Type Speaks

In this episode of Type Speaks, host Rae sits down with designer, artist, educator, and author Mitch Goldstein to talk about the mess, magic, and meaning of the creative process. From failing out of architecture school to finding his voice through design and teaching, Mitch shares how experimentation, risk, and reflection have shaped his multifaceted practice. He and Rae dive into what it means to learn by doing (and sometimes crashing and burning), why process matters more than perfection, and how creative work can stay playful, curious, and alive.

Mitch Goldstein is a designer, artist, and educator whose work bridges graphic design, photography, sculpture, and furniture design. A professor in the School of Design at Rochester Institute of Technology and author of How To Be A Design Student (And How To Teach Them), he brings over two decades of teaching experience at institutions including RISD, VCUarts, and MICA. His practice and writing explore the messy, human side of creative process, encouraging designers to embrace experimentation and the complexities of making.

In this episode of Type Speaks, host Rae talks with designer, writer, and educator Nolen Strals about punk, process, and the power of thinking through making. From hand-drawn flyers and DIY zines to branding cultural spaces and co-authoring a book on lettering, Nolen shares how his punk roots continue to shape his creative approach. He and Rae discuss his evolving process, from ballpoint sketches to full brand systems, and how writing, reflection, and curiosity keep his work sharp, thoughtful, and alive.

Nolen Strals is a designer, writer, and educator whose practice spans branding, lettering, and cultural design. A co-author of Lettering & Type and former partner in the Baltimore-based studio Post Typography, his work combines research, strategy, and visual craft for clients ranging from local breweries to national political movements. His essays on design have appeared in The Washington Post and beyond, and his teaching and mentorship continue to inspire designers to start on paper, trust their instincts, and stay connected to the communities that shape their work.

In this episode of Type Speaks, host Rae sits down with designer and artist Zach Hobbs for a wide-ranging conversation about punk, process, and the joy of making. We trace Zach’s beginnings in Alabama, from skateboarding and comic books to discovering punk music and realizing that design could merge his love of visuals and sound. He reflects on the distinction between art and design, the influence of DIY punk graphics, and why working with his hands gives his projects a unique voice in today’s digital-first world. Along the way, Zach shares how “building to think” fuels his process, why play leads to his most exciting work, and how balancing corporate projects at IDEO with personal passion work keeps him creatively fulfilled.

Zach Hobbs is a designer, artist, and Communication Design Director at IDEO, where he has spent over a decade leading transformative projects across branding, culture, and innovation. His work ranges from rebranding humanitarian organizations to creating fan experiences for sports teams, while his personal practice includes exhibiting in the U.S. and Europe and designing posters and album art for punk and experimental bands. A dedicated mentor and speaker, Zach champions creativity as both craft and play, encouraging designers to embrace experimentation, imperfection, and the freedom to make work that feels alive.

In this episode of Type Speaks, host Rae talks with Josh Carnley, co-founder of Matey, about building “destination-minded brands” that create meaningful experiences. Josh shares his journey from advertising to running a studio with his wife, navigating challenges like the pandemic, client red flags, and scope creep, while offering advice on pricing, freelancing, and why design is as much about people as it is visuals.

Josh Carnley is Partner and Creative Director of Matey, a nationally recognized creative studio specializing in branding systems and campaigns that are rooted in strategy and impossible to ignore. Featured on delish.com, thedieline.com, Communication Arts, and Wildsam, Matey’s work spans from comprehensive hospitality and resort experiences to branding the next great “third place.” With a focus on immersive design that transports audiences to unique states of mind, Matey creates glimmers of escapism that challenge the mundane and bring joy and freshness to everyday life.

In this episode of Type Speaks, host Rae sits down with Jarrett Fuller to talk for a wide-ranging conversation about process, teaching, and the philosophies behind design. We trace Jarrett’s earliest memories of being fascinated with letterforms, his winding path from “wannabe architect” to discovering graphic design, and how he sees creative work as slow, organic, and resistant to rigid formulas. Exploring his idea of design as “ideology made artifact,” the way branding and politics reveal belief systems, and why sameness in design might be more threatening than AI. Plus, we dive into teaching as practice, the dangers of Pinterest mood boards, and the importance of embracing weird, personal work that stands out.

Jarrett Fuller is an assistant professor of graphic design at North Carolina State University, director of the design and editorial studio twenty-six, and host of the podcast Scratching the Surface. He has co-edited four books, with writing featured in Fast Company, Eye Magazine, Design Observer, Design & Culture, and more. His design work has received recognition from Communication Arts and The Type Directors Club. Previously, he worked as an editor at Eye on Design and as a designer at Facebook, Warby Parker, and The Whitney Museum of American Art.

In this episode of Type Speaks, co-hosts Ray and Emiko sit down with Briar Levitt. We dive deep into the origins and purpose of the People's Graphic Design Archive, the importance of saving design history, especially the ordinary and underrepresented, and how inspiration often comes from the tactile, the analog, and the unexpected. Plus, we talk about thrift finds, Oz books, quilt magazines, and the quiet power of uploading one artifact at a time.

Briar Levit is a Professor of Graphic Design at Portland State University. Levit’s feature-length documentary, Graphic Means: A History of Graphic Design Production, which follows design production from manual to digital methods, established an obsession with design history—particularly aspects not in the canon. She currently collaborates with Louise Sandhaus, Brockett Horne, and Morgan Searcy on The People’s Graphic Design Archive. She recently edited a book of essays for Princeton Architectural Press called Baseline Shift: Untold Stories of Women in Graphic Design History.

In this episode, we speak with Tré Seals a designer, typographer, and founder of Vocal Type. We talk about trade secrets in the type design community, the endangered skill of writing in cursive and knowledge sharing to build a better future. We also get an inside scoop on what is to come from Vocal Type!

Tré Seals is a designer, typographer, and founder of Vocal Type, a type foundry dedicated to increasing diversity in design through culturally and historically inspired typefaces. Rooted in storytelling, his work explores the intersection of typography, activism, and identity—creating type systems that preserve history while shaping the future. Beyond Vocal Type, his projects span brand identity, editorial design, and cultural research, with collaborations ranging from global brands to independent artists. Whether designing for political campaigns, museum exhibitions, or major publications, his work challenges convention, making space for underrepresented narratives in the visual landscape.

In this episode of Type Speaks, Rae and Emiko sit down with Morgan Searcy, an art director and creative lead with a background in graphic design, advertising, and progressive politics. From working on major political campaigns to navigating the fast-paced world of branding, Morgan shares insights on the role of design in shaping public perception and creating meaningful change. They discuss the intersection of politics and design, the challenges of freelancing, and the evolving nature of digital branding. Plus, a rapid-fire Q&A reveals Morgan’s favorite typefaces, treats, and travel destinations. 

Morgan Searcy is an art director and creative lead with a background in graphic design, advertising, and progressive politics. Her creative practice focuses on finding sustainable and practical solutions that center design. She has recently led creatives with Instrument and collaborated with Wieden+Kennedy. She is a Co-Director of The People's Graphic Design Archive, where she collaborates to promote equitable collection of histories. Morgan has also supported creative strategy and direction with NY State Democrats and political campaigns Warren for President and Jon Ossoff for Senate, and has served as Brand and Creative Director at Rock the Vote. In 2023, she launched The Politics Project, an initiative supporting research that uplifts Gen Z and bipoc voices in progressive politics.

In this episode, we speak with Aaron Gresham about his journey as a designer, creative director, and mentor. We explore his early influences growing up in a creative household, how southern vernacular design has shaped his work, and his experiences collaborating with major brands like Apple and Google, as well as artists like Vampire Weekend and Lady Gaga. Aaron shares insights on using synesthesia in his creative process, the importance of storytelling in design, and why embracing play leads to better work. We also discuss the challenges young designers face, the value of mentorship, and how to find success beyond awards.

Aaron Gresham is a creative director, designer, and mentor with over 20 years of experience in branding, marketing, and design. He has worked with global brands such as Apple and Google, as well as local institutions in Alabama. His work in music design has led to collaborations with artists like Lady Gaga, Eric Clapton, and Saint Paul & The Broken Bones. With a passion for storytelling through design, Aaron continues to push creative boundaries while mentoring the next generation of designers.

In this episode, we speak with Mario Bocanegra Martinez about the process of purposeful play leading to new ideas. We also learn what percentage of design is a happy accident, how he cultivates a creative space that nurtures experimentation, and why you should never lose your inner kid.

Mario Bocanegra is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Auburn University, where he teaches courses in interactive media, imagemaking, photo communications, and typography. He earned both his B.F.A. and M.F.A. in Graphic Design from Oklahoma State University. Mario works with intuitive processes—experimental imagemaking, assemblage video, typography, and motion design—to create poetic visual outcomes.