Mike Perry is a painter and graphic designer, based in Brooklyn, NY and Athens, NY.

Instagram and all episodes

(00:00) Following love to New York

(02:43) Early hustle and instant momentum

(05:34) Dental floss letters and studio realization

(07:58) Pre-social era: reputation and “Hand Job”

(10:41) Independence, Missouri and a creative family

(13:28) Drawing obsession and being “terrible” in school

(15:52) Dyslexia: letters as shapes, school misunderstandings

(18:41) Neurodivergence as strength and problem-solving

(21:07) Art as purpose: reaching your tiny percentage

(23:46) Minneapolis art school and pivot to design

(26:18) Graphic design philosophy: problems, solutions, process

(28:57) Urban Outfitters: mentors, mecca, behind-the-curtain lessons

(31:37) Handmade aesthetic and early website experimentation

(34:09) Design blogs, relationships, and building a contact list

(37:02) Creative control, big collaborations, and trusting teams

(40:12) Advice now: uncertainty, AI, and human connection

(43:06) Pushing into hard projects and long-haul persistence

(46:12) Success = control of time, boredom, and freedom