This week's guest is Orlando Arocena, but you might know him as Mexifunk. He is a Mexican-Cuban-American Vector Artist. We met for the first time at Creative South, where we ended up recording this epic episode.

He has done work for some names you might recognize...Lionsgate, Warner Brothers, Disney, Marvel, Netflix, Adobe, MGM, Hulu. Plus he is an 11-time Clio award winner. 

You will find this episode to be loaded with stories. 

We get into the lessons learned in these situations, the tough times, the projects he's proud of, and all the other good stuff you know we get into on this show. 

This might actually be the longest episode ever, to the point that the batteries on the audio recorder died mid-recording. But we both just wanted to keep chatting! You will love this one. 

THE LINKS 

Mexifunk Instagram: CLICK HERE

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

// Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Academy //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is Ben Pavey. He is a Graphic Designer and Team Lead of Brand Experience at OCAS out of Guelph ON. Fellow Canadian Gent!

During this episode we talk about his early celebrity from being in an Olsen Twins movie and a mosaic moose that started his creative journey. But we also get into some of the hard-hitting story telling you are used to. 

Including a website project that he was super proud to present, but was very quickly told "oofff, this isn't going to go well for you". He shares what he missed and what he learned from that experience. 

Ben also shared a project with us for the perspectives conference where we put together some optical illusions that were really impactful for the event. We also talk about the days of Limewire and how ben would rip albums, burn them to CD's, and then create his own CD label and jewel case insert. 

This is the first-ever in-person interview that was live on location at Creative South in Columbus GA. I know you'll love it!

THE LINKS 

Ben's Instagram: CLICK HERE

Ben's PaperHomes Instagram: CLICK HERE

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

// Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Academy //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is Brad Stoneking. Owner and Designer at Piedmont Brand Co. 

During this episode we dive into his journey from metal band guy to design dad. Including a conversation about why pivoting to working for himself was the toughest time in his career so far. We also talk about the design job he had where the walls were crumbling around him and what he did. 

Brad also shares a story about a project where he had the opportunity to brand the town that he grew up in. Pretty rad!

Brad is a riot to chat with and this episode was so much fun, I know you'll dig it. 

THE LINKS 

Piedmont Instagram: CLICK HERE

Piedmont Website: CLICK HERE

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

// Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Academy //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is Jake Paul. A self-taught Graphic Designer from the UK. 

During this episode we talk about how he was pursuing a career in law or banking before making a hard right turn and becoming a graphic designer. 

Jake shares some of his wins, his fails, and what his parents' response was when he told them he didn't want to pursue law or banking anymore. He also tells us about his time working for some of the most well-known teams out there like Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, and Manchester United. 

We then dive into a story about a banner project that went sideways, the jump he made from a shoe company to an agency and why it was the toughest time in his career. Oh, and about a super steep learning curve for a presentation he needed to make to Red bull. 

Had a great time in this episode. *NOTE* There is a tiny audio delay in this one between our back and forth. 

THE LINKS 

Jake's Instagram: CLICK HERE

Jake's Website: CLICK HERE

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

// Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Mastery //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is CJ Cawley. A super talented, kind, fun, energetic and amazing human from the UK. 

During this episode we talk about his journey to freelance design and cooking it up in design school. You'll appreciate that sentence when you listen to the episode ;) 

CJ also shares with us how the skateworld was his gateway to design and what he appreciated about it. He also talks about how breaking things, literally, helped him grow! 

Then into a story about agency life eating away at him and why, and his experience working with a UK resort on a project that never saw the light of day! ahhh! CJ also talks about why he started to share everything along with a whole bunch of other great stories. 

We had a blast in this episode and you will too! 

THE LINKS 

Ian's Instagram: CLICK HERE
Ian's Website: CLICK HERE

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

// Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Mastery //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is Ian Paget, but you might know his as @logogeek, or as an Author, or a Podcast Host, or as a talented designer.

During this episode we talk about helping creatives make a living doing logo design and how he never intended to actually go full time freelance. 

Ian also tells us about personal struggles that he was facing, how they weighed him down and why, and how he managed to continue with his career and business. He also shares a story about working with Cambridge University and why he is so excited about it!

Lots of great stories in this one! Be sure to check out the links below to see Ians Book "Make a Living Designing Logos" and all his social links too!

THE LINKS 

The Book: CLICK HERE
Ian's Instagram: CLICK HERE
Ian's Website: CLICK HERE

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

// Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Mastery //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is Josh Kenyon, Owner and Creative Director at Jolby out of Portland OR. 

During this episode we talk about why he wanted to work for Disney since he was 6 years old and the agricutlural design studio he worked at and how it has helped him in his career to this day. 

Josh then talks about a diagnosis he received and what dealing with that was like. But also how design and creativity helped him through treatment.

Loads of story telling in this episode from Josh's career in the creative industry. Business owner struggles and lessons, life lessons, all the good stuff you have come to expect from The Quickie.  

THE LINKS 

Jolbys Website: CLICK HERE
Jolbys Instagram: CLICK HERE

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

// Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Mastery //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is Shelby Temples, founder of HeWillNeverGoHungry.com - PS. You gotta go check out his website. Insanely good. 

During this episode we talk about a contest for creating album artwork for Janet Jackson...that he won...but was underage to participate...and because of that they had to go to the next person. 

We also talk about Nylon Magazine and why it was so influential to him, and the balance between making money, paying the bills, and feeling fulfilled. That balance between fulfilment and survival. 

Also some chat about CBD Hotsauce, business wins, design fails, and all the good stuff inbetween. Shelby is a fun dude with stories to share! Enjoy.  

THE LINKS 

Shelbys Website: CLICK HERE
Shelby on Instagram: CLICK HERE

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

// Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Mastery //

Print Design Summit // LifeTime Access if you missed it //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is Jason Snell. He is an artist, designer, motion designer, and all-around rad dude! 

During this episode we talk about why Covid was such a tough time for him, the Run DMC project he was a part of, as well as early career mentors and inspirational design projects. 

We also talk about movie posters, comic books, and an Amazon project he was a part of that went off the rails. 

This episode is loaded with laughs and great stories from Jason's career so far. I first met him in person at the Into the Woods event in the Summer of 2023. He has this genuine natural curiosity about the people around him, what they do, and what gets them excited. He's a rad guy to be around for sure!

THE LINKS 

Jason Snells' Website: CLICK HERE
Jason Snells' Instagram: CLICK HERE

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

// Get on the Print Design Summit Waitlist //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is Abi Connick. She is a Brand Designer and a Design Content Creator based in the UK. She has an incredible YouTube channel delivering tonnes of value to Designers. Check the link below. 

During this episode, we talk about how she was laid off early during Covid, what that meant for her, and the trajectory it put her on. 

We also talk about understanding social media and content creation and what it can do for your design business. Abi then shares how she has been struggling with imposter syndrome lately, what is causing it, and what she is doing to work through it. 

Plus so many more stories about her design career and her growth on YouTube and social media. 

This was a rad conversation especially for me because Abi was one of the first YouTube design content creators that I watched and was inspired by before starting our Print Design Academy channel. 

THE LINKS 

Abi Connick YouTube: CLICK HERE
Abi Connick Website: CLICK HERE
Abi Connick Instagram: CLICK HERE

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

//  Get the FREE Guide to Keyboard Shortcuts HERE //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE //