Send us a text Graphic design for film might be one of the coolest creative jobs you’ve never heard of, and today’s guest, Gina Alessi, is here to break it down. From making Civil War-era bedspreads to designing posters in under two hours, Gina shares what it’s really like to work behind the scenes of film and TV production as a graphic designer. We dive into the surprisingly misunderstood world of design in the art department, the lightning-fast timelines of production work, and why a poster yo...
Jun 10, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 54
Send us a text What actually goes on behind the scenes of a 1-million-follower art account? In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like for us to manage one of the biggest creative communities on Instagram. Joining us this episode is our teammate Emily (who wears many hats, from social media management to content strategist and Notion organization wizard), We’re digging into the strategy, challenges, and surprises that come with running an account of this size. From our ear...
May 27, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 53
Send us a text We’re getting real in this episode, talking openly about what it means to be a creative with mental health struggles, from panic attacks and perfectionism to ADHD and burnout. Whether you’ve felt overwhelmed by your to-do list, stuck chasing an impossible standard, or just totally unmotivated and scattered, you’re not alone. And you’re not broken. In this heart-to-heart episode, we’re sharing how our own brains work (and sometimes how they work against us), how we’ve found ways to...
May 13, 2025•46 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Send us a text In this episode of The Typecast, hosts Katie and Ilana sit down with designer and longtime YouTube creator Will Paterson to explore what it really takes to build a sustainable creative career in today’s ever-evolving digital world. If you've searched YouTube for design tips in the past decade, you've likely come across Will’s work. With over 1,000 videos to his name, he shares how he's remained consistent, grounded, and mission-driven—without chasing trends or compromising his val...
Apr 29, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 51
Send us a text What happens when two artists post on Instagram every weekday for an entire month? Spoiler: No viral fame, but they did book a DREAM client. 👇🏻 In this episode, Katie and Ilana dive into their recent social media experiment–sharing what it was really like to show up online five days a week for 30 days straight. From burnout and boundary-setting to unexpected wins and data deep-dives, this conversation is packed with honest reflections about showing up as creatives in a digital w...
Apr 15, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 50
Send us a text The past few years have been a rollercoaster of hard lessons learned, creativity, and pivots. In this episode, we’re peeling back the curtain with Krissy Mast, sharing her struggles with creative burnout after building a 7-figure design business and how she redefined success by deciding to close the doors and start fresh. From the projects that lit her up to the ones that drained her, Krissy gets REAL about what it means to build a sustainable creative business (again). We’ll also...
Apr 01, 2025•46 min•Season 2Ep. 49
Send us a text In this episode, Katie and Ilana talk with Radim Malinic, a creative powerhouse whose journey spans graphic design, music, branding, publishing and building a business that celebrates visual storytelling. Radim opens up about how naivety fueled his early career, the challenges of burnout, and the pivotal role of self-acceptance in finding balance. His story emphasizes the importance of defining your “enough” and shifting focus from external validation to purposeful creativity. Thi...
Mar 18, 2025•58 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Send us a text Building a creative career is one thing—making it sustainable (without burning yourself out) is another. In this episode, we sit down with Kate Smith, an artist and author who’s proof that you can build a thriving creative business without selling your soul. We talk about the power of embracing silliness, the realities of mass-market licensing, and why betting on yourself is the best investment you’ll ever make. We also get real about the challenges of working with clients, stayin...
Mar 04, 2025•55 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Send us a text The idea of having your art sold in retail stores across the country sounds like a dream, right? Big and small retailers carrying your work, more exposure, and (hopefully) more income. But what does it actually take to sell your art wholesale–and is it the right path for you? In this episode, we’re joined by Katie Hunt, founder of Proof to Product, to break down everything artists and product-based business owners need to know about wholesale. Katie has helped THOUSANDS of brands ...
Feb 18, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Send us a text Can two artists build a $100K art business in one year? In this episode, Katie and Ilana share their unfiltered journey as they create and conquer bold experiments to combine their love for art and education into a thriving creative business. We’re breaking down the numbers, setting actionable goals, and sharing how we’re blending freelancing and art licensing to find a sustainable rhythm between creativity and entrepreneurship. From brainstorming income streams to redefining what...
Feb 04, 2025•48 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Send us a text This past year has felt like a total sprint—so much has happened, and it flew by in the blink of an eye. In this episode, we’re hitting pause to reflect on the highlights, the hiccups, and how we’ve grown as creatives and entrepreneurs. We’re sharing the moments that made us feel on top of the world, the challenges that tested our limits, and the lessons we’ve learned about chasing creative fulfillment (and why it’s so important). We also talk about the art of pitching yourself (b...
Dec 17, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Send us a text In this episode, we chat with Amy and Jen of Hoodzpah Design about dream jobs, type design, running a small studio, and pretty much everything in between. From navigating the ups and downs of your creative process to type design and balancing multiple income streams. The duo shares a light on what happens behind the scenes with a side of real talk about balancing big-picture projects and everyday hustle. Whether you’re here for the design inspo, the laughs, or the monster truck an...
Dec 10, 2024•44 min•Ep. 43
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Jamie Clarke, a designer who's worn all the hats—from web design to founding his own type foundry. Jamie opens up about the power of community and how networking played a pivotal role in his creative journey. He also takes us through his evolution as a designer and gets real about the financial side of type design. Plus, we dive into a hot topic: AI and its growing impact on typography. Packed with insights on navigating the ups and downs of a des...
Nov 26, 2024•54 min•Ep. 42
Send us a text In this episode, Katie and Ilana catch up with graphic designer and type aficionado Harbor Bickmore, as he takes us through his journey from design student to thriving type designer. Harbor breaks down the delicate balance between passion projects and making a living, the hurdles of marketing and selling fonts, and the importance of knowing what your audience wants and needs. He also gives us a sneak peek into his future ventures and offers some insight into how he has navigated t...
Nov 12, 2024•41 min•Ep. 41
Send us a text In this episode, Katie and Ilana sit down with Annica Lydenberg, aka Dirty Bandits and explore her creative journey through lettering, sign painting, and mural art. Annica also shares about her co-founded non-profit, the deeply personal “You Are Not Alone” Mural Project. Throughout her work, her dedication to her craft, community, and making meaningful connections is always front and center. Whether she’s working on her yearly calendar project or hosting themed dinners, Annica pro...
Oct 29, 2024•49 min•Ep. 40
Send us a text In this episode, we dive deep into the creative mind of Andy J. Pizza—author, illustrator, and podcaster—who shares his journey of staying true to himself in a world where commercial pressures often feel at odds with personal expression. Andy shares how he navigates the balance between creativity and business. His disciplined yet playful approach is a powerful reminder that each stumble, awkward phase, and clumsy attempt is an essential part of finding your voice—and, more importa...
Oct 15, 2024•58 min•Ep. 39
Send us a text In this episode, Katie and Ilana chat with the artist behind their podcast art, Matthijs Herzberg. Matthijs is a self-taught type designer and artist in New Orleans. This conversation dives into the world of type design, and a little Mardi Gras. The discussion also covers valuable learning resources, some truths about time management, and balancing client work with personal projects. Matthijs shares insights into his income distribution between font sales and client work, and delv...
Oct 01, 2024•44 min•Ep. 38
Send us a text In this episode, Ilana and Katie chat with Lauren Hom, a celebrated freelance artist renowned for her distinctive lettering style and entrepreneurial prowess. Lauren is known for combining her passion for lettering with culinary arts, creating a unique recipe of creativity and business. Lauren shares her insights into the creative process, entrepreneurship, and how her unexpected hobbies influence her work. She’s all about monetizing your passions and finding ways to explore your ...
Sep 17, 2024•58 min•Ep. 37
Send us a text In this episode, Ilana and Katie get real about the tricky balance between productivity, creativity, and finding joy in their work and life. They discuss how society’s focus on accomplishment can lead to burnout, and how they’re working to navigate this. Ilana talks about her excitement—and a bit of fear—as she challenges herself to find fulfillment without constantly chasing the next big thing. Katie shares a powerful moment she had in therapy, where she realized her relentless d...
Sep 03, 2024•48 min•Ep. 36
Send us a text In this episode, Ilana and Katie dive into the world of Cymone Wilder, a lettering artist and designer. Cymone shares how working with an agent has positively impacted her career and what that relationship looks like. Cymone also explains her choice to work a full-time job while freelancing, highlighting the stability and benefits it offers. She shares the challenges and perks of freelancing, including managing taxes, insurance, and maintaining a work-life balance. If you’ve been ...
Aug 20, 2024•47 min•Ep. 35
Send us a text In this episode, Ilana and Katie dive into the creative world of book cover design with Art Director, Casey Moses. Casey shares her journey into the field of books and insight into her job as an Art Director at a major publishing house. They explore how book covers influence reader choices, and discuss their favorite genres. The conversation also details Casey’s process for designing book covers, hiring artists, and building a compelling portfolio, all while underscoring the value...
Aug 06, 2024•51 min•Ep. 34
Send us a text In this episode, Ilana and Katie sit down with Scott Fuller, the designer, illustrator, and founder of The Studio Temporary — specializing in crafting compelling brand identities, illustrations, logos, type designs, packaging, and more. Scott discusses the significance of focusing on the end goal and creating timeless, and memorable work. Scott shares the importance of building human connections with clients, the value of interpersonal skills for designers, and the need to incorpo...
Jul 23, 2024•44 min•Ep. 33
Send us a text In this episode, Ilana and Katie delve into the world of diversifying income streams in the creative industry with Jessica Hische, everyone’s favorite OG lettering artist. They discuss the importance of financial stability and how incorporating various revenue streams can contribute to a more robust creative career. From client projects to online classes and book royalties, Jessica shares her experiences and insights on what works best for her and the challenges she has encountere...
Jul 09, 2024•56 min•Ep. 32
Send us a text In this episode, Ilana, Katie, and Fabiola Lara explore the process of passion projects and merging different interests to create unique content. Fabiola shares her experience as an illustrator and content creator, highlighting the importance of finding one's voice and staying authentic on social media. She also addresses navigating burnout, emphasizing self-care and the value of self-teaching in creativity. The conversation touches on cultural influences in creative careers and c...
Jun 25, 2024•51 min•Ep. 31
Send us a text In this episode, Katie, Ilana, and Dan had an animated discussion, explored the idea of introducing oneself with dislikes, dove into the Chicago pizza scene, and shared stories of how MTV and Nickelodeon shaped their creative journeys. Dan delved into his experience uncovering subliminal messages in graphic design and his transition to working with bands and the drag community. The conversation covered the perception of album covers, freelancing challenges, and the importance of c...
Jun 11, 2024•53 min•Ep. 30
Send us a text In this episode, Ilana and Katie dive into the journey of graphic design and illustration with the creative minds behind DKNG Studios, Dan Kuhlken and Nathan Goldman. They cover a wide array of topics, from the importance of creative freedom and the challenges of licensing to the benefits of business diversification. The conversation touches on the delicate balance between fan art and copyright and offers valuable insights for navigating this terrain. Dan and Nathan reflect on the...
May 28, 2024•59 min•Ep. 29
Send us a text In this episode, Ilana, Katie, and Freddie discuss the journey of being a multi-passionate creative and building a design business. They talk about the value of incorporating play and fun into your work. They also discuss the importance of standing up for your ideas even if it means some people won't like you. They highlight writing books, dealing with criticism, building teams, and having a growth mindset as key elements of a creative journey. The conversation also touches on the...
May 14, 2024•53 min•Ep. 28
Send us a text In this episode, Liz Mosley takes on the role of host and interviews Katie and Ilana. Despite living in different parts of the US, they share how they came to collaborate at Goodtype, discussing their journey into leadership roles and the team structure they've developed. This episode emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and embracing weaknesses in entrepreneurship (Katie and Ilana get a little vulnerable too). The conversation centers on the collaborative process, highlig...
Apr 30, 2024•51 min•Ep. 27
Send us a text In this episode, Ilana and Katie talk with Creative Strategist, Lennon Bone from Stop the Starving Artist. They discuss a range of topics related to creativity, music, production, and selling your work. They explore the dynamics of collaboration among musicians, transitioning from unpaid work to paid projects, and the significance of storytelling in artistic expression. They reflect on the importance of prioritization and navigating overthinking, as well as the concept of deliveri...
Apr 16, 2024•48 min•Ep. 26
Send us a text In this episode, Ilana and Elizabeth dive into their experiences in the surface pattern design and art licensing industry. Elizabeth shares her journey from working as an in-house designer to freelancing and licensing her artwork. They discuss the misconceptions about art licensing, the importance of balancing multiple income streams, and the challenges of managing time and energy. The conversation extends to exploring the advantages and difficulties associated with engaging an ag...
Apr 02, 2024•50 min•Ep. 25
