Cosmic Sans

What happens when a filmmaker who has worked on Marvel's What If…?, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Despicable Me decides to build his own comic book universe?This week on the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I'm joined by comic artist, animation director, and storyteller Stephan Franck for a fascinating conversation about creativity, independence, and the art of storytelling.Growing up in his parents' comic book store outside Paris, Stephan developed a lifelong passion for comics and animation. That passion eventually brought him to Hollywood, where he's contributed to some of the biggest animated projects in entertainment.But alongside his studio career, Stephan has been building something entirely his own.We dive into his graphic novel series Palomino, a neo-noir crime mystery set against the forgotten country music scene of Los Angeles, and explore what it really takes to create, publish, and grow an independent comic series.We also get into the importance of human connection in art, the realities of building an audience without going viral, and Stephan's fascinating (and occasionally spicy) thoughts on artificial intelligence.In this episode:- Growing up surrounded by comics in France- Breaking into the animation industry- Directing Marvel's What If…?- The creative freedom of independent comics- The story behind Palomino- Building an audience through conventions and Kickstarter- Stephan's comic creation workflow- Why AI-generated art doesn't worry him- The importance of keeping humanity in storytellingFollow for more conversations with artists, designers, and creative minds!00:00 Meet Stephan Franck00:54 Growing Up in a Comic Book Store04:07 The Comics That Shaped His Childhood07:26 How His Parents Encouraged His Creativity11:20 From Music to Animation School14:33 How Roger Rabbit Changed Animation16:17 Breaking Into Hollywood22:37 Directing Marvel's What If…?26:31 What Does an Animation Director Actually Do?31:47 The Art of Storyboarding34:31 Stephan's Dream Superhero Project38:28 Can Indie Comics Become the Next Batman?41:42 Why You Have to Love What You Create44:21 Stop Waiting for Permission to Publish47:45 Breaking Into Comic-Con50:12 Building an Audience Without Going Viral55:40 The Story Behind Palomino58:24 The Forgotten Country Music History of LA62:41 Why Palomino Became a Six-Volume Series65:07 Why Kickstarter Matters for Comics68:06 How Stephan Builds Trust With Supporters73:16 Switching From Paper to Digital77:19 Creating Comic Books With 3D Sets82:06 How AI Fits Into His Workflow84:09 Stephan's Biggest Fear About AI88:07 Can AI Replace Comic Artists?90:53 Why Art Is About Human Connection95:23 AI, Propaganda, and Storytelling97:35 The Future of Comics and Animation100:00 Where to Find Stephan and Palomino

What does it take to build a creative career while still making time for the things that actually matter?In this episode of Cosmic Sans, I sit down with editorial and graphic designer Kieron Anthony Lewis to talk about his journey from studying video game design to creating beautiful, physical publications — including an ambitious two-year book project celebrating art and culture in Lagos, Nigeria.We get into how fatherhood has changed Kieron’s relationship with work, why designers should embrace AI without forgetting the fundamentals, the nerves that never completely disappear when speaking on stage, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your career is say no.Kieron also shares some great advice for younger designers trying to stand out in an increasingly crowded creative industry, including why following what already works can sometimes keep you from finding your own voice.And toward the end, the conversation gets a little more personal as we talk about family, loss, time, and the importance of making things — and memories — that last.Find Kieron:kieronlewis.comFollow Cosmic Sans for more conversations with artists, designers, and damn good people.

00:00 Meet Kieron Anthony Lewis

01:59 How fatherhood changes everything

06:38 Balancing freelancing, work & family

10:15 From comics and video games to graphic design

14:36 How the design industry has changed

20:19 How Kieron uses AI in his creative workflow

24:59 Raising kids in a world of AI

28:32 Learning to speak confidently on stage

34:25 The power of pausing before you speak

41:18 Designing a massive book about Lagos

45:59 Where Kieron finds freelance clients

49:51 How designers can carve out their own space

53:23 Why creatives are afraid to stand out

56:16 Turning online negativity into something positive

59:03 Knowing when to say no to a client

1:02:27 Time vs. money

1:03:16 Family, legacy & making things that last

I sat down with designer and entrepreneur Matthew Matsuzaki — better known online as Whale — fully expecting to talk about design.

We barely did. 😅

Instead, we ended up having one of the most personal conversations I've had on the podcast.

Matthew opens up about neurodivergence, ADHD and OCD, learning how his brain works, nearly 10 years of sobriety, meditation, parenting, relationships, vulnerability, recovery and the process of tearing down what you thought you knew about yourself.

Eventually, we even talk a little design — including how those experiences influence Matthew's work as Head of Brand at Ghost, the origins of his career, and why he's building Wimp Decaf as an intentionally different kind of business.

This one went absolutely nowhere I expected it to go — and I'm really glad it did.

What happens when you leave the security of the corporate world and bet on yourself?

In this episode of Cosmic Sans, I sit down with Fergie, better known as The Anti-Beige Designer, to talk about her leap from corporate design into freelancing, the very real ups and downs of building her own business, and why networking and putting yourself out there can make all the difference.

We also dive into Fergie’s love of color (and dislike of beige 😅), building color palettes, developing a recognizable personal brand, and how she approaches working with clients who may not be quite as adventurous.

Plus, we get into AI and the future of creativity — including how Fergie uses AI for ideation, how it helped her take on projects she couldn't have tackled before, and why she believes AI can be an assistant to designers rather than their replacement.

And, of course, we wrap things up with some rapid-fire design hot takes — including the other color Fergie would happily ban forever.

Brand designer CJ Cawley joins me to chat about his journey from a difficult childhood and homelessness to building a successful branding studio, why telling your story matters more than ever, and how mental health has shaped both his life and creative career.

We also tackle one of the biggest conversations happening in design today: AI.

Is AI replacing designers? Or is it simply raising the bar for creativity?

Artist, illustrator, and designer Deja Brown joins the Cosmic Sans Podcast to discuss her creative journey, building a recognizable artistic style, and turning personal artwork into collaborations with brands like Nike, Adobe, Coach, Adidas, Converse, Olipop, and more. 

We dive into the realities of freelancing, pricing creative work, networking, social media, finding your voice as an artist, and how Deja approaches creativity when inspiration runs dry. We also discuss representation in the design industry, the impact of AI on creative careers, and why protecting your creativity is more important than ever. 

Whether you're a designer, illustrator, freelancer, or someone looking to build a creative career, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest insights.

• Building a creative career through social media
• Working with brands like Nike, Adobe, Coach, and Adidas
• Freelance pricing and negotiating creative work
• Developing a unique artistic style
• Representation and diversity in design
• Creativity, burnout, and finding inspiration
• AI's impact on artists and designers
• Advice for emerging creatives

Illustrator and creative strategist Orlando Arocena joins Cosmic Sans to discuss building the “Mexifunk” identity, breaking the limits of Adobe Illustrator, and working on franchises like Spider-Man, Terrifier, SpongeBob, Power Rangers, and John Wick.

We also dive into the business side of creativity — licensing, contracts, creative ownership, AI, branding, and why artists need to understand far more than just making great work. 

David Oku’s work is bold, vibrant—and deeply personal.

From facing rejection early in his career to working with brands like Nike and designing for the Vegas Sphere, David shares his journey, his creative process, and his honest thoughts on AI, identity, and the future of art.

Comic artist Dave Baker (TMNT, Star Trek, Godzilla) joins Cosmic Sans to break down the realities of building a career in comics.

We dive into self-publishing vs. working with publishers, why understanding contracts is critical, how social media is changing the game, and the balance between making money and making meaningful work.

Dave also shares honest insights on creative identity, originality, and why artists need to stop playing it safe if they want to stand out.

If you're a designer, illustrator, or creative trying to build something of your own—this one’s for you.

Tom Muller is a creative director who’s worked with Marvel, Disney, Google, and major AAA game studios, but his path wasn’t linear.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Building a career through side projects and connections
• Designing for Marvel’s X-Men
• The reality of creative direction vs. hands-on design
• Why every designer still needs a website
• How AI is impacting the creative industry

If you’re a designer, creative, or just curious how big creative careers are built, this one’s packed.