Art School Graduate Podcast

Art School Graduate Podcast
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

🎙️Art School Graduate Podcast explores the stories behind creative careers, culture, and design. Hosted by Justin Robinson, each episode features artists, designers, educators, and creative leaders shaping how we see, make, and understand the world. These are honest conversations about identity, process, failure, purpose, and the real work behind building a creative life. 🎨 Subscribe for weekly conversations with artists, designers, educators, and creative leaders about how culture, identity, and lived experience shape the work they make.

  1. How a UX Designer Became a Stand-Up Comedian | O’mar Finley

    2d ago

    How a UX Designer Became a Stand-Up Comedian | O’mar Finley

    What do stand-up comedy, product design, and artificial intelligence have in common? In this episode of The Art School Graduate Podcast, Justin Robinson sits down with product designer, UX strategist, and comedian O’mar Finley to explore the unexpected overlap between creativity, technology, and human connection.   O’mar shares his journey from growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, to building a career in product design while simultaneously developing a reputation as a stand-up comedian and creator of the Group Therapy Comedy Show. Together they discuss: • How UX design and comedy both rely on understanding people• Why simplicity is one of the hardest goals in design• The future of AI in product design and creative work• What comedians can teach designers about empathy and communication• Navigating feedback, criticism, and creative risk• Building digital products that people actually want to use• The realities of pursuing multiple creative careers at once• Why audience psychology matters in both design and entertainment Whether you’re a designer, creative entrepreneur, comedian, student, or someone interested in the future of creativity, this conversation offers practical insights and honest reflections on building a meaningful creative life. Subscribe for more conversations with artists, designers, educators, and creative leaders shaping culture through their work. #design #uxdesign #productdesign #standupcomedy #artschoolgraduatepodcast #creativity #artificialintelligence #designthinking #userexperience #creativecareers

    1h 28m
  2. The Design World Ignored This Visual Culture for Decades | Shantanu Suman

    Jun 16

    The Design World Ignored This Visual Culture for Decades | Shantanu Suman

    What happens when a designer leaves a successful advertising career to explore the deeper meaning of design? In this episode of The Art School Graduate Podcast, Justin Robinson sits down with graphic designer, educator, filmmaker, and creative director Shantanu Suman for a powerful conversation about design, culture, identity, and visual storytelling. Born and raised in India, Shantanu worked at some of the world’s leading advertising agencies before moving to the United States to pursue his MFA at the University of Florida. His journey transformed the way he thought about design—from simply creating visual solutions to asking deeper questions about culture, communication, and human experience. Together, Justin and Shantanu discuss: • Growing up as a creative in India• The differences between Indian and American design culture• Why design is more than problem solving• The importance of documenting overlooked visual cultures• His award-winning documentary Horn Please and Indian truck art• Hindi typography and cultural identity in design• Building Studio 165+, a student-run design studio at Ball State University• Mentorship, collaboration, and preparing the next generation of designers• The responsibility designers carry when their work enters the world This conversation is packed with insights for graphic designers, creative directors, design students, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of culture and creativity. If you’ve ever wondered how design shapes the way we see ourselves and the world around us, this episode is for you. Based on the interview transcript. 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with artists, designers, educators, and creative leaders from around the world. #GraphicDesign #DesignPodcast #DesignEducation #VisualCommunication #CreativeCareers #Typography #DesignThinking #CreativeLeadership #ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast #ShantanuSuman

    1h 11m
  3. How African Typography Is Changing Global Design | Chisaokwu Joboson

    Jun 9

    How African Typography Is Changing Global Design | Chisaokwu Joboson

    How do you build a design career when the path doesn’t exist? In this episode of The Art School Graduate Podcast, Justin Robinson sits down with Nigerian brand designer, type designer, and founder of Udi Foundry, Chisaokwu Joboson, to discuss his journey from studying civil engineering to becoming one of the leading voices in African typography. Chisaokwu shares how he taught himself graphic design, discovered type design, and ultimately created Ojuju, the groundbreaking Google Fonts typeface that supports hundreds of languages and helps bring African stories, culture, and identity into the global design conversation. Together, they explore the challenges of building a creative career without formal design education, the lack of documentation surrounding African design history, and why typography is much more than letters—it is the voice of a culture. This conversation is a must-watch for graphic designers, brand designers, typography enthusiasts, creative entrepreneurs, students, and anyone interested in the future of African design. ⸻ 💡 In This Episode: • How Chisaokwu transitioned from civil engineering to graphic design • Teaching yourself design without a traditional design school • Why African typography matters • The story behind Ojuju and Google Fonts • Building Udi Foundry and TypeAfrica • The relationship between brand design and type design • Why typography is the voice of a brand • Preserving African languages through design • Creating opportunities when no roadmap exists • The future of African typography and design education ⸻ 🎙 About Chisaokwu Joboson Chisaokwu Joboson is a Nigerian brand designer, type designer, and founder of Udi Foundry. His work focuses on creating culturally relevant typefaces that support African languages and storytelling. He is the creator of Ojuju, a typeface featured on Google Fonts, and an advocate for making type design education more accessible across Africa. ⸻ 📌 Topics Covered African Design African Typography Type Design Graphic Design Brand Identity Design Google Fonts Creative Careers Design Education Visual Identity Typography Design African Creatives Design Culture Brand Strategy Self-Taught Designer Creative Entrepreneurship ⸻ Subscribe for more conversations with designers, artists, illustrators, creative directors, educators, and cultural leaders shaping the future of creativity. #AfricanDesign #Typography #GraphicDesign #TypeDesign #BrandIdentity #GoogleFonts #CreativeCareers #DesignPodcast #AfricanCreatives #DesignEducation

    1h 11m
  4. How Maurice Woods Went From Pro Basketball to Microsoft Design Leader

    Jun 2

    How Maurice Woods Went From Pro Basketball to Microsoft Design Leader

    In this episode of The Art School Graduate Podcast, Justin Robinson sits down with designer, educator, and founder Maurice Woods for a powerful conversation about creativity, identity, representation, and building purpose through design. Maurice Woods is a Principal Designer at Microsoft, a former professional basketball player, and the founder of Inneract Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating access and opportunities for underrepresented youth in design and tech. From growing up in Richmond, California, to playing professional basketball overseas, to becoming a leader in the design industry, Maurice shares the real story behind his journey and the lessons he’s learned navigating sports, creativity, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and representation in corporate America. This conversation dives deep into: The transition from basketball to graphic designWhat it means to be a Black designer in techBuilding Inneract Project from the ground upWhy representation in design mattersThe importance of mentorship and communityCreativity, purpose, and identityHow design shapes culture and societyAI, the future of design, and staying relevantEntrepreneurship and creating opportunities for othersIf you’re a creative, designer, student, educator, entrepreneur, or someone trying to find purpose in your work, this episode is filled with wisdom, honesty, and inspiration. ⸻ 🔗 Learn more about Inneract Project: https://www.inneractproject.org 🎙️ Subscribe to The Art School Graduate Podcast for more conversations with artists, designers, educators, and creative leaders shaping culture and the future of creativity. #MauriceWoods #GraphicDesign #DesignPodcast #BlackDesigners #MicrosoftDesign #UXDesign #CreativeCareers #InneractProject #DesignEducation #ArtSchoolGraduate #ProductDesign #CreativeJourney #DesignLeadership #RepresentationMatters #PodcastInterview

    1h 21m
  5. From PowerPoint Designs to Creative Director | Jaye Thompson on Creativity, Culture & Storytelling

    May 26

    From PowerPoint Designs to Creative Director | Jaye Thompson on Creativity, Culture & Storytelling

    How do you go from making things in PowerPoint as a teenager… to building creative worlds for brands like Netflix, ESPN, and MasterClass? In this episode of The Art School Graduate Podcast, Justin sits down with creative director and director Jaye Thompson to discuss his journey through design, advertising, storytelling, and creative identity. From growing up outside Philadelphia to navigating the competitive world of visual communication, Jaye shares how curiosity, experimentation, and relentless creative growth shaped his path into the industry. This conversation explores the realities of agency life, the pressure to prove yourself, the transition into directing music videos, and what it truly means to create work that people feel. ⸻ Jaye opens up about the early struggles of breaking into the industry, couch surfing while chasing opportunities in New York, learning how to balance creativity with sustainability in Los Angeles, and why collaboration is essential to building meaningful work. The episode also dives deep into world-building, creative philosophy, cultural impact, and the future of storytelling across design, film, and music. ⸻ In This Episode: Discovering graphic design through PowerPoint and visual experimentationTransitioning from athletics into a creative careerThe realities of agency life and creative burnoutBuilding campaigns rooted in emotion and cultural insightWhy storytelling matters more than aestheticsCreative direction, music videos, and world-buildingThe importance of collaboration in modern creativityDeveloping confidence and finding your creative voiceHow design can move beyond advertising into cultureWhat creative longevity actually requires⸻ About Jaye Thompson Jaye Thompson is a Creative Director and Director whose work lives at the intersection of design, film, and culture. His projects span advertising, motion design, music videos, photography, and visual storytelling, with work connected to brands including Netflix, ESPN, MasterClass, The North Face, and more. Through his creative collective Wish You Well, Jaye is focused on experimentation, collaboration, and building emotionally driven creative experiences. ⸻ Subscribe for More The Art School Graduate Podcast features conversations with artists, designers, filmmakers, and creative leaders sharing real stories about building careers in art, design, culture, and creative industries. ⸻ Follow Jaye Thompson Website:  Jaye Thompson Official Website Instagram: @jayethompson

    1 hr
  6. Dan Lee From Chemical Engineer to Artist: Why He Risked Everything for Creativity

    May 19

    Dan Lee From Chemical Engineer to Artist: Why He Risked Everything for Creativity

    What does it really take to walk away from a “safe” career and build a creative life? In this episode of The Art School Graduate Podcast, Justin sits down with artist, designer, and hand lettering specialist Dan Lee, also known as DanDrawnWords. From earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemical engineering to leaving it all behind, Dan shares the honest story of choosing creativity over stability. They talk about the tension between security and passion, the mindset required to pursue a creative career without a traditional path, and how Dan built his voice through lettering, storytelling, and community. This conversation also dives into the deeper side of creativity—why human-made work still matters in the age of AI, how craft connects us to meaning, and why the most impactful work is often slow, intentional, and imperfect. If you’ve ever questioned your path or felt pulled toward something more creative, this episode is for you. 💡 In This Episode:🎙️ About The Podcast • Transitioning from engineering to a creative career • Choosing creativity over stability • Building a design career without art school • The power of hand lettering and storytelling • Creativity vs algorithms and AI • Finding meaning through craft and community 🎙️ About The Podcast The Art School Graduate Podcast explores the real journeys of creatives—sharing the wins, struggles, and breakthroughs behind building a life in art and design.

    1h 8m
  7. Why “Good Design” Is Biased | Kaleena Sales

    May 12

    Why “Good Design” Is Biased | Kaleena Sales

    In this episode of The Art School Graduate Podcast, I sit down with Kaleena Sales, designer, educator, and author of Centered: People and Ideas Diversifying Design, to talk about how culture, identity, and lived experience shape the way we design. Kaleena is the chair of the Department of Art and Design at Tennessee State University, where she teaches the next generation of designers at an HBCU. In this conversation, we explore how traditional design education has centered Eurocentric standards, and what it means to expand the canon to include Black culture, urban aesthetics, and underrepresented voices. We also dive into: * How the environment shapes visual taste and design choices * The “mere exposure effect” and why we like what we see * Teaching design at an HBCU vs traditional institutions * The gap between design school and the real world * Why “good design” is often based on biased standards * Helping students embrace their identity in their work If you are a designer, student, or creative trying to find your voice, this conversation will challenge how you think about design and push you to see your perspective as an advantage, not a limitation. ⸻🔑 Key Takeaway Design is not neutral. Your culture, your environment, and your lived experience all shape the work you create, and that voice belongs in the conversation. ⸻📌 About the Podcast The Art School Graduate Podcast explores the real journeys of creatives, from students to industry professionals, uncovering the truth behind building a creative career.

    58 min
  8. How Justin French Went From Data Analyst to Shooting Keke Palmer & A$AP Rocky

    May 5

    How Justin French Went From Data Analyst to Shooting Keke Palmer & A$AP Rocky

    In this episode of Art School Graduate, we explore portrait photography, fashion photography, and the creative process behind making images that feel both timeless and contemporary. If you are a self-taught photographer, an emerging creative, or anyone trying to find your visual voice in a gate-kept industry, this conversation is full of real, actionable advice on how to build a creative career on your own terms. Justin opens up about studying economics, working for seven years as a corporate data analyst, and only picking up a camera because he was editing at a fashion magazine and could not afford to hire the photographers he needed. From shooting friends in his Bronx apartment with natural light, his work has traveled to Red Hook Labs, Saatchi Gallery, Fotografiska, and Rencontres d'Arles, with covers including Keke Palmer for The Cut, A$AP Rocky, and Venus Williams for Cultured. We go deep on how to find your photography style, how to direct A-list subjects past their public persona, why trust matters more than the perfect frame, and how to develop a portrait photography voice that lasts. Justin shares his honest take on how to shoot celebrities, how to build a portfolio without art school, and the responsibility self-taught photographers carry when their work reflects Black and LGBTQ+ communities. This is a real conversation about how to become a photographer, how to find your creative voice, and how to navigate the photography industry as a self-taught artist who came in through the back door. 💡 Question for you: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received as a self-taught creative? Drop it in the comments — I read every single one. 🎯 This episode is for you if: You are a self-taught photographer trying to break into the industry You want to learn how to become a photographer without an art school You are looking for portrait photography tips and creative direction You want to know how to develop your photography style and voice You are trying to figure out how to shoot celebrities and high-profile subjects You want honest advice on building a creative career as an emerging photographer You are interested in Black photographers and underrepresented voices in fashion photography You are navigating the line between commercial photography and fine art 🕐 Timestamps:00:00 Cold open00:36 Welcome and intro01:18 How to become a photographer without art school03:50 How an analyst background shapes his image-making06:30 When photography clicked as a real career08:30 Why portrait photography over street photography10:45 DIY photography setup and learning natural light13:45 Being a self-taught photographer in a gatekept industry22:00 How travel and culture shape your creative voice25:30 From Red Hook Labs to Saatchi Gallery and Fotografiska28:30 Reflecting on Antwaun Sargent and The New Black Vanguard30:45 How to develop your photography style and voice33:30 How to use historical references in modern photography38:50 How to make timeless images that still feel contemporary43:00 How to build trust with your subjects on set44:30 Photographing Black and LGBTQ+ communities with care46:40 What dignity in portrait photography really means49:00 How to direct celebrities like Keke Palmer and A$AP Rocky52:00 Subject, setting, or concept — what comes first54:00 What he has stopped trying to prove as a photographer55:30 How to maintain your voice in commercial photography57:00 Emotional security advice for emerging photographers1:02:00 Rapid fire round1:04:00 Photography as a labor and a craft1:06:00 Creating images that live beyond you1:07:00 Advice for self-taught photographers starting out1:09:30 The legacy he hopes his photography leaves1:10:30 What he would tell his younger self 🌐 Connect with Justin French: Website: www.justin-french.com Represented by: We Folk Instagram: @justinfrench 🎨 Follow the Podcast:Instagram: @artschoolgraduate_podcast Host: Justin Robinson

    58 min
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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

🎙️Art School Graduate Podcast explores the stories behind creative careers, culture, and design. Hosted by Justin Robinson, each episode features artists, designers, educators, and creative leaders shaping how we see, make, and understand the world. These are honest conversations about identity, process, failure, purpose, and the real work behind building a creative life. 🎨 Subscribe for weekly conversations with artists, designers, educators, and creative leaders about how culture, identity, and lived experience shape the work they make.

Information

  • Creator
    Art School Graduate Podcast
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Art School Graduate Podcast
  • Show Website
    Art School Graduate Podcast