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This is the third episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with design typography pros from across North America!

In this episode features the legendary, Jessica Hische. You’ll hear Jessica’s origin story in graphic design and illustration, how she works with sources of inspiration and what her process looks like (yes, verbal brainstorming!). You’ll hear how and why technology has changed Jessica’s process and how she thinks about the topic on so many creatives’ minds: AI. Finally, Jessica shares that it’s a small world, after all, and that, in fact, is a really big deal.

I’m also joined by Chris Rouleau, co-hosting this episode alongside me.

Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You is available in paperback and as an ebook!

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This is the second episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with design typography pros from across North America!

In this episode you’ll hear about Chris’ recent projects, the magic to be found in creative constraints, and helpful advice about where to find inspiration. You’ll hear about Chris’ typical process, his thoughts on how many is too many typefaces and advice for muralists looking to scale up and transfer designs onto a wall. Lastly, you’ll hear the role that failure plays in Chris’ process and what Chris is up to next.

Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You is available in paperback and as an ebook!

I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)

Send us a text

This is the first episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with design typography pros from across North America!

In this episode you’ll hear design, illustrator and content creator, Fiorella Granda, discuss her relatively recent shift to full-time illustration, her creative process and the way passion projects fuel her work with big brands (including details about her project in Toronto with the WNBA). You’ll also learn about Fiorella’s love/hate relationship with social media, tips for pricing and licensing your work, as well as the magic to be found in showcasing your heritage to others.

Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You is available in paperback and as an ebook!

I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)

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On the heels of his debut as Mufasa in Mirvish’s The Lion King last Friday night, Oren Williamson is here to chat all things creativity, collaboration and comedy! 

In this episode, you’ll hear Oren’s origin story moving through his non-linear creative journey. You’ll hear him explain the process to play a role in The Lion King’s production, as well as a moment-by-moment account of what was going on in his mind on stage as Mufasa for the first time.

We talk all of my favourite topics: facing failure, combatting perfectionism, the necessity of vulnerability and the magic of curiosity. 

You’ll also hear about the Wild West of theatre school, including crying day and naked day. Yes, naked day.

Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You is available in paperback and as an ebook!

I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)

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Have you ever found yourself straddling the world of art and the world of design, not sure if you should commit fully to one or the other? 

Enter Zach Litoff, a multi-media artist AND designer whose work blends art and design to create visually compelling narratives. He’s here to chat about existing in both worlds and the benefits he’s found in living in multiple creative spaces. 

In this conversation you’ll hear about Zach’s multi passionate interests in art, science and athletics. You’ll hear an interesting idea about the ways in which the historically significant painters were, in fact, designers. You’ll hear about the mind shift that’s helpful to blur the lines of commissioned design and artistic practice and Zach’s approach to different types of creative projects. Finally, you’ll hear about a few recent, meaningful projects Zach’s most proud of and Zach’s approach to failure.

Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You is available in paperback and as an ebook!

I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)

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We’re talking about brands with multi award winning designer Amelia Nash, Brand & Marketing Manager for the School of Visual Arts Masters in Branding program and Senior Staff Writer for PRINT Magazine.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about Amelia’s predictions in branding through 2025 related to strategy, design and emerging practices.She shares her excitement about typographic revival in brand identity design and sustainable practices in packaging. 

You’ll hear about the way branding is an ecosystem, balancing trendiness with timelessness and the influence of local design on global brand strategy, and Amelia shares a range of examples throughout. We end the conversation with Amelia’s hope for the future of branding (which is her hope for humans everywhere!).

Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You is available in paperback and as an ebook!

I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)

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Let’s talk portfolios!

Meet Robert Smith, a seasoned creative leader, branding strategist, and published author with over 30 years of experience in the design and marketing industry. He is the architect/creative director of the beloved Farm Boy brand. With a reputation for blending creativity with business acumen, Robert has been recognized with more than 100 industry awards for excellence in design and branding.

In this conversation full of rich insights, you’ll hear why even bad internships are successful in developing self-awareness, excellent advice for portfolio creation, as well as advice on where to have digital presence as a designer. You’ll better understand why storytelling is so important in a portfolio and how to approach it, portfolio upkeep, and concrete Ideas for standing out in a competitive space. Finally, you’ll hear what you can learn from a box of Fruit Loops about promoting your work.

Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You is available in paperback and as an ebook!

I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)

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In this episode, you’ll meet one of Diana's best friends, Eden Kim, who talks about her recent career break travelling around the world and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Eden considers herself a global citizen, with home being wherever her heart happens to be visiting at any given time. Over the years, she’s transformed from a 21-year-old from South Korea who didn’t speak English to someone who moved to Canada alone, built a cross-border career, and became a fearless networker.

This conversation is anchored around an event, a lesson and a story Eden’s learned over the past 1+ year. You’ll hear small world stories and profound learnings. You can follow Eden’s journey on instagram at @edenkimfromkorea.

Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You is available in paperback and as an ebook!

I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)

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Back your bags, we’re going on a trip! 

Today I am speaking with Mark Domanski, Director of Destinations, who oversees the build and expansion of the immersive miniature exhibits at Little Canada. 

In this conversation, you’ll hear about the design and creative collaboration within Little Canada, as well as the attraction’s origin story. You’ll learn about the interdisciplinary nature of the build team, and materials and techniques used to create the models.

You’ll hear how storytelling happens in the space, including the incorporation of Indigenous voices, in consultation with Indigenous communities. Finally, Mark shares his ‘not to be missed’ list of what to see when you check out the space for yourself. 

Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You is available in paperback and as an ebook!

I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)

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Today we are talking about signs that define Toronto! Featured today is Kurt Kraler, a registered Architect (OAA) and project manager at ERA Architects and co-creator of the book “The Signs That Define Toronto”.

In this episode you’ll better understand how and why signs can tell us so much about the changing culture of a city, including iconic signs like Honest Ed’s, Tip Top Tailors and Zanzibar (and why the latter is particularly unique). You’ll learn how signs can shape community identities, Queer signage in Toronto, and why signs in Toronto changed after 1911. 

You’ll hear Kurt’s big a-ha moment in the final stages of finishing his book, the importance of shifting policy around historical sign preservation, and a San Fransisco advocacy group’s approach to restoring and preserving neon signage within their city.

Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You is available in paperback and as an ebook!

I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)