The Creative Boom Podcast
Creative Boom
Join host Katy Cowan on The Creative Boom Podcast, where candid conversations with fellow creatives explore the real stories behind our careers—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Whether you're a graphic designer, illustrator, animator, marketer or creative entrepreneur, this show brings warmth, humour, and insight into the challenges and triumphs of the creative journey.
We tackle everything from confidence to burnout, offering advice and inspiration for building a fulfilling, sustainable career while not shying away from the tougher topics. Expect fun, honesty, and plenty of takeaways to help you thrive both personally and professionally.
The Creative Boom Podcast is part of Creative Boom, a magazine that has been a leading platform for the creative community since 2009. Discover more at www.creativeboom.com.
We tackle everything from confidence to burnout, offering advice and inspiration for building a fulfilling, sustainable career while not shying away from the tougher topics. Expect fun, honesty, and plenty of takeaways to help you thrive both personally and professionally.
The Creative Boom Podcast is part of Creative Boom, a magazine that has been a leading platform for the creative community since 2009. Discover more at www.creativeboom.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 25, 2021 • 1h 1min
Sparking a more diverse creative industry, with Shanti Sparrow
Award-winning graphic designer and illustrator Shanti Sparrow is also Global Head of Teaching at Shillington, which teaches the next generation of graphic designers. Here, we talk about her background, we find out why she gives her illustrated animals names (and why they're so traditionally British), and we talk of how the world is changing fast and for the better.
Apr 18, 2021 • 1h 16min
The life of an in-house graphic designer over 25 years, with Damian Graham
Graphic designer Damian Graham has spent the last 25 years becoming a specialist in his field, creating entire collections for names such as Speedo, Mitre Football and Berghaus. Here, we talk about Damian’s career and uncover excellent tips for aspiring designers hoping to enjoy a similar path to his own. Our conversation with Damian reminded us that we all find our way in the end – even though it might often involve some twists and turns. And that no experience is ever wasted.
Apr 11, 2021 • 46min
Reflecting on a year of change and embracing a slower pace, with Oliver Jeffers
Visual artist and author, Oliver Jeffers chats about how the events of last year affected him, putting a family round-the-world trip on hold. We also talk about how his practice has developed over the years, where he gets his ideas from, and what he has in store next. We discover, too, the sense of optimism and hope Oliver has for the future and why we all could benefit from slowing down.
Apr 4, 2021 • 1h 6min
Why confidence only comes from embracing the real you, with Dani Molyneux
Dani Molyneux is a typographic artist and designer based in Manchester. She's also the founder of design studio, Dotto, which turns four this year. Here, we chat about the challenges we face as women and about finding our voice. We talk of change in the creative industries, about overcoming fears and building confidence in the face of adversity. We also hear of Dani's childhood and how she came to become a graphic designer and artist, even though she thought her destiny was in fashion.
Mar 28, 2021 • 58min
The adventure of moving a design studio to Lisbon, with Cat How
Cat How is a creative director and co-founder of How&How, a creative agency based in Lisbon and London. Here, we talk about Cat's adventurous spirit and how she's always followed her gut. We discover how she found herself in the field of graphic design. We talk about how what’s going in the world can impact us and why there are always silver linings to look for during difficult times. There's a lot of insight into growing an agency, too.
Mar 22, 2021 • 1h 7min
How to stay grounded as a creative, with Abiola Ogunbiyi
Abiola Ogunbiyi is an actress, musician, writer and filmmaker based in London who also works as a career strategy and creative practice coach for professional artists and designers worldwide. Here, we talk about staying grounded in the face of rejection and success. We share tips on coping with the demands of a creative career. And discover more about the world of acting and how it's shaped her mind and her own development.
Mar 15, 2021 • 1h 5min
A love of teaching and home garage exhibitions, with Erik Brandt
Erik Brandt is an acclaimed graphic designer and educator who's been active since the mid-90s. He began his career as a cartoonist in Japan where he discovered a love of food, teaching and graphic design. Here, we chat about those days and how he ended up as a professor in Minnesota as well as launching his own studio, Typografika, with work exhibited internationally. A warm and comforting chat that also delves into music, art, and the joy of travel.
Mar 8, 2021 • 1h 9min
Why your health depends on following your dreams, with Murugiah
This week's guest is Murugiah, the award-winning artist and designer who creates surreal and colourful artworks for Apple, Disney and Marvel. Born and raised in the UK with Sri Lankan heritage, Murugiah trained as an architect in London before choosing his current path. In this episode, we chat about the power of discovering who you truly are, and why it’s so important to ignore other people's expectations and stop comparing ourselves to others to follow our dreams.
Mar 1, 2021 • 1h 1min
What it’s really like to direct your own films, with Izzy Burton
Izzy Burton is an award-winning director, illustrator, author and lead artist at Netflix Animation. Based in Brighton, she directs short films, draws for television and film, and illustrates and writes for books. In this episode, we talk about how Izzy went from graduation to working at lead studios to freelancing, publishing books and then joining one of the largest broadcasters in the world and directing her own films – all in the space of six years. An inspiring story told by one of the most exciting storytellers of today.
Feb 22, 2021 • 51min
The magic of discovering your 'why’, with Ashwin Chacko
Ashwin Chacko is an illustrator, designer and hand-letterer based in Dublin who loves to bring the world together through his positive art. Born in India, Ashwin's joyful and colourful work features strong characters mixed with typography and pattern – each piece telling a story of love, kindness, and acceptance. Recent clients include Facebook, Adobe and Puma. This is a warm and relaxed chat with a gentle, kind soul who puts purpose at the heart of everything he does.
