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About this episode

Graphic designers often underestimate the power of branding—but did you know Christmas itself is the ultimate masterclass in branding, centuries in the making?  Forget the twinkling lights and holiday cheer; the Christmas brand wasn’t built overnight, and its roots are a wild mix of designers, commercialism, and clever marketing strategies.

This week on The Angry Designer podcast, we’re unwrapping the untold stories behind how Graphic Designers and capitalism joined forces to create the juggernaut we call Christmas. From the origins of the Christmas tree to how Coca-Cola redefined Santa Claus, we dig into the design decisions and commercial twists that shaped the holiday we know today.

In this episode, we’ll cover:
- The shocking role graphic designers played in shaping Christmas traditions
- How commercialism turned the holiday into a global brand
- Surprising lessons graphic designers can take from the evolution of Christmas branding

By the end, you’ll see how even the most commercialized brand in history can teach valuable lessons to Graphic Designers about creativity, storytelling, and the power of design. Love it or hate it, Christmas is a designer’s dream—and this episode breaks it all down.

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