Advertise on podcast: The Typecast: Grow Your Art Business

Send us Fan Mail This week we’re joined by Zachary Winterton, a creative director based in Portland, Oregon, who you’ve probably already seen teaching design on TikTok. Zachary has built a huge following breaking down design history and sharing design case studies in short-form video, all while working full-time as a creative director. We get into how he taught himself design, how he made the jump from a marketing career into full-time design, and how a genuine friendship led to his first big agency job, eventually designing for brands like Nike and Jordan. We also dig into the content side of his career: why he started making TikToks back in 2019, how his content format has evolved over the years, why he thinks of content as a “future opportunities machine,” and how he’s worked through the ego and view count pressure that comes with posting consistently. Plus a preview of what he’ll be speaking about at this year’s Kernference. Grab your ticket here: https://thekernference.com All that and more when you listen to this episode: How Zachary taught himself design without going to art schoolHis path from a marketing career into full-time designWhy he takes time to mentor designers who reach out to himJuggling a full-time creative director role with content creationHow his TikTok journey started with daily Photoshop tipsEvolving his content format over the years, from tutorials to design case studiesWorking through ego and view-count pressureWhy being on camera is his least favorite part of making contentConnect with Zachary Winterton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharywinterton/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zacharywinterton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharywinterton/ Mentioned in this episode: Laundry Service Creative AgencyThe KernferenceConnect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail This week we’re joined by illustrator, studio owner, and self-described “friendly dad” Brad Woodard of Brave the Woods (and the massively popular kids’ channel Brave Kids Club). We get into how a pandemic side project turned into a YouTube channel with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, what happened when a nature short went unexpectedly viral, and why Brad dropped “art” from the channel name. Brad also shares his approach to teaching kids to draw, how he balances giving them structure with leaving room for their own creativity, and why so many kids stop calling themselves “artists” somewhere around second or third grade. We also talk about texture, and why too much texture can sometimes mask a weak drawing. Plus a candid conversation about what it actually takes to keep a creative business afloat when you’re juggling client work, a studio, two YouTube channels, books, and a podcast: including the reality of what a kids’ channel with millions of views actually pays. All that and more when you listen to this episode: Where the idea for Brave Kids Club came from How one viral short changed the direction of the channelWhy dropping “art” from the name helped the channel growHow Brad teaches kids to draw with structure while protecting their creativityWhy kids stop identifying as “artists” The difference between running a solo illustration practice and calling it a studioWhat Brad’s dream illustration projects actually look likeWhy teaching and sharing your process can position you as an expert, even before you feel like oneThe “reps, not results” mindset for showing up on social media without burning out Connect with Brad Woodard Instagram: https://instagram.com/brave_the_woods Brave the Woods: bravethewoods.com Brave Kids Club: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBraveKidsClub Mentioned in this episode: Creative Slash Podcast“Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman” by Richard FeynmanWild KrattsJason MunnMark Kistler / Imagination StationThe Monster Project Emily Ballsley on the Creative Slash PodcastThe Ocean Explorer’s Drawing Guide for KidsThe Dinosaur Explorer’s Drawing Guide for KidsThe Nature Explorer’s Drawing Guide for KidsConnect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail We’re back from a little hiatus, and we’re kicking things off with Christina Kwiek of X and Co., a lettering, illustration, and branding studio based in Brooklyn. Christina walks us through her path from a childhood spent training as a ballerina to a last-minute pivot into art school, and how she’s found her way back to ballet as an adult, just for the joy of it. We get into the reality of freelancing for the last 8 years: the moment she quit a full-time job for a one-month freelance gig, the ebbs and flows that never fully go away, and how her slow seasons have actually led to some of her biggest projects.  If you’ve ever wondered whether you have to hustle nonstop or post every day to build a creative business, this episode is a really honest look at another way to do it.  All that and more when you listen to this episode: Christina’s jump from ballet to art  schoolWhy she quit her job for a one-month freelance contractThe ebbs and flows of 8 years of freelancingHow slow seasons have led to her biggest projectsInside her business: branding, murals, and licensingWhere her clients actually find her (Instagram, Pinterest, and cold outreach)How cold outreach has changed, and why she still does itWhy she stepped back from posting and treats Instagram like a portfolioFinding cohesive creative style without forcing it Connect with Christina Kwiek Instagram Mentioned in this episode: X and Co. The Kernference 2026  Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype @ilanagriffo Keep the conversation going on Slack Learn more about Art Licensing with Goodtype Grow your art licensing portfolio with 5 free prompts! Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business! Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail What if your subtitles could whisper or shout, just like the person speaking? That’s exactly what Frederik Merkel (aka Freddi) is building. We met Freddi at South by Southwest and were instantly blown away by his startup, Phont, which is developing expressive caption technology that analyzes audio and translates it into dynamic, emotionally-expressive subtitles. Think kinetic type but automated, accessible, and built for real content. In this episode, we dig into the full story: how Freddi went from finishing a master’s thesis in type design to co-founding a startup with no business experience and what it really takes to go from concept to product. We also get deep into the neuroscience side of things: synesthesia, aphantasia, the Ira Glass gap, and how understanding different brains perceive the world shaped Freddi’s research from the very beginning. All that and more when you listen to this episode: How Freddi’s master’s thesis became a startup ideaWhat expressive captions are and why they matterThe transition from type designer to co-founderHow Phont navigated public funding in GermanyBuilding demos without a parametric font (yet)The Phont Adobe plugin that’s coming soonSynesthesia research and how it shaped the font design processHow to support or pilot Phont right nowConnect with Frederik Merkel Phont: https://phont.ai/  Phont on IG: https://www.instagram.com/phont.official/  Freddi on IG: https://www.instagram.com/freddimerkuri/  Freddi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederik-merkel-design/  Mentioned in this episode: Phont: https://phont.ai/Michael Havakamp - Synesthetic DesignMelanie Scheer - AphantasiaOHno Type CompanyConnect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail She’s been a fine art major, a print designer, a Barbie packaging designer at Mattel, a surface pattern designer, an art licensing exhibitor, and, for the past 10 years, an artist coach. In this episode, we sit with Jeanetta Gonzales, Ilana’s first art licensing mentor, for a conversation that goes way beyond business strategy. We’re talking about the long, winding road of building a creative career, what it was actually like to exhibit at art licensing trade shows, and why the seeds you plant at a show might not sprout for years. Jeanetta also shares all about her brand new book series, Free Pass, four illustrated coupon books published with Chronicle that are essentially permission slips for creatives, workers, resters, and parents. The creativity book was born directly out of her coaching work after she noticed that the moment she gave an artist the green light, everything changed. If you’ve felt stuck in a creative funk, wondered if your winding career path was “wrong,” or needed someone to just give you permission to rest, this one’s for you. All that and more when you listen to this episode: How Jeanetta went from UCLA fine art major to Barbie packaging designer at MattelStumbling into art licensing and what Surtex was (and why it mattered)Whether art licensing trade shows are still worth it, and what the long game really looks likeWhat it’s actually like to design and work on a trade show booth The story behind her new book series, Free PassHow she illustrated 72 pieces in the middle of a cross-country moveWorking with ADHD: procrastination, pressure, and finally getting it doneWhy your environment has more impact on your creativity than you thinkBeing honest about being in a creative funk, and not rushing to fix itHer plans to rebrand for the first time in 10 years  Connect with Jeanetta Gonzales Website: https://www.jeanettagonzales.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nettdesigns  Free Pass Book Series: https://www.jeanettagonzales.com/freepasscoupons  Jeanetta select client work: NY Times, Pantone, Target, Michaels, Edible Arrangements, and Brumate. Mentioned in this episode: Free Pass, Jeanetta’s 4-book series Surtex (art licensing trade show) National Stationery Show Las Vegas Trade Show Upper Limit Challenge (concept from The Big Leap) Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail What does it actually look like to build a creative business that works for you, not the other way around? In this episode, we’re joined by the incredible Liz Kohler Brown, a surface designer, letterer, and mentor for creatives who want to sell their work and find their style. Liz has built a business that looks like it’s all her, but the secret is a thoughtfully built team that handles everything so she can focus on what she loves most: making art. We talk about the real strategy behind print on demand, how to hire people you actually like working with, and why front-loading the investment in training pays off in ways you can’t imagine. We also get into the AI conversation, how Liz thinks about it with a level head and why she’s not worried about it replacing her. If you ever felt like you’re doing all the things but can’t find the time to just make? This episode is for you. All that and more when you listen to this episode: Liz’s journey from ceramics to print on demand and why the iPad changed everythingWhy print on demand platforms aren’t saturated (but certain search terms are)How to use SEO to plan what art you make (before you make it)The Venn diagram method for finding your profitable nicheThe real cost of not hiring and the books that will change your mindWhy you should hire for personality first and train the skillsThe membership breakdown: trend reports, live critiques, and real-time creation sessionsLiz’s dream greenhouse studio Connect with Liz Kohler Brown LizKohlerBrown.com  https://instagram.com/lizkohlerbrown  Sell Your Stuff Guide: https://www.lizkohlerbrown.com/sell-your-stuff-field-guide/  Mentioned in this episode: SpoonflowerEtsyMintedBuy Back Your Time by Dan MartellWho Not How by Dan SullivanInsight Timer (free meditation app)10% HappierMeditation for Fidgety Skeptics by Dan HarrisConnect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what’s actually running behind the scenes of a creative business? We’re pulling back the curtain. In this episode, we’re breaking down every tool and platform we use to run Goodtype. From our website and course platform to payroll, bookkeeping, email marketing, and everything in between. We’re keeping it real: what we love, what gives us the sweats (hi, Zapier), and how we built a functional system over time without losing our minds. All that and more when you listen to this episode: Why we use Squarespace for our website How ThriveCart, Stripe, and PayPal all work together for course salesWhat we landed on to host our courses and The KernferenceHow we use Notion to manage everything, and our A/B/C priority systemOur all-day-every-day communication hubThe Adobe Acrobat Spaces features we’re genuinely nerding out overWhat we use to automate and communicate between our different appsOur banking setup Our email marketing breakdownUsing DM automations and scheduling toolsPodcast recording and hosting faves Email inbox management using ShiftOur honest (and very curious) thoughts on AI workflowsMentioned in this episode: Try Acrobat Spaces! https://goodtype.us/acrobat #adSquarespace Kate Christy at Folk FoundedNolan Pelletier ThriveCartCircleOur Notion Dashboard TemplateAdobe Creative CloudZapierNovoBenchGustoKit (formerly ConvertKit)FlodeskManyChatAdobe ExpressMetricoolRiversideBuzzsproutShift for Email ManagementConnect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sat down with Tom Foley, Executive Creative Director at Monotype–the biggest type company in the world–for a conversation that went way deeper than we planned (in the best possible way). From his family’s legacy of stonemasons and sign painters to his graduate research on Irish typography, Tom gave us an entirely new lens through which to see typography. We also dig into the big questions: what actually makes good type, how type trends work (and why they’re so hard to predict), what Monotype’s research reveals, and where variable fonts are actually landing in the world. All that and more when you listen to this episode: The fascinating origin story of what we now call Irish typeWhat makes good typeWhether design knowledge and historical context make you better or worse at type designWhat Monotype’s research reveals about purchasing habits across generationsWhether giving users more font choice in apps is actually what people want (or need)Type as a deeply human invention–linked to language, identity, and cultureConnect with Tom Foley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom_foley_type/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-foley-75062158/  Mentioned in this episode: Monotype https://www.monotype.com/ Monotype’s ReVision Report 2025 https://www.monotype.com/resources/ebook/unlock-report-revision-2025 Montotype’s Report 2024 https://www.monotype.com/resources/ebook/unlock-report-type-trends-2024 What the font https://www.myfonts.com/pages/whatthefont Brethren Brothers https://www.brethrendesignco.com/ Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail What does it actually look like to run a thriving creative business? One with branding projects, murals, fonts, and a coffee company in the mix?! In this episode, we’re joined by the endlessly curious and wildly productive Adam Vicarel, who is proof that creative experimentation paired with smart systems can take you a long way. Whether you’re figuring out how to balance creative freedom with financial stability, trying to find the headspace for things that aren’t immediately due, or just wondering if LinkedIn is worth your time, this one’s for you. All that and more when you listen to this episode: How Adam structures his day using the Pomodoro Technique (and why creatives need structure to be creative)The “be everywhere, always” approach to marketing and why it’s really just being authentically top of mindHow to build passive income streams without overthinking them firstFont sales, SEO, and why Adam’s “little turd fonts” now pay his mortgage Why financial stability is the foundation for creative experimentationThe $100k conversation: what it actually means and why it looks different for everyoneBatching content and staying consistent on social mediaRaising rates with confidence: what it signals to clients and why it matters Project management and getting ideas out of your head so they stop taking up space Connect with Adam Vicarel Website: https://www.adamvicarel.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicarelstudios/ Coffee Company: https://www.instagram.com/allclevelandcoffee/  Mentioned in this episode: Follow Your Art BookPomodoro TechniqueBrethren Design Co.AsanaConnect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a journalist from Venezuela becomes a self-taught designer, typeface foundry founder, and curator of one of the most ambitious graphic design exhibitions in recent memory? You get Lope Gutiérrez-Ruiz, and our conversation with him does not disappoint.  Lope is a partner and project lead at In-House International, a design studio and typeface foundry. He’s also a TED Fellow, a Knight Fellow at Stanford, and the curator behind One Hundred Points. In this episode, we dig into what it actually looks like to build a creative practice rooted in curiosity and systems–not just style. Lope shares his take on design rules (and whether you should bother learning them) and how his journalism background still shapes every creative decision he makes. We also get into the realities of working with nonprofits, font piracy, and how he pulled off a massive exhibition without taking a sabbatical.  All that and more when you listen to this episode:  How Lope went from journalist to publisher to self-taught designer and typeface founderWhy being self-taught may actually be a creative advantage His philosophy on design rules, systems, and building a practice around curiosity The studio structure at In-House International The truth about font piracy and typeface licensingHow One Hundred Points came to be and why he thinks every designer should participate in an exhibitionTips for funding a creative exhibition through sponsorshipsThe “Alphabet of Tomorrow” talk at South by Southwest  Connect with Lope In-House International: weareinhouse.com Instagram: weareinhouseOne Hundred Points Exhibition: onehundredpoints.org  Mentioned in this episode: Run Studio Run https://nopicnicpress.com/shop/run-studio-run South by Southwest, “Alphabet of Tomorrow” talk, March 18, 2026 https://schedule.sxsw.com/events/PP1150035 Follow Your Art by Katie Johnson & Ilana Griffo (book releasing March 17th!) https://goodtype.us/follow-your-art-book Book Launch Event @ Roommate Collective at Springdale General, Austin: March 18th, 5-8pmTactical Guide to Sponsorship PDFConnect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail “Finding your style” is the number one question we get asked, and the one we’ve asked ourselves for years. In this episode, we’re diving into the real question behind it: what if it’s not about finding a single aesthetic… but about uncovering your creative identity?  We’re celebrating the announcement of our new book, Follow Your Art, and sharing why we wrote it, what you’ll find inside, and how the entire process changed the way we think about style, niching, and creative confidence. We talk about why committing to one aesthetic can feel like a cage, why effortless ideas are often your most authentic ones, and how your “secret sauce” is built from everything.  We also unpack our take on “niching out, not down,” how to write an artist statement that actually feels like you, and how to market your work without feeling gross. All that and more when you listen to this episode: Why “How do I find my style?” might be the wrong questionThe difference between style and creative identity Why committing to one aesthetic feels terrifying (and limiting) The ice cream shop metaphor that reframes everythingHow to identify your creative “secret sauce” Why what feels effortless might actually be your magicThe role of childhood memories, relationships, and non-art influences in shaping your workWhat “niching out, not down” really meansWhat it was like to co-write a book over several yearsWhy creative work doesn’t have to feel hard to be valuableAnd so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Follow Your Art (our new book!) https://goodtype.us/follow-your-art-book Free audiobook with pre-order https://goodtype.us/follow-your-art-book Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239923273-follow-your-art Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail Pre-order our book, Follow Your Art! https://goodtype.us/follow-your-art-book In this episode, we’re joined by illustrator, designer, and letterer, Lisa McCormick who is celebrating 10 years of full-time freelancing and doing it her way! Lisa shares how she’s built a career working with major brands without being loud online or glued to every social media platform. We talk about why personal projects are often the reason dream clients come knocking, how curiosity and experimentation have shaped her signature style, and why being “quiet” online doesn’t mean being invisible.  We also get real about freelancing and burnout and what it looks like to intentionally design a workday (and life) that actually feels good. From color obsession phases and travel-inspired projects to co-working for mental health, this episode is packed with honest insights for creatives navigating long-term careers. If you’ve ever felt pressure to show up louder, work longer, or sacrifice yourself to success, this conversation is a reminder that there are many ways to build a fulfilling creative life. All that and more when you listen to this episode: What 10 years of freelancing has taught LisaWhy personal projects are her biggest source of paid client workHow curiosity and experimentation lead to unexpected opportunitiesBooking major clients without constantly posting or self-promotingThe difference between growing a following and growing a careerFinding and developing a signature illustration styleThe realities of art theft, Pinterest virality, and protecting your workWhy bigger clients often allow more creative freedomBuilding healthier workdays and boundaries, breaks, and balanceConnect with Lisa McCormick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madebylisamarie/  Website: https://madebylisamarie.com/  Behance: https://www.behance.net/LisaMcCormick Mentioned in this episode: Chicago BearsMarine LayerPBSDribbbleAdobe MAX Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re joined by illustrator, letterer, and YouTuber Chris Piascik for a wide-ranging conversation about building a creative career without a grid master plan and why showing up consistently can change everything.  Chris shares how a daily challenge that started as a way to reconnect with drawing quietly became the foundation of his entire career. We talk about what it means to play the long game as a creative, how personal work can naturally lead to apid opportunities, and why focusing on making matters more than chasing the perfect strategy.  We also dig into YouTube as a creative outlet and income stream, how Chris balances client work with products and content creation, and the realities of building systems that work with (not against) an ADHD brain. From style evolution and experimentation to shipping physical products and dealing with internet opinions, this episode is packed with honest insights and plenty of laughs. All that and more when you listen to this episode: How a daily drawing habit shaped Chris’s entire careerWhy personal work and client work can feel like the same thingThe unexpected path from illustrator to YouTuberCreating structure and rules to stay consistentWhat actually helps your style evolve over timeWhy making more work matters more than making “perfect” workBuilding income beyond client projects through products and contentThe realities of running an online shopWhat makes YouTube different from other social platformsLetting curiosity, experimentation, and fun lead the wayConnect with Chris Piascik Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrispiascik/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chris-piascik  Website:https://www.chrispiascik.com/  Shop: https://www.chrispiascik.com/shop  Mentioned in this episode: Follow Your Art Book: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/follow-your-art_9781419776823/SkillshareAdobe FrescoProcreateTom Froese (illustration improv exercises) Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with designer Josh Jevons to discuss what it actually looks like to build a sustainable creative career without burning out, cold-pitching nonstop, or doing everything yourself. We also get into real-world outreach strategies, including walking trade shows, pitching without being salesy, and why face-to-face connections still matter. Along the way, we talk packaging, brand strategy, work-life balance, and designing systems that allow you to grow without burning out. If you’re a designer who wants better clients, better collaboration, and a career that supports your life–not the other way around–this one’s for you. All that and more when you listen to this episode: Making the shift from agency work to independent freelancingWhy complementary skill sets matter more than hiring “another you”Building a flexible, collaborative, creative teamThe role of brand strategy in effective (not just beautiful) designPricing, budgets, and scaling process without cutting value What designers don’t learn in school, but learn fast on the jobOutreach strategies that actually feel humanHow to talk to potential clients without feeling awkward or salesyConnect with Joshua Jevons Website: https://www.jevonsdesign.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuajevons_design/  Yeah Brother’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeahbrother.co/  Mentioned in this episode: Rochester Institute of Technology https://www.rit.edu/ Yeah Brother https://yeahbrother.co/ Adobe MAX https://www.adobe.com/max.html AIGA https://www.aiga.org/ Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us Fan Mail What happens when two brothers decide to stop overthinking it and build a design studio around the kind of work they actually want to make? In this episode, we’re joined by Jordan and Jeremy Coon of Brethren Design Co., a two-person studio built on trust, contrast, and a shared love of making things that are fun, expressive, and a little chaotic (in the best way). We discuss what it’s really like to work with family, how they naturally fell into different roles, and why embracing each other’s strengths has been key to their success. We also dig into how they educate clients, move past the “I just need a logo” mindset, and create space for projects that don’t neatly fit into one box, from branding and packaging to fonts, board games, and beyond. Along the way, they share honest insight from quitting their day jobs, navigating LinkedIn as designers, and why doing work you genuinely enjoy tends to attract the right opportunities.  All that and more when you listen to this episode: What it’s like building a studio with your sibling How different creative strengths naturally turn into clear business rolesThe chaos vs. structure dynamic and why both are necessaryWhen and how they decided to quit their full-time jobsWhy educating clients is a designer’s responsibility How showing process helps clients understand valueWhy they don’t niche themselves into a single categoryHow fun, personality-driven work attracts the right clients Why they removed pressure from fonts by not tying them to revenue goalsCold outreach, long-game visibility, and unexpected referralsDesigning a full board game and how that opportunity came togetherLetting curiosity lead to new creative directions Connect with Brethren Design Co. Website: https://www.brethrendesignco.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brethrendesignco/  Mentioned in this episode: Chicken and the WolfSliced Beer Four Fathers (Website Design) Joe MooreVision Board KitSolid RootsMind the GapNetflix Project Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the show Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype Learn from Katie and Ilana Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!