Jan 05, 2026

Changing Perceptions

Debra Bishop

About this video

Description

Great design isn’t just about making beautiful things—it’s about shifting the way we see. Join Debra as she outlines how she’s spent her career transforming projects for audiences others might overlook: from a magazine for women over 40 (gasp!) to a special Cancer Issue for The New York Times to a newspaper section made just for kids. With a deep respect for content and a sharp eye for storytelling, Debra shows how design can bring depth, dignity and playfulness to even the toughest briefs. She’ll walk us through her past work before diving into her current role at The New York Times for Kids—a publication that proves great design doesn’t have an age limit. This is a session about seeing potential where others don’t—and using design to elevate every story.

Debra Bishop

Debra has been the Design Director of The New York Times for Kids since 2017. Previously she spent more than 25 years working as an editorial Art Director designing magazines such as Rolling Stone, House and Garden, Condé Nast Traveler, Esquire and More magazine. During her 12 years as VP, Design Director at Martha Stewart Omnimedia, she co-founded and designed publications such as Martha Stewart Baby, Martha Stewart Kids, Blueprint magazine and Whole Living. The early part of her career was spent working for Paula Scher. Martha Stewart Kids was awarded ‘Best Designed Magazine' by the Society of Magazine Editors. Her work has also been recognized by the Society of Magazine Designers, the Art Directors Club, the Type Directors Club, American Photography, American Illustration, the Society of Illustrators, D&AD and Creative Review. She is on the faculty of the School of Visual Arts MFA program. In 2022 she co-founded the podcast Print is Dead/Long Live Print.