SB Nation and its eventual growth into Vox Media. SB Nation is a sports site that has grown from fan-run blogs to a technology company that includes many other verticals producing fantastic content in the sports, food, technology, gaming and other industries. In this episode we discuss Ted's path to SB Nation, the challenges of rebranding 300+ websites, and the advertising model of Vox Media which includes a talented in-house production/advertising agency. We also discuss the difference between design directors and creative directors, as well as what Ted is looking for when hiring designers for Vox Media. Lastly, Ted sheds some light on how designers can fight for a seat at the table instead of just being cake decorators. Mentions include: Follow Ted Irvine on Twitter VOX Media The Verge SB Nation Polygon Workhorse Creative Trei Brundrett SB Nation rebrand Fraser Davidson Slack GoToMeeting Eater.com Remote by Jason Fried Lindsay Nelson from Slate Vox Creative First and Long, Nike ad with Desean Jackson Chad Mumm, Creative Director of Vox Media Vox Media's product blog The next episode will be another Halftime where I will discuss impostor syndrome. After that, our next guest will be Fraser Davidson, founding partner of animation shop, Cub Studio and creative director of Field Theory Sports Branding.