Creative Characters

Designing the future with Malcolm Garrett.

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Step into the world of Malcolm Garrett, an iconic British graphic designer whose career is grounded in punk rock and new technology.In this episode, M...

Tackling climate change with creativity, with Bruce Mau Design.

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Toronto-based Bruce Mau Design is known for tackling environmental, social, and economic problems with design. Kar Yan Cheung, Director of Design Stra...

The fun of finding fonts at Adobe MAX 2025.

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in for an inside scoop on Adobe Max 2025, a hub for creativity and design. In this episode, hosts Carl Unger, Kadley Gosselin, and Livia Halltari...

Balancing expressiveness and readability with Cyla Costa.

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cyla Costa's work feels alive. Hailing from Curitiba, Brazil, she's an award-winning graphic artist and type designer known for expressive lettering a...

Connecting people to places with Joy Nazzari.

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Type, travel, and togetherness with Veronika Burian.

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Wils...

Designing community and culture with Cihan Tamti.

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Host Livia Halltari chats with Cihan Tamti, a graphic designer based in Bochum, Germany. Cihan designs for clients like Nike, Calvin Klein, and Ms. La...

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

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Aaron Draplin likely needs little introduction. He's one of the most beloved and best-known graphic designers working today. People fill auditoriums f...

From passion to Pink Pony with Kristy Campbell.

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Inside Tipoteca Italiana with Sandro Berra.

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 loc...

From Tennessee to typography with David Jon Walker.

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 inspirat...

Reprint: Irreverent type design with James Edmondson.

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ohno Type Company is an industry rebel. Equal parts punk and precision, the studio is a direct reflection of founder James' Edmondson love of expressi...

Designing beyond trends with Alex Swatridge of DutchScot.

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Bryan Edmondson on crafting simplicity.

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for an honest chat with Bryan Edmondson, the visionary force behind London-based SEA Design. In this episode, Bryan shares his thoughtful ap...

Reprint: Waves of summer inspiration.

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 lif...

Sara Soskolne: A life shaped by letters.

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From studying 19th-century sans serifs to expanding Gotham for the Obama Foundation, Sara Soskolne's career has helped define how the world reads tod...

Women of Type: Crafting Community with Jess Goldsmith.

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 c...

Trevor Jackson: How to remix your career and stay independent.

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, host Graham Sturt joins British designer and music producer Trevor Jackson in his Shoreditch studio. Surrounded by an impressi...

How Kris Andrew Small found his groove: movement, color, and making art that matters.

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode, Sydney-based artist Kris Andrew Small shares his journey from frustrated graphic designer to global creative powerhouse. He sp...

From Biden to Harris: rebranding at lightning speed with Shar Biggers.

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

Re:Vision 2025: Shaping the future through design.

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Nerding out on 3D type and creativity with Taekyeom Lee.

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 wit...

You're going to need a passport: Simon Waterfall on sharpening and expanding your design practice.

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Creative Director Simon Waterfall is a creative character in every sense. Simon's built multiple creative agencies and has worked for global brands, l...

Cat How on building a branding agency that stands out.

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 peop...

Kelli Anderson on the art and power of papercraft.

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Searching for our inner child at Adobe MAX 2024.

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This year, Adobe MAX migrated to Miami Beach, attracting thousands of creatives for three days of inspiring talks, playful brand activations, and a "...

Exploring the American design story behind Field Notes with Jim Coudal.

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Field Notes notebooks are a staple in many creative lives. Aaron Draplin started the brand back in 2000-somethin', inspired by the old, frayed agricul...

Never snap to guides: Exploring creative freedom with David Carson.

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Host Graham Sturt sits down with graphic design icon, David Carson. Known for his revolutionary work with Ray Gun magazine and his unconventional, exp...

Embracing Chaos and Stillness: Astrid Stavro's Design Philosophy.

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Monotype's Executive Creative Director, Tom Foley, sits down with renowned graphic designer Astrid Stavro to explore her capti...

Revisiting Scott Starrett and how to design a visually stunning political campaign.

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's August. Many of us on the podcast team are trying to wring out the last drops of summer. Others are hard at work getting ready for Monotype's vis...

From Parsons to Type Thursday: a conversation with Thomas Jockin.

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Creative Characters, host Charles Nix sits down with Thomas Jockin, the founder of Type Thursday, a global type meetup. The two discuss T...

Kyle Read on the art (of the business) of type design.

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, host Doug Wilson sits down with his long-time friend, Kyle Read, a distinguished type designer and graphic designer based in Denver, ...

Behind the Font: Font Licensing, demystified (Part 3 of 3).

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the final edition of our new podcast miniseries series, Behind the Font, we answer your questions about font licensing [cue Jeopardy theme]! Once ...

Behind the Font: Font Licensing, demystified (Part 2 of 3).

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the second edition of our new podcast miniseries series, Behind the Font, we dig into the technical side of font licensing [cue psycho theme]. Our ...

Behind the Font: Font Licensing, demystified (Part 1 of 3).

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the first-ever edition of our new podcast miniseries, Behind the Font, we dive into the often murky and mysterious waters of font licensing [cue Ja...

The power of initiative: Kat Romulo on following your creative passions.

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Creative Characters is hosted by Livia, our Social Media Manager at Monotype. Livia interviews designer Kat Romulo about her unconvent...

Lee Yuen-Rapati on the typography and design of watches.

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Host Doug Wilson geeks out about watch design with Lee Yuen-Rapati of Fears Watch Company. They discuss the intricacies of designing numerals for watc...

Beyond Mexico '68: Lance Wyman's world of design.

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Host Graham Sturt journeys into the life and work of famed graphic designer Lance Wyman. Renowned for his iconic Mexico 1968 Olympics identity, Wyman ...

Reinventing yourself at any age with Vic Lee.

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hear Monotype Creative Director Graham Sturt in conversation with Vic Lee, an artist, illustrator, and self-described "ragamuffin." After years of doi...

Petra Dočekalová on the influence of history in modern design.

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, first-time host Doug Wilson chats with Petra Dočekalová, a designer, educator, calligrapher, and sign painter from Prague, C...

Live from SXSW: A branding masterclass with Dentsu, eBay, Neurons, and WeTransfer.

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Each year, for over a week, the city of Austin, Texas erupts into a cacophony of life, music, film premieres, comedy showcases, interactive tech demon...

Searching for signs of the British seaside with Justin Burns.

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For many of us, the sea holds a special place in our hearts — the sights, smells, sounds of long summer nights are etched into our minds. Join Monot...

Studying the subconscious superpowers of type trends across the globe.

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do cultural influences, historical contexts, and geopolitics influence design and typography? As part of the 2024 Type Trends report, we wanted to...

Talking type that melts in your heart (not in your hand) with Steffi Marty.

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Charles Nix sits down with Steffi Marty, the Global Director of Brand Identity and Design for Mars Snacking. If that sounds abstract, ...

Behind the 2024 Type Trends report with Jordan Bell and Damien Collot.

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You've probably heard something about it, but just in case you missed it: our 2024 Type Trends report is finally here! And good news: this week on Cr...

Studios we love: the stories of ArrowType, Type Salon, and Blaze Type.

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're closing out 2023 by spotlighting three amazing type studios from different corners of the world — and three of our favorite hosts.  This week...

Roger Black and Charles Nix trace the history of type.

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Roger Black draws from origins and evolution of type, type trend drivers, and his own career in this week's episode with our own Charles Nix. Combinin...

Celebrating community, embracing vulnerability, and fostering self-discovery at Adobe MAX 2023.

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Now that the Adobe MAX dust has settled, we bring you our second annual recap of the inspiring event that brought 10,000 from around the world to Los ...

Exploring the fluorescent legacy of Baltimore's Globe Collection and Press with Allison Tipton.

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For decades, the bright colors and bold type of Globe Poster Printing Corportation formed the cultural heartbeat of Baltimore. From R&B shows and rock...

What our emotions can teach us about design and branding.

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Can you remember a time you had an emotional reaction to type? Have fonts ever made you feel some type of way? This week, we dive into Monotype's scie...

Talking shop with David Berlow, type hero and font technology pioneer.

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

David Berlow has been at the forefront of type design, publishing, and technology for 45 years. His impressive career began in 1978 drawing letterfor...

From Basquiat to branding: how Erwin Hines creates space for community, dialogue, and collective liberation.

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Erwin Hines' creative life began with an interest in architecture and urban planning but shifted to art, design, and brand building after several sere...

Chasing Dreams and Making Them Real with Muralist Kent Yoshimura.

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kent Yoshimura does a lot. And that's kinda his thing. At a young age, Kent learned that pouring himself into something artistic meant he could glimps...

From magazine to brand design with Warby Parker's Sarah Olin.

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Olin started her career as a magazine designer at a challenging time — during the 2010s, when the industry was trying to figure out its transi...

Goodbye, zombie bosses: Making WFH work for creatives with Upwork's Patrick Holly.

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the Before Times, working from home was often treated as a perk, or maybe a dubious accommodation for someone with a doctor's appointment. But we k...

Finding the "feels" with Picsart's Scott Walker.

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Modern creators know that pace rivals perfection." Picsart, which provides photo and video editing tools and templates to the creator community, has ...

Studios we love: the stories of CoType, Naïma Ben Ayed Bureau, and XYZ Type.

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode is a triple threat. Monotype Executive Creative Directors Phil, Tom, and Charles each selected a type designer they admire to brin...

Big brands, big ideas, and big breaks with Tongal's James DeJulio.

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For decades, creative work has consolidated in traditional locations such as Los Angeles, New York, and London. Today, technology has opened the apert...

Exploring all things novel and familiar with Mark Simonson.

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Simonson has designed some of the most widely used typefaces in the world. Host Charles Nix sits down to talk influences, process, and why truly ...

Bringing design to the masses with Canva's Andrew Green.

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wanted a peek inside the creative minds behind one of the biggest design platforms in the world? If so, this episode is for you. Canva, the go-to...

Changing the game with Maureen Raisch.

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Maureen Raisch has spent the past 18 years designing for some of the biggest names in professional sports — from MLB team rebrands to marquee events...

Making the Monotype Type Trends report with Terrance Weinzierl and Emilios Theofanous.

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we take you behind the scenes of one of Monotype's biggest, and most anticipated campaigns of the year: the annual Type Trends report. Tune...

Getting into the 'heavy stuff' with Aaron Draplin.

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aaron Draplin likely needs little introduction – he's one of the most beloved and well-known designers working today. People fill auditoriums for hi...

Iterative, content-first design with In-House International.

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Monotype Executive Creative Director, Charles Nix, is joined by Michu Benaim Steiner and Lope Gutierrez-Ruiz of In-House International. Mic...

Jim Moran – Preserving print history at the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum.

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our first episode of Season 3, we welcome the new Senior Director of the Monotype Studio, Tom Rickner, as a first-time host. Tom speaks with Jim Mo...

Elliot Jay Stocks - Navigating a Universe of Type.

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Creative Type Director Phil Garnham sits down with Elliot Jay Stocks, designer, musician, and lover of all things typographic. From his tim...

'Live' from Adobe MAX, this week's guest is: You!

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What has everyone been up to for the past two years? Is AI coming to take all our jobs? What's your least-favorite typeface? We packed up our recordin...

Craig Ward: From metal type to the digital unknown.

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From big brands to lego bricks, Craig Ward has left his mark all over the world of typography. This week, host Charles Nix sits down with Craig to tal...

Annie Atkins: Building worlds in film through graphic props and typography.

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're welcoming Annie Atkins, a creative in the film industry. She's known for her graphic props and set pieces for Wes Anderson's The Grand Bud...

Holly Fraser – Winning Oscars and attention with a purpose-driven brand.

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're welcoming Holly Fraser, editor-in-chief at WePresent, WeTransfer's digital arts platform that works with 1,000+ creatives from over 100 co...

Mindy Seu - Gathering 30 years of cyberfeminism.

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're welcoming Mindy Seu, a New York-based designer, researcher, and assistant professor at Rutgers. Seu recently completed the Cyberfeminism ...

Jason Debiak - Let's start a design agency from scratch.

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we welcome Jason Debiak, an old friend of our co-host, Carl, and co-founder of Paper Tiger, a family-owned design agency in New Jersey. Jason ru...

Ximena Amaya – A recent graduate on the role of design in communication, architecture, and protest.

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we speak with Ximena Amaya, recent graduate of ArtCenter in Pasadena, California by way of Mexico City. Ximena talks about what led her to s...

Sarah Boris – On the power of defining yourself as a creative.

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're welcoming Sarah Boris, a London-based artist who runs her own creative studio. Creativity seems to be in her DNA. Tune in as Marie Boulan...

Nathan Lance - How to build an (authentic) sustainable brand.

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week's guest is passionate about designing for change. We're welcoming Nathan Lance, creative director at Leap, a B Corp certified design agency ...

Andrew Krivine and Michael Worthington - How punk and new wave turned design on its head.

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for a dive into punk rock history! This week's we're welcoming Andrew Krivine, author and punk rock collector, alongside Michael Worthington...

Cristina Pandol - A creative's road to 'Bel-Air.'

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're joined by award-winning creative Cristina Pandol, VP Creative at Westbrook Media, an entertainment company founded by Will Smith and J...

Juan Villanueva - Cultivating a global community through type.

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode features the first ever guest from Monotype, our very own Juan Villanueva, a senior type designer on the studio team. Outside of t...

Jennifer Sagalyn & JoAnn Becker - On building an accessible, inclusive digital world.

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week's guests are Jennifer Sagalyn, Director of Strategic Partnerships, and JoAnn Becker, Assistive Technology Support, Training and Testing Spec...

David Sheldon-Hicks - The designs behind blockbuster moviemaking magic.

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dune. Blade Runner 2049. Spider-Man: Far from Home. Avengers: Endgame. Ready Player One. If you've seen any of these big-name blockbusters (along with...

Greg Lutze - The power of creative community.

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, our host Bill Connolly chats with all-around creative, Greg Lutze. Greg is a founder, advisor and artist based out of Californ...

Dewey Saunders - Career collage, or: Flip your aesthetic.

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Senior Content Strategist at Monotype, Kadley Gosselin, is joined by Dewey Bryan Saunders, the mastermind behind album covers for art...

Andrew van der Merwe - Ephemeral calligraphy from the beaches of South Africa.

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the first episode of Season 2, Carl Unger sits down with calligrapher, lettering artist and beach calligrapher. Andrew van der Merwe from Cape Town...

Adam Weiler - Rethinking design thinking for a changed world.

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Monotype Creative Type Director, Terrance Weinzierl has an inspiring conversation with designer, educator and design thinker, ...

Chelsea Goldwell - Hard-won lessons on balance, health, and nurturing creativity.

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, our own Bill Connolly is joined by Chelsea Goldwell, partner and creative director at Zero Studios, a digitally-native branding studi...

Dave Addey - Classic sci-fi films and the typography that brought them to life.

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Pew pew! Our eighteenth episode goes deep into the world of science fiction films, with a decidedly typographic twist.  Terrance Weinzierl, Creativ...

Ellen Lupton - On mentorship, relationships of equality, and representation in design.

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week's guest, Ellen Lupton, has built a prolific career as a writer, educator, and designer. She serves as a senior curator at Cooper Hewitt, Smi...

Tyler Haughey - Neon and nostalgia down on the unseen Jersey Shore.

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week's guest, photographer Tyler Haughey, has made a career for himself photographing the unseen angles of beach towns in the off-season—neo...

James Horwitz - Bold type and big ideas from a cutting edge design mind.

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Creative Characters, a podcast by Monotype exploring the people and personalities behind the brands, campaigns, and designs we love. This w...

Dan Black & Jes Seamans - DIY printmaking from the edges of America (and several Midwestern basements).

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week's guests are Jessica Seamans and Dan Black, who together comprise Landland. Landland is a small but mighty studio that designs and screenpri...

Michael Johnson - Design with a purpose.

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Senior Creative Type Director Phil Garnham sits down with the esteemed Michael Johnson, founder of the UK-based design firm J...

James Edmondson - Let the design be what it wants to become.

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Creative Characters, a podcast by Monotype exploring the people and personalities behind the brands, campaigns, and designs we love. In our...

Lauren Hom - There is no recipe for reinvention.

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Creative Characters, a podcast by Monotype exploring the people and personalities behind the brands, campaigns, and designs we love. In our...

Hannelore Ocampo - How type keeps your car (and eyes) on the road.

15 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Monotype Creative Director and admitted car nut Terrance Weinzierl sits down with Hannelore Ocampo, Fonts Lead and Type Specialist at Ford Motor Compa...

Angelina Lippert - Charting the human experience through poster design.

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Creative Characters, a podcast by Monotype exploring the people and personalities behind the brands, campaigns, and designs we love. In thi...

John Norman - Visual storytelling for the masses.

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Creative Characters, a podcast by Monotype exploring the people and personalities behind the brands, campaigns, and designs we love. In our...

Sarah Hyndman - Celebrating typography, one taste (???) at a time.

20 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Creative Characters, a podcast by Monotype exploring the people and personalities behind the brands, campaigns, and designs we love. In our...

Chris Do - Can creatives make a living doing what they love? (Spoiler: yes.)

06 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Creative Characters, a podcast by Monotype exploring the people and personalities behind the brands, campaigns, and designs we love. In our...

Terrence Williams - The beauty and power of embracing identity in the workplace.

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Creative Characters, a podcast by Monotype exploring the people and personalities behind the brands, campaigns, and designs we love. In our...

Tré Seals - Telling true stories through type.

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Creative Characters, a podcast by Monotype that explores the people and personalities behind the brands, campaigns, and designs we love. Ou...