The Quickie - Conversations with Designers

Today's guest is Nick McGraw. He is a Graphic Designer from Toronto ON. @mcgrawesomedesign During this episode we talk about: -how his mom saw and cultivated his creativity when he was younger. -some designers and creators that are influential to him.  -the beer brand ad campaign that has stuck with him since the day he saw it and why it was so great.  -his 8 'lean' years, what caused th...

Today's guest is Brittney Knight. She is an art director, illustrator and currently a brand designer with Nike, Global Sustainability. During this episode we talk about: -how she was a "special art student" through highschool and her experiences there.  -the one job that opened her eyes and showed her that design was more than just a logo or something that looked good.  -@timothygoodman...

Today's guest is Tricha Tan. She is an experience designer, illustrator, and animator based out of London EN. During this episode we talk about: -how she is originally from Malaysia but now lives in London EN. -what introduced her to art and illustration. -the artist/architect that creates art with objects that is really inspiring to her. -the period of time when she was struggling to find work an...

Today's guest is Jay Ferracane. He is the designer and owner at Angry Bovine and a self-proclaimed crappy rancher based in Boulder CO. What is in the water over there in Boulder? @angrybovine During this episode we talk about: -his moves from software rebrand guy, to agency creative director, to independent designer.  -how he once drew a business card. -the accidental vehicle wrap that ended...

Today's guest is Jamie Collins. He is a Partner and Creative Director at Design Analog out of Vancouver BC. During this interview we talk about: -his time growing up in Labrador Canada. -how an art teacher told him that he could do design as a career. -how the first year of design school did not click with him and he started having some doubts.  -Burton snowboards and their design and creativ...

Today's guest is Kishya Greer. She is a graphic designer with loads of experience in packaging design based out of Texas.  During this interview we talk about: -how she was surrounded by creativity in her family.  -her first graphic design job. -her time as a packaging designer at Pier 1 Imports.  -her transition to freelance designer and why it was the most challenging period of ti...

Today's guest is Darold J. Pinnock. He is a graphic designer working as DP Creates, a teacher, a mentor, and the host of the Passion behind the art podcast.  During this episode we talk about: -how he was born in Jamaica and where is creativity started. -how he was a math wiz so naturally design wasn't his initial trajectory. -some of the designers that he looks up to and closely follows. -hi...

Todays guest is Michael Fugoso, better known as Fugstrator on Instagram. He is a designer, illustrator, and awesome dude. He also loves green juice.  During this episode we talk about:  -how his early creative ventures were motived by Dragon Ball Z and Ninja Turtles. -how he started in real estate design before really figuring out what he enjoyed doing.  -some of his "secret" work f...

Today's guest is Caleb Kozlowski. He is the Creative Director at Hybrid Design in San Francisco CA. They are the creative team behind the Mohawk Maker Quarterly. Caleb has a great way of looking at print differently. He shares his perspective on print as an object instead of just something that is printed. It's something that has texture and interactive components to it. He also gives us a behind...

Today's guest is Tad Carpenter. He is a Designer and Illustrator at Carpenter Collective out of Kansas City MO.  During this episode we talk about: -his early days growing up in a very creative family.  -struggles with going out on his own.  -the first call he received after he went on his own and his first client.  -the design graveyard. -the challenges and triumphs on the Bou...

Today's guest is Andrew Lennon. He is a graphic designer and works under the name Saint Lennon out of Lynchburg VI. During this episode we talk about: -his childhood split between the Phillipeans and the USA. -how he was a missionary kid. -his love for art and how he wanted to be an artist. -his change to having a goal working toward being a physical therapist but quickly found out that he hated i...

Today's guest is Francisco Reyes Jr. aka Never Made out of Los Angeles CA. Buckle up cause this episode is a gem. A long-ie, a quickie-ish if you will, but a gem... During this episode we talk about: -how Microsoft Paint was the gateway. -being born in Compton and avoiding gang culture.  -the CD cover that he saw and has just stuck with him. -the designers and artists that he looks up to and...

Today's guest is Debbie Millman. She is a designer and host of the DesignMatters podcast. You honestly don't need this introduction. It's Debbie Millman. I'll be honest, when you are interviewing a guest who is so great at interviewing other people, it gets the nerves going! During this episode we talk about: -how she did not grow up in a creative family or environment.  -how she originally w...

Today's guest is Jeff Denomme. He is a designer, illustrator, and founder of Haunted Zoo out of Windsor ON. A good ol' Canadian boy.  During this episode we talk about: -growing up in a blue-collar family.  -how his first plan was just to skateboard and get a job at Chrysler.  -his decision to go to school to pursue his HVAC ticket, what happened three days in, and what his parents...

Today's guest is Adam Wiedman. He is the owner and designer at WDco out of Moorhead MI.  During this episode we talk about: -dogs. -Super Mario Paint. -how he would recreate old vintage logos when he was younger. -the fluke membership he landed that showed him he was a designer. -some inspiration designers to him. @frieddesignco @draplin @the_high_road_design @finlettercreative @punchgut -why...

Today's guest is Jim Bull. He is the CCO and CoFounder at Moving Brands out of San Francisco CA.  During this episode we talk about: -his early days growing up on the Isle of White. Yeah, feel free to google it.  -the beginnings of Moving Brands and expanding the company to 4 different locations. San Francisco, New York, London, and Zurich. -the economic downturn they experienced in the...

Today's guest is Ken Barber. He is a type designer, letterer, author, and instructor with House Industries out of Wilmington DE.  During this episode we talk about:  -his first adventures in design and creative while drawing huge trains as a kid.  -MAD Magazine and other early design influences to him.  -the most challenging time in his career that he experienced when a co-foun...

Today's guest is Paul Sahre. He is a graphic designer at his studio OOPS - Office of Paul Sahre. He is also the art director for the band They Might be Giants and an Author of the book Two Dimensional Man.  During this episode we talk about:  -his unique path to starting OOPS Studio.  -how he was always creative as a kid but it wasn't until his dad handed him a certain book that poi...

Today's guest is Syd Danger. Danger is her middle name. She is the Creative Director and Co-Publisher of SAD Magazine. She is also the Art Director at Good Fortune Collective out of Vancouver BC. During this episode we talk about: -how she niched down into print design early in her career. -her time at Beetroot Magazine and AdBusters. -the career test that she took and where it pointed her. ...

Today's guest is Jay Collins. He is a Designer, Mentor, and Educator based out of Columbus OH.  During this episode we talk about: -early creative storytelling with action figures.  -the start of his design career which involved design in corporate America, being caught in the commoditization of design, the 2008 crash, a bunch of volunteer work and starting to build his brand.  -his...

Today's guest is Chris Zawada. He is a Partner and Head of Creative at FULL PUNCH out of Vancouver BC. During this episode we talk about:  -the kick start of his career in Toronto. -his time in Venezuela working on a beer brand.  -the job that turned out to be the worst he has ever had.  -the conversation he had with a guidance councillor that pointed him in the direction of graphic...

Get your FREE ticket to the Design Summit here: summit.davetalksprint.com The Summit takes place March 23rd to March 27th. There are 30+ design industry experts to help you create a simple and profitable design business.  Today on this bonus episode of the show I have three speakers from the Simply Profitable Design Summit.  Morgan Rapp who is the owner at morganrapp.com. Her summit talk...

Get your FREE ticket to the Design Summit here: summit.davetalksprint.com The Summit takes place March 23rd to March 27th. There are 30+ design industry experts to help you create a simple and profitable design business.  Today on this bonus episode of the show I have three speakers from the Simply Profitable Design Summit.  Michelle Martello who is the boss at Minima Designs. Her summit...

Today's guests are Kaylan and Curtis. They are designers and partners in Lunch Design Co out of North Carolina. What a fun name... During this episode we talk about:  -Kaylan's 2nd-grade art award that kicked off her creative path.  -how Curtis didn't really consider design until it looked cool as a next step. As soon as he checked it out he was hooked.  -the moment Curtis started n...

Today's guest is Becca Reitz. She is a designer, illustrator, and creative director working as Rebecca Reitz Design out of Denver CO.  During this episode we talk about: -her move to full-time freelance in late 2018. -how she used to draw her dolls when she was younger and how it ties into how she does a lot of illustrating of the female figure now.  -how she was a bit intimidated by the...