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Graphic design for film might be one of the coolest creative jobs you’ve never heard of, and today’s guest, Gina Alessi, is here to break it down. From making Civil War-era bedspreads to designing posters in under two hours, Gina shares what it’s really like to work behind the scenes of film and TV production as a graphic designer.

We dive into the surprisingly misunderstood world of design in the art department, the lightning-fast timelines of production work, and why a poster you made today might be filmed (or cut!) tomorrow. Gina also opens up about discovering her dream job through Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel, what it took to break into the industry, and why she now teaches others how to do it, too. 

Plus, we get honest about the myth of the perfect job, surviving unpredictable cycles of the entertainment industry, and why it’s okay if your dream role comes with tough days. 

Whether you’re a design student, a film fan, or just curious about hidden creative careers, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way. 

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• What a graphic designer actually does on a film or TV set
• Why design for the screen is so misunderstood (even inside the industry) 
• The Grand Budapest Hotel moment that changed everything
• How Gina reverse-engineered a career that didn’t exist on Google
• The role of props, branding, and graphic storytelling in production
• Why historical research and print methods still matter for digital designs
• The dream job myth: what happens when your dream is still hard
• Tips for dipping your toe into film graphics even without industry contacts

Connect with our guest: 

Gina Alessi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginamadethis 

Website: https://www.ginamadethis.com/ 

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7722613/ 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Try Flodesk for FREE! https://flodesk.com/c/GOODTYPE 
• A Graphic Designer Made That (Gina’s Course) https://agdmadethat.com/ 
• Manhunt (Apple TV)
• Annie Atkins https://www.annieatkins.com/ 
• Grand Budapest Hotel
• Camtasia https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/ 

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

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