Netflix for Designers

If you decide to watch all of them in a week, don't blame us for delaying your projects.

1. Abstract: The Art of Design

This original Netflix documentary series, created by former WIRED editor Scott Dadlich, offers a global glimpse into the men and women who bring everything from screens to shoes to life. Each episode is a standalone documentary, highlighting design visionaries like Nike designer Tinker Hatfield. However, Abstract is not just about storytelling: it illustrates the intent behind the incredible objects around us—many of which are taken for granted—and the decisions from which they originated. Our favorite episodes: "Paula Scher: Graphic Design" - Abstract documents the work of Paula Scher, an American graphic designer who was the first woman to become a principal at Pentagram.

2. The Creative Brain

Directors: Jennifer Beamish, Toby Trackman Starring: David Eagleman Duration: 52 minutes To some, creative genius may seem like a superpower reserved for a privileged few. But David Eagleman makes it his mission to demystify this myth in his documentary "The Creative Brain." Eagleman, a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University, dives into the minds of creators like prolific architect Bjarke Ingels and musical artist Grimes to unravel their thought processes and explore how each of us can unleash our own creative breakthroughs.

3. The Pixar Story

In the mid-1980s, a trio of Bay Area idealists combined their talents in art, science, and business to launch a company that would define entertainment for the foreseeable future. These three people were Ed Catmull, John Lasseter, and Steve Jobs. Their company was Pixar. "The Pixar Story" takes viewers behind the scenes to witness the creative struggle and determination that drove next-level animation technology that revolutionized Hollywood. The film features never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews with key figures, including Tim Allen and Tom Hanks, to tell the journey of Pixar from startup to transformative paradigm.

4. Jeremy Scott: The People's Designer

How do you go from a country boy to the creative director of one of the world's most prestigious fashion brands? Ask Jeremy Scott. Growing up in rural Missouri, Scott dreamed of becoming a fashion icon. But before realizing that dream, he would face constant rejection, ridicule, and even homelessness before his greatest achievement: becoming the creative director of Moschino. This rags-to-riches documentary encapsulates the determination needed to build a name as a creative, with fascinating forays into the details of the fashion industry.

5. The 100 Years Show

Carmen Herrera draws every morning by the window of her New York City apartment. A renowned painter, her minimalist works are displayed in major institutions like MoMA and Tate Modern. The London Observer called her "the discovery of the decade." The most surprising part? She is 104 years old. Born in Cuba in 1915, Carmen Herrera is the oldest living contemporary artist. Yet, her work was stifled until the early 2000s. She didn't sell her first artwork until she was 81. "The 100 Years Show" chronicles the misfortune of Herrera's talent being overlooked because of her gender and nationality—but the story is undeniably inspiring, as it illustrates Herrera's creative resilience and the power of art to sustain itself throughout a lifetime.

6. They'll Love Me When I'm Dead

Orson Welles was dubbed Hollywood's golden boy after directing "Citizen Kane." A perfectionist and cinematic visionary, Welles was held to a higher standard than any other director of his time.

7. Blurry Lines: Inside the World of Art

How does talent find an audience? How does power decide access? What—if there is one—is a fair price tag to put on creative ingenuity?

8. Printing the Legend

Since 1986, 3D printers have been building engine parts, dental devices, and even artificial human organs. But now, well into the 21st century, 3D printing is gearing up to be the next wave of the technological revolution. It's a gold rush, but the question remains: which creators will come out on top? "Printing the Legend" looks behind the scenes at four competitors—3D Systems, Stratasys, MakerBot, and Formlabs—as they race to elevate 3D printing from a tech nerd niche to a mass-market consumer product that anyone can have on their desk.

9. Floyd Norman: An Animated Life

When Floyd Norman was a child, he was told he could never have a career at Disney Studio. "They don't hire blacks," his peers told him. Norman didn't accept this, and within a few years, he was animating "The Jungle Book" as Disney's first black employee. During his time working with Walt Disney, Norman alternated between animator, layout artist, storyboard artist, and writer until he was let go in 1965. But his creative tank was far from empty. This documentary blends interviews and archival footage to tell the fascinating story of Floyd Norman, the animator, but more importantly, the story of Floyd Norman, the man, who paved the way for black creatives in the entertainment industry.

10. She Makes Comics

There's no doubt that creative women have been—and often still are—eclipsed by their male counterparts. But one niche industry where women's creative achievements are impressive yet still massively undervalued is comics. "She Makes Comics" is comprised of eclectic interviews, including underground comic artist Joyce Farmer, Comic-Con administrator Jackie Estrada, and a slew of writers and critics. Inspiring, provocative, and fearless, this documentary adds an important perspective to the conversation on gender equality in the creative field.