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We live in a world awash in typography - whether we realize it or not. From the road signs that lead us home to the phones in our pockets, typography is front and center in nearly every waking moment of our day. Come meet the people and hear the stories behind the letters that shape our world.
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In this episode, Joy Nazzari chats about her corner of the design world—place branding—with host Marie Boulanger. Joy is the Founder and Executive Chair of DNCO, an agency that's done branding for neighborhoods in London, New York, and Vancouver as well as the city of San Francisco. From her early days in finance and tech to building an agency that centers both creativity and business strategy, Joy shares her perspective on design leadership, the power of discomfort, and how to connect people to places in meaningful ways. To see Joy's work, visit dnco.com. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
What does it take to build an international type foundry from scratch — and keep it thriving for nearly two decades? In this episode, host Doug Wilson talks with Veronika Burian, co-founder of the independent type foundry TypeTogether. From her background in industrial design to discovering a love for typography while working in Milan, Veronika shares how global experiences shaped her perspective and inspired her to build a remote global team. You'll hear about the delicate craft of designing multi-script typefaces that respect multiple cultures, honest reflections on growing a collaborative team across continents, and why mentoring new voices in type design feels like one of Veronika's most important missions. To see work from Veronika and TypeTogether, head to type-together.com or check out their typefaces on MyFonts. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
Host Livia Halltari chats with Cihan Tamti, a graphic designer based in Bochum, Germany. Cihan designs for clients like Nike, Calvin Klein, and Ms. Lauryn Hill. Yet he's passionate about designing in his community, spending time each year on the identity for a local film festival called DOXS RUHR and on pro bono work for local coffee shops and restaurants. In this episode, Livia talks to Cihan about his creative process, his early interest in graffiti, the magic of having an art teacher who encouraged him, and designing the identity for the world's largest sailing event. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
Aaron Draplin likely needs little introduction. He's one of the most beloved and best-known graphic designers working today. People fill auditoriums for his talks and workshops, wait in long lines to take selfies and buy Draplin Design Company merch, and fill his DMs with requests for advice. In this episode, originally published in 2023, Draplin shares his perspective on design education, staying inspired and motivated, the "surreal" experience of becoming a mentor figure, and the "weird little spot" he's in as he approaches 50. He's a fixture at Adobe Max, coming up next month, so we thought it was a good time to dig this one out of the archives. Warning: some explicit language, but all in jest! You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
This week we sit down with Kristy Campbell, the founder of Pink Pony Creative, a New Zealand-based design agency known for its bold style: think hot pink, variable fonts, and playful patterns. We originally met Kristy at Adobe Max, where she's spoken about crafting sticky brand identities and the power of personal branding. In this episode, Kristy shares how she turned her passion for personality-driven design into a thriving agency that's known for pushing boundaries. And she doesn't hold back. Kristy opens up about the highs and lows of owning an agency — handling failures, navigating imposter syndrome, and challenges around being a public-facing creative. She also gets real about balancing her role as a new mom with running a business. Listen in for practical advice on how to break through the digital noise and establish your own unique brand or creative business. To see Kristy's work, check out @kristy.thepinkpony or @pinkponycreative on Instagram. You can find blog posts for this and all out past episodes at monotype.com/podcast.
Join host Dan Rhatigan as he sits down with Sandro Berra, the Coordinator of Tipoteca Italiana, a world-class type museum, archive, and print shop located in the charming countryside of Cornuda, Italy. Dan has been teaching at TipoItalia — a type residency at Tipoteca — for the past three summers and caught Sandro while they were both in Cornuda. Together, they dive into the magic of Tipoteca, an institution dedicated to preserving the rich history of Italian typography while inspiring modern creativity. You'll also hear firsthand accounts from workshop participants embracing their inner type nerd in a setting out of a design lover's daydream. From letterpress printing to exploring vintage wood type to devouring delicious €6 pizzas, this creative residency combines inspiration, collaboration, and Italian culture. Tune in to hear how Tipoteca bridges the past and future of design. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast.
This week, we sit down with designer David Jon Walker and talk about his journey from Nashville to Yale. We explore how David's roots, family inspirations (his quilting grandmother!), and a persistent drive to learn have shaped his style and career in typography and design. David candidly shares the sacrifices, risks, and leaps of faith that brought him to where he is today, including starting a new MFA mid-life and juggling fatherhood. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with insights and a reminder that the creative process is full of unexpected turns — and endless possibilities. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast.
Ohno Type Company is an industry rebel. Equal parts punk and precision, the studio is a direct reflection of founder James' Edmondson love of expression and eccentricity. From globular California hippie text (Chee) to deceptively complex takes on classic geometric forms (Polymath), James and his team chart their own course through the wilds of type design. In this interview from 2021, James discusses his story, process, and mindset with Monotype's Charles Nix, and shares his thoughts on building a stable, rewarding creative career. James has a new book publishing this fall, The Ohno Book: A Serious Guide to Irreverent Type Design. Preorder today at Bookshop.org. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast.
Get ready for an honest chat with Bryan Edmondson, the visionary force behind London-based SEA Design. In this episode, Bryan shares his thoughtful approach to design and studio culture and explains why developing a simple design isn't as simple as it looks. From focusing on identities that tell a story to mentoring young creatives, Bryan shares wisdom from nearly 30 years of running an award-winning studio. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast Check out Bryan's work at seadesign.com
We're ready for summer here at Creative Characters, so we decided to dig into the archives and explore the seasonal rhythms that influence art and life. From the ephemeral art of beach calligraphy by South Africa's Andrew van der Merwe, to photographer Tyler Haughey's striking portraits of off-season beach towns, to Justin Burns' reflections on the magic of the British seaside, this episode explores how the summer season shapes creativity, placemaking, and memory. Tune in and get ready for summer with this collection of stories that dive deep into the relationship between art and the ever-changing shoreline. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast Revisit the full episodes below: Andrew van der Merwe: Ephemeral calligraphy from the beaches of South Africa. Searching for signs of the British seaside with Justin Burns. Tyler Haughey: Neon and nostalgia down on the unseen Jersey Shore.
From studying 19th-century sans serifs to expanding Gotham for the Obama Foundation, Sara Soskolne's career has helped define how the world reads today. In this episode, Doug Wilson sits down with his longtime friend and brilliant type designer, Sara Soskolne, for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about growing up curious, falling into typography, and Sara's experiences of coming into her own in a male-dominated field. It's an episode filled with humor, insights, and a touch of typographic magic. Check out Sara's work for the Obama Foundation here: obama.org/stories/building-on-the-past-looking-ahead Take a deep dive into brand refresh for the Obama Foundation on Manual's website: https://manualcreative.com/work/obama-foundation
Hold onto your sketchpads! This week, Livia Halltari sits down with Jess Goldsmith, the one-woman-show behind Women of Type. Jess talks about her creative journey — from doodling graffiti-inspired letters as a kid to building a global community that amplifies lettering work from women and non-binary creatives around the world. As a self-taught designer, lettering artist, and author, Jess also shares her advice for aspiring creatives. Check out Jess's work on Instagram at @chickofalltrade, and see what Women of Type is up to at @womenoftype. Buy Jess's book, "Women of Type," here. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
In this week's episode, host Graham Sturt joins British designer and music producer Trevor Jackson in his Shoreditch studio. Surrounded by an impressive collection of music ephemera, they discuss Trevor's creative approach, how he got into designing record sleeves for early house and hip-hop artists, and why he doesn't believe in having a "house style." Check out Trevor's work at trevor-jackson.com Listen to Trevor's monthly show on NTS Radio You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
On this week's episode, Sydney-based artist Kris Andrew Small shares his journey from frustrated graphic designer to global creative powerhouse. He spills on how he transformed personal passion into bold, high-energy artwork that breaks rules and speaks volumes. From collaborating with icons like artist M.I.A., to creating campaigns for Nike and Reebok, Kris dives into his process, his love for color and movement, and why staying true to yourself is everything. Packed with thought-provoking moments and refreshing honesty, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration to break the mold and trust their creative instincts. Check out Kris' work at krisandrewsmall.com. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
In this episode of Creative Characters, we dive into the whirlwind world of political design with Shar Biggers, the creative mind behind some of the most memorable campaign visuals in recent US politics. Join us as we chat about Shar's unexpected journey into political campaign branding, from designing Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential run to her most recent role as Deputy Creative Director for the Harris-Walz campaign. Shar takes us inside last-minute logo sprints, the art of balancing bold typography with the complexities of a major presidential campaign, and how these experiences have changed her as a creative. Check out the case study for Shar's work on the Harris-Walz campaign at saleah.agency/harris-walz/ You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
Typography is more than just choosing cool fonts — it gives designers and brands the power to take action and spark change. This episode of Creative Characters is all about shaking things up in the design world with Monotype's Re:Vision, a transformative approach to our annual Type Trends report. Host Carl Unger joins report creators, Phil Garnham and Charles Nix, along with design leader and futurist, Lisa Gralnek, to discuss how typography can impact big cultural topics like AI, climate change, and aging. Get insights on how brands can step up and stand out, and learn about our bimonthly activations (kicking off at SXSW!) that'll explore these ideas throughout the year. Read the full report and sign up for the exclusive webinar at monotype.com/type-trends You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
Ever wondered what happens when you combine ceramics with typography and throw in a DIY 3D printer for good measure? Join us for a delightful chat with Taekyeom Lee, the graphic designer and educator who takes typography off the page and into the third dimension. Host Doug Wilson dives deep into Taekyeom's inventive world where letters become slinkies, and business cards are embossed on demand. From his adventurous journey from South Korea to the cornfields of Illinois — to his experiments with clay letterforms — Taekyeom shares his love for typography and how he turns ideas into tangible art. If you're into design, creativity, or just curious about how technology can transform art, this episode's a must-listen. Check out Taekyeom's work at instagram.com/taekyeom You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
Creative Director Simon Waterfall is a creative character in every sense. Simon's built multiple creative agencies and has worked for global brands, like Intel, Airbnb, and Vevo. Now he's about to launch a new product: a sustainable cocktail in a can, developed with James Beard Award-winning spirts expert, Thad Vogler. Simon chats with host Bill Connolly about why not to repeat what you're good at, his advice for designers starting out, and Waste — his new sustainable canned cocktail. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
Cat How launched How&How in May 2020, during the height of the pandemic, with her husband, Roger. Four years later, they're an agency of about 20 people, with studios in London and Los Angeles. In this episode, host Tom Foley chats with Cat about building an ethical branding agency, tackling big projects, and having fun at work. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
Kelli Anderson makes objects out of paper that explore design and the world around us. Her popular books — "This Book is a Camera" and "This Book is a Planetarium" — both include pop-up stripped down paper contraptions designed to teach how common objects — like cameras, speakers, and stringed instruments — work. Luckily for us type nerds, Kelli is in the process of making "Alphabet in Motion" — a pop-up book about how letters get their shape. The book dives deep into the history of letterforms and includes hundreds of color images mined from the archives of type design. Creative Characters host, Doug Wilson, catches up with Kelli about her forthcoming book, her passion for teaching design with tactile objects, and her love of all things paper. If you'd like to learn more about "Alphabet in Motion" or back Kelli's Kickstarter, visit kellianderson.com/kickstarter You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast.
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