The Typecast: Grow Your Art Business

<p>Dear hand letterers, designers, and artists of all sorts—despite what your grandma thinks, we know there’s a whole lot more to what you do than just “drawing pretty pictures.” This podcast, hosted by Katie Johnson and Ilana Griffo of Goodtype, is about what it *really* means to be a working creative. From finding clients to pricing your work and nerding the heck out about kerning, we’re covering everything that goes into building a successful and sustainable business around your passion. </p><p>And we’re not just doing it alone! We’ll be tapping some of your current (and soon-to-be) favorite artists for inspiration, insight, and laughs. We’re big on giving takeaways that you can actually put into action, and we’re even bigger on having a good time while we do it. Tune into the Typecast twice a month for a tittle-ating time (yep, we’re gonna type-pun your face off), and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review so we can show our moms how famous we are!</p>

What If We Shared Our Art on LinkedIn for 30 Days: with Katie & Ilana | The Typecast Episode 56

Send us a text If LinkedIn isn’t the first place you think of when it comes to growing your creative business... you’re not alone. But in this episode, we’re sharing the surprising results of our 30-day experiment, where we posted on LinkedIn every weekday, and what we learned that blew us away. From analytics and reach to connection requests and actual leads, we’re breaking down what worked (and what didn’t), how we set up our profiles to attract the right people, and the ripple effects of s...

08-05
01:04:34

What If Taking On One Project Could Change Your Whole Career with Amber Asay | The Typecast Episode 58

Send us a text What does it look like running your own design studio that works with names like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley? In this episode, we sit down with Amber Asay of Nice People to discuss the winding path that led her from scrapbooking experiments and show choirs to launching a successful design agency and a creative podcast. Amber shares the reality of landing big-name projects (and why you sometimes have to view them as long-term investments), the pros and cons of building a flexible ...

09-02
57:24

What If We Stopped Tying Our Worth to Productivity with Weekend Creative | The Typecast Episode 57

Send us a text What happens when two dynamic duos get together to talk about creative business, collaboration, and the messy beauty of figuring it out as you go? In this episode, we sit down with Arabela and Elle of Weekend Creative to explore their journey from meeting in college lighting class to running a thriving commercial photography and education business. We dive into how they naturally found their roles as photographer/retoucher and art director/producer, why balancing personal proje...

08-19
57:19

What If I Purposely Kept My Art Business Small with Muralist Lisa Quine | The Typecast Episode 55

Send us a text We’re joined by the wonderfully optimistic and multi-talented hand lettering artist & muralist, Lisa Quine, someone who has done everything from lettering murals for pro sports teams to designing custom hairbrushes for celebrities (Fergie included). We talk about her unique creative journey, how optimism fuels her freelance career, and how her Cleveland roots helped shape a dream path she never could’ve planned. We cover the wins, the weird gigs, the tough pricing decisions...

07-22
49:16

What If You Designed Fake Props for Real Movies: with Gina Alessi | The Typecast Episode 54

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...

06-10
53:52

What if We Ran an Instagram Account with 1 Million Followers: with Emily Lynn Caulfield | The Typecast Episode 53

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. Fro...

05-27
56:00

What if We Shared Openly About Mental Health: with Katie & Ilana | The Typecast Episode 52

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...

05-13
45:45

What if I Rejected Viral Content Formulas: With Will Patterson | The Typecast Episode 51

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 ...

04-29
47:28

What If We Posted on Instagram Every Day for a Month: with Katie & Ilana | The Typecast Episode 50

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 ...

04-15
50:40

What If I Worked Less and Had More Fun: How Art Licensing Can Change Your Life with Krissy Mast | The Typecast Episode 49

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). W...

04-01
46:02

What If I Started Saying No to My Clients and Yes to Myself: With Radim Malinic | The Typecast Episode 48

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. ...

03-18
58:15

What If I Made Joy My Biggest Priority in My Art Business: With Kate Smith | The Typecast Episode 47

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, sta...

03-04
54:56

What If I Diversified My Income By Wholesaling My Art in Retail Stores: With Katie Hunt | The Typecast Episode 46

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 o...

02-18
54:21

What If I Tried to Make $100k/Year as an Artist in 2025 with Goodtype | The Typecast Episode 45

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 w...

02-04
48:29

What If We Went All In On Making Art In 2025: Reflections and Plans with Katie & Ilana | The Typecast Episode 44

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 yours...

12-17
42:45

Type Talk, Dream Work, and Studio Shenanigans with Hoodzpah Design | The Typecast Episode 43

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...

12-10
43:39

The Evolution of a Design Career with Lettering Artist and Illustrator Jamie Clarke | The Typecast Episode 42

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 o...

11-26
54:01

Rethinking Marketing & Pricing Strategies for Fonts with Harbor Bickmore | The Typecast Episode 41

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 na...

11-12
41:13

Creative Exploration and Mental Health Advocacy Through Art with Annica Lydenberg | The Typecast Episode 40

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 ...

10-29
49:05

Showing up Authentically and Navigating Social Media as an Artist with Andy J Pizza | The Typecast Episode 39

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, mor...

10-15
57:52

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