Students of Design

Daniel is a dad, designer, and speaker who specializes in letterpress design and printing. After 14 years, he lost his career in 2020, so his family relocated back to the 5th-generation farmland he grew up on in rural Indiana. There, his growing interest in typography turned into a small letterpress studio called Hoosier Type Company. Daniel does everything. He sources antique wood type, carves new letterforms when he can't find what he needs, and creates prints of his designs, which he eventually sells on Etsy—from the same garage where his grandfather used to paint. Also, all of his designs are handcrafted in small batches and proudly made in the Midwest.

Tune in for a talk about wood fonts and their measurements, locking up a design on his flatbed letterpress, and how working with antique materials comes with compromise. Follow Daniel on Instagram @hoosiertype.co, buy one of his prints on Etsy, or book him for a type talk or workshop on his website.

Ink, Paper, Sweat, & Hope.

Questions for this interview.

• Does speaking to an audience about your career and what you do become a bigger part of your journey?
• You're introducing a new wood font to your collection. Can you explain what you're doing to those blocks and why you're treating them before you print some proofs?
• Can you help us understand what terms like '8-line', '10-line', or '15-line' mean?
• What does the term "scheme" mean in the context of wood type?
• Why would you want multiple blocks of certain letters in a wood font?
• Can you explain why the "type high" measurement is essential and the exact measurement you're looking for?
• Can you tell us what else is inside a chase besides the wood type?
• How do you make sure the placement of woodblocks is level, straight, and aligned?
• How do you explore ideas with digital fonts before setting wood type?
• When you create digitally, and the final output will not be letterpressed, what specific features or characters do you look for in a font or font family?
• Do you think good typographic taste is something that can be taught and learned?
• What are some of the compromises you make with letterpress, and how do they influence your designs?
• Why should people care about wood type? How can the everyday average designer benefit from learning about letterpress design and printing?

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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast. 

If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].

Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.

The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com

Fiorella—or Fio—is a designer, illustrator, and content creator from Lima, Peru, living in Toronto, Ontario. She's a lifelong basketball player, so it's no surprise she's worked with organizations and sports brands like the WNBA, NBA, NFL, PWHL, and Asics. Not only was Fio named MVP of her high school basketball team TWICE, but she also played guard for the University of Toronto, and her mother played for Peru's Women's National Team. So, yeah, basketball (literally) flows through her veins. Fiorella has always been passionate about blending the intersections of design and sports, and she's on a mission to find meaningful work that allows her to share that passion with women around the world.

Tune in for a talk about designing Canada's first outdoor WNBA court, why she left the world of architecture, and putting yourself out there on social media. Follow Fio on Instagram @fiorelladoodles, connect with her on LinkedIn, and see more of her work on her website, fiorellagranda.myportfolio.com.

Questions for this interview.

• When people ask you about your visual style, how do you like to describe it?
• Before designing Canada's first outdoor WNBA court, what was going through your mind, and what were you struggling with?
• How did you feel when you learned the WNBA was going to play its first game on Canadian soil in 2023?
• Transitioning from architecture, what was missing from your life at that time, and was there a catalyst that convinced you to pursue graphic design and illustration full-time?
• How does your online presence benefit from appearing alongside your artwork?
• What's your advice for someone who wants to build their brand or business like you, but they're holding themselves back because they're intimidated by the idea of being face-forward on their social channels?
• Have you ever felt like what you're doing on Instagram and TikTok is cringeworthy?
• Is there a silver lining when you pitch ideas to big brands, even when you don't hear back from them?
• How do you feel when you notice someone on Instagram or TikTok is doing the same thing you're doing, and their videos are taking off, but yours aren't?
• You adopted a Why Not Me mindset. How and when has that way of thinking helped you in your career?
• How have people you look up to in the creative community helped you get to where you are today?
• If you consider your professional experience, your cultural background, and your strengths and weaknesses, what do you believe gives you an edge?

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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast. 

If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].

Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.

The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com

Josh is an art director, illustrator, and author in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He's a sucker for LEGO minifigures and thought he'd never get a chance to illustrate a Little Golden Book—until he worked on four of them for LEGO! Josh has also worked with Scholastic, Highlights for Children, Discovery Education, Orion Telescopes and Binoculars, and other EdTech companies. He's spoken on stages like Creative South and ICON: The Illustration Conference and knows a thing or two about classic cartoons like Loony Tunes, Tom and Jerry, and Popeye. One of the most fascinating parts of his story is the parallels with his great-great-grandfather, Von G. It turns out that writing and illustrating kids' books is (literally) part of his DNA.

Tune in for a talk about exploring his ancestry, being strategic with personal projects, and the difficulty of bringing LEGO minifigures to life in a kids' book. Follow Josh on Instagram @joshjlewis and LinkedIn, and see more of his work on his website joshjlewis.com and Dribbble.

Questions for this interview.

• How do you approach giving constructive feedback to someone early in their career?
• Which do you weigh more heavily, concept and process, or execution and craft?
• Have you ever received a review that changed your feelings about your work?
• Would you be an author and illustrator of kids' books if you had never had children?
• How and when did you learn so much about classic cartoons?
• How did you discover Oscar Hunt Von Gottschalck is your great-great-grandfather? Was that information passed down to you by your mother, or did you find it yourself?
• Is Von G the oldest ancestor you've uncovered in your family tree?
• How did it make you feel to learn about your great-great-grandfather?
• Can you explain the idea behind Bite-Sized Books?
• How does treating a personal project like a real project help you, and how can someone do that for themselves?
• Which do you want to learn how to be the most? A pirate, a knight, a unicorn, or a ghost?
• Do you remember how you felt when asked to illustrate your first Little Golden Book?
• How difficult was bringing LEGO plastic minifigs to life in those books? Especially their expressions.
• What kind of feedback have you gotten about your book, Ray's Big Day?
• What makes a good picture book? What should it have, and what does it need to do?

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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast. 

If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].

Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.

The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com

Rebecca (she/her) is a queer woman of color born in Trinidad and Tobago. She's the Creative Director of Planthouse Studio, a queer-owned design studio built on the foundations of collaboration, inclusivity, and growth, dedicated to growing good things with good people. Bex is also the co-founder of Queer Design Club, the hub for LGBTQ+ creativity, and until recently, the Design Director at Ghost Note Agency. Some of my favorite works in her portfolio are for Hip Hop Caucus and the Center for Journalism & Democracy at Howard University, and she's also worked with the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum, Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum, Grammarly, and many more. Bex loves dim sum, Coca-Cola, Scrabble (like, on a competitive level), lives by the phrase "Be Good," and Maurice Cherry, Antionette Carroll, Debbie Millman, and Vanessa Newman inspire her.

Tune in for a talk about building a community for creative people who identify as LGBTQ+, growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, and how we can all be better allies. Follow Bex on Instagram @beccabrooker, find more of her work on her website rebeccabrooker.com, and learn more about Queer Design Club and the Queer Design Count at queerdesign.club.

Be Good.

Questions for this interview.

• How can I, or anyone, make space for people to present themselves the way they perceive themselves?
• Can you briefly introduce us to Queer Design Club and explain what The Queer Design Count is?
• What message does the world need to hear right now?
• Can you share how growing up in Trinidad impacted your ability to discover your identity freely?
• Is it true that when you were 16, your parents sent you to speak with a nun after you came out to them?
• Queer Design Club has 1800+ members in its talent directory and over 5000 total members across 72 countries. How do these numbers make you feel?
• Can I get your thoughts on his quote from the 2019 Queer Design Count? "As a Black LGBTQ+ designer, I find the industry to be more welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals than to Black designers."
• Can I get your thoughts on his quote from the 2019 Queer Design Count? "It's hard for me to tell if I have to fight harder because I'm a lesbian or if it's just because I'm female on a male-dominated team."
• What steps can cis-gendered, straight people take to view identity more fluidly?
• How do you apply the phrase "Be good" in your life?
• Can you suggest something we can work on to support people in design who identify as LGBTQ+?

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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast. 

If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].

Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.

The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com

Being open and transparent about my process is part of my DNA, so I want to bring you behind the mic and share some of the decisions that shape the tone and personality of this podcast. Small things about the show have changed throughout the first 25 episodes, but my intentions and the purpose of these interviews have stayed the same. It's still about inspiring people, helping them make fewer mistakes, and giving back to the creative community. Also, it's STILL a lot of work, lol, but it's also still a fulfilling and rewarding passion project to work on. Thanks for your support, and thanks for listening.

Tune in for a talk about my podcasting guidelines, how I prepare for an interview, and a glimpse into the recording and editing process. Here's to the next 25!

Cheers, y'all. 

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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast. 

If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].

Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.

The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com

Erikas is a designer and illustrator who specializes in making playful geometric illustrations. He's also a boneheaded bird brain, and he knows it. Driven by his love for birds, he demands respect for pigeons, grackles, and sparrows, and he especially loves the Red-bellied woodpecker and the Scissor-tailed flycatcher. Originally from New York, Erikas has called Austin his home for the last decade and has created artwork for Austin FC, Half-Price Books, Oregon State Parks, Star Wars, HP, and many more. He's also been on the big stage and given presentations at Adobe Max and Creative Jam, and he will be a workshop leader at Design Ranch 2025. Erikas even has a course on Domestika—check it out here! 

Tune in for a talk about Dribbble shooting themselves in the foot, his fascination with birds, and why creating posters for Austin FC was so significant to him. Follow Erikas on Instagram @erik_as_erik, and check out fantastic artwork in his online shop.

Questions for this interview.

• How do you feel about Dribbble's most recent Terms of Service update?
• Have you ever connected with a client on Dribbble and completed the entire project on their platform?
• Is being a Dribbble Pro member worth it?
• When did your fascination with birds start?
• Do you know what a Chicken-cat is?
• Which bird is most likely to be wrongfully accused of a crime?
• Why is Daytripper by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba one of your favorite books? What can you tell us about it?
• How did Matt Kaufenberg inspire you?
• Can you briefly summarize what you cover in your Domestika course?
• How much of the video production were you responsible for?
• Can you share some limitations within your artwork and how they help define your style?
• How do limitations tie into your Design Ranch workshop?
• You gave a presentation at St. Edwards University. What message were you trying to get across to those students?
• How did it feel to be invited to present at Adobe Max—one of the biggest design conferences in the world?
• You created a set of posters for Austin FC. Why was that opportunity so significant to you?
• Jolby hired you for an Oregon Parks & Recreation Department project. When did Jolby bring you into the mix?
• How confident are you that another designer can pick up where you left off and be successful with the style guide you created?
• You've painted on canvas, rocks, paint swatches, and wood. Do you have any ideas for what might be next?

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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast. 

If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].

Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.

The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com

Kilian is a Sacramento-based illustrator, designer, educator, and pixel wizard behind Great Raven Design Co. Take one look at his neck—you'll understand how much The Lords of the Rings means to him. I'm jealous of his Middle-earth-themed wedding a few years ago, but I think I could take him in a lightsaber duel. Kilian cut his teeth designing labels, t-shirts, and logos for the craft beer industry, and his artwork is ferocious and packed with intricate linework. If you have the coin, he'll draw mythical creatures, skeletons, and snakes until his eyes dry out. In addition to teaching Photoshop classes at Sacramento City College, he's a founding member of Tap in Creative Club and part of the "Sac Boys." Tune in for a talk about getting the most from a design conference, growing up in a family with two best-selling authors and a famous actor, and the turning point for his independent studio. Follow Kilian on Instagram @greatravendesignco and check out even more of his work on his website, greatravendesign.co. Live By The Lance.

Questions for this interview.

• What went smoothly and what didn't go smoothly for the Fox of the Foothills mural you painted?
• Can you share your best tips for someone going to their first design conference this year?
• Have you set specific goals for the Crop Conference this year?
• How do you like to break the ice with people at a conference?
• What was difficult between 2018 and 2022? What challenges did you face?
• Did you struggle with undercharging for your work or have difficulty turning down projects with low budgets?
• What was your support system like while (you were) trying to get your foot in the door?
• Who won the lightsaber battle between you and Raylakin at Hunter and Erica's wedding?
• What convinced you to pursue illustration and design instead of a career in climbing?
• Who's a more impressive climber? Chris Sharma or Alex Honnold?
• Can you talk about the Tap in Creative Club and tell us how you got involved?
• What was it like growing up in your family?
• Has your mom's journey and perseverance impacted you and your career?
• Do you and your sister push each other creatively?
• (Do you know) what happens if you say "die a thousand deaths" when casting Scattercips?
• Was partnering with Burning Barrel Brewing Company a pivotal moment in your career?
• Is your hard work finally paying off?
• Do you still tie your self-worth to the success of your business?
• Do you find teaching at Sacramento City College rewarding?
• Who do you want to hear on the podcast?

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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast. 

If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].

Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.

The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com

Kirk is an illustrator, animator, and art director, and he runs a small independent studio called BoneHaus with his skeletal sidekick, Skully. Unlike most of us, he didn't go to art/design school, but that's a good thing because he probably wouldn't be doing what he does today if he had. Why? Kirk isn't good at drawing—a weakness he's turned into a superpower. He's an expert with shapes and great at breaking things down to their most basic forms to build them back up again through relatable details. His illustration style has attracted clients like Apple, Google, Adobe, Facebook, Amazon, Rocket League, Disney, and MANY more. But his portfolio is also filled with kickass characters like Sub Zero, Doug Funnie, Gerald Johanssen, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Reptar. On top of great work, Kirk also has live streams on YouTube and is among the top 1% of teachers on Skillshare. Tune in for a talk about being an independent illustrator for over 10 years, collaborating with friends, and being six months away from (almost) hitting rock bottom. You can see more of Kirk's artwork on his website, bone.haus, Instagram @bonehaus, Dribbble, YouTube, and Behance. You can also level up by taking his courses on Skillshare.  

Questions for this interview.

• You converted a barn into a studio. What did it take to retrofit that space, and what do you use it for?
• How long did it take to transform, and how much money did you invest into making the space usable?
• Can you describe your daily workstation to us? Besides a Wacom Cintiq, what else do you have in your build?
• Sometimes, people let hardware and software keep them from reaching the next level. What are your thoughts, and what would you say to someone feeling that way?
• You've been working independently for over 10 years. But do you (even) know what you're doing yet?
• What scares you about the creative industry?
• What did Meg Lewis's self-discovery workbook help you understand about yourself?
• You told Meg Lewis your specialty is how your brain works. What did you mean by that?
• You didn't go to art school. Did that turn out to be the best thing that could have happened when you consider your approach to illustration?
• In your eyes, what makes your illustration style and character designs relatable?
• Simplifying a complex subject into abstract forms is a big part of your process. Is that a technique you learned over time, or have you been doing it for as long as you can remember?
• What does collaboration look like in your life?
• It's different for everyone, but who should people collaborate with?
• Can you tell us about your Adobe Live show, Collabie?
• Was setting up a livestream a steep learning curve for you?
• Why does the way you share your work matter?
• How do you decide what to share on your website vs. Instagram and other platforms like Behance and Dribbble?
• How long do you typically wait before resharing an image or reel on Instagram?
• Can you give us an example of a commercial post from BoneHaus vs. an intimate post from BoneHaus?
• You made fan art for Rocket League to get their attention, but they didn't hire you. Or did they?
• How did you find out how much their budget was? Did they give it to you flat-out, or did you have to dig around for it?
• Is there an amount of money you consider too low for a project and say no because it doesn't feel worth the time it'll take to create the artwork?
• Where are you when it comes to finding work? Are you working with the most clients you ever have, constantly grinding to find new projects, or somewhere in the middle?
• Can you share a weakness you've turned into a strength?
• How can someone who's waited tables for 7 years turn that experience into something that can help their creative career?
• Why did you return to school, attend the University of Hartford, and earn your Masters in illustration? Was it worth it?
• What's your favorite 90s or millennial-era cartoon?

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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast. 

If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].

Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.

The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com

Lisa is a Cleveland-based creative consultant specializing in lettering, murals, illustration, and graphic design. She's created over 125 murals in 9 US states AND 1 in France. She's made art for clients like Amazon, Meta, PepsiCo, Mercedes-Benz, Harley-Davidson, Aveda, StubHub, and many more. Lisa's obsessed with Lana Del Rey and tiki bars and has a creative crush on Gemma O'Brien. Once, she said, "If you throw a stone, you get a mural." I don't think she meant to say THAT, but you get the point—she loves making murals. Lol. Also, Lisa has been called the LeBron James of lettering, and in 2024, she was voted Best Artist in Cleveland. Tune in for a talk about lettering some of her favorite song lyrics, taking inspiration from William Morris and Jason Carne's Lettering Library and her approach to pricing murals. Lisa's easy to find on Instagram @lisa_quine, lisaquine.com, and other places like LinkedIn, Behance, and Dribbble.

Questions for this interview.

• What do you think is the most important thing you learned as a student?
• What do you remember about the Panic! At The Disco CD booklet, and why was it special?
• Lana Del Rey inspires you a lot. Why is it important to you to have a muse who isn't a visual artist?
• What comes to mind when I mention airline barf bags and puke puns?
• Who made more of an impact on you, Paula Scher, Gemma O'Brien, or William Morris?
• Can you share some thoughts about your Rilo Kiley hand-lettered book?
• Do you remember which book you chose as the canvas?
• Was that project your Instagram breakout moment? Is that when your follower count started to take off?
• Which project led to more social media followers? The Rilo Kiley lyrics you hand-lettered or your Dream Big mural?
• You hand-lettered on leaves for Inktober. How much experimentation went into finding the right leaves and choosing the right tools to draw with?
• How often did you destroy one by stabbing through it or need to start over for a different reason?
• How did your mural for GBX Group change the career path you were on?
• Did you charge them 10K for that mural?
• You completed 30 murals in a single year before. How much money did you make from those murals that year?
• About increasing your prices. Did those increases align with milestones or reaching goals throughout your career? Or did they happen more organically?
• Can you share those rates with us?
• How much would you charge for the same mural today?
• How do you typically communicate the visual differences between the three options you offer your clients?
• Have any of your murals been covered up or painted over?
• Is the Cleveland Guardians you painted the largest surface area you've covered in a single mural?
• Is it true that before you were married, you used a dating game to fuel your hand-lettering hobby, and you said yes to some of those dates just because it gave you a reason to hand-letter song lyrics inspired by how those dates went?
• Can you explain what Jason Carne's Lettering Library is?
• How have you specifically used those photos to inspire your work?
• You've become more patient after having children. Can you think of ways that patience makes you a better artist today compared to the time before you had children?
• Since going independent, where have you seen the most growth? Has it been personal growth, technical growth as a lettering artist and muralist, or growth as a business owner?
• You've completed over 125 murals and plenty of design and lettering projects, and last year, you were voted Best Artist in Cleveland. How does all of that make you feel?

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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast. 

If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].

Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.

The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com

Dan (aka Destiny Child, I meant Destiny Kid) is an artist, writer, illustrator, and designer specializing in hand lettering. His Instagram account @dandrawnwords is his creative sandbox, and he's created thousands of lettering compositions over the past decade. Phrases like: "Your Failures Fail to Define You" and "Tomorrow You'll be Glad You Did It Today." Those are shorter messages, but he's also created compositions with a hundred or more words, too—because why not when you love torturing yourself with FromSoftware boss fights? Like the rest of us, Dan is "working" on his professional portfolio (Destiny Kid Labs), and he's also the Art & Design Lead behind a moto lifestyle brand called Go Fast Don't Die. Did I mention he didn't attend design school? Tune in for a talk about creating cohesive compositions, closing the door on his chemical engineering career path, and varying the priority of words in his lettering. Follow Dan on Instagram @dandrawnwords, check out Go Fast Don't Die, and keep your eyes peeled for updates to Destiny Kid Labs.

Questions for this interview.

• Why do you create layouts with 20 or 30 or more words? What's appealing about those pieces?
• What are the challenges of lettering five words vs. lettering thirty words?
• Can you talk about ways you keep all those words organized and readable?
• What does a piece of lettering artwork need to look and feel like a cohesive composition?
• Are those reasons also why our brains can digest a (visually) complicated design and make sense of it?
• How do you start a composition? Do you loosely sketch the entire phrase to figure out word placement first?
• During the sketch, do you experiment with weight and stroke contrast? Or does that happen after you've locked in the placement for each word?
• Do you change brushes or drawing tools when transitioning between sketching and refinement?
• (Within a single design) do you ever swap brushes when bouncing between different letter styles?
• Have you ever felt like an imposter because you didn't attend design school?
• What do you tell yourself when you feel like an imposter?
• When did you decide to close the door on the chemical engineering career path? How did you come to that decision?
• How have you leveraged your engineering experience throughout your creative career?
• Do you feel a push-pull between scientific objective truth and the subjectivity of the art world?
• Unlike the engineering field, creativity doesn't have mathematically proven formulas. However, if there were basic creative equations to live by, what would they be?
• Tell us about your first design job at the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia. How did your boss, Lucy, make an impact on you?
• Back to lettering. How do you decide which words to prioritize, and how do you like to emphasize them?
• Where—or what—are some of your favorite sources of inspiration to pull from?
• How do you balance choosing messages that resonate with you vs. messages that will resonate with others?

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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast. 

If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].

Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.

The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com