18 great web design podcasts

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The podcast format is as popular as ever, and it's easy to see why. They fit in perfectly with our lifestyles, enabling you to make the most of your commute, run, or down time, and are a relaxing way to absorb web design inspiration and information.

We've asked some leading web designers to tell us what they're listening to at the moment, and what they get out of it. Plus we've listed some of our own favourites from past and present. They're all free, so why not try some out and subscribe to your favourites?

01. Motion and Meaning

Motion and Meaning covers the growing world of motion in web design

Hosted by Val Head, with Cennydd Bowles joining her in the first season and various web experts guesting in the second, Motion and Meaning is a podcast discussing the ever-growing world of motion and animation in web design, and why it's an important tool that designers need to pay attention to.

Covering everything from the basic principles of animation through to advanced tools and techniques, it's an essential listen for anyone keen to bring more movement into their UX, and each episode comes complete with a full transcript that you can read at your leisure.

02. Shop Talk Show

The Shop Talk Show is a treasure trove of web expertise

With over 280 episodes online - with a new one being added every week - you're certain to find something worth listening to on Dave Rupert and Chris Coyier's Shop Talk Show.

Covering all manner of subjects within the worlds of frontend web design, development and UX, and featuring plenty of expert guests, it's essential listening if you're keen to stay up-to-date with the latest web technologies.

03. JavaScript Jabber

Can't get enough of JavaScript? Step right up!

If you don't care for JavaScript then steer well clear of JavaScript Jabber, because that's pretty much all it likes to talk about. If, on the other hand, you live and breathe JavaScript then you're in for a treat, with a fresh discussion every week covering JavaScript, frontend development, community, careers and frameworks.

04. Responsive Web Design Podcast

Responsive Web Design Podcast is co-hosted by Karen McGrane and Ethan Marcotte

Responsive Web Design Podcast is co-hosted by Karen McGrane and Ethan Marcotte. In each episode, McGrane and Marcotte interview the people who make responsive redesigns happen.

05. Responsive Design Podcast

A podcast that interviews some of the best names in the business

A podcast by Justin Avery that interviews some of the best names in the business about their experiences of responsive web design.

06. Developer Tea

Developer Tea is the 10-minute podcast for developers

Developer Tea is the 10-minute podcast for developers. It's engineered to be a highly-concentrated, short, frequent podcast specifically for developers who like to learn on their tea (and coffee) break.

07. Style Guide Podcast

A small batch series of interviews on Style Guides

This podcast offers a small batch series of interviews on Style Guides, hosted by Anna Debenham and Brad Frost.

08. CodePen Radio

Discover the ins and outs of running a web software business

Chris Coyier, Alex Vazquez, and Tim Sabat, the co-founders of CodePen, talk about the ins and outs of running a web software business.

09. Let's Make Mistakes

Everyone in the web design and development industry should be listening to Let's Make Mistakes

Karen McGrane, the content strategist and UX designer behind the Responsive Web Design Podcast, says: "Everyone in the web design and development industry should be listening to Let's Make Mistakes. Leah [Reich] and Mike [Monteiro] are a great combination."

10. BizCraft

Carl Smith and Gene Crawford tackle issues related to design business

Dan Mall has worked as a designer at Happy Cog and Big Spaceship, and this year he founded his own venture, SuperFriendly. He champions BizCraft. "Carl Smith and Gene Crawford tackle issues related to design business," he says. "As someone starting a new business, everything they discuss is invaluable."

11. The Businessology Show

Dan Mall talks about the business of design and the design of business

Mall's next selection is an obvious choice... "If I could toot my own horn for a minute, I have my own podcast with my CPA Jason Blumer," he says. "We talk about the business of design and the design of business, hoping to help give a kick in the butt to those who want to take their careers to the next level."

12. Data Stories

Brian Suda listens to Data Stories

Iceland-based Brian Suda is a software developer, master informatician and author of A Practical Guide to Designing with Data. As well as design, his passions include Microformats, XHTML and PHP.

He listens to Data Stories, and says it's: "A great, occasional podcast about data visualisations from two of the world leading experts. Sometimes the discussion is very academic, but other times they experiment with audience participation. There's a wealth of knowledge in each episode. If you're into data viz, infographics, storytelling, journalism and working with data, you need to be listening."

13. 99% invisible

Suda's favourite podcast is 99% invisible

Suda's favourite podcast is 99% invisible. "Only 15-20 minutes per episode, it's the perfect time for a nice walk or other activity. The production quality and stories are always amazing. If you're detailed oriented, this podcast focuses on the 99 per cent of the work that went into things you never even notice. For any designer, architect or innovator, listening should be mandatory!"

14. The Back to Front Show

Keir Whitaker discusses backend tech, frontend dev and plenty in-between

Keir Whitaker, experiential marketing lead at Shopify, also bigs up his own podcast: "Kieran Masterton and I host a weekly podcast in which we discuss backend tech, frontend dev and plenty in-between with a view of sharing experiences, questioning trends and sharing interesting articles, etc."

15. The Big Web Show

Everything that's important on the web, hosted by Jeffrey Zeldman

This podcast features everything that's important on the web, hosted by Jeffrey Zeldman with special guests including everyone who's anyone in the world of web design. Although it's been a while since the last podcast went up on the site, the Twitter account is active, so we hope for more shows soon.

16. Boagworld

Paul Boag and Marcus Lillington are joined by a variety of guests to discuss topics for web designers

Hosts by Paul Boag and Marcus Lillington are joined by a variety of guests to discuss topics for designers, developers and website owners. As it states on the website, the podcast is "fun, informative and quintessentially British!"

17. CTRL+CLICK CAST

The tech podcast delves into all areas of the web design industry

CTRL+CLICK CAST was formerly the ExpressionEngine Podcast, but thankfully it is still hosted by Lea Alcantara and Emily Lewis. The tech podcast focuses on content management systems but delves into all areas of the web design industry too.

18. The Gently Mad

The Gently Mad is an interview show about what drives us as creators and connects us as people

The Gently Mad is an interview show about what drives us as creators and connects us as people. Each week, host Adam Clark and guests explore the stories, experiences and insights of awesome people who make awesome things.

This updated article is based on a feature that originally appeared on the net magazine website. Subscribe to net here.

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