Revision Path

This week's guest is a real treat for me. Sean Mack is an illustrator and graphic artist in Detroit, and I first ran across his work around a decade or so ago on Tumblr. His work has really taken off since then, so having him on to talk about his journey as an artist was a lot of fun. We started off talking about his recent work on a commemorative comic for the late hip-hop artist MF DOOM, and Sean went into how he and writer Brandon Howard came up with their popular comic The Revolutionary Times. We also talked about balancing his art while working a 9-to-5 job, working with big clients, and creating new work through the pandemic. If you've never heard of Sean or seen his art, then this interview is a great place to start! Links Sean Mack's Website Sean Mack on Instagram Sean Mack on Twitter The Revolutionary Times The Revolutionary Times on Instagram The Revolutionary Times on Twitter Sponsored by Brevity & Wit Brevity & Wit is a strategy and design firm committed to designing a more inclusive and equitable world.We accomplish this through graphic design, presentations and workshops around I-D-E-A: inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.If you’re curious to learn how to combine a passion for I-D-E-A with design, check us out at brevityandwit.com.Brevity & Wit — creative excellence without the grind. Like this episode? Then subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite shows. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us! Revision Path is brought to you by Lunch, a multidisciplinary creative studio in Atlanta, GA. It is produced by Maurice Cherry and engineered and edited by RJ Basilio. You can also follow Revision Path on Instagram and Twitter. Come chat with us! And thank you for listening!

If you have been a listener of the show for a while, then you know I love cartoons and animation. So having a chance to sit down with this week's guest, Steenz, was a lot of fun. Steenz is one of the few Black women syndicated cartoonists in mainstream funny pages for her work on "Heart of the City", and her work on previous titles has netted her several coveted awards, including the Eisner Award, in the cartoon industry. We talked about her picking up the torch from Mark Tatulli for "Heart of the City", and she walked me through her creative process for starting on new projects. She also talked how she first got into comics, her teaching at Webster University, and one of her dream projects -- a re-imaginging of Encyclopedia Brown! Keep an eye out for Steenz -- I think we'll be seeing her work in the world for years and years to come! Links Steenz's Website Steenz on Instagram Steenz on Tiktok Steenz on Twitter Steenz on Wikipedia Sponsored by Brevity & Wit Brevity & Wit is a strategy and design firm committed to designing a more inclusive and equitable world.We accomplish this through graphic design, presentations and workshops around I-D-E-A: inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.If you’re curious to learn how to combine a passion for I-D-E-A with design, check us out at brevityandwit.com.Brevity & Wit — creative excellence without the grind. Like this episode? Then subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite shows. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us! Revision Path is brought to you by Lunch, a multidisciplinary creative studio in Atlanta, GA. It is produced by Maurice Cherry and engineered and edited by RJ Basilio. You can also follow Revision Path on Instagram and Twitter. Come chat with us! And thank you for listening!

If you were a part of last week's State of Black Design conference, then you've already been introduced to this week's guest -- John B. Johnson. As the principal of A Small Studio in Seattle, he leads a team of creative professionals that specialize in authentic digital design. We spoke about how his business has changed through the pandemic, as well as his process with new projects (such as DOSE). He also talked about growing up in Cleveland, studying architecture, and how these experiences led him to start his studio and his moves until settling in Seattle. This is a really thoughtful and deep interview, and I hope John's story resonates with you all! Links John B. Johnson on Instagram John B. Johnson on Twitter A Small Studio DOSE Sponsored by Brevity & Wit Brevity & Wit is a strategy and design firm committed to designing a more inclusive and equitable world.We accomplish this through graphic design, presentations and workshops around I-D-E-A: inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.If you’re curious to learn how to combine a passion for I-D-E-A with design, check us out at brevityandwit.com.Brevity & Wit — creative excellence without the grind. Like this episode? Then subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite shows. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us! Revision Path is brought to you by Lunch, a multidisciplinary creative studio in Atlanta, GA. It is produced by Maurice Cherry and engineered and edited by RJ Basilio. You can also follow Revision Path on Instagram and Twitter. Come chat with us! And thank you for listening!

It's a new month, and I am beyond excited to share with you my interview with Julian Williams. He may be young in age, but his impressive body of work rivals those of designers with years more experience. We talked a few months after he completed work on the Biden for American campaign as their lead opposition brand designer. Pretty cool!We spoke about how he landed on the campaign, and Julian shared the differences between working with clients in the U.S. versus clients in Europe. From there, Julian took me through his history as a designer, including working for fashion designers Tommy Hilfiger and Karl Lagerfeld, a stint as an intern at &Walsh, and being a designer at Nike while in The Netherlands. Julian also shared how his passion for voguing and the ballroom scene helps influence his work, and he gives some great advice for graphic designers out there looking to find their own style. Julian's motto is about making good work with good people -- something we can all take to heart!LinksJulian Williams' WebsiteJulian Williams on InstagramJulian Williams on TwitterSponsored by State of Black Design ConferenceTexas State University's Communication Design Program and the Common Experience are excited to announce the State of Black Design Conference, presented by IBM, April 9-10.The theme of the conference is "Black Design: Past. Present. Future," and the event will bring together aspiring designers with academic and industry professionals for networking opportunities, career development workshops, and important panel discussions with leaders in the field.If you are a company looking to diversify your workforce, or a designer of color looking for your next role, be sure to attend the State of Black Design Conference. Recruiters have until April 5 to register.Get your ticket today at https://txstate.edu/blackdesign, and follow the event online on Instagram or Twitter.The State of Black Design Conference is presented by IBM, with additional sponsorship from Adobe, Civilla, AIGA, Texas State's College of Fine Arts and Communication, and the School of Art and Design.Sponsored by Brevity & WitBrevity & Wit is a strategy and design firm committed to designing a more inclusive and equitable world.We accomplish this through graphic design, presentations and workshops around I-D-E-A: inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.If you’re curious to learn how to combine a passion for I-D-E-A with design, check us out at brevityandwit.com.Brevity & Wit — creative excellence without the grind.Like this episode? Then subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite shows.Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!Revision Path is brought to you by Lunch, a multidisciplinary creative studio in Atlanta, GA. It is produced by Maurice Cherry and engineered and edited by RJ Basilio.You can also follow Revision Path on Instagram and Twitter. Come chat with us! And thank you for listening!

Joseph Carter-Brown is a man of many titles. He's a UX strategist. He's a human-centered designer. And by day, he's the global UX manager at Stanley Black & Decker, a Fortune 500 company that's over 175 years old! Joseph's versatility as a design leader extends far beyond titles, as you'll definitely discover in this week's interview. We start off with a look at his work and his team, and he shares an anecdote from last year that put him on his current path to success. Joseph also talked to me about how he worked his way into a position at Apple thanks to Steve Jobs, his shift to UX after studying at Full Sail University, and speaks on his time with AIGA Baltimore and about how he wants to bridge the digital divide in Baltimore. Joseph is a prime example of someone who is using his skills to help build a more equitable future! Links Joseph Carter-Brown's Website Joseph Carter-Brown on LinkedIn Joseph Carter-Brown on Instagram Joseph Carter-Brown on Twitter Sponsored by State of Black Design Conference Texas State University's Communication Design Program and the Common Experience are excited to announce the State of Black Design Conference, presented by IBM, April 9-10. The theme of the conference is "Black Design: Past. Present. Future," and the event will bring together aspiring designers with academic and industry professionals for networking opportunities, career development workshops, and important panel discussions with leaders in the field. If you are a company looking to diversify your workforce, or a designer of color looking for your next role, be sure to attend the State of Black Design Conference. Recruiters have until April 5 to register. Get your ticket today at https://txstate.edu/blackdesign, and follow the event online on Instagram or Twitter. The State of Black Design Conference is presented by IBM, with additional sponsorship from Adobe, Civilla, AIGA, Texas State's College of Fine Arts and Communication, and the School of Art and Design. Sponsored by Brevity & Wit Brevity & Wit is a strategy and design firm committed to designing a more inclusive and equitable world. We accomplish this through graphic design, presentations and workshops around I-D-E-A: inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. If you're curious to learn how to combine a passion for I-D-E-A with design, check us out at brevityandwit.com. Brevity & Wit — creative excellence without the grind. Like this episode? Then subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite shows. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us! Revision Path is brought to you by Lunch, a multidisciplinary creative studio in Atlanta, GA. It is produced by Maurice Cherry and engineered and edited by RJ Basilio. You can also follow Revision Path on Instagram and Twitter. Come chat with us! And thank you for listening!

We have had a good number of design educators this year on Revision Path, but how many of them have written a book on designers of color? Meet Kelly Walters, an artist, designer, and educator who is currently the assistant professor and associate director of the BFA Communication Design program in the Parsons School of Design at The New School in New York. Kelly is also the founder of the multidisciplinary design studio Bright Polka Dot. Talk about having a full schedule!Kelly talked about the adjustments she has made over the last year with respect to teaching, and we talked about how she was exposed to the arts early, but never thought of it as a profession. We also discussed the works she's done through her studio, collaborating with other Black design educators, and the launch of her upcoming book "Black, Brown & Latinx Design Educators: Conversations on Design and Race." Thank goodness for educators like Kelly who are helping add to the corpus of design history!LinksBright Polka DotBright Polka Dot on InstagramBright Polka Dot on TwitterSponsored by Brevity & WitBrevity & Wit is a strategy and design firm committed to designing a more inclusive and equitable world.We accomplish this through graphic design, presentations and workshops around I-D-E-A: inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.If you’re curious to learn how to combine a passion for I-D-E-A with design, check us out at brevityandwit.com.Brevity & Wit — creative excellence without the grind.Like this episode? Then subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite shows.Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!Revision Path is brought to you by Lunch, a multidisciplinary creative studio in Atlanta, GA. It is produced by Maurice Cherry and engineered and edited by RJ Basilio.You can also follow Revision Path on Instagram and Twitter. Come chat with us! And thank you for listening!

If there's one word I would use to describe Sloan Leo, it would be "dynamic". As the CEO of NYC-based FLOX Studio, they bring over 15 years of facilitation and community strategy to bring the power of community design to clients from all over. Sloan is also an accomplished mixed media artist, and their exhibition "A Watermelon for Leo" is a beautiful assemblage of ephemera, rituals and video. We started our conversation off with a quick 2020 review, and Sloan talked about their daily flow and the work they're doing through FLOX Studio. Sloan also talked about the beginnings of their passion for art and community design, and spoke on how they're making space for joy during this current time. Remember their name, because I have a hunch we'll be hearing more of Sloan Leo for years to come! Links Sloan Leo's Website Sloan Leo on Instagram Sloan Leo on LinkedIn FLOX Studio Sponsored by Brevity & Wit Brevity & Wit is a strategy and design firm committed to designing a more inclusive and equitable world.We accomplish this through graphic design, presentations and workshops around I-D-E-A: inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.If you’re curious to learn how to combine a passion for I-D-E-A with design, check us out at brevityandwit.com.Brevity & Wit — creative excellence without the grind. Like this episode? Then subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite shows. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us! Revision Path is brought to you by Lunch, a multidisciplinary creative studio in Atlanta, GA. It is produced by Maurice Cherry and engineered and edited by RJ Basilio. You can also follow Revision Path on Instagram and Twitter. Come chat with us! And thank you for listening!

We're back across the pond this week and having a good ol' chat and a spot of tea with one of London's most brilliant artists -- Azarra Amoy. It was a good time to catch up with her since she just got a new studio! Azarra spoke on how art is like her diary, and she walked me through some of her inspirations and talked about growing up in London and even spending time in Bangkok before transitioning into her current artistic career. Azarra's colorful, kinetic designs are a welcome sight during these times, and may also inspire you on your creative journey! Links Azarra Amoy's Website Azarra Amoy on Instagram Azarra Amoy on Twitter We Are One Family 'All Black Lives Matter' mural Sponsored by Brevity & Wit Brevity & Wit is a strategy and design firm committed to designing a more inclusive and equitable world.We accomplish this through graphic design, presentations and workshops around I-D-E-A: inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.If you’re curious to learn how to combine a passion for I-D-E-A with design, check us out at brevityandwit.com.Brevity & Wit — creative excellence without the grind. Like this episode? Then subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite shows. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us! Revision Path is brought to you by Lunch, a multidisciplinary creative studio in Atlanta, GA. It is produced by Maurice Cherry and engineered and edited by RJ Basilio. You can also follow Revision Path on Instagram and Twitter. Come chat with us! And thank you for listening!

Reggie Black is a true Renaissance man. He's combined his talents as a multimedia artist, designer, speaker, and mental health advocate into an experimental playground he calls all things progressive. Whether it's a hand-lettered design project for a client or a public art installation, Reggie is navigating through this time and letting his passions light the way.Reggie and I really had more of a general conversation than an interview, and we touched on a number of issues: staying productive in the midst of uncertainty, the role of the Black designer during this current time, and making space for creativity to flow. It's a little something different for our 8th anniversary, but I think you'll enjoy it all the same.Thank you all for keeping Revision Path alive and thriving!LinksReggie Black's WebsiteReggie Black on InstagramReggie Black on Twitterall things progressiveSponsored by Brevity & WitBrevity & Wit is a strategy and design firm committed to designing a more inclusive and equitable world.We accomplish this through graphic design, presentations and workshops around I-D-E-A: inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.If you’re curious to learn how to combine a passion for I-D-E-A with design, check us out at brevityandwit.com.Brevity & Wit — creative excellence without the grind.Like this episode? Then subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite shows.Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us!Revision Path is brought to you by Lunch, a multidisciplinary creative studio in Atlanta, GA. It is produced by Maurice Cherry and engineered and edited by RJ Basilio.You can also follow Revision Path on Instagram and Twitter. Come chat with us! And thank you for listening!

We're ending February on Revision Path with a little bit of Black web history! Markus Robinson is currently the VP of innovation and creative at Interactive One, but before that, he co-founded one of the Internet's most popular news sources on Black tech -- Black Web 2.0. Who would have thought that it would get him to where he is today? Markus started off talking about the web properties he oversees -- Bossip and BlackPlanet, just to name a couple -- and talked about how his work with Interactive One opened his eyes to the world of product. He also spoke on growing up in Florida, shared the origin story of Black Web 2.0, and we both had a good discussion about Black media, trusted sources, and the importance of offering a platform for others. It's truly been astonishing watching Markus level up over the years, and I'm glad we were able to catch up and take you all with us as we look at the early days of the Black web! Links Markus Robinson's Website Markus Robinson on Instagram Markus Robinson on Twitter Interactive One BlackPlanet Sponsored by Brevity & Wit Brevity & Wit is a strategy and design firm committed to designing a more inclusive and equitable world. We accomplish this through graphic design, presentations and workshops around I-D-E-A: inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. If you’re curious to learn how to combine a passion for I-D-E-A with design, check us out at brevityandwit.com. Brevity & Wit — creative excellence without the grind. Like this episode? Then subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite shows. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating and a review! Thanks so much to all of you who have already rated and reviewed us! Revision Path is brought to you by Lunch, a multidisciplinary creative studio in Atlanta, GA. It is produced by Maurice Cherry and engineered and edited by RJ Basilio. You can also follow Revision Path on Instagram and Twitter. Come chat with us! And thank you for listening!