The Illustration Department Podcast

Giuseppe Castellano
  • 4.9 (318)
  • VISUAL ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Giuseppe Castellano talks to folks in illustration, graphic design, publishing, animation, and other creative fields about the ups and downs of their careers.

  1. Karina Granda

    18H AGO

    Karina Granda

    Giuseppe Castellano talks to Karina Granda, Art Director at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, about how she looks for illustrators, and what makes a portfolio stand out; what the downside is to responding to an illustrator’s cold email; how book-making is a team sport; and more. To learn more about Karina, visit karinagranda.com. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Brandon Dorman If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by IllustrationDept.com—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello. If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

    1h 1m
  2. Selina Alko

    FEB 10

    Selina Alko

    Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning author and multimedia artist, Selina Alko, about why illustrators who say, “I’m not a writer” are almost always wrong; how she approached Otherwise Known as Judy the Great—her poetic ode to Judy Blume; why every creative needs to be their own best friend; and more. To learn more about Selina and her books, visit selinaalko.com. You can find Otherwise Known as Judy the Great here, or at your favorite bookseller. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Lisa Desimini, Matt Mahurin, Mike Curato Photography by Good Job Photos If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by IllustrationDept.com—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello. If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

    49 min
  3. Simone Friend and Beth Johnson

    FEB 3

    Simone Friend and Beth Johnson

    Giuseppe Castellano talks to Simone Friend and Beth Johnson, the partners behind Friend + Johnson, about why social media is a double-edged sword for illustrators… and agents; what we must all agree on, no matter what you think about AI; what illustrators should focus on; and more. To learn more about Friend + Johnson, visit friendandjohnson.com. Here is the episode with Daniel Abraham that Giuseppe referenced. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Robert Valentine, Don Sibley, Woody Pirtle, Michael Bierut, Milton Glaser, DJ Stout, Jeff Kern, Peggy Sirota If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by IllustrationDept.com—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello. If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

    46 min
  4. Jessica Hische

    JAN 27

    Jessica Hische

    Giuseppe Castellano talks to lettering artist, New York Times best-selling author, and co-founder of Studioworks, Jessica Hische, about how her first children‘s book came to be, and the two audiences for the book she didn’t anticipate; what value good design brings to our lives; why it’s never too early to think about your legacy; and more. To learn more about Jessica, visit jessicahische.is. Learn more about Studioworks here. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Dav Pilkey, William Wallace Denslow, John R. Neill, Ed Emberley, Louise Fili, Steven Heller, Christopher Silas Neal Photograph by Helena Price. If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by IllustrationDept.com—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello. If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

    1h 13m
  5. Sarah Getz

    JAN 20

    Sarah Getz

    Giuseppe Castellano talks to Sarah Getz, the daughter of illustrator and renowned New Yorker cover artist, Arthur Getz, about supporting her father’s artistic legacy; what made his New Yorker covers work so well; what advice he would share with illustrators today; and more. To learn more about Arthur, visit arthurgetz.com. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Philip Guston, Willem de Kooning, Wells Moses Sawyer, Robert Weaver, Charles Addams, Charles Martin, William Steig If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by IllustrationDept.com—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello. If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

    46 min
  6. Júlia Sardà

    JAN 13

    Júlia Sardà

    Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator and author, Júlia Sardà, about why children’s book creators should feel free to explore “darker” themes; what her approach is to using color; why self-criticism doesn’t have to be a bad thing; and more. To learn more about Júlia Sardà, visit juliasardaportabella.com. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Caravaggio, Diego Velazquez, Carson Ellis, Eugenia Mello, Rebecca Green If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by IllustrationDept.com—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello. If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

    1h 2m
  7. Matt Curtius

    JAN 6

    Matt Curtius

    Giuseppe Castellano talks to Matt Curtius, illustrator at Gina and Matt, and educator at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, about how he and his wife, Gina Triplett, make art together; what it means to work within creative boundaries; what the benefit is of an active practice of making; and more. To learn more about Matt, visit ginaandmatt.studio. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Gina Triplett, Martha Rich, Chris Buzelli, Olaf Hajek, Whitney Sherman, David Plunkert, Joyce Hesselberth, Leo and Diane Dillon, Melinda Beck, Jessica Hische, Penelope Dullaghan, John Martz, Scott Bakal, Richard Amsel, Helen Borten, Aliki Brandenberg, Brian Pinkney, Jerry Pinkney If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by IllustrationDept.com—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello. If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

    1h 11m
  8. Elena Giovinazzo

    12/30/2025

    Elena Giovinazzo

    Giuseppe Castellano talks to literary agent and founder of Heirloom Literary and Media, Elena Giovinazzo, about publishing’s waiting game; why it’s normal for us to feel “self-I don’t know”; how illustrators can avoid getting buried in the querying trenches; and more. To learn more about Elena and Heirloom, visit heirloomliterary.com. Photograph © Joanna Maguire If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by IllustrationDept.com—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello. If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

    1h 11m
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4.9
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318 Ratings

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Giuseppe Castellano talks to folks in illustration, graphic design, publishing, animation, and other creative fields about the ups and downs of their careers.

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