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What does it take to build a creative career while still making time for the things that actually matter?In this episode of Cosmic Sans, I sit down with editorial and graphic designer Kieron Anthony Lewis to talk about his journey from studying video game design to creating beautiful, physical publications — including an ambitious two-year book project celebrating art and culture in Lagos, Nigeria.We get into how fatherhood has changed Kieron’s relationship with work, why designers should embrace AI without forgetting the fundamentals, the nerves that never completely disappear when speaking on stage, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your career is say no.Kieron also shares some great advice for younger designers trying to stand out in an increasingly crowded creative industry, including why following what already works can sometimes keep you from finding your own voice.And toward the end, the conversation gets a little more personal as we talk about family, loss, time, and the importance of making things — and memories — that last.Find Kieron:kieronlewis.comFollow Cosmic Sans for more conversations with artists, designers, and damn good people. 00:00 Meet Kieron Anthony Lewis 01:59 How fatherhood changes everything 06:38 Balancing freelancing, work & family 10:15 From comics and video games to graphic design 14:36 How the design industry has changed 20:19 How Kieron uses AI in his creative workflow 24:59 Raising kids in a world of AI 28:32 Learning to speak confidently on stage 34:25 The power of pausing before you speak 41:18 Designing a massive book about Lagos 45:59 Where Kieron finds freelance clients 49:51 How designers can carve out their own space 53:23 Why creatives are afraid to stand out 56:16 Turning online negativity into something positive 59:03 Knowing when to say no to a client 1:02:27 Time vs. money 1:03:16 Family, legacy & making things that last

I sat down with designer and entrepreneur Matthew Matsuzaki — better known online as Whale — fully expecting to talk about design. We barely did. 😅 Instead, we ended up having one of the most personal conversations I've had on the podcast. Matthew opens up about neurodivergence, ADHD and OCD, learning how his brain works, nearly 10 years of sobriety, meditation, parenting, relationships, vulnerability, recovery and the process of tearing down what you thought you knew about yourself. Eventually, we even talk a little design — including how those experiences influence Matthew's work as Head of Brand at Ghost, the origins of his career, and why he's building Wimp Decaf as an intentionally different kind of business. This one went absolutely nowhere I expected it to go — and I'm really glad it did.

What happens when you leave the security of the corporate world and bet on yourself? In this episode of Cosmic Sans, I sit down with Fergie, better known as The Anti-Beige Designer, to talk about her leap from corporate design into freelancing, the very real ups and downs of building her own business, and why networking and putting yourself out there can make all the difference. We also dive into Fergie’s love of color (and dislike of beige 😅), building color palettes, developing a recognizable personal brand, and how she approaches working with clients who may not be quite as adventurous. Plus, we get into AI and the future of creativity — including how Fergie uses AI for ideation, how it helped her take on projects she couldn't have tackled before, and why she believes AI can be an assistant to designers rather than their replacement. And, of course, we wrap things up with some rapid-fire design hot takes — including the other color Fergie would happily ban forever.

Brand designer CJ Cawley joins me to chat about his journey from a difficult childhood and homelessness to building a successful branding studio, why telling your story matters more than ever, and how mental health has shaped both his life and creative career. We also tackle one of the biggest conversations happening in design today: AI. Is AI replacing designers? Or is it simply raising the bar for creativity?

Artist, illustrator, and designer Deja Brown joins the Cosmic Sans Podcast to discuss her creative journey, building a recognizable artistic style, and turning personal artwork into collaborations with brands like Nike, Adobe, Coach, Adidas, Converse, Olipop, and more.  We dive into the realities of freelancing, pricing creative work, networking, social media, finding your voice as an artist, and how Deja approaches creativity when inspiration runs dry. We also discuss representation in the design industry, the impact of AI on creative careers, and why protecting your creativity is more important than ever.  Whether you're a designer, illustrator, freelancer, or someone looking to build a creative career, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest insights. Building a creative career through social mediaWorking with brands like Nike, Adobe, Coach, and AdidasFreelance pricing and negotiating creative workDeveloping a unique artistic styleRepresentation and diversity in designCreativity, burnout, and finding inspirationAI's impact on artists and designersAdvice for emerging creatives

Illustrator and creative strategist Orlando Arocena joins Cosmic Sans to discuss building the “Mexifunk” identity, breaking the limits of Adobe Illustrator, and working on franchises like Spider-Man, Terrifier, SpongeBob, Power Rangers, and John Wick. We also dive into the business side of creativity — licensing, contracts, creative ownership, AI, branding, and why artists need to understand far more than just making great work.

David Oku’s work is bold, vibrant—and deeply personal. From facing rejection early in his career to working with brands like Nike and designing for the Vegas Sphere, David shares his journey, his creative process, and his honest thoughts on AI, identity, and the future of art.

Comic artist Dave Baker (TMNT, Star Trek, Godzilla) joins Cosmic Sans to break down the realities of building a career in comics. We dive into self-publishing vs. working with publishers, why understanding contracts is critical, how social media is changing the game, and the balance between making money and making meaningful work. Dave also shares honest insights on creative identity, originality, and why artists need to stop playing it safe if they want to stand out. If you're a designer, illustrator, or creative trying to build something of your own—this one’s for you.

Tom Muller is a creative director who’s worked with Marvel, Disney, Google, and major AAA game studios, but his path wasn’t linear. In this episode, we dive into: Building a career through side projects and connectionsDesigning for Marvel’s X-MenThe reality of creative direction vs. hands-on designWhy every designer still needs a websiteHow AI is impacting the creative industryIf you’re a designer, creative, or just curious how big creative careers are built, this one’s packed.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, Howard Pinsky sits down with personal branding expert, author, and speaker Goldie Chan to unpack what it really takes to build a meaningful presence online — especially as an introvert. Goldie shares the story behind creating 800 consecutive LinkedIn videos, writing her book Personal Branding for Introverts, and navigating burnout, public speaking, and even a life-changing cancer diagnosis. The conversation dives into the realities of content creation, why consistency beats bursts of effort, and how personal branding can open doors you didn’t even know existed. They also explore the role of AI in branding, why copying others is bad advice, and how introverts can thrive without pretending to be extroverts. If you’ve ever struggled with putting yourself out there, growing an audience, or finding your voice online — this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with Toronto-based illustrator and designer, Steven Estrella. We chat about his work with the NBA, the Boston Celtics, moving to another country, staying creative, and a lot more!

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with UI/UX designer, Kate Kassab. We chat about her experience in the crypto space and the challenges it brings, shifting careers, exploring 3D, and much more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with artist and illustrator, Robert Generette III, better known as Rob Zilla. We chat about his focus and dedication to sports illustration, defining his style, working with clients like Nike, NBA, NFL, MLB, and much more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with illustrator and designer, Adam Bosley, better known as Adam the Illustrator on Instagram. We chat about his brand new plushie, content creation, building up a design brand, and much more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with illustrator and designer, Travis Knight. We chat about his very unique style, the importance of posting on social, and working with clients like Netflix, Warner Brothers, DC Comics, and more.