Students of Design
Joseph Israel Raul Bullard
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Top 10 Students of Design Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Students of Design episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Students of Design for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Students of Design episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Ash Phillips – Scarcity Mindset, Setting Boundaries, and Planning for Creative Standstills – Ep12
Students of Design
09/25/24 • 51 min
Ash is a Co-Founder and Creative Director of Six Cinquième, a Montreal-based Strategic Brand Consultancy. She's created work for organizations like The National Black Canadians Summit, On Est Là!, a BIPOC-focused talent agency, and The Centre for Canadians of African Descent. Many design agencies say they're selective about the people they work with—but Six Cinquième proves they are. Their work uplifts Black creativity. It represents and has the power to inspire young, underrecognized designers to enter the design industry. Tune in for a talk about shifting your mindset, setting boundaries with clients, and trusting everything will work itself out. You can find more of Ash's work on her agency's website, follow Six Cinquième on Instagram, and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Questions for this interview.
- What is your agency, Six Cinquieme, proof of? At this point in your career, what have you proven to yourself?
- You started your agency because you didn't feel like the design industry was a space made for you. What was missing from it? Why didn't you feel like it was a space for you?
- Do you feel responsible for encouraging and attracting young, underprivileged people to the design industry?
- What does operating with a "scarcity mindset" mean to you?
- Can you tell us about the moment in your career when you realized saying yes to everything wouldn't be sustainable?
- Do you think your clients' perspectives (of you) have shifted since setting healthy boundaries?
- How have you and Miro grown since establishing those boundaries?
- How do you encourage clients to think about design on a deeper level when they're stuck on the surface?
- How do you make sure you don't get consumed by your work?
- You said you no longer fear hitting a creative standstill or mental block. Why is that?
- What do you think design leaders, seasoned creative directors, or people who own a design studio can do differently to help young designers feel like the industry is a space for them, too?
- What can people attending Circles Conference and Creative Works East expect to take away from your sessions?
- Can you share some thoughts on the visual touchpoints you experienced in Paris before the 2024 Olympic Games started?
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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast.
If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.
Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].
Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.
The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.
Adam Grason – Financial Literacy, Getting Blacklisted by Disney, and Working With an Agent – Ep19
Students of Design
01/01/25 • 67 min
Adam is a designer and illustrator from Orlando, Florida. For the past 4.5 years, he's been working as a Senior Brand Designer at Acorns—basically, he draws squirrels for a living, lol. But, before the squirrels, he worked independently for a long time and created designs for big names like Disney, Target, Dunkin' Donuts, William Sonoma, and Cartoon Network. Eventually, his world started to fall apart. He lost some people close to him, Disney cut him off, and the social media demons got the best of him. Since then, he's picked himself back up, and 2025 is his redemption tour. Tune in for a talk about growing up without understanding financial wellness, making critical mistakes with a huge client, and how working in-house at Acorns provides the stability to move forward. Look for his work on Instagram, Dribbble, and his website, studiograson.com. Also, start investing :)
Questions for this interview.
- Can you give us some examples of the types of design assets you create at Acorns?
- There's a lot of green in the Acorns color palette. How's that treating you?
- Has working at Acorns changed how you think about money or plan for your family's future?
- Can you share what growing up in Pine Hills was like?
- How did your grandmother impact your creativity?
- Is there any time when you feel like you legitimately hit rock bottom?
- Can you share some encouraging thoughts for anyone in the trenches who feels they might be experiencing their lowest point?
- Can you tell us what happened between you and Disney?
- What is your non-professional relationship with Disney like today?
- What did the situation with Disney teach you about respect?
- How did you start rebuilding yourself and your identity after Disney cut ties with you?
- Why are you so willing to share personal information about yourself?
- How are you navigating your work and the design industry differently than you were before?
- Has working in-house for the last 4.5 years helped you refocus, rebuild, and work on yourself?
- Do you still take on a lot of independent work?
- How does being represented by Arthur and Elias fit into everything?
- Can you tell us how the relationship works?
- Who do you think this kind of relationship is for?
- Is there a level of quality or experience someone needs before applying for representation?
- Can you tell us about the family Instagram account your wife (Christina) manages?
- How close are you to being the happiest you've ever been?
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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast.
If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.
Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].
Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.
The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.
Hank Washington – the Pen Tool, Cheeto Eyebrows, and Representation Matters – Ep13
Students of Design
10/09/24 • 68 min
Hank is an Art Director, Designer, and Illustrator originally from the muddy backwoods of Mississippi. He's created work with Instagram, Netflix, and Adobe, and he's the force behind Hank Designs Studios and Fuzzies Co.—a culture-focused illustration project. Our friendship goes back to 2019 when I met him at Design Week Huntsville in Alabama. He gave a fantastic presentation, and afterward, I taught him some of the secrets of competitive Skee-Ball—then we made it rain redemption tickets on dem fools. Tune in for a talk about avoiding math in Adobe Illustrator, finding inspiration for Fuzzies characters, and speaking on the main stage at Creative South. You can find Hank's brand identity work on his website, and check out his gallery of culture-focused illustrations at Fuzzies Co.
Questions for this interview.
- What kind of impact did Jamal Collins have on your career?
- What kind of design work are you primarily looking for?
- Which Adobe Illustrator tool or feature do you think people sleep on the most?
- What helped you get the hang of the pen tool? Do you have any tips for using it more effectively?
- Custom lettering—are there situations when you start from an existing digital letterform instead of a sketch?
- Can you explain what Fuzzies are for anyone who doesn't know?
- What kind of impact do you eventually want Fuzzies to have?
- What are the elements or components that make a Fuzzie a Fuzzie?
- Are Fuzzies always based on specific people, or do you create some from your imagination?
- What's your approach to color when bringing a Fuzzie to life? Do you have a core set of colors, or start from scratch with each character?
- Can you tell us about the lead-up to Creative South and how you became a speaker?
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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast.
If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.
Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].
Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.
The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.
Jesse Taylor – Working With a Team, Passion Projects, and Dylan – Ep11
Students of Design
09/11/24 • 58 min
Jesse is an Associate Creative Director at Marketing for Change, a research and creative agency propelled by behavioral science. He's also the tallest designer I know, plays in a volleyball league on Wednesday evenings, and will tell you the best chicken tender in Colorado Springs is from Ivywild Kitchen. When Jesse isn't winning ADDY or Telly awards, he's pushing passion projects—like T is for Tattoo—to new heights. Ha, new heights, lol. Tune in for a talk about working with a team, graphic design tattoos, and including passion projects in your portfolio. You can find some of Jesse's funny internet videos on Instagram, see more of his work on his website, and learn more about where he works at Marketing for Change.
Questions for this interview.
- How does the team you work with—or the people you collaborate with—help you handle feeling like an imposter?
- Have you learned anything working with a team you don't think you would have learned working alone?
- Do you enjoy presenting your ideas or designs to clients? Do you ever find the process intimidating?
- What percentage of time do you spend planning and thinking vs. actually making?
- Can you tell us how your remote working days look and how often they happen?
- Are the people you meet with also designers, or do they have different roles?
- Do you have any tattoos directly related to graphic design?
- How do you decide or choose the subject matter for your tattoos?
- Can you explain the concept behind your "T is for Tattoo" project?
- Where did the kids in the video for T is Tattoo come from?
- Were you surprised no one backed the "Your Name Forever" reward tier?
- Do you regret getting any of your tattoos? Do you have any cover-ups?
- How would you respond to students asking if they should include a passion project in their portfolio?
- You became a design educator in 2023. What was that experience like?
- Were there any takeaways from your first semester of teaching?
- Do you have any words of encouragement for designers looking for more impact or meaning in their work?
- Can you tell us about the book you made in memory of your dog, Dylan?
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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast.
If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.
Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].
Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.
The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.
Jason Craig – “Mind the Gap,” Working for Yourself, and Selling Chicken Bones – Ep10
Students of Design
08/28/24 • 65 min
Jason is an independent Senior Graphic Designer, Illustrator, and Muralist in Augusta, Georgia. This guy's been through the trenches and has worked at 24-hour sign shops, agencies, and everything in between. Even though he's worked with HBO, Nike, and the Atlanta Braves—Jason doesn't shy away from working with the local burger joint or the hardware store down the road. Small businesses are a part of his DNA. Tune in for a talk about recognizing opportunities, building trust with your clients, and genuine Augusta chicken bones. You can find Jason's work on his website, follow @jasonthe29th on Instagram, and connect with him on LinkedIn.
Questions for this interview.
- Can you talk about the impact the game Paper Mario had on you?
- What are some of the things you do in your life to streamline your workflow?
- You encourage young designers or recent grads to "mind the gaps." What do you mean by that?
- Do you have advice for someone who's an illustrator but wants to be hired as a graphic designer and is having trouble deciding what to showcase in their portfolio?
- After reflecting on your work, what's the most vulnerable thing you can say about it?
- What have you learned from rejection, and how do you keep moving forward?
- April 13, 2019, was a significant day in your journey. What can you tell us about that day?
- You changed how you do business, and you're taking a more aggressive approach this year. What does that mean?
- What specific things do you do to build trust with your clients?
- Can you talk about your three-mood board strategy?
- You once packaged and sold chicken bones at a design conference. I'm dying to know. Where did those bones come from?
- When was the last time you wore a pair of JNCOs? What about a Michael Jordan jersey?
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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast.
If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.
Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].
Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.
The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.
08/14/24 • 52 min
Matt is an Austin-based graphic designer, illustrator, and type designer. You probably know him as StayGray Ponyboy, and even though he has a new logo, he assured me he's still the same PonyBoy. Matt has worked with big-name clients like Disney, Jeep, Adobe, Under Armour, and the Atlanta Braves. He's also the founder of Crop, an annual creative conference showcasing real stories from real people. Tune in for a talk about focusing on quality, updates to his logo, and the problem with the phrase "Fake It Till You Make It." Follow Matt and Crop on Instagram and find more information about the conference at cropcons.com.
Questions for this interview.
- (Listener Question) As the founder and creator of Crop, what do you hope people take away from attending Crop?
- What do you look for when putting together the lineup of keynote speakers for the conference?
- Can you think of a friendship that wouldn't exist without Instagram?
- In your Medium article titled Designer Dysmorphia, you mention feeling inadequate. Do you still struggle with that feeling today?
- In your opinion, what's wrong with the phrase "Fake It Till You Make It?"
- What do you think about current graphic design content trends on Instagram?
- You recently redesigned your logo. How did you decide it was time for a change?
- You switched hosting platforms for your portfolio website. Why did you move from Squarespace to Wix Studio?
- How do you decide which projects to feature in your portfolio?
- Did you place a cap on the total number of projects to include on your website?
- You create a lot of designs that revolve around analog audio. Where does the inspiration for those designs come from?
- Is the design for your typeface, Zilker, based on a specific source of inspiration?
- (Listener Question) Do you have beginner tips for someone interested in designing a typeface from scratch?
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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast.
If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.
Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].
Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.
The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.
Daphna Sebbane – Social Media, Tattoo Passes, and Having Your Artwork Stolen – Ep8
Students of Design
07/31/24 • 34 min
Daphna is a designer living in Austin, TX, focused on visual design, product design, and illustration. Known as the Queen of Occult, her illustrations draw inspiration from traditional American tattoos, the occult, and mysticism—expect lots of skulls, snakes, and hands. Despite having close to 100K Instagram followers, she experiences some of the same struggles the rest of us do, like the difficulty of building a portfolio and the fear of sharing your work online. Tune in for a talk about leveraging social media, licensing your artwork, and people who use your designs without permission. You can find Daphna's artwork on Instagram, merch on her online store, and more work samples on her website.
Questions for this interview.
- Is Queen of Occult a nickname you embrace?
- Do you ever feel any pressure from being labeled that way by other designers?
- Does the thought of your work being too consistent ever cross your mind?
- How much of your independent work comes from platforms like Instagram and Dribbble?
- What advice do you have for people who want to leverage social media for independent work but are worried their work isn't good enough to share?
- How do you typically move communication with a potential client off social media and start to onboard them?
- Does the response to your work and comments about your work on social media make you more confident as a designer?
- How do you maintain such a high level of output for your artwork?
- Does the style of your independent work ever creep into your designs at your full-time job?
- Can you explain what a Tattoo Pass is and tell us the story behind it?
- Do people steal your work often? How does it make you feel when that happens?
- Do you have any advice for someone who might find themselves in a similar situation?
- How do you handle ownership of the artwork you create? Do you license the artwork for specific uses and a limited time, or do you transfer all ownership rights to the client?
- What are some of the things that made you weird as a kid?
- If you had to give up one thing from your illustrations, would it be snakes, skulls, or hands?
- Do you know the name of the typeface used on your portfolio website?
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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast.
If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.
Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].
Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.
The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.
Wendy Carnegie – Working at Pentagram, Creative Community, and Women in Design – Ep7
Students of Design
07/17/24 • 53 min
Wendy is an Owner and Creative Director of Lewis Carnegie, a multi-discipline design studio in Austin, TX. She's created work for The University of Texas, The Harry Ransom Center, Home Slice Pizza, Austin Batcave, and many others. She's also recognized as a FELLOW by AIGA Austin and served as vice president for the chapter. Wendy and her husband (Sean) are pillars of the creative community in Austin, and Lewis Carnegie has a long history of hosting fantastic design events—and that is exactly where we met. Tune in for a talk about making yourself valuable, getting involved in the creative community, and women in design. You can find samples of Wendy's work at lewiscarnegie.com.
Questions for this interview.
- (Listener Question) How do you know when the project you're working on is complete?
- You met your partner Sean in Maine—how did you end up there?
- What are some of the big takeaways from working at Pentagram?
- Ideally, what do your relationships with clients look like, and what do you care about most when choosing to work with someone?
- Why is it important to you for Lewis Carnegie to host events for the design community and welcome people with open arms?
- What do you think students and young professionals can do to feel like they belong to the design community?
- Do you have any advice for someone struggling to combine typefaces successfully?
- What are the essential skills you're looking for when you hire someone?
- How do you think the design industry has changed for women since the late 1990s?
- Are there any areas where you won't compromise or allow yourself to settle for something less than a specific standard?
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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast.
If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.
Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].
Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.
The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.
Sarah Acevedo – Murals, Lettering, and Color – Ep16
Students of Design
11/20/24 • 56 min
Sarah is an illustrator, lettering artist, and muralist living in Austin, Texas. In 2019, she gave her two weeks' notice, left the corporate design world (USAA), and started Wild Vine Creative. For the past few years, her focus has been creating murals, and her artwork features organic shapes, an earthy color palette, and wildflowers like globemallow, fall aster, and bluebonnets. Don't be surprised if you spot some food and plant puns, too! Tune in for a talk about growing up in a military family, deciding to leave a full-time job to become an independent illustrator and muralist, and tips for lettering with a paintbrush. You can see her artwork and process videos on Instagram and buy stickers, cards, and prints on her website.
Questions for this interview.
- You grew up in a military family and moved a lot. Was art (or making art) important to you during that time?
- Did you grow up with siblings?
- Hypothetically, do you think you would be more or less creative if you didn't grow up with a brother?
- Did you have a good experience at Columbia College Chicago?
- Did you feel prepared to find an entry-level design job after you finished design school?
- For many of us, one design professor changed how we view the world. Did anyone make that kind of impact on you?
- You started Wild Vine Creative in 2019—why did you decide to branch out of your own?
- What do you remember about giving your two weeks' notice? How did you feel about taking that leap?
- Did you have a mentor or ask anyone for advice before making that decision?
- Why do murals draw you in and make you want to create them?
- Can you explain some of the art transfer methods used to create murals?
- How intimidated were you by the idea of painting large murals?
- Is there anything about murals that you still find intimidating or makes you nervous?
- Did you find Lauren Hom's course "Mural Painting for Designers" helpful?
- Do you have beginner-friendly tips for achieving clean lines and smooth curves when painting letterforms with a paintbrush?
- You added two new colors to your color palette. Where did the inspiration for those colors come from?
- What are some of your favorite native wildflowers or cacti?
- Is there a story behind your mural inspired by Otomi patterns?
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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast.
If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.
Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].
Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.
The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.
Bryony Gomez-Palacio – Calculated Risk, Designing for Designers, and Letting Go of Perfection – Ep17
Students of Design
12/04/24 • 61 min
Bryony is a designer, author, and co-founder of UnderConsideration—a graphic design firm in Bloomington, Indiana. Over the last two decades, Bryony has managed the behind-the-scenes of various initiatives with her husband, Armin Vit, including Brand New (the blog), Brand New Conference, First Round, a bunch of other blogs, a podcast, and they've published five books including Graphic Design Referenced. Bryony is the type of person who comes up with a wild idea that seems impossible but always finds a way to make it a reality. It (legit) could be magic, but I bet it's because she has more follow-through than anyone I've ever met. She's serious about most things, like enough to know she's usually TOO serious, and she's the mastermind behind the ridiculously well-crafted conference materials at the Brand New Conference. IYKYK. Tune in for a talk about the perfect combination of confidence and self-doubt, designing for a critical audience, and the most dangerous day of her year. Check out UnderConsideration on Behance for excellent examples of how you can document your process, and visit UnderConsideration.com for more information about everything she does.
Questions for this interview.
- Why is quality so important to you?
- Who has a more critical eye between you and Armin?
- What are some of your considerations, or how do you decide it's the right time to conclude a project?
- Why archive and preserve all of your concluded projects? Why do you keep them all intact online?
- Can you talk about the perfect formula of being confident in your abilities but having self-doubt?
- I heard you say the fear of failure is your biggest motivator. Do you still feel that way today?
- In 2016, you held the Brand New Conference in Amsterdam. Do you consider that event a failure according to your standards?
- How does designing for a critical, tough crowd like designers inspire your work?
- You believe one specific day of the year is more dangerous than the rest. Can you tell us which day it is and explain why for you?
- When a vendor can't help you bring an idea to life, you always find a way to do it yourself. Where do you think your drive comes from?
- How difficult is it for you—someone who obsesses over the details—to let go of perfection and allow yourself to accept and embrace the final output when there are imperfections?
- What are the speakers you choose for your conferences doing to stand out? Are there any common threads or characteristics you look for when making those decisions?
- Between you and Armin, who has more technically sound InDesign files?
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If you LIKE what you hear, please subscribe and keep listening. Sharing this episode with someone is the best way to support the podcast.
If you LOVE what you hear and want to help me keep the interviews coming—consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.
Also, I'm always looking for questions from listeners. If there's a burning question you want to hear answered on the podcast, please email it to me at [email protected].
Follow @studentsofdesignpod on Instagram for updates, episode drops, and behind-the-scenes content.
The music you hear on the podcast is Accident by Timothy Infinite and PUSH !T by Nbhd Nick.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Students of Design have?
Students of Design currently has 26 episodes available.
What topics does Students of Design cover?
The podcast is about Graphic Design, Illustration, Interview, Design, Graphic Designer, Freelance, Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Education and Arts.
What is the most popular episode on Students of Design?
The episode title 'Ash Phillips – Scarcity Mindset, Setting Boundaries, and Planning for Creative Standstills – Ep12' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Students of Design?
The average episode length on Students of Design is 56 minutes.
How often are episodes of Students of Design released?
Episodes of Students of Design are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Students of Design?
The first episode of Students of Design was released on May 19, 2024.
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