10 Episode 72: Gordon Kaye - The Design Of Legacy and Clarity

What if the most powerful kind of creativity isn’t about making things beautiful, but making them clear? Gordon Kaye never planned to work in design. He studied law, built a career in New York, and handled media and trademark cases before joining NBC as counsel, reviewing everything from late-night jokes to broadcast standards. But when his father’s health declined, he stepped away from law to take over the family publication, Graphic Design USA (GDUSA), a magazine his father had launched in the 1960s to celebrate the people behind design, not just the work itself. What began as a rescue mission became a lifelong calling. Gordon brought his legal mind and curiosity for communication to a creative field that thrives on clarity. Over the decades, he’s evolved GDUSA into more than a design magazine, it’s a respected voice for how ideas move through business, marketing, and culture. In our conversation, Gordon and Justin talk about what design can teach every leader: how to communicate simply, lead with empathy, and build trust through the way we share information. They discuss how his outsider’s view helped him see design not as decoration, but as direction. And how clarity, when done well, can turn creative thinking into real influence. For business and marketing leaders, this episode is about more than design. It’s about the responsibility of communication. About how we help people see what matters. And how legacy, when guided by purpose, can evolve without losing its truth. What You’ll Learn + Clarity earns influence. The best ideas don’t need to shout—they need to be understood. + Every message is designed. The way you shape words, visuals, or decisions defines how people respond. + Legacy means evolution. True leadership honors the past while adapting to what’s next. + Trust is the real deliverable. In every field, communication rooted in honesty connects. + Purpose over polish. Simplicity, empathy, and meaning will always outperform noise. Why It Matters Gordon’s journey, from NBC’s legal floors to the heart of the design community, proves that communication is leadership. You don’t have to be a designer to think like one. You just have to care about how people understand you. Listen Now If this episode helps you think differently about how you lead, share it with someone who shapes communication where you work. Follow Design Of wherever you listen, and keep building teams, messages, and brands that people can trust.