Tom Yurkin sits down with host Adam Fromme in this episode of the Thinking through Design podcast.
“It’s okay to ignore gravity and budgets…for a little while.” Tom Yurkin
In this episode, Adam explores Tom’s career shaped by curiosity, experience and time in the live events industry. Tom recounts his path from rural Ohio to discovering industrial design at the Ohio State University Department of Design, and how a formative study abroad experience in Paris expanded his understanding of culture, history and observation. Influenced by mentors like Paul Rand, Peter Megert and Oscar Fernéndez, he formed an approach that continues to guide his work at Freeman. The conversation continues by tracing his 40-year career in exhibit design, following the shift from traditional displays to immersive, experience-driven environments where storytelling, sensory egagement and data all play a role. Tom reflects on navigating large-scale projects, adpating to tools like AI and designing with the full attendee journey in mind. He closes with advice for students: stay curious, do your homework, collaborate and be confident without arrogance.
Special note: This episode coincides with Tom receiving the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Design, presented during the 2026 Spring Exhibition Reception.
Tom Yurkin is an award-winning Senior Creative Director at Freeman, where he has spent more than 40 years working on trade show exhibits, mobile and permanent installations and large-scale live events. He received his undergraduate degree in industrial design from Ohio State University in 1985.
You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts.
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