A YouTube Index
I spend a higher-than-average amount of my time watching and listening to YouTube videos. Because of this, I am writing this journal article as half love letter and half research index. A love letter because the video essays in this list, and many others, have been an amazing way to continue to learn about topics outside of architecture that are inherently related to design and my interests as a person. This article is also a research index because it was really great to compile all these engaging themes into a list and see them side by side.
I hope that this article can serve as a way to begin learning about: urbanism, interior design, cultural studies, fashion, film, feminism, Orientalism, political theory, and critical race theory. Alternatively, it can also serve as easy listening to: Lofi Hip Hop, rainy day ASMR, Stromae, and a large-scale version of tag across Europe.
So open up that laptop and grab dinner or get that multitasking split screen going, settle in, and take a listen.
All these videos can also be found in this YouTube playlist.
The rest of this article contains a series of short summaries for all the videos in the order you will find them in the playlist, organized thematically.
Urbanism
I start this list off with pure urbanist sass. Not Just Bikes and CityNerd are two of my favourite creators covering topics related to urban planning, city policy, development, transit, and city design. The first two videos are companion videos about Stroads (a street/road hybrid found everywhere in North America).
Video 1 - Stroads are Ugly, Expensive and Dangerous (and they’re everywhere)
Video 2 - What Happens When You Build for Speed, Not Walkability: Stroad Bingo, Boulder Highway Edition
These next two videos are also created by Not Just Bikes and CityNerd. The first is a top ten list of cities with little to no freeways cutting through them – number one in this list is a fun surprise. The second video compares pedestrian and bike infrastructure on streets in Canada and The Netherlands. A good video for affirming the road rage you probably get if you are a frequent cyclist or pedestrian in North America.
Video 3 - The Most Freeway-Light Cities in North America: The Top 10 Cities with No Freeways (Almost!)
Video 4 - Crossing the Street Shouldn’t be Deadly (but it is)
Design
These two videos from Never Too Small look at how small residential spaces can be well designed and comfortable. The first video features a multi-family apartment complex that was designed in collaboration with its future residents. As a result, the building has many shared amenity spaces that prioritize communality and sociability, these include a bike repair shop, common laundry, and outdoor corridor. The second video documents the home of an avid DIY’er and Architect. His apartment features tons of custom millwork designed to make the most of the small space.
Video 5 - Melbourne Flexible Small Apartment - 55sqm/592sqft
Video 6 - Architect’s DIY Beachside Apartment: Sydney 51sqm/549sqf
Fashion
Mina Le is a creator who makes videos focused on cultural trends, pop-culture, and fashion. The two videos I have selected here examine trends that have a direct influence on architectural design. The first video is an accessible way of understanding ‘gentrifier-core’ aesthetics found in architecture and interior design these days (ie. grey walls, vinyl plank, faux wood, boxy soulless facades). The second video is a companion video speaking about the shift away from minimalism towards maximalism and the larger-scale implications of this.
Video 7 - Why is Everything So Ugly: The Curse of Modernism
Video 8 - Explaining the Gen Z Maximalism Trend
Vibes
Intermission! The next five videos speak for themselves, very easy listening and viewing experiences. The last video in this section (3Hr Lofi Hip Hop) is a really excellent mix to write or read to. Second and third last, RM and Stromae respectively, are videos of two captivating live musical performances. Would recommend both watching and listening to those ones for sure.
Video 9 - Walking in the Rain Tokyo, Japan
Video 10 - Walking in the Rain, Zermatt Switzerland and Mattervispa
Video 11 - Stromae: Tiny Desk Concert
Video 12 - RM Live in New York @ Dia Beacon
Video 13 - I need concentration when studying in the library | 3 hour lofi hip hop mix
Critical Thinking
Khadija Mbowe’s videos are so well researched and engaging, you can tell a ton of effort is put into these! The conversations in the comment section are immaculate and the video descriptions are a good reference for further research. A catch-all channel for everything about critical thinking, race, representation, and culture.
Video 14 - For the Boys, Psychological Patriarchy & Toxic Masculinity Explained
Video 15 - Critical Race Theory (a beginner’s beginner guide)
In the video essay/manifesto below Andrewism presents an anti-capitalist vision for a library economy. Library-socialist aspirations are one of the most expansive and feel-good versions of futurity within sci-fi and critical discourse. A must listen.
Video 16 - We Need a Library Economy
Film Analysis
Accented Cinema and Broey Deschanel are two of my favourite film analysis creators on YouTube that deconstruct the tropes and structures of filmmaking.
Video 17 - When Hollywood Speaks Chinese, I Cringe
Video 18 - Princess Mononoke: Writing Humanity
Video 19 - Wes Anderson and the Follies of Modern Orientalism
Pure Content
Finishing this list with one that is just pure entertainment by Jetlag: The Game. A seven-part series where three guys play tag across the continent of Europe; includes lots of good transit travel and friendly shenanigans.
Video 20 - We Played a 72 Hour Game of Tag Across Europe
That’s all for now. Be sure to check out more videos from these channels. I promise that between all the food delivery, VPN, website creation, and other sponsored ads (that these creators have to add to their videos to stay afloat in this economy) there is tons more interesting and fun online learning to be done!