Matt Dawson – Authenticity, Graphic Design “Influencers,” and Slab Serifs – Ep9

Explicit content warning

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.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.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?

---

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.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com

Previous Episode

Daphna Sebbane – Social Media, Tattoo Passes, and Having Your Artwork Stolen – Ep8

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.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com

Next Episode

Jason Craig – “Mind the Gap,” Working for Yourself, and Selling Chicken Bones – Ep10

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.

studentsofdesign.simplecast.com