What the Helvetica?

Making Ideas Real with Danielle Giroux In this episode, Michael Janda sits down with Danielle Giroux, Senior Director, Brand & Creative at Clio, to unpack what it really takes to move ideas from “interesting thought” to actual business impact. Danielle shares her path from walking into a local design studio at 13 with a faux-leather portfolio, to building a creative career across agency, tech,...

Brand Mascots, AI, and the Future of Creative Work with Stef Hamerlinck In this episode, Michael Janda talks with Belgian designer, brand strategist, and mascot-obsessed creative Stef Hamerlinck about the strange, exciting, and controversial intersection of brand mascots, generative AI, and creative entrepreneurship. Stef shares how he moved from general graphic design to agency ownership, then in...

In this episode, Michael Janda and Jena (“the Gribbler”) break down Matthew Inman’s (The Oatmeal) comic about AI art and what it means for creatives. They talk about that weird “deflated” feeling when you realize something you liked was AI-generated, why artists feel threatened, and how AI both democratizes creativity and risks devaluing hard-earned craft. They compare AI tools to things like Phot...

In this candid conversation, Becca Berg—founder and CEO of Dubsado—shares the real story behind building one of the leading client-management platforms from the ground up. From her scrappy entrepreneurial childhood to launching Dubsado with zero funding, Becca opens up about competition, burnout, mental health, and the relentless drive that fueled her journey. She and Michael Janda dive into marri...

Michael Janda discusses Affinity Designer's huge announcement that their software is now completely free to download and use forever. He shares his thoughts and reactions to this surprising move and what it means for the design community. What's your hot take on the new announcement? ----more---- 🤝 Connect with Michael Janda Michael Janda is an award-winning creative director, designer, and agenc...

Regulate to Create: Chris Geisler on Breath Work, Boundaries & Creative Calm Episode summary Creative work asks us to pour our hearts into something—and then invite opinions about it. In this conversation, men’s coach and podcaster Chris Geisler joins Michael and Bri to unpack practical nervous-system tools (breathwork, cold exposure, movement) that help stressed, coffee-fueled creatives swap...

For: Graphic designers, creative freelancers, YouTubers, and anyone navigating the mental game of the creative industry. Struggling with imposter syndrome, burnout, or creative overwhelm? In this episode, Michael Janda and Will Paterson get real about the emotional rollercoaster of creative careers. From personal breakdowns to big breakthroughs, we unpack what it really means to succeed as a desig...

Bri, MCA's very own VP of Operations, joins us on WTH to talk about alll the details for our upcoming Creative Professional Retreat, Morepalooza. The retreat is set to begin in London September 10-14 with a one-day workshop stacked with incredible creative talent.  Swag. Venues. Excursions. Weather. What to Expect and more. If you are considering attending Morepalooza or you've snagged tickets, th...

What does a third-grade drawing of Shaq, a $3,000 domain deal, and notebook paper from Walmart have to do with building a global creative brand? In this episode of What the Helvetica, Mike Janda sits down with Tyler Tolson, founder of Denik, to explore the real behind-the-scenes of how a small idea in college became a purpose-driven design brand building schools around the world. 🎙️ We talk about:...

In this bold and honest What the Helvetica episode, Mike Janda reviews the real portfolio of Tonichi — an art director with serious agency cred and a broad creative skillset. We dive into her site, case studies, UX decisions, and brand positioning to uncover what works, what needs tweaking, and how to turn great work into even greater opportunities. If you’ve ever wondered whether being a generali...

In this episode of What The Helvetica, Michael Janda sits down with Jeremy Berger — designer, printmaker, and founder of Blaken Press — for a wide-ranging conversation on art, burnout, motorcycles, creative dreams, and building a life by design. From his early days at Art Center College of Design to working on dream projects for Harley-Davidson, Jeremy shares what it really takes to survive the cr...

🎙️ What’s in Today’s Episode? This week, we're talking all things freelancing, creative growth, and marketing hacks for designers! Mike Janda sits down with multidisciplinary designer Maiteryee Kalaskar (M for short 😉) to break down strategies for finding clients, staying consistent in marketing, and building authority as a creative professional. 🎧 Episode Highlights: 🧠 The Power of Consistency...

In this episode of 'What the Helvetica', Mike Janda is joined by UK advertising veteran Thad Cox. Thad shares his unique insights on the ever-changing landscape of advertising and branding. From the evolution of Instagram content to disruptive packaging and emotional advertising, this episode is packed with valuable information. Thad also highlights innovative campaigns from brands like Lala Cafe'...

Discover the art and science of brand naming with branding expert Rob Meyerson. In this insightful interview, learn essential strategies for creating memorable and impactful brand names. From qualitative and quantitative research to effective client communication, gain valuable insights to elevate your branding game. Join host Mike Janda on What the Helvetica as he delves into the world of brand n...

What does it take to level up your creative career and land high-value clients while maintaining balance in your personal life? In this episode, Mike Janda sits down with creative entrepreneur and educator Kady Sandel to uncover exactly that. They dive deep into personal branding, transitioning from low to high-value projects, breaking free from the feast-and-famine cycle, and the game-changing po...

Curious about the life behind the persona of G'Day Frank? Join Michael Janda on this episode of What the Helvetica as he interviews the creative genius Reagan Mackrill. They dive deep into the art of personal branding, the hurdles of social media algorithms, and the balancing act of family life with content creation. Discover the highs and lows of Reagan’s journey and get an insider’s perspective...

Ever wondered what it takes to build a successful design agency from the ground up? Join host Michael Janda as he sits down with Dan Janssen of Lincoln Design Co. for an insightful conversation about the highs, lows, and everything in between. Discover how Dan navigates the creative process, develops standout brands, and scales his agency while tackling the challenges of the industry. Whether you'...

Renowned fine artist and muralist Daniela de Castro joins host Michael Janda to share her inspiring creative journey from Venezuela to the U.S. She delves into her distinctive artistic process, emphasizing the recurring theme of hands in her work. Known for her large-scale murals and intricate hand paintings, Daniela also provides valuable insights into building a thriving art business, fostering...

You may have dreamt of becoming a digital nomad, but what is it really like? Let's explore the ins and outs of digital nomad life in this episode of ‘What the Helvetica?’ with Michael Janda and Elisabeth Mayr. They discuss Elisabeth's journey as a freelance UX designer, educator, and podcast host. Discover her experiences traveling the world as a designer, starting a co-living space in Sri Lanka,...

Is it possible to build an agency culture that values integrity while at the same time, aligns with your business values? Destyn Patera from Lensea, a film and videography agency in Pensacola, Florida, joins Michael Janda to explore this topic. Destyn shares his unique journey into filmmaking, his take on integrity-driven business practices, and how to balance creativity with business management....

In this episode of 'What the Helvetica?', Mike Janda chats with Danny Allen-Page, an agency owner, former pro footballer, and Instagram influencer with 61,000 followers. They dive into Danny's incredible journey, from growing his new agency from nothing to $3.5 million in just five months, tackling the challenges of coaching and mentoring, and balancing his personal and professional life. They dis...

Music branding? If you haven't heard about this before... join Mike Janda in this exciting episode of What the Helvetica? as he sits down with the creative minds behind Drop Music Branding—Gabo, Dal, and Mau. Discover the fascinating world of audio branding, how it complements visual branding, and why it’s crucial for building a strong, memorable brand. Learn about the unique challenges and strate...

Join host Mike Janda in an insightful conversation with digital artist Christina McKay as they delve into the world of vehicle wraps, creative processes, and the evolving role of generative AI in art. Christina, the founder of Curvaceous Wraps, discusses her journey, the challenges she faces, and how she integrates AI for inspiration while emphasizing the irreplaceability of the human touch in her...

This episode features a heartfelt and enlightening conversation between Mike Janda and guest Jenna Gribble, a successful agency owner grappling with imposter syndrome amidst her achievements. Jenna shares her initial foray into graphic design, overcoming setbacks, and the constant pursuit of learning. Both speakers touch on the importance of vulnerability, avoiding comparison traps, and finding 'f...

In this Episode 5 of 'What the Helvetica?' host Mike Janda and guest Lois McKenzie dive into the heart of what makes copywriting a critical aspect of marketing, even in an AI-driven age. The episode unpacks the value of authentic connection, human-driven content, and the art of storytelling in business. Mike and Lois explore how creative integrity and personal brand can't be replicated by AI, stre...