99% Invisible

What Is 99% Invisible?

99% Invisible is a podcast in the design category that explores the unnoticed aspects of architecture, design, and infrastructure shaping everyday life. Hosted by Roman Mars, it delivers sound-rich, narrative episodes revealing the thought processes behind ordinary objects and systems. As a free resource available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, 99% Invisible fits into the design workflow by providing auditory insights that inform creative thinking and contextual awareness for designers.

What 99% Invisible Does

• Presents weekly episodes on the process and power of design and architecture in daily environments.
• Uses investigative storytelling with multiple voices and perspectives to examine topics.
• Incorporates high-production sound design, including ambient audio like page turns and doorbells, to enhance immersion.
• Covers hidden elements of infrastructure, from chairs to public systems taken for granted.
• Offers companion web articles for each episode and related books like The 99% Invisible City.
• Produces limited-run series on related themes, such as clothing design in Articles of Interest.

How 99% Invisible Can Be Used

• Designers listen during commutes to gain inspiration from episodes on urban planning or object evolution, applying insights to projects like product redesigns.
• Architecture students reference episodes for case studies on historical structures or preservation efforts, such as Santa Fe's adobe guidelines.
• Teams in UI/UX workflows discuss episodes on warning labels or infrastructure to spark ideas for user-centered interfaces.
• Creative professionals use it in research phases to uncover overlooked design influences before sketching or prototyping.
• Podcasts serve as background for brainstorming sessions, revealing stories like Robert Moses' infrastructure tactics for contextual project planning.

Who Is 99% Invisible For?

99% Invisible serves designers, architects, and urban planners interested in the invisible forces of design, as well as students and enthusiasts exploring architecture and culture through audio narratives. It suits those at any experience level seeking weekly insights into everyday design processes, from beginners discovering foundational concepts to professionals deepening contextual knowledge for complex projects. Visit 99% Invisible