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Create Great Podcast, Episode 16

Tom recently joined David Bennett on Create Great, a podcast featuring creative voices from across industries and disciplines. Their conversation traces Tom's path from the North of England to founding Manual in San Francisco, exploring what he's discovered about building genuine client relationships and navigating the complexities of creative collaboration. Tom discusses why clear communication often trumps clever design, how to handle the inevitable tensions between vision and feedback, and the particular responsibility that comes with shaping the brands people encounter daily. It's an honest look at taste, timing, and the understated influence of branding work—helping craft the everyday things people see, use, and connect with.

Listen on Spotify.
Listen on Apple.

Letterform Archive talk: Color as Character

Last week we filled a room at Letterform Archive for Tom Crabtree’s salon talk, Color as Character.

Surrounded by a chromatic array of artifacts pulled from the Archive’s collection, Tom traced a path from early sources of inspiration to the identities we create today, with color as the main character throughout. Along the way: a rainbow sweater from childhood, fluorescent screen prints from college, and a kaleidoscopic mix of historical influences, including David Hockney, Eduardo Paolozzi, Piet Zwart, Otl Aicher, and Wim Crouwel.

The evening offered a personal look at Tom’s relationship with color, and the role it continues to play in shaping the way we design at Manual.

Thanks to everyone who came out, and to our friends and neighbors at Letterform Archive for hosting, especially Stephen and Angie.