Every time I look to hire someone for an ambitious type exploration, Sean Freeman’s name is often at—or near—the top of the list. I am in constant awe of his creative ambition, and his level of execution is top notch. His poster for the Decemberists (above) immediately caught my eye....

A designer and educator who came to design through a love of graffiti, Steve Jones is the co-founder of Plantain Studio, a multidisciplinary firm working in art, architecture and graphic design, with an interest in civic engagement and issues of diversity.

Designers need to see themselves as connective tissue—translating between stakeholders, reframing problems, revealing opportunities and championing change. In this powerful video from the 2011 “Pivot: AIGA Design Conference” Allan Chochinov describes what makes them both powerful and dangerous.