Reprint: Getting into the 'heavy stuff' with Aaron Draplin.

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.

Alex Swatridge is the kind of creative you wish you could just sit down and brainstorm with. In this episode, host Graham Sturt talks to Alex about co-founding DutchScot, her London-based design agency that’s making waves with bold, award-winning work. Preferring to gain inspiration from physical books and museum visits instead of scrolling, Alex shares her approach to design and how she stays true to her ideas while avoiding trends. Plus, hear Alex’s thoughts on AI in design and how DutchScot keeps their work collaborative and human-centered. Whether you're a designer or just curious about the creative process, this episode is full of insights that'll leave you inspired to step away from your screen and find meaning in the physical world. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast Check out DutchScot's work at dutch.scot

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