Design Futures

Chris St.Cyr
  • 5.0 (4)
  • DESIGN
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Graphic Design? Can you make a living at that? Abso-freakin-lutely you can. Design is all around us. Just look at the apps on your phone, the magazines at the doctor’s office, the stickers on the door of your favorite skate shop, and the logo on the side of that coffee cup containing your $7 whatevaccino. Join us for real stories about life after design school. Learn more at www.designfuturespodcast.com.

  1. Brett Lindstrom

    FEB 16

    Brett Lindstrom

    In this third episode of season 5, I talk with Brett Lindstrom, founder and head of creative at Fish and Chips, a Web3 and crypto-focused creative agency and 2011 graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design. Brett’s career spans an unusually wide spectrum: former head of design at CBS Sports Fantasy Sports, former creative director at Citibank, creator of the Rolling Loud brand, Billboard-charting songwriter, crypto advocate, and podcast host. We trace Brett’s path from growing up in Key West to discovering design as a way to make sense of—and influence—the world. He reflects on his time at Ringling, the role of painting and graffiti in shaping his creative voice, and the importance of student-led projects, late-night conversations, and grassroots experimentation outside the classroom. Much of the conversation focuses on Brett’s belief that design sits at the center of culture, technology, and business. He walks through major career milestones, including branding and strategy work for CBS Sports HQ during the 2019 Super Bowl, the origins and explosive growth of Rolling Loud, and how moments of instability and risk helped sharpen his perspective as both a designer and entrepreneur. We also dig into Brett’s work in Web3 and crypto, including NFT-based projects like Zombie Cupcakes, where game design, mental health, and digital economies intersect. He shares candid thoughts on AI, the future of design, why understanding business is no longer optional, and what it takes to build brands, systems, and communities in emerging tech spaces. Take a break, play a video game, and then come back ready to listen to us rap about design. Show Links Brett’s PortfolioTwitter ProfileLinkedIn ProfileInstagram ProfileCBS Sports HQRolling Loud FestivalReplitFigmaRingling College of Art & DesignSuper Bowl (2019)Web3Meme CoinsNFT  The Intro Music Synergistic Effect by morgantj (copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.)

    42 min
  2. Casey Ligon

    FEB 2

    Casey Ligon

    In this second episode of season 5, I talk with Casey Ligon, an associate creative director at VML, where she concepts, builds, and animates content for major brands including Wendy’s, Nintendo, Disney, and Netflix. Casey is also a lettering artist, food stylist, chalk muralist, photographer, and prolific maker of tactile images. Casey is a 2012 graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design. We trace Casey’s creative origin story, from growing up with craft-heavy Klutz books to initially pursuing dentistry before realizing that drawing, making, and experimenting felt far more natural than chemistry labs. She talks candidly about transferring into art school, navigating Ringling’s advertising program, and learning how presentation, storytelling, and confidence became essential tools in her professional life. Much of the conversation centers on Casey’s unconventional career path and how self-initiated work—especially daily Instagram posts—became a living portfolio. She shares the story of landing an agency role by printing her Instagram feed, asking a company to invent a job for her, and then building a career around the kind of tactile, lettering-driven work she wanted to be known for. We dig into the realities of large-scale production, from food styling and stop-motion animation to whiteboard murals, chalk art, and in-camera brand work. Casey walks through projects for Wendy’s, Disney, Publix, and Netflix, explaining how patience, craft, and hands-on experimentation play a central role in her process. Time to fix yourself a charcuterie board and have a listen.   Show Links Casey’s PortfolioLinkedIn ProfileInstagram ProfileVMLPublixHallmarkStop-Motion AnimationEglin Air Force BaseRingling College of Art & Design  The Intro Music Synergistic Effect by morgantj (copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.)

    45 min
  3. Soleil Paz

    JAN 19

    Soleil Paz

    In this episode, I talk with Soleil Paz, a 2018 graduate of The College of Saint Rose and an associate designer at Macmillan Publishers who specializes in book cover design for non-fiction, social justice, and popular science titles. We trace the origins of Soleil’s creativity, from drawing to survive summer math workbooks to discovering typography through early computer graphics classes, and how those early experiences led to a focused interest in book design. Soleil talks about choosing Saint Rose, navigating design school with a clear professional goal, and persistently networking her way into an internship at St. Martin’s Press. We dig into the realities of designing book covers: editorial pitches, author expectations, tight timelines, and the importance of making a cover an “instant read.” Soleil shares stories behind several meaningful projects, including designing for themes of synesthesia and racial injustice, as well as her thesis project The Other Side, an interactive book that visualized the randomness and inequities of the immigration process. We wrap up with talk printing techniques like LithoFoil, discuss daily routines in publishing, and end with Soleil’s most important advice for emerging designers: build relationships and keep them alive. Enjoy the story. Show Links Soleil’s PortfolioLinkedIn ProfileInstagram ProfileMacmillan PublishersThe College of Saint RoseSt. Martin’s PressSt. Martins Press InstagramChip Kidd InstagramHaruki MurakamiSynesthesia  The Intro Music Synergistic Effect by morgantj (copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.)

    36 min
  4. Season 5 Trailer

    SEASON 5 TRAILER

    Season 5 Trailer

    Hey future and current designers, it’s been a minute, but I’m back with Season 5 of Design Futures. Starting in January you’ll hear all new stories from former students. In this season I talk to designers that are probably the most diverse in terms of their experiences. On one end of the spectrum there’s a designer who makes type and image with food, among other non-traditional materials and on the other end I talk to designers who work with NFTs and virtual reality. All my guests have amazing careers in the areas of advertising, branding, publishing, packaging design, streaming services, and UX Design. It’s time to go back to the Future of Design. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch up on the first four seasons of Design Futures. Thanks for listening —Chris

    1 min
  5. Jonny Ouellette

    02/26/2024

    Jonny Ouellette

    In episode 10, the last episode of season four, I talk with Jonny Ouellette, the co-founder and creative director of the motion design firm, Kill 2 Birds and 2002 graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art & Design. We talk about our interactions in the graphic design program at MassArt and our passion for making type move on screen. Jonny shares stories of his client work that involve some of the most watched series and movies in recent years and I dig into our design collaboration on some DVD intros for Aspect Magazine. He also discusses taking that entrepreneurial leap of faith with a friend to start Kill 2 Birds. Additionally, Jonny educates me on some of the industry-specific terminology, like key art, upfonts, MOGRTs, and lower thirds. This episode is full of amazing motion graphics, so be sure to check out the video on Youtube. Let’s do this one more time. Enjoy the show.   Show Links Jonny’s PortfolioLinkedIn ProfileInstagram ProfileResponsible Business Initiative for JusticeAfter EffectsBostonMassachusetts College of Art & Design  The Intro Music Synergistic Effect by morgantj (copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.)

    44 min
  6. Greg Tariff

    02/12/2024

    Greg Tariff

    In episode nine of season four I interview Ringling College of Art & Design graduate and Director of Product Design at BILL, Greg Tariff. We discuss his appreciation for design’s role in the business world and how to navigate a career in Silicon Valley. Greg talks about how his interest in cars led to an internship at General Motors, how networking in New York City led to an agency job in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and how a side project with some agency friends led to a career in product design. Greg also shares insights about working on start-up projects, advising start-up companies, and mentoring young designers. We also discuss collecting 1990s pop culture (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Shepard Fairey art. And of course we talk about the dogs — Shelby, Sookie, and Salem. If you are at all interested in design, business, networking, and dogs you’ll want to have a listen. Time to download episode nine and get to work. Show Links Greg’s PortfolioLinkedIn ProfileInstagram ProfileBillToyota SupraShepard FaireyTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesRingling College of Art & DesignThe Intro Music Synergistic Effect by morgantj (copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.)

    54 min
  7. Krystal Hinckley

    01/29/2024

    Krystal Hinckley

    In episode eight I interview 2015 graduate of Russell Sage College and Director of User Experience at Upside Collective, Krystal Hinckley. In our discussion Krystal shares details of working on large-scale websites for the state of New York, including the attorney general’s website that she spent two years working on. She also talks about scrolling through the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society photos for project research that ended with her adopting her third cat. We also discuss our time together at Sage which included a trip to Boston to visit design firms and the Boston Aquarium because that’s what you do when you go to school in Albany. Krystal shares her love of paragraph styles that she gained in high school that led to her interest in the organizing aspects of UX design. And of course we talk about home projects including stripping paint from stairs, putting up wallpaper, as well as getting excited about a new roof and gutters. Now that’s adulthood! Oh yea, cats are mentioned multiple times in this episode. So sit down with your favorite pet friend and have a listen.   Show Links Krystal’s PortfolioLinkedIn ProfileInstagram ProfileUpside CollectiveThis Old HouseMohawk Hudson Humane SocietyDrupalRussell Sage College  The Intro Music Synergistic Effect by morgantj (copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.)

    41 min
  8. Rachel Suflita McKee

    01/15/2024

    Rachel Suflita McKee

    In this episode I talk with 2016 graduate of the College of Saint Rose, Rachel Suflita McKee, about her path from intern to art director at the Boston-based design studio, Pinkergreen. She talks about how the diversity of projects (Boston University Global Music Festival, Flex Rx, Flyte 70, The Bug Club, etc.) at a small studio is special and keeps her engaged with graphic design and the people she collaborates with on those projects. We also discuss a challenging design school assignment, about graphic design style, that had both of us considering some of the ethical questions involved in the creative process. We talk about the wonderful aspects of life outside of work like baking (so much butter), cooking (Bolognese), vacationing (in Maine), and of course yoga where goats climb on you as you try to stretch — it’s mostly about playing with goats. And finally, Rachel shares the wonderful news that she will be a new mom in March. Time to rest up people, episode seven is here now. Show Links Rachel’s PortfolioLinkedIn ProfileInstagram ProfilePinkergreenBolognese recipeNY Goat YogaBoston’s South EndThe College of Saint RoseThe Intro Music Synergistic Effect by morgantj (copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.)

    40 min
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About

Graphic Design? Can you make a living at that? Abso-freakin-lutely you can. Design is all around us. Just look at the apps on your phone, the magazines at the doctor’s office, the stickers on the door of your favorite skate shop, and the logo on the side of that coffee cup containing your $7 whatevaccino. Join us for real stories about life after design school. Learn more at www.designfuturespodcast.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris St.Cyr
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2020 -2021 Chris St.Cyr