Revision Path

We're back in the Bay Area this week, and we're talking to illustrator and senior UI/UX designer Frances Liddell! She comes from an illustrious legacy through Jackson State University, but as you'll hear in the interview, that doesn't mean that she hasn't had to work hard to obtain success.

We talked about her "aha moment" as a designer, and we spent a lot of time dissecting and discussing HBCUs, "the pipeline", and the design community. Frances also shared her experiences in San Francisco, including going to design school there and transitioning into her current role. Shout out to Cornelius Toole in our Slack community for the introduction!

If you're fan of indie comics, then you've no doubt heard of C. Spike Trotman. The cartoonist and best-selling author is the founder of Iron Circus Comics, Chicago's largest comic book publisher. Aside from this, Spike is a master when it comes to crowdfunding. To date, she's raised over $750,000 between 13 successful Kickstarter campaigns, and there's no signs of stopping. As a matter of fact, her 14th campaign begins today! It's a fact: if there's anyone who is making comics a better and more approachable place, it's her!

Spike talked about her first foray into comics and how taking a nontraditional route ended up with the creation of some of her first successful works and setting a new standard for comics publishing today. We also spent some time talking about college time in the AUC (hey, it is HBCU Month!) Spike is blazing a trail and changing the game for comic creators everywhere!

We've had several folks from Slack here on Revision Path, and the latest one is digital designer Angelica McKinley! She has a wealth of experience in digital storytelling from working at The New York Times, and she's now making the switch from print to tech.

We talked about her work at The New York Times, which went into a discussion on how Black creatives use tech as well as on the importance of HBCU pipelines. Angelica also shared what has her excited at the moment, and what she plans to accomplish for the rest of the year. 2017 has been a big year for Angelica, and I'm glad that she's one of hundreds of talented Black creatives out in the Bay Area!

It's easy to see why Kim Goulbourne calls herself a "chronic creator". Whether she's helping first-time renters in NYC or helping others experience more of their city, this Webby award-winning maker is full of ideas with a focus on creating purpose-driven experiences with design and code.

Kim talked me through her thought process for new project, and she shared some information about her latest venture. Her and I also spent some time talking shop about entrepreneurship, finding leads, her dream project, and some of her inspirations. Kim is definitely someone you'll want to watch, so make sure you follow her and see what gets "Bourn" next!

Duane Jones really breaks boundaries when it comes to design. While his main work is with information management, his passion for self-expression comes alive through his brand Art Pays Me. Duane is definitely one of the names you need to know in the Halifax design scene!

We started off talking about how Duane's frustration with the design industry took him in an unexpected direction with his career, and he breaks down the differences between art and design, his philosophies on both subjects, and what motivates him today as a creator. Once you know your worth and are intentional about your goals, nothing can stop you -- and Duane is proof of that!

Hans Dorsinville came across my radar when I saw AdWeek's Creative 100 for 2017. If his name doesn't sound familiar to you, then you've definitely seen his work. I'm talking Donna Karan, Lane Bryant...even Beyoncé. His creativity has been instrumental in some of the world's top luxury brands in fashion and beauty.

Of course, we had to start off talking about his magnificent body of work! Hans talked about the business side of design and shared how he first got his start as a junior designer fresh out of Parsons School of Design. We also talked about the booming creative and fashion scene in the 90s, what he's learned over the years about making a name for yourself, and even have some great advice for designers who want to follow in his footsteps. Hans is all about showing the possibilities available in life, and I'm so glad to have such a talented visionary here on Revision Path. Enjoy!

Catt Small has been one of our most requested guests over the past few years, so we're starting off August by bringing her back on the show!

Our conversation began with her talking about her day to day work as a product designer at Etsy, and then she spoke about her projects: Good for PoC and the 2017 Game Devs of Color Expo through her game development company Brooklyn Gamery. Catt and I also discussed the state of the gaming community for people of color, the importance of funding (including the pitfalls of crowdfunding), and we chatted about her public speaking and what she wants to accomplish for the remainder of 2017. It's amazing to see how far Catt has come, and I bet we're going to see a lot more from her in the future!

This week's guest is Michael Hollander, senior character animator at Telltale Games. You've no doubt seen his work through some of their best-selling titles, including Batman, The Walking Dead, and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. (And if you were a kid in the 90s like I was, you'll probably recognize him from the unsung superhero action series V.R. Troopers!) Wait until you hear his story!

Michael talked about how he got his big break into acting and modeling, and the shift that occurred which changed his career trajectory towards design and animation. Michael also has a lot of great advice for those of you looking to get into the entertainment industry, and we briefly touch on the issues of diversity and representation. It's really inspiring and amazing to hear how Michael has carved out a niche for himself, and I really think you'll learn a lot from his experiences. This interview is a great one!

I'm always excited to find out about great design talent all over the world, so I was really excited to find out about Antonea Nabors while randomly browsing the Web. What a discovery! For the past few years, Antonea has been working at some of the top design agencies in Australia. Currently, she's located in Brisbane and working as lead UI designer for Five Good Friends.

During our conversation, Antonea talked about how she first got interested in design, shared how a contest entry ended up changing her life, and discussed some of the cultural and work differences between the United States and Australia. We also talked a little about aboriginal representation, diversity in the Australian design community, and a lot more. Thanks to Antonea for a great chat!

For our 200th episode, we're bringing back one of our favorite guests -- Sarah Huny Young. Huny does it all -- she's a creative director, a multidisciplinary designer, and an overall creative titan. It was great to catch up with her and learn about what she's been doing since our 100th episode!

We talked about her latest project, American Woman, and she shared how the project came to fruition and what its taught her since she started it a year ago. We also discussed funding for the creative arts, the importance of designers to brand themselves, the pros and cons of the Pittsburgh arts and design scene, and a lot more. Huny has so much wisdom to share, and it's always great to catch up with her. Who knows...maybe she'll come back for episode 300!