The Quickie - Conversations with Designers

Today's guest is Venus Martinez, a motion graphics and visual effects designer in Vancouver BC. Venus was born in Mexico where his uncles are both in advertising and his grandfather was a filmmaker who made over 200 movies during the WWII era. It's easy to see how he landed on motion graphics and visual effects. He tells us about some of the challenges of finding work as an immigrant despite having done some award-winning work. Venus also shares details on some really cool projects he was a part of where they used projection graphics onto historical landmarks in Mexico. We also talk about the work that he did for Heineken, Amstel Light, Dos Equis as well as some poster designs he did for popular DJ's like Steve Aoki. 

Today's guest is Ana Mengote Baluca, a freelance designer, industrial designer, and lover of all things creative. Ana also owns a jewelry business called Stuff by Ana. She is currently living in New York but was born in the Philippines. Ana shares with us the moment she was first turned onto design in high school, hint, it was through Architecture. She studied design in London and that was were she first learned of the artist Banksy and we talk about how that work has influenced her career. Ana tells us about the art show she was a part of at the Brooklyn Naval Yard called Data Through Design. She also shares an amazing design competition or experience with us called "I am Visible". So much in this one!

Today's guest is Scott Fuller, a designer, illustrator, and owner of Studio Temporary in Atlanta GA. His dad owned a machine shop so Scott's original path was to be an industrial engineer. He instead found design and upon graduating he hustled for 2 years to find his first design job. He eventually was let go from there but found another design job. After being let go from there, and told he was having a baby on the same day, he decided to finally launch his dream of owning his own studio. He tells us about the initial struggles with that and the day he had an eviction notice on his door but still kept pursuing his dream. Scott started to land amazing clients and through working hard and doing great work, he started to get noticed. Studio Temporary has flourished ever since because he kept the dream alive and kept working hard. 

Today's guest is Claire Taschereau, full stack designer and owner of Wolf and Pine Creative. Claire fell in love with design in school and more specifically the world of UI/UX. Not totally surprising knowing her father owned a software company. She now looks at everything through a UI/UX lens. We talk about how she first started noticing design in the world with luxury packaging. She tells us about her time at buddybuild in Vancouver and what it was like when they were purchased by Apple. We also talk about her struggle to price her work properly for the value she provides and how she is working through it. 

Today's guest is Johnathon Strebly. He is the Director of Creative Services at HCMA as well as a President-elect for the International Council of Design. Johnathon lives and breathes design and has for the last few decades. His advocacy for design has been recognized on both hyper-local and international stages. Previously Johnathon ran his own agency, the Notice Group, and was also the President of the GDC BC. We talk about how growing up in a very diverse neighborhood when he was a child shaped his world view and the impact design can have. Johnathon also tells us stories about his punk years and how that caused him to notice how design can get attention, but then what? We also talk about the importance of mentors. Both having one and being one for the up and coming generations. Sending the elevator back down. There is something in this interview for everyone!

Today's guest is Matt Dawson, Graphic Designer and Founder of Crop creative conference and Pop up Crop. Matt tells us about how he would draw comic books with his friends when he was younger. He also split the line between loving sports but also loving Xmen and other "nerdy" things. We talk about Matt's first design job after graduation at a woman's socialite magazine for women over 40. Interesting start for a long-haired hippie guy. We also talk about the most fulfilling design of his career so far. Matt shares with us the details of Pop up Crop event in the fall, and also about the Crop Cruise in 2020. 

Today's guest is Jason Sturgill. He is a very talented Illustrator, Designer, and Artist from Portland OR. We talk about how his entrance to the creative field was through skateboarding and music. Jason actually started a record label when he was in University and put out an early Modest Mouse record! Jason tells us about the 'Art is Forever' project he worked on in partnership with other illustrators and the Portland Art Musem that involves tattoos. How Portland is that! We also spend some time talking about the importance of looking after your mental health. Jason was recently diagnosed as Bipolar 2. He talks about what that was like, the impact it had on his life and career, and how he has done some of his most rewarding work since addressing it. This episode is jam packed!

Today's guest is Nathan Yoder, Illustrator and Designer at Yondr Studio in Edmonds WA. Nathan tells us all about his childhood growing up living in rural environments and how creativity was encouraged for him. We talk about one of the projects he is most proud to have been a part of, a Miller High Life label that he did illustration work on. He also shares with us how Sprint car racing team uniforms and all the logos on them were one of the earliest design influences he can remember. Nathan and I have a great talk about finding yourself through your creative journey and how being true to yourself and what makes you happy can be difficult, but is incredibly important.

Today's guest is Matt Warburton, Design Manager at UBC and Designer at Emdoubleyu Communications and Design in Vancouver BC. Matt is a huge motorcycle enthusiast and a lover of stamp design and collecting. In 2013 he was able to merge these two worlds and design Canadian Motorcycle stamps for Canada Post! He shares the struggles he and his partner experienced during the 2008 financial crisis that hit a lot of industries everywhere. Matt also tells some great stories about some of the lessons he has learned in his design career. He is a huge supporter of professional trade associations, think GDC and RGD. 

Today's guest is Jade, Web and Branding designer at The.Brain.Child in NWS Australia. Jade is a tonne of fun and you can tell right from "hello jade", we had a great time. She was born and raised a farm and country girl but always loved painting and drawing. Jade also collected and hoarded business cards as a teenager. I can relate! I loved Jade's stories especially where she shares the challenges that she faced when she moved to a new area, had a young family, and was the breadwinner for the household while her husband was at med school. What did she do and how did she pull through? You'll have to listen.... Also, we talk about "huge & exciting" things.