EP 93: Designing for Humanity | Platon

How does one of the world’s most renowned photographers humanize data? Can ordinary people do extraordinary things? What is true power? Platon is one of the world's most renowned portrait photographers, having photographed more world leaders than anyone else in history, including six American presidents. He has photographed over 30 covers for TIME Magazine, including their 2008 Vladimir Putin Person of The Year cover, which was awarded 1st prize at the World Press Photo Contest. In 2008, Platon signed on as staff photographer to the New Yorker, winning a Peabody Award and two National Magazine Awards for his photo essays. He has published four books with subjects ranging from the power of world leaders to the dignity of those who serve in the US Military. In 2013, Platon founded The People’s Portfolio, a non-profit foundation dedicated to celebrating emerging leaders of human rights and civil rights around the world. The People’s Portfolio creates a visual language that breaks barriers, uplifts dignity, fights discrimination, and enlists the public to support human rights around the world. Platon is currently on the board for Arts and Culture at the World Economic Forum. Platon’s life’s work is the subject of a Netflix documentary, Abstract: The Art of Design. His first film, My Body Is Not A Weapon, features survivors of wartime sexual violence and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege. In 2020, Platon’s archive of prominent African American civil rights leaders and cultural leaders was acquired by the Smithsonian. Episode Website/Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/designlabpod/platon Follow Platon: Twitter | Facebook | Insta Episode Links and Mentions: http://www.platonphoto.com https://www.thepeoplesportfolio.org https://www.mukwegefoundation.org Original portrait of Platon by Michele Murray More episode sources & links Sign-up for Design Lab Podcast’s Newsletter Previous Episode Newsletters and Shownotes Follow @DesignLabPod on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Follow @BonKu on Twitter & Instagram Check out the Health Design Lab Production by Robert Pugliese Edit by Fernando Queiroz Cover Design by Eden Lew Theme song by Emmanuel Houston Indexed in the Library of Congress: ISSN 2833-2032