The Quickie - Conversations with Designers

This week's guest is Orlando Arocena, but you might know him as Mexifunk. He is a Mexican-Cuban-American Vector Artist. We met for the first time at Creative South, where we ended up recording this epic episode. He has done work for some names you might recognize...Lionsgate, Warner Brothers, Disney, Marvel, Netflix, Adobe, MGM, Hulu. Plus he is an 11-time Clio award winner.  You will find this episode to be loaded with stories.  Rolling the dice with Adobe stories Jack Nicholson stories starting his commercial illustrator career stories supporting fellow creatives' kinda stories and dozens more...seriously.   We get into the lessons learned in these situations, the tough times, the projects he's proud of, and all the other good stuff you know we get into on this show.  This might actually be the longest episode ever, to the point that the batteries on the audio recorder died mid-recording. But we both just wanted to keep chatting! You will love this one.  THE LINKS Mexifunk Instagram: CLICK HERE PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES // Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Academy // Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

Graphic Designer Ben Pavey shares his journey from a childhood movie cameo to creating optical illusions for events. He discusses learning from design failures, the impact of music on his art, and the importance of accessibility in design. The podcast also touches on brand experience, intentional fatherhood, and creative hypothetical scenarios.

My guest this week is Brad Stoneking. Owner and Designer at Piedmont Brand Co.  During this episode we dive into his journey from metal band guy to design dad. Including a conversation about why pivoting to working for himself was the toughest time in his career so far. We also talk about the design job he had where the walls were crumbling around him and what he did.  Brad also shares a story about a project where he had the opportunity to brand the town that he grew up in. Pretty rad! Brad is a riot to chat with and this episode was so much fun, I know you'll dig it.  THE LINKS Piedmont Instagram: CLICK HERE Piedmont Website: CLICK HERE PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES // Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Academy // Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

Guest Jake Paul, a self-taught Graphic Designer, shares his journey from law to design, working with F1, Red Bull Racing, and Manchester United. He discusses a banner project mishap, transitioning from a shoe company to an agency, and his challenging presentation to Red Bull. The episode offers insights into his career and experiences in the design world.

My guest this week is CJ Cawley. A super talented, kind, fun, energetic and amazing human from the UK.  During this episode we talk about his journey to freelance design and cooking it up in design school. You'll appreciate that sentence when you listen to the episode ;)  CJ also shares with us how the skateworld was his gateway to design and what he appreciated about it. He also talks about how breaking things, literally, helped him grow!  Then into a story about agency life eating away at him and why, and his experience working with a UK resort on a project that never saw the light of day! ahhh! CJ also talks about why he started to share everything along with a whole bunch of other great stories.  We had a blast in this episode and you will too!  THE LINKS Ian's Instagram: CLICK HEREIan's Website: CLICK HERE PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES // Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Mastery // Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is Ian Paget, but you might know his as @logogeek, or as an Author, or a Podcast Host, or as a talented designer. During this episode we talk about helping creatives make a living doing logo design and how he never intended to actually go full time freelance.  Ian also tells us about personal struggles that he was facing, how they weighed him down and why, and how he managed to continue with his career and business. He also shares a story about working with Cambridge University and why he is so excited about it! Lots of great stories in this one! Be sure to check out the links below to see Ians Book "Make a Living Designing Logos" and all his social links too! THE LINKS  The Book: CLICK HEREIan's Instagram: CLICK HEREIan's Website: CLICK HERE PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES // Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Mastery // Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is Josh Kenyon, Owner and Creative Director at Jolby out of Portland OR.  During this episode we talk about why he wanted to work for Disney since he was 6 years old and the agricutlural design studio he worked at and how it has helped him in his career to this day.  Josh then talks about a diagnosis he received and what dealing with that was like. But also how design and creativity helped him through treatment. Loads of story telling in this episode from Josh's career in the creative industry. Business owner struggles and lessons, life lessons, all the good stuff you have come to expect from The Quickie.   THE LINKS  Jolbys Website: CLICK HEREJolbys Instagram: CLICK HERE PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES // Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Mastery // Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is Shelby Temples, founder of HeWillNeverGoHungry.com - PS. You gotta go check out his website. Insanely good.  During this episode we talk about a contest for creating album artwork for Janet Jackson...that he won...but was underage to participate...and because of that they had to go to the next person.  We also talk about Nylon Magazine and why it was so influential to him, and the balance between making money, paying the bills, and feeling fulfilled. That balance between fulfilment and survival.  Also some chat about CBD Hotsauce, business wins, design fails, and all the good stuff inbetween. Shelby is a fun dude with stories to share! Enjoy.   THE LINKS  Shelbys Website: CLICK HEREShelby on Instagram: CLICK HERE PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES // Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Mastery // Print Design Summit // LifeTime Access if you missed it // Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

My guest this week is Jason Snell. He is an artist, designer, motion designer, and all-around rad dude!  During this episode we talk about why Covid was such a tough time for him, the Run DMC project he was a part of, as well as early career mentors and inspirational design projects.  We also talk about movie posters, comic books, and an Amazon project he was a part of that went off the rails.  This episode is loaded with laughs and great stories from Jason's career so far. I first met him in person at the Into the Woods event in the Summer of 2023. He has this genuine natural curiosity about the people around him, what they do, and what gets them excited. He's a rad guy to be around for sure! THE LINKS  Jason Snells' Website: CLICK HEREJason Snells' Instagram: CLICK HERE PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES // Get on the Print Design Summit Waitlist // Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

Abi Connick, Brand Designer and Design Content Creator, discusses being laid off early during Covid and her trajectory afterwards. They dive into understanding social media and content creation for design businesses. Abi shares her struggles with imposter syndrome and how she's working through it. The conversation also covers her design career, growth on YouTube, and social media inspiration.