The Kirk + Kurtts Design Podcast

Kirk and Andy sit down with marketing and brand strategist Joshua David for a conversation that starts with a joke about his very long bio and quickly goes somewhere much more honest. Josh traces his path from working hotel front desks (including a stint in London that convinced him he was in the wrong industry) to community management, influencer marketing in New York, and eventually running soci...

"A sparkly rainbow that defies category." That's how this week's guest describes themselves, and honestly, it fits. For the first time, Kirk and Andy sit down with someone who isn't a designer or a founder: Mika Okimura, an educator and learning professional with over a decade of experience building inclusive, student-centered classrooms across the Bay Area, from UC Berkel...

Madison Raisch has seen all things in the sports design hemisphere. Over the past two decades, she spent time designing for the NFL and MLB. Madison was able to reach new heights in her career and grow her talent immensely through her talent, relationships, and mad Beatles impersonations.  You know how hard it is to sound like a Scouser? We talk projects, process, and what the future holds for her...

Many times when we have folks on the show there is an immediate and fun conversation that happens before we even do the introductions.  Well, this was one time where we caught our guest in all their marvelous candor, and join in. Well, Kirk joined in with the "back in my day" conversation about moving up the ranks in regards to stewardship of design roles.  Kirk and Madison sit in their...

Starting off the new season with a Bang. Christopher Cashdollar is a certified awesome guy and great designer, and yes, that it his real name!  Pennsylvania native, and Drexel University's best ever cartoonist, bought his first Power Mac while at Drexel and decided to delve into web design. This gave him the design bug and allowed him get different design jobs and grow as a designer.  Fast fo...

We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our 100th episode than by sitting down with Tamer Kattan.  Tamer details his professional experience from intern to  stand up comic, the trouble with having a name that rhymes with "hammer", and a life that is filled with taking risk, and following your passion.  This is one of our most fun and eclectic podcast to date, and we can'...

In this episode, Kirk and Andy sit down with Haylee Jordan and Anthony Bradley , the creative co-founders behind Fabric , a new microdose THC beverage brand that’s part mellow, part mission-driven. Haylee and Anthony walk us through how Fabric went from concept to cans, the chaos of startup pivots, and why good design can’t be an afterthought — even when the product’s not done yet. From the gold-t...

This week, Kirk and Kurtts sit down with Alex Perry, CEO of Right Way, to talk about the evolution of signage from hand-painted murals to high-tech branding experiences. With deep roots in the sign painting world (his dad is still doing murals at 75), Alex shares the real story behind Right Way’s growth from a one-man shop to a trusted signage partner for brands like Nike, Starbucks, and Hilton. W...

James Barnard didn’t start out in design. He originally wanted to work in the music industry. But after a detour through web development and publishing design in London, he found his true calling: logo and identity design. In this episode, Kirk and Andy talk with James about his path from learning Photoshop at a data entry job to designing for major UK newspapers and building his own studio in Aus...

Kirk and Andy sit down with Anna Sison — a Brooklyn-born creative force helping CPG brands grow through sharp, strategic packaging and brand design. With over 20 years in the industry, Anna brings big-agency experience with a nimble studio mindset, combining her deep cultural perspective with a sharp eye for design that works on shelf and connects with consumers. In this episode, Anna shares her c...

Design isn’t just about how something looks — it’s about how it feels . In this second conversation with brand designer and icon genius Selma Qui, Kirk and Andy go deep on how her approach to branding has evolved from crafting precise, geometric visuals to building experiences that leave a lasting emotional mark. Selma opens up about her creative process, the shift from designer to experience-make...

Mike Perry has had a wild ride through the world of design. From cropping football players at NBC Sports to launching award-winning liquor brands with his agency, Tavern, Mike brings real craft, deep industry knowledge, and an obsession with the details that most people ignore. In this episode, Kirk and Andy dig into the intersection of creativity, commerce, and booze—specifically how alcohol pack...

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Forster , an award-winning lettering artist and designer with over 25 years of experience. Dan has crafted stunning custom lettering for brands, agencies, and clients worldwide, but his journey into the world of type wasn’t a straight path—it was shaped by frustration, perseverance, and an unexpected return to his roots. Dan shares the story of his late father...

In this episode, we sit down with Lindsay Meredith, a brand and visual designer specializing in custom-crafted design through lettering and illustration. Lindsay’s work has been featured in Logo Lounge and includes collaborations with major names like Hasbro, Nickelodeon, LeapFrog, Disney, and professional and collegiate sports organizations. From growing up watching her father pinstripe cars to b...

The Rainmaker is back! In this powerhouse episode, Jake Karls , co-founder of Mid-Day Squares , joins Kirk and Andy for an unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, burnout, and the journey back to balance . Jake’s infectious energy and passion have fueled Mid-Day Squares’ rise from a startup to a $47 million business. But with success came immense pressure , a relentless pursuit o...

What makes a bagel legendary? Is it the texture, the crust, the chew, or the history behind it? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the story of Emily Winston , the founder of Boichik Bagels , a Bay Area sensation bringing old-school New York flavor to the West Coast. In this episode, you’ll hear: • How Emily went from being a mechanical engineer at GM , working on car doors, to a full-fledged...

This week on the Kirk & Kurtts Design Podcast, we’re joined by Joel Herrera—visual communicator, illustrator, painter, storyteller, and former Duke art professor. Joel shares how his love for comic books and a family steeped in creativity shaped his journey as an artist. We dive into: •The accidental (and slightly annoying) way Joel discovered his talent •Why every artist feels like their work...

In part 2, Kirk and Andy continue chatting with Alex Center, founder and creative force behind Center Design, to discuss the art and strategy of building iconic brands like Ayoh! mayonnaise and BERO beer. From the high stakes of crafting products for big-name personalities like Molly Baz to designing a "lived-in yet fresh" aesthetic, Alex dives deep into the challenges and joys of creati...

In this episode, Kirk and Andy sit down with the brilliant Alex Center —Brooklyn-based designer, founder of the branding studio Center , and creative visionary behind some of today’s most iconic brands. From his early days designing for Vitamin Water to a decade-long tenure at Coca-Cola, Alex shares his unique journey of building brands that resonate —and yes, there’s even a story about 50 Cent dr...

In this festive fall edition, hosts Kirk and Andy get together for their annual pumpkin-themed design review. With their signature wit and charm, the duo explores the bold, bizarre, and beautiful world of pumpkin-inspired product packaging and branding. From Andy’s critique of a pumpkin-spiced spiked latte with questionable flavors but stellar design, to Kirk’s enthusiasm for non-alcoholic craft b...

Join hosts Kirk and Andy in this deliciously inspiring episode! We welcome the audacious and innovative Lex Evan, founder, CEO, and chief of Lexington Bakes (LXB), an eco-conscious luxury dessert brand redefining nostalgic treats. With 15 years of experience leading design and strategy for global beauty and wellness giants, Lex has seamlessly blended their passion for storytelling, sustainability,...

In this episode of the Kirk & Kurtts Design Podcast, Kirk and Andy chat with Sam Fagan, a "Swiss Army knife" of digital design and development. Sam’s skill set spans website design, HTML/CSS coding, WordPress development, project management, and copywriting. Beyond her technical expertise, she’s dedicated to helping small businesses and nonprofits turn customers into passionate fans...

Kicking off Season 4 of the K+K show!!! In this episode we welcome Fred Hart, a dynamic designer, strategist, and sneaker aficionado who recently went on his own after nine years at the helm of Interact. Fresh off a major life transition and celebrating his child's first birthday, Fred sits down with Kirk and Andy K, to dive into a conversation packed with creativity, culture, and career refl...

Join hosts Kirk Visola, founder of Mind the Font, and Andy Kurtts, founder of Buttermilk Creative, sit down with barcode enthusiast Amber Walls from GS1 US. Amber dives into the fascinating world of barcodes, discussing their vital role in retail, packaging, and supply chains. Amber shares her unique journey into the world of barcodes, starting at a Cornhole game during a digital coupon conference...

In this episode, hosts Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts dive into the world of brand strategy and innovation with special guests Rifle Hughes and Glenn Pappalardo from Integral CPG, highlighting the importance of creativity, strategy, and collaboration in building successful brands. Rifle and Glenn share their journey from their days at JPG, where they met and began collaborating on projects, to foundi...