Type Speaks

In last episode of season 2, Rae sits down with award-winning designer and professor Courtney Windham and design publisher and author Margaret Fletcher for a conversation about what it actually takes to document the undocumentable, creative process itself. Together, they unpack the origin story of their book Discovering Design Process: Into the Beautiful Mess , from a seed grant idea born out of a...

In this episode of Type Speaks, Rae sits down with artist, photographer, and designer Martin Venezky for a wide-ranging conversation about what it truly means to let your materials lead. From his signature practice of giving discarded objects their moment in the spotlight, scratches, stains, and all, to his deep resistance to sketching, Martin and Rae explore why the most interesting work happens...

In this episode of Type Speaks, Rae sits down with tabletop RPG designers and performers James D'Amato and Dillin Apelyan for a thoughtful conversation about what makes game design truly work. Together, they explore the idea that good tabletop design isn’t just about clever mechanics, it’s about empowering players to express something meaningful. From emotion-first design philosophies and the care...

In this episode of Type Speaks, Rae sits down with tabletop game designer, publisher, and textile conservation specialist Meguey Baker for a thoughtful conversation about community gaming in times of turmoil, and why play is never “extra,” but a vital part of staying human. From the deep history of games as tools for resilience to the modern realities of chronic stress, Meguey and Rae explore how...

In this episode of Type Speaks, Rae sits down with writer, YouTuber, and longtime games critic Quintin Smith (Quinns) for a wide-ranging conversation about play, culture, criticism, and the wonderfully weird worlds we build through games. From the shifting norms of reviewing video games, board games, and TTRPGs to the evolution of horror games, game-lore obsession, and the influence of streaming c...

In this episode of Type Speaks, Rae sits down with designer, educator, and creative entrepreneur Diane Gibbs to explore how curiosity, play, and lifelong learning shape a sustainable creative practice. From rediscovering illustration through cut-paper experiments to navigating the worlds of surface design, teaching, and independent business, Rae and Diane unpack how designers grow, adapt, and keep...

In this second episode with game designer and quilt historian Meguey “Mother of the Apocalypse” Baker, Rae dives into the deep connections between game design, graphic design, and the human need for play. Together they explore how games aren’t an escape from reality but a way of understanding it, and why joy, curiosity, and creativity are powerful tools of connection and resistance. Meguey shares...

iIn this episode of Type Speaks, Rae sits down with journalist and creator Quentin “Quinns” Smith, co-founder of Shut Up & Sit Down and host of Quinn’s Quest, to explore how storytelling, aesthetics, and criticism have evolved across two decades of games media. From the rise of short-form content to the resurgence of small, expressive indie titles, Rae and Quinns unpack how play, design, and c...

In this episode of Type Speaks, Rae sits down with game designer, publisher, and quilt historian Meguey Baker to explore the deep human roots of play, and why games are not an escape from reality, but a way of understanding it. From designing Apocalypse World to teaching through storytelling, Meg shares how tabletop games function as acts of connection, resistance, and care. She and Rae unpack the...

In this episode of Type Speaks, host Rae sits down with designer and independent creative Will Dove to explore the realities, risks, and rewards of building a self-directed design practice. From juggling the intensity of Auburn’s swim team with the rigors of design school to eventually walking away from agency life to go fully freelance, Will shares how constraint, burnout, and curiosity all shape...

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...

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...

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...

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 peo...

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....

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...

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 i...

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 i...

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 synesthesi...

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 in...

In this episode, we speak with Devon Ward on various topics including codeswitching between disciplines, what Biodesign is and how it can be used, Globalization and design communication, using AI as a tool, and our controversial takes surrounding primates. Devon Ward is a designer, artist, and educator who works across multiple creative disciplines including print design, interactive media, biodes...

In this episode, we speak with Robert Finkel on various topics including the challenges and rewards of teaching, design ethics, why we like things and how to define good design, and design trends we secretly love. Robert Finkel is a designer and educator at Auburn University. As an Associate Professor of Graphic Design he teaches courses in Typography, Graphic Design History, and Visual Identity....

In this episode, hosts Rae and Emiko introduce the podcast and speak on the ideas behind the creation of the podcast and future directions. Rae is a junior in the Graphic Design program at Auburn University, where they’re excited to dive into new design styles and explore emerging subgenres. As the station manager for WEGL 91.1 FM, Auburn’s student-run radio station, they merge their passion for d...