Origins: A Creative Journey

DesignerCon
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Conversations with the biggest names and best-kept secrets of the creative world, spanning across industries. Learn about their origin stories and how they keep going when things get tough. New episodes drop every 2 weeks. Hosted by Rick Kitagawa and Digital Noir Studios.

  1. EP 48 - Building a successful fine art career with Steven Russell Black

    10/24/2025

    EP 48 - Building a successful fine art career with Steven Russell Black

    Being a full-time fine artist and illustrator is an aspirational dream for many, and is a reality for Steven Russell Black that he’s created for himself through discipline and mileage.  Steven Russell Black is a northern California-based painter who paints surreal figurative work that highlight the beauty in the horrific. He illustrates comic covers, books, and most notably, cards for Magic: the Gathering. In this conversation, Steven shares how his love and prioritization of his craft has brought him to being a full-time artist, the way he uses social media and consistency to build up a fan base, and how he builds multiple streams of revenue from every painting he finishes. Steven’s Links Website: stevenrussellblack.com Instagram: @stevenrussellback Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dconpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney For more Rick: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rickkitagawa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more Chris: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠digitalnoirstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more DesignerCon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠designercon.com⁠⁠⁠ Origins theme song: Noel Beltran Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ FaceBook: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@father.bankston⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠@father_bankston⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@nathanbankston⁠⁠⁠ Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@milfs.kitchen⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠thekitchenrecordingstudio.com⁠

    48 min
  2. EP 46 - The Power of Asking For What You Want with Jordan Fuchs of Plastic Pizza

    09/05/2025

    EP 46 - The Power of Asking For What You Want with Jordan Fuchs of Plastic Pizza

    Have you ever wondered what it takes to launch an independent brand and immediately get a collab with Johnny Cupcakes? Jordan Fuchs knows, as he’s literally done just that.  Jordan Fuchs is the frontman of Plastic Pizza, an art-driven brand with a focus on creativity, imagination, and community. After selling his extensive lego collection to raise money for his brand, in just a few short years he went from having an idea to building a company that delivers cheesy bliss in the form of art toys, limited-edition apparel, pins, stickers, and more.  In this conversation, Jordan lays out the power of asking fearlessly for what you want, how he got to talk to Mr. Beast’s team about a collaboration, and how he used guerilla marketing to build hype for his brand.  Jordan’s Links: Instagram: @theplasticpizza Popshop Live: Plastic Pizza Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dconpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney For more Rick: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rickkitagawa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more Chris: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠digitalnoirstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more DesignerCon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠designercon.com⁠⁠⁠ Origins theme song: Noel Beltran Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ FaceBook: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@father.bankston⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠@father_bankston⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@nathanbankston⁠⁠⁠ Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@milfs.kitchen⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠thekitchenrecordingstudio.com⁠

    50 min
  3. EP 45 - The Drive to Find Success On Your Own Terms with Joseph Israel Raul Bullard

    08/22/2025

    EP 45 - The Drive to Find Success On Your Own Terms with Joseph Israel Raul Bullard

    If you’ve ever wondered about the determination and confidence needed to come from humble beginnings and build a successful career in design, look no further than this conversation with Joseph Israel Raul Bullard.  Joseph Israel Raul Bullard has cut his teeth doing design work for companies like Hulu and Dell before building his own design studio where he focuses on branding and identity packages for small businesses. He also teaches design to college students both at Austin Community College as well as via his podcast Students of Design.In this frank conversation, Joseph shares his story of growing up in a household ruled by alcoholism and the grit, determination, and confidence to escape that future for himself by any means necessary. We talk about the power of mentorship and the overlaps teaching has with good design – and Joseph shares how to leverage curiosity and YouTube to build a career.  Joseph’s Links Instagram: @josephbullard Students of Design IG: @studentsofdesignpod LinkedIn: Joseph Israel Raul Bullard Listen to Students of Design Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dconpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney For more Rick: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rickkitagawa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more Chris: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠digitalnoirstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more DesignerCon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠designercon.com⁠⁠⁠ Origins theme song: Noel Beltran Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ FaceBook: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@father.bankston⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠@father_bankston⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@nathanbankston⁠⁠⁠ Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@milfs.kitchen⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠thekitchenrecordingstudio.com⁠

    59 min
  4. EP 44 - How to Build Your Creative Confidence with Diana Ling

    08/11/2025

    EP 44 - How to Build Your Creative Confidence with Diana Ling

    Have you ever wondered what it takes to break into the competitive world of visual development? Vis dev artist Diana Ling knows, as she’s been there and done just that.  With credits at studios like Marvel, Paramount, Warner Bros, and Hasbro, Diana Ling is a Los Angeles-based visual development artist who started out as a storyboard revisionist, then took it upon herself to develop the skills necessary to become a visual development artist.  In this conversation, Diana shares her journey as she broke into the industry and pursued her passion for painting - even though her drawing skills were pulling her in a different direction. Not only does she share how she found a mentor in animation, but she also shares her views on how she invests back in herself between work and how she thinks about goal setting.  Diana’s Links: Website: www.dianaling.com Instagram: @dianalingart Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dconpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney For more Rick: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rickkitagawa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more Chris: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠digitalnoirstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more DesignerCon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠designercon.com⁠⁠⁠ Origins theme song: Noel Beltran Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ FaceBook: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@father.bankston⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠@father_bankston⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@nathanbankston⁠⁠⁠ Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@milfs.kitchen⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠thekitchenrecordingstudio.com

    46 min
  5. EP 43 - Balancing Technology and Humanity with Shane Stover

    07/25/2025

    EP 43 - Balancing Technology and Humanity with Shane Stover

    Do you know what MLB, Interstellar, and Avengers: Infinity War all have in common? They all have had fine artist, fabricator, concept artist, and illustrator Shane Stover work on them.  Shane Stover started out painting sports legends while still in high school until he graduated college, moved to LA, and then built a career in the film and entertainment industry doing concept art for films like Spiderman: Homecoming, The Dark Knight Rises, and Alien:Romulus, all while nurturing a fine art career that dives into the intersection of humanity and technology. In this conversation, Shane shares the lessons he got from his professional-photographer-father, how he’s navigated two very different bodies of commercial work, and how, as a self-described non-technical person, he’s been able to stay ahead of the curve and integrate technology into his pieces.  Shane’s Links: Instagram: @shanestoverartsWebsite: https://www.stoverart.com/

    52 min
  6. EP 42 - Worldbuilding and writing with Wes Allard of Last Bastion Studios

    07/11/2025

    EP 42 - Worldbuilding and writing with Wes Allard of Last Bastion Studios

    What does Philip Marlowe, Space Godzilla, and Jiujitsu all have in common? They’re all part of the wide lexicon that writer, painter, and toy producer Wes Allard brings into his world of crime and luchador masks. Wes Allard is one of the founders of Last Bastion Studios - a Los Angeles-based art and toy production house that brings comics, toys, and sculptures to life for cool people. Last Bastion Studios also creates their own line of comics and toys, including Wes’ creation Luchador, a hardboiled mashup of crime fiction, lucha libre, and pro-wrestling.  In this conversation, Wes and Chris find out they have near-identical tastes in pretty much everything, and Wes shares how his lessons from martial arts has trained him for a life in the arts. He also shares tips on character-based writing, his one tip for all aspiring writers, and how he gets through all the difficult hurdles of being an artist.  Wes’ Links: Instagram: @lastbastionstudios Website: lastbastionstudio.com  Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dconpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney For more Rick: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rickkitagawa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more Chris: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠digitalnoirstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more DesignerCon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠designercon.com⁠⁠⁠ Origins theme song: Noel Beltran Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ FaceBook: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@father.bankston⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠@father_bankston⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@nathanbankston⁠⁠⁠ Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@milfs.kitchen⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠thekitchenrecordingstudio.com⁠

    52 min
  7. EP 41 - Making comics and never giving up with Howie Noel

    06/27/2025

    EP 41 - Making comics and never giving up with Howie Noel

    It’s relatively quick to read a graphic novel, but it’s much more time-consuming and difficult to write, draw, ink, and publish one yourself. Howie Noel has done this numerous times, while also balancing a career as an illustrator and caricaturist for an impressive slate of clients.  Howie has run successful crowdfunding campaigns to self-publish his graphic novels, maintains a weekly social media output of new comics, and also works for a wide range of clients like T-Mobile, The Pixies, and Cryptozoic.  In this conversation, Howie shares his love of noir with Chris and tips for anyone whose ever wanted to make their own comic or graphic novel. He drops real talk on how he navigates the days when you don’t want to draw and also shares some inspirational messages about kindness and not quitting the dream.  Howie’s Links: Website: hcnoel.com Instagram: @dicktracyroguesgallery Instagram: @clewcomic Facebook: @hcnoel Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dconpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney For more Rick: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rickkitagawa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more Chris: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠digitalnoirstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more DesignerCon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠designercon.com⁠⁠⁠ Origins theme song: Noel Beltran Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ FaceBook: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@father.bankston⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠@father_bankston⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@nathanbankston⁠⁠⁠ Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@milfs.kitchen⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠thekitchenrecordingstudio.com⁠

    1h 1m
  8. EP 40 - Switching industries, valuing your work, and talking money with Julie Parrish

    06/13/2025

    EP 40 - Switching industries, valuing your work, and talking money with Julie Parrish

    The pervasive myth of the starving artist has scared many people into pursuing careers outside of art, and Julie Parrish was no different. But through tenacity, some strokes of good luck, and a mindset of possibility has led her back into a career in photography and illustration.  With a background in scientific illustration, Julie has built up a career spilling over into medical research, photography, illustration, education, and information architecture.  In this conversation, Julie shares tons of wisdom for artists of all ages, including the three questions you need to ask yourself to find alignment in your goals. She also gets real about the business side of being a professional creative - including some great thoughts about pricing your work.  Julie’s Links: Website: julieparrishphotography.com Instagram: @julieparrisphotography Instagram: @parrish.ink.studio Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dconpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney For more Rick: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rickkitagawa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more Chris: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠digitalnoirstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more DesignerCon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠designercon.com⁠⁠⁠ Origins theme song: Noel Beltran Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ FaceBook: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran_⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@noelbeltran⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@father.bankston⁠⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠⁠@father_bankston⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠@nathanbankston⁠⁠⁠ Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@milfs.kitchen⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠thekitchenrecordingstudio.com⁠

    1h 8m
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Conversations with the biggest names and best-kept secrets of the creative world, spanning across industries. Learn about their origin stories and how they keep going when things get tough. New episodes drop every 2 weeks. Hosted by Rick Kitagawa and Digital Noir Studios.

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