Talk Paper Scissors: Recent Episodes
Diana Varma
Join host, Diana Varma, as she explores the wonderful world of design and printing, typography and branding, books and publishing. In each episode Diana aims to answer many age-old, deep philosophical questions such as: Where the heck did Comic Sans originate? Why do the majority of printed books have blank pages at the end? What is the world's ugliest colour? What does a sassy three-year-old have to say about the visible colour spectrum? Ready to have some fun? Let's talk paper scissors.
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Happy summer everyone! This marks the final episode of Talk Paper Scissors before I head on my summer/social media sabbatical until September.
Today’s episode contains a compilation of voices from DesignThinkers Vancouver from May 2026. The theme of this year’s DesignThinkers conferences is ‘Out of Office’ and I asked conference attendees their favourite out off office reset, as well as their favourite places to disappear when they’re out of office. Voices featured in today’s episode include: Elana Rudick, James Nguyen, Joanne Chang, Rain Senra-Francois, Tessa Laity, Chelsea Bell Eady, Raph Maturine, Helena de Aguiar, Elyssa Schmid, Patrick Brown, and Hilary Ashworth.
As I head Out of Office myself this summer season, I’ll be doing my best to reset with friends, family, and food, as well as intentionally focus on slowing down, doing one thing at a time, and sinking into contentment.
Until we meet again in the fall…
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We’re having conversations with magazine-makers— big and small, new and seasoned, independent and commercial—from all over the world, who are sharing what they do and how they do it. This year’s line up includes folks making magazines for kids, art and culture, as well as luxury lifestyle magazines, and a massive global publisher who covers all of this and more. There’s something for everyone in these 4 episodes.
This episode features Nicola Ryan, Vice President of Product Design at Condé Nast.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about Nicola’s career path into her current role at Condé Nast. Nicola shares how she thinks about designing for scale across so many publishing brands, including a toolkit that has drastically reduced the time it takes to reimagine visual design changes for brands like Wired and Architectural Digest, including how she helps brands balance consistent processes and experimentation. You’ll hear the specific ways Nicola and her team are thinking about and thoughtfully integrating AI in their creative workflow. We talk about boredom, critique, and the importance of trust building as a creative leader.
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in DG 8111 Digital Publishing in the Master of Digital Media Program in Spring 2026 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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We’re having conversations with magazine-makers— big and small, new and seasoned, independent and commercial—from all over the world, who are sharing what they do and how they do it. This year’s line up includes folks making magazines for kids, art and culture, as well as luxury lifestyle magazines, and a massive global publisher who covers all of this and more. There’s something for everyone in these 4 episodes.
This episode features Ojus Jain, Founder of Esses, a new publication celebrating global culture and motorsports.
In this conversation, you’ll hear how Esses fits into the media landscape for current and future F1 fans. In an expansive and fractured media landscape, you’ll hear how Ojus and his team decide the right balance of content, tools, and platforms that help support the brand, including why print is central to their strategy of building trust, including how they extend that trust into digital publishing.
You’ll hear why building a strong team is critical, even in an age where tools allow us to do more of the process ourselves, and why job titles matter less than you might think in a start up. Ojus shares his insider take on what’s possible in independent publishing, how he’s thinking about AI, and how the Esses team is creating a financially-sustainable media brand through partnerships, events, and subscriptions.
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in DG 8111 Digital Publishing in Spring 2026 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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Welcome Magazine Makers!
We’re having conversations with magazine-makers— big and small, new and seasoned, independent and commercial—from all over the world, who are sharing what they do and how they do it. This year’s line up includes folks making magazines for kids, art and culture, as well as luxury lifestyle magazines, and a massive global publisher who covers all of this and more. There’s something for everyone in these 4 episodes.
This episode features Krupa Patel, a Toronto and Ahmedabad-based independent magazine maker, founder and editor-in-chief of TURMERIC Magazine—an independent print publication documenting emerging artists, spatial practices, and contemporary culture through a lens of storytelling from the Indian subcontinent and it’s diaspora.
With no formal graphic design or publishing education, you’ll hear how Krupa navigated editorial, design, printing, and global distribution steered by 3 words: fun, quirky, and contemporary. Krupa looks backward, sharing what she would do differently if she started again, as well as looks forward, sharing how she plans to evolve the magazine for issue 02 and beyond. Finally, you’ll hear why knowing your niche may be the key that unlocks your magazine making journey. This episode is action-packed with fantastic advice for all new magazine makers.
TURMERIC Issue 01 launch party TONIGHT at Issues in Toronto!
📍 ISSUES Magazine Shop, 1489 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1T6
🗓 Thursday, June 25
⏰ 6–9 PM
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It’s magazine time!
Welcome to conversations with magazine-makers— big and small, new and seasoned, independent and commercial—from all over the world sharing what they do and how they do it. This year’s line up includes folks making magazines for kids, art and culture, as well as luxury lifestyle magazines, and a massive global publisher who covers all of this and more. There’s something for everyone in the next 4 episodes.
This first episode features Caroline Versteeg, a Toronto based Art Director, Designer and Artist who brings content to life at Chickadee Magazine at Owl Kids. In this conversation you’ll hear the typical process from start to finish for Chickadee magazine, as well as specific design decisions Caroline considers for their audience of children, intentional typographic choices for early readers, and why print is still so important for kids. You’ll hear how the team at Owl Kids finds new contributors for their publications and Caroline shares great advice for students wanting to work in the world of children’s publishing.
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Welcome, dear friends, to The Library Loiterers.
Each episode finds Diana loitering in a library with a special guest in a library location of theirchoosing. We comb the stacks and have a chat about passions, practices, and possibilities—letting the story unfold as it will. You’re encouraged to read between the lines because it’s going to be a real page turner…
This episode features local creative strategist, performer, and published poet, Izy Iannetta, as the duo explore the Toronto Zine Library. Each new zine shows the possibilities and boundless creativity in this delightful publishing format.
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Design students and design educators — this episode is for YOU! We have Mitch Goldstein, educator and author of How to Be a Design Student (and How to Teach Them), here to share some powerful thoughts and actionable advice.
In this conversation, you’ll hear Mitch’s approach to being “professionally curious” and the difference between “education” and “professional practice”. We dig into grading, what design education does well and what parts of the system needs improvement. We talk phones, distraction, and the power of working with materials and analog technologies in the context of digital media. We also dive into Mitch’s book How to Be a Design Student (and How to Teach Them), specifically what Mitch hopes everyone will learn about ownership and agency, critique, and engagement. Mitch also shares his artistic practice and all that entails.
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Today’s conversation is out of this world with Thalia Patrinos who works at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. She is the Artemis Digital Lead within the Office of Communications. She leads and strategizes all digital communications about NASA’s Artemis missions to and around the Moon, including social media, video, audio, web presence, and digital engagements.
In this conversation, you’ll hear Thalia talk about the years of work that goes into digital strategy for communicating a mission around the moon, balancing planning and flexibility to capture spontaneous moments of moon joy. She talks about the spreadsheets—the spreadsheets!—including how she uses technology to help with creative strategy. You’ll hear the ways that NASA prioritizes publishing factual information above all else, and get a better sense of who is behind the content and how these teams work together. Thalia takes us into her thinking when addressing multiple audiences across multiple platforms when the whole world is watching and what success looks like for a project of this magnitude. Finally, Thalia lets us in on her career backstory including how she ended up at NASA and the funny and relatable story about her first job interview.
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in DG 8111 Digital Publishing in Spring 2026 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
“Copy, Podcast joy.”
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Welcome, dear friends, to The Library Loiterers.
Each episode finds Diana loitering in a library with a special guest in a library location of theirchoosing. We comb the stacks and have a chat about passions, practices, and possibilities—letting the story unfold as it will. You’re encouraged to read between the lines because it’s going to be a real page turner…
This episode features type geek and delightful human, Carl Shura, as the duo explores the Toronto Reference Library. Each floor takes us into the past, present, and future of what it means to love type, the sharing economy, and community spaces.
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Meet emerging typeface designers, Juliette Bifolchi and Jasmin Gulati! Juliette designed a typeface called Road Block and Jasmin designed a typeface called Invertia. In the following conversation, you'll get to hear about each typeface. You'll also hear their perfect type pairings, sensory descriptions of each (sight, smell, touch, sound and even taste), as well as what was easy and difficult about the process. Let the type geekery begin!
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Today’s conversation is with Sara Soskolne, Executive Creative Director at Monotype, sharing her 20-year history of working on one of the world’s most recognizable typefaces: Gotham.
In this conversation, Sara shares her recent contributions to Gotham, working directly with the Obama Foundation for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago. She gets delightfully technical about Gotham’s letterforms, pulling back the curtain on the decisions made in the expansion of this iconic type family, including for the brand new Gotham variable font. Sara talks about how success is measured in a big project like this and how she knows when the work is done. Finally, Sara shares her advice about what current and future type designers can do to stay on top of the changing landscape.
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography in Winter 2026 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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Today’s guest is Elliot Jay Stocks, designer and author, known in typographic circles for his work as the co-creator of Google Fonts Knowledge, founder of 8 Faces magazine, and creative director of Typekit (now known as Adobe Fonts).
In this conversation, you’ll hear why Elliot wanted to make his new book (Fine Specimens) and what it contains. You’ll hear just how small the type design world actually is (Hi Jamie! Hi Mark!), as well as Elliot’s take on traditional type classification systems. He explains why he chose to integrate non-Latin typography throughout the book (versus it living in a separate section) and where type designers who want to expand into multiple new, unfamiliar scripts can start to think about collaborating with other foundries. Finally, Elliot shares his advice for designers creating specimens today—what to keep and what to consider reinventing.
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This is the third episode in a 4-part guest lecture series, speaking with an incredible range of design and typography pros from across North America!
In this eye opening look into the history of typography, signage, protest, and histories, Tré Seals thoughtfully explains the ways in which type has caused a lot of harm to various communities, but the ways in which it’s also a hopeful gateway to make meaningful change.
You’ll hear Tré’s origin story, back to his early childhood learning cursive and calligraphy, as well as the incredible family artifact that’s been translated into a font for broader audiences. You’ll hear how he uses historical references and deep research as the foundation of much of his work at Vocal Type. Tré shares examples of what “diversifying design” really means, as well as the systemic barriers that perpetuate in the type design world.
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography in Winter 2026 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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This is the second episode in a 4-part guest lecture series, speaking with an incredible range of design and typography pros from across North America!
This episode features 2 of the 3 authors of the First Things First 2020 manifesto, Marc O’Brien and Benjamin Gaydos. (Namita Dharia couldn’t join us but we hope to catch her in conversation again soon!)
In this conversation you’ll hear the tremendous global impact of the original First Things First manifesto in 1964 and what it means to each our guests. You’ll hear the way in which the First Things First 2020 manifesto is a collection of voices versus a single voice, and why this was so important to the team in the context of when it was created. You’ll also hear about the actionable ways that you can both work as a designer while staying aligned to your values even if your role isn’t directly in sustainability, climate design, or design for social good.
Check out https://firstthingsfirst2020.org/ where you can add your name to the growing list of designers who aim to put this manifesto into practice.
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography in Winter 2026 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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This is the first episode in a 4-part guest lecture series, speaking with an incredible range of design and typography pros from across North America!
This episode features type designer and founder of OH no Type Co., James Edmondson.
In this conversation you’ll hear James’ typography origin story (he’s still an 8-year-old at heart!), how he uses “Pen Logic” to help construct systems of type, and how he knows when a typeface is complete. You’ll hear some great questions from students asking for all the juicy details about mistakes in his work, as well as what James hates about the process.
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography in winter 2026 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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Welcome, dear friends, to The Library Loiterers.
Each episode finds Diana loitering in a library with a special guest in a library location of theirchoosing. We comb the stacks and have a chat about passions, practices, and possibilities—letting the story unfold as it will. You’re encouraged to read between the lines because it’s going to be a real page turner…
This episode features improv extraordinaire and Diana’s beloved high school drama teacher, Tim Miller, as the duo explores the University of Toronto’s Robarts Library. In the very place he once says he lost his love of reading, something unexpected happens: Tim begins to rediscover that he might still be a reader after all.
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It’s a high school experience like no other — Welcome to Oasis Skateboard Factory in Toronto, Canada where students make, design, and sell custom boards for real clients all while receiving high school credits.
This alternative school flips the script on what it means to learn and teach in high school, removing artificial boundaries between “school” and “the outside world”. Themes of equity, access, and cultivating community connections are explored. Guest and teacher, Lauren Hortie, shares how she and her colleagues work to cultivate an environment of experimentation and risk taking, helping to sabotage self-sabotage. If you’re an educator, listen in, but this conversation is also for students and anyone who works in education systems of any kind.
A quick disclaimer: the opinions and ideas expressed are solely that of this alternative school, Oasis Skateboard Factory, and not necessarily reflective or representative of the TDSB as a whole.
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Today’s guest is registered psychotherapist and author, Kate Robson, exploring her new book, Something to Hold Onto: Simple Images, Metaphors, and Practical Tools to Transform Your Life.
Her book is an incredible resource where she shares her ideas about complex human problems through a therapeutic lens to help make challenging moments a little less challenging. You’ll hear about the power of metaphor, through metaphors, to get out of thought ruts. We explore ideas including: failure, happiness, metal flexibility, choice, avoidance, teamwork, identity, creativity, and connection. It’s deep, it’s gentle, it’s eye, mind and heart opening.
This episode is co-hosted by Diana’s friend and colleague, Donna Cormier.
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 6!)
This episode is guest hosted by Jordan Grey.
Name: Clarendon
Release Date: 1845
Designer: Robert Besley
Classification: Slab Serif (Egyptian)
Owned By: Today its multiple versions are owned by multiple foundries.
Claim to Fame: This is the first first-ever registered and patented typeface.
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 6!)
This episode is guest hosted by Sheilae Siagian.
Name: San Francisco
Release Date: 2014
Designer: Apple’s Team (based on Helvetica and FF DIN)
Classification: Neo-Grotesque Sans Serif
Owned By: Apple
Claim to Fame: This is the first new typeface designed by Apple in nearly 20 years, it’s the UI font for Apple’s software.
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 6!)
This episode is guest hosted by Sol Riquero.
Name: Verdana
Release Date: 1996
Designer: Matthew Carter and Thomas Rickner
Classification: Humanist Sans Serif
Owned By: Microsoft
Claim to Fame: A typeface that was designed not for print, but for the screen, changing the way digital text looked and felt.
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 6!)
This episode is guest hosted by Lilly Clements.
Name: Garamond
Release Date: Mid 16th Century
Designer: Claude Garamond
Classification: Old Style Serif Typeface
Owned By: Not owned by one single person, but digital variations are owned by multiple different companies: Adobe Garamond, Monotype Garamond, Stempel Garamond, and EB Garamond
Claim to Fame: Garamond is the most legible text typeface for publishing for centuries.
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 6!)
This episode is guest hosted by Emma Pereira.
Name: Calibri
Release Date: 2007
Designer: Lucas de Groot
Classification: Sans Serif
Owned By: Microsoft Corporation
Claim to Fame: Calibri made history by dethroning Times New Roman as the default font of the MS Office Suite.
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Meet our guest, Marci Stepak, who grew up using Toronto public libraries in the late 1970s and early 80s. In this conversation, you’ll hear about Marci’s journey, walking 300 km to visit all 100 Toronto Public Library branches on foot over 10 days. She’s calling it Every Library TO and the walk starts today, April 7, 2026. This walk is both a tribute to her Mom (today marks 1 year of her passing) and also to raise to raise funds for the Toronto Public Library Foundation.
You’ll hear a beautiful story of love, grief, and why libraries are more necessary than ever in an age of disconnection, loneliness, and algorithmic filter bubbles designed to reinforce existing beliefs. You’ll hear about the magic of curiosity while engaging in a library environment and why the library might become your new favourite hub for dating. This episode has something for every book and library lover.
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Lights! Microphone! Podcast -- Episode 6
How do you wrap up a massive, semester-long creative project? Join Instructor Diana, alongside student hosts Shana and Alex, for the MDM class's final reflection and listening party. This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the creative journey, covering everything the students learned about audience, structure, and distribution while launching their first podcasts.
The conversation explores powerful themes of accountability and class citizenship, celebrating the collective energy and responsibility the students brought to the course. It highlights the real-world utility of their projects, noting the successful strategies and cross-promotion opportunities between different student shows like Big Bets and The Client Said What. If you've ever managed a collaborative project from concept to completion, this episode offers a motivating and honest look at the moment when all the creative, technical, and marketing pieces finally come together.
Created inside a podcasting special topics course (DG 8010: MDM Podcast Lab) within the Master of Digital Media program at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University, this six-part series explores what it really takes to start and grow a podcast.
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Lights! Microphone! Podcast -- Episode 5
What happens when your audience demands a language shift? Multilingual creator Winnie Liao joins host Alex to discuss the reality of launching a content project outside the default English market. Winnie shares the unexpected journey of her show, which started in Mandarin in Taiwan and quickly grew into a bilingual platform driven by listeners who wanted to learn English.
Winnie reveals the core lessons learned from her background in acting and comedy: success in podcasting requires authenticity, patience, and a willingness to be imperfect. She explains why being a "live wire" and simply being yourself on the mic is more effective than trying to adhere to a rigid structure. The conversation covers how she navigated the shift from corporate content creation to successful entrepreneurship, leveraging her show as a self-promotion tool that attracts new opportunities in Canada and beyond.
Created inside a podcasting special topics course (DG 8010: MDM Podcast Lab) within the Master of Digital Media program at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University, this six-part series explores what it really takes to start and grow a podcast.
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Lights! Microphone! Podcast -- Episode 4
Are you optimizing your podcast for the right platforms? Jordan Blair, Podcast Producer at Buzzsprout, breaks down the current reality of podcast growth. Jordan explains why you must stop treating platforms like TikTok or Instagram and start treating them like libraries. You will learn the single most important rule for discoverability: use keyword-rich show and episode titles for SEO, or risk not being found at all.
This episode is packed with practical tips, including how to use the Episode Consumption graph to pinpoint audience drop-off and fix consistency issues. Jordan confirms that listener support (donations and subscriptions) is the only monetization strategy that provides reliable, constant revenue, unlike volatile ad income. He also debunks the myth that asking for ratings and reviews helps your show grow. Learn the true mechanics of growth and how to avoid the "burnout" and "insecurity wall" that stops most podcasts before episode ten.
Created inside a podcasting special topics course (DG 8010: MDM Podcast Lab) within the Master of Digital Media program at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University, this six-part series explores what it really takes to start and grow a podcast.
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Lights! Microphone! Podcast -- Episode 3
Host Alex sits down with Javon Martin to get real about building a podcast that's actually a business in disguise. His show, "100 Ways to Make $100K," isn't just content: it's the front door to something bigger. In this conversation, Javon breaks down how he created the "Millionaire Machine," a guest booking system he developed between episodes 30 and 55 that became the engine for his entire operation.
You'll hear about the difference between planning and adapting (spoiler: you need both), why fast feedback matters more than perfection, and how connecting underprivileged youth with successful mentors became the driving force behind a scalable business model. Whether you're starting a podcast or already have one, this episode will shift how you think about content creation in the creator economy.
Created inside a podcasting special topics course (DG 8010: MDM Podcast Lab) within the Master of Digital Media program at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University, this six-part series explores what it really takes to start and grow a podcast.
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Lights! Microphone! Podcast -- Episode 2
What goes into creating a piece of music that defines a cultural moment? Nick Thorburn, the composer behind Serial's unforgettable theme, sits down with host Shana to tell the story. Spoiler: it all happened in a weekend, and he had no idea the show would become a global phenomenon.
Nick walks through his creative process: how he approached the project as a straightforward freelance job, why he drew inspiration from Twin Peaks, and what it means to work as a "live wire" where the unconscious mind does the heavy lifting. He also gets into the business side of things, explaining why podcasters need to stop treating music like something you slap on at the end. Sound design matters. It shapes how people experience your show.
Whether you're launching a podcast or just curious about what happens behind the scenes in audio storytelling, this episode offers a rare look at the intersection of creativity, business, and cultural impact.
Created inside a podcasting special topics course (DG 8010: MDM Podcast Lab) within the Master of Digital Media program at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University, this six-part series explores what it really takes to start and grow a podcast.
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Lights! Microphone! Podcast -- Episode 1
Ever wondered what goes wrong behind the scenes of a podcast? The production team from "Ctrl Alt Narrate" is here to tell you everything. Sneesha (creative lead), Alisha (logistics and marketing), and Victoria (design) join host Alex to talk about the reality of collaborative podcasting: the good, the messy, and the lessons that came from nearly derailing the whole thing.
This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone making content with a team. You'll learn why written contracts are non-negotiable (even with friends), how to avoid a post-production nightmare when syncing audio and video, and why you absolutely need a clear leader instead of running things like a college group project. The team also shares how they found their voice as hosts, evolved their brand identity, and managed the mountain of unedited episodes piling up. If you're a new podcaster, creative team member, or media student, this is required listening.
Created inside a podcasting special topics course (DG 8010: MDM Podcast Lab) within the Master of Digital Media program at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University, this six-part series explores what it really takes to start and grow a podcast.
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Introducing: Lights Microphone Podcast
In Fall 2025, a group of graduate students set out to learn about podcasting from the ground up and Lights Microphone Podcast is the result. Created inside a podcasting special topics course within the Master of Digital Media program at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University, this six-part series explores what it really takes to start and grow a podcast.
The series features conversations with composers, producers, video podcasters, multilingual creators, and student makers — all sharing how they brought their shows to life. Part inspiration, part practical roadmap, Lights Microphone Podcast is about creative momentum, where big ideas meet bold action. The first of the 6 part series drops tomorrow.
Hosted by Alex Sein and Shana Wu
Audio Engineering by Tom Vu
Produced + Visuals by Mili Bhatt
Written content by Shrey Patel
Guest Outreach Support by Lindsay Buckingham
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Down the rabbit hole we go! Each conversation in this series connects in unexpected ways. Every new episode spurring a new line of inquiry, like tunnels turning off in different directions, each with an origin that’s traced back to episodes 273, 276, and 280.
This episode features net.art pioneer, Olia Lialina. She is credited with founding one of the earliest web galleries, Art Teleportacia. She is cofounder and keeper of One Terabyte of Kilobyte Age archive and a professor at Merz Akademie in Stuttgart, Germany. In this conversation, you’ll hear Olia’s origin story as a net artist, cross-pollinating film and Internet technology to tell interactive stories. You’ll hear her approach to capturing and cataloging the early web and how it’s evolved over time, including her long-standing GeoCities project. You’ll hear the surprising connections between interface design and stage design, how AI is changing the Internet and those who shape it, and how we can all reclaim our corners of the web.
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Happy Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina 2026!
Graphic designer and illustrator, Paul Twa, is here and he’s full of insights and passion for Olympic design joy!
In this conversation, we talk all things design systems at Milano Cortina 2026. Paul shares the importance of human gesture, energy, and motion to this system, the unique public vote that took place for the games’ emblem, as well as AI use and its implications. Paul helps us understand what works beautifully and what works less beautifully in this system, as he helps us understand the understory of “the look of the games”.
This podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by the International Olympic Committee.
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This is the third episode in a 3-part guest lecture series, speaking with a diverse range of design and typography pros from across North America!
This episode features the owner of foundry Type Du Nord, Libbie Bischoff.
In this conversation, you’ll hear how Libbie got started in type professionally and what a typical day looks like as a foundry of one. You’ll hear about the way Libbie’s signature may actually be your signature, now or in the future and the storytelling power of type. We talk revival fonts, what success looks like beyond measurable metrics, advice for making type for a living, and how advancing technology is changing (or not changing) Libbie’s approach to her work.
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography in fall 2025 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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This is the second episode in a 3-part guest lecture series, speaking with a diverse range of design and typography pros from across North America!
This episode features a Creative Director dedicated to social change and inclusive city building, Jay Wall.
In this conversation you’ll hear about Jay’s origin story as a designer and the evolution of his path towards designing for social change. You’ll hear about the Design Justice Network (DJN) and learn a less naïve way to frame the question “can design save the world?” You’ll hear concrete examples over the last 70 years that have challenged the status quo and helped catalyze change in a variety of contexts, both on the streets and on the screen. Lastly, you’ll hear what Jay’s currently up to regarding inclusive city building; a project called ‘Yonge Tomorrow’, a project with the City of Toronto to redesign downtown Yonge Street, nodding to the past, embracing present needs, and planning for a more accessible future.
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography in fall 2025 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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This is the first episode in a 3-part guest lecture series in GCM 230 Typography, speaking with design typography pros from across North America!
This episode features type designer and educator at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, Leo Vicenti.
In this conversation, you’ll hear how Leo believes typography can support Indigenous language and culture, the ways in which typography isn’t always necessary, Indigenization of digital spaces, and why fixed systems don’t necessarily work (Unicode, for example).
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography in fall 2025 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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Today’s episode features two authors with two new books on two interrelated topics: David Berry (How Artists Make Money & How Money Makes Artists) and Raymond Biesinger (9 Times My Work Has Been Ripped Off: An Informal Self-Defence Guide for Independent Creatives).
In this conversation you’ll hear the macro and the micro of economics and art; David and Raymond share history’s most interesting examples, alongside personal examples of the ways in which art and money are intertwined. We talk challenges for early career creatives, artists vs. AI, and what it means to create in a rapidly-shifting media ecosystem. There’s so much richness in this conversation, so many incredible insights, and so much food for thought. If you consider yourself an artist, a designer, an author, a creative… you won’t want to miss this one.
Illustration Credit: Raymond Biesinger
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Allow me to point something out…
From Medieval manuscripts to 19th-century advertising, modern interfaces, and emoji culture, this episode follows the curious history of the iconic pointing hand, commonly referred to as the “manicule”.
Inspired by a letterpress project created for the Canadian Letterpress Alliance, I step back in time to print postcards on a 170-year-old press at Mackenzie House Toronto, using historic wood type found in a cabinet of typographic curiosities.
We explore its origins as a reader’s mark, its many aliases, its evolution through print and persuasion, and its quiet persistence today, right down to the moment I realized that my cursor is a modern-day manicule.
💅🏽 See the final print and process at talkpaperscissors.info/letterpress
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Down the rabbit hole we go! Each conversation in this series connects in unexpected ways. Every new episode spurring a new line of inquiry, like tunnels turning off in different directions, each with an origin that’s traced back to episode 273.
This episode features Jill Blackmore Evans who created GeoCities Memory, a personal and scholarly project designed to capture some of the most interesting examples of websites in Web 1.0. In this conversation, you’ll hear well as what Jill has found to be surprisingly similar about the web now vs. 20-30 years ago, as well as what feels different. She explains the interesting links between the maturation of the web and colonization and control, pondering “Is the Internet forever?” Finally, Jill and I ask and answer big questions about digital ownership and if future generations will event want what we’ve created online.
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Today’s conversation is with Alanna Munro of Arcane Type Foundry. She is a certified letter nerd, designer, and educator. In this conversation you’ll hear about Alanna’s creative process for designing type, the importance of squinting, and common misconceptions about independent foundries. You’ll also hear helpful, actionable advice about font licensing. And for all students here: listen up! Alanna lets type design students know how they can get professional critique on your type design work.
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Today I’m joined by Andrew Huot, who is book making royalty: a book artist, bookbinder, printer, and conservator whose artists’ books are in collections across the US, from the Art Institute of Chicago to Yale University.
In this conversation, you’ll hear what the term “book arts” means. You’ll learn what a typical day in Andrew’s studio looks like, including his most necessary tools: from bone, to surgical scalpels, to teflon. Andrew shares how he repairs paper (my mind is blown!), the oldest book he’s ever worked on, and he debunks a popular book handling myth (again, my mind is blown!). Finally, Andrew speaks to the importance of books in a highly digital world, and he shares the best next steps for aspiring book artists, which might just be you after hearing this episode!
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Meet emerging typeface designers, Ivana Vukmirovic and Mahrukh Saeed! Ivana designed a typeface called Lindworm and Mahrukh designed a typeface called Khabartoon. In the following conversation, you'll get to hear about each typeface, their perfect type pairings, sensory descriptions of each, as well as what each of these emerging typeface designers plans to do next in the world of letterforms. Let the type geekery begin!
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Down the rabbit hole we go! Each conversation in this series connects in unexpected ways. Every new episode spurring a new line of inquiry, like tunnels turning off in different directions, each with an origin that’s traced back to episode 273.
This episode features George Wylesol who is an artist and author based in Baltimore, Maryland. In this conversation, you’ll hear about George’s grown-up choose-your-own-adventure book, 2120, that forces the reader to question who is in control. You’ll hear about his inspiration for the work, his technical process, as well as how AI’s evolution shaped the book’s content and meaning. George also waxes nostalgia for early Internet culture and websites like those found on the now defunct Geocities website.
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Today’s guest and her team’s most recent book project is truly emotional and inspiring. In this conversation, you’ll hear from Rachel Arthur, Founder and Editor of boom saloon, “an independent publisher dedicated to democratizing creativity for good”. You’ll hear about their most recent publication (and deeply personal project) that humanizes the experiences of dementia, called “4,4,4&2”.
You’ll hear about the process of co-creation central to the making of the publication, the disappearing ink technology and intentional typographic choices used to mimic the experience of living with dementia, as well as Rachel’s beautiful hope for this project and where it could lead.
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This episode features Maria Bowler, author of ‘Making Time: A New Vision for Crafting a Life Beyond Productivity’. In this conversation, Maria clarifies the way we orient to the world, either as “the producer” or “the maker”. She dives deep into the problematic ideas around productivity, the ways in which these ideas reinforce colonial systems, and how to re-imagine time, questioning the typical options laid out before us.
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In this conversation, you’ll hear from Amanda Breeze, a cannabis writer based out of Toronto, Canada, who documents international cannabis culture and explores new smells. This year she launched Tripper Magazine, an adventure travel guide to the world’s cannabis friendly destinations.
In this conversation, you’ll learn about the process of making a magazine from the seedling of an idea, through to distribution all around town. Amanda shares so much invaluable info for new magazine makers!
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Julian Brown is an independent motion designer and augmented-reality artist. In this conversation, you'll hear how Julian and his wife, Amy Shackleton, work together to merge the worlds of fine art and digital media to create interactive installations. You'll also hear how the design space and the fine art space differ in terms of how and when creatives are compensated for their work.
You'll hear Julian’s thoughts on AI and all the ways in which it is both deeply problematic, as well as opportunistic. Julian also shares excellent, actionable money advice for young creatives.
Finally, I turn the tables on Julian and we play a little game of “Never Have I Ever”. ;)
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Welcome to the Brave Creative Humans series! This is the final episodes in the series featuring some of the many past Talk Paper Scissors guests who exemplify brave creative living: Allison MacKenzie, Kevin Shaw, Vincent Wanga, Meg Lewis, Emad Saedi, and Justine Abigail Yu.
In this episode, the 6 answer this question: “In your opinion, what does living life as a ‘Brave Creative Human’ mean to you?”
This series is inspired by Diana’s recently published book, Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You. Thank you so much to everyone who joined me at DesignThinkers Toronto for the official launch on October 1 and 2!
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Welcome to the Brave Creative Humans series! This is the fifth of 6 episodes featuring some of the many past Talk Paper Scissors guests who exemplify brave creative living: Allison MacKenzie, Kevin Shaw, Vincent Wanga, Meg Lewis, Emad Saedi, and Justine Abigail Yu.
In this episode, the 6 answer this question: “How do you ‘colour outside of the lines’ in your creative work; in other words, how are you living a creative existence on your own terms?”
This series is inspired by Diana’s recently published book, Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You. Thank you so much to everyone who joined me at DesignThinkers Toronto for the official launch on October 1 and 2!
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Welcome to the Brave Creative Humans series! This is the fourth of 6 episodes featuring some of the many past Talk Paper Scissors guests who exemplify brave creative living: Allison MacKenzie, Kevin Shaw, Vincent Wanga, Meg Lewis, Emad Saedi, and Justine Abigail Yu.
In this episode, the 6 answer this question: “What is your approach to maintaining sanity and humanity in a hyper-connected world, particularly as it relates to comparison with other creative folks?”
This series is inspired by Diana’s recently published book, Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You. Join Diana for the book’s official launch on October 1 and 2, 2025, at Canada’s largest conference for graphic designers, DesignThinkers Toronto!
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Welcome to the Brave Creative Humans series! This is the second of 6 episodes featuring some of the many past Talk Paper Scissors guests who exemplify brave creative living: Allison MacKenzie, Kevin Shaw, Vincent Wanga, Meg Lewis, Emad Saedi, and Justine Abigail Yu.
In this episode, the 6 answer this questions: “When is a time when you failed, what did it mean to you and how did you move forward?”
This series is inspired by Diana’s recently published book, Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You. Join Diana for the book’s official launch on October 1 and 2, 2025, at Canada’s largest conference for graphic designers, DesignThinkers Toronto!
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Welcome to the Brave Creative Humans series! This is the second of 6 episodes featuring some of the many past Talk Paper Scissors guests who exemplify brave creative living: Allison MacKenzie, Kevin Shaw, Vincent Wanga, Meg Lewis, Emad Saedi, and Justine Abigail Yu.
In this episode, the 6 answer this questions: “How do you sense failure: literally, how would you describe how you see it, feel it, hear it, smell it and even taste it?
This series is inspired by Diana’s recently published book, Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You. Join Diana for the book’s official launch on October 1 and 2, 2025, at Canada’s largest conference for graphic designers, DesignThinkers Toronto!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
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Welcome to the Brave Creative Humans series! This is the first of 6 episodes featuring some of the many past Talk Paper Scissors guests who exemplify brave creative living: Allison MacKenzie, Kevin Shaw, Vincent Wanga, Meg Lewis, Emad Saedi, and Justine Abigail Yu.
In this episode, the 6 answer these questions: "What are your thoughts on perfectionism in creative work? Is perfect necessary or even possible?"
This series is inspired by Diana’s recently published book, Brave Creative Human: Embrace Failure, Reframe Imposter Syndrome, and Be Unapologetically You. Join Diana for the book’s official launch on October 1 and 2, 2025, at Canada’s largest conference for graphic designers, DesignThinkers Toronto!
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Surprise! Brave Creative Human is here one month early. In this episode, I share the serendipitous story behind the book, why it exists, and who it’s for.
There's a special guest appearance by Creativity Professor and Drag Queen, Guy Anabella, who wrote the book’s foreword and joins me to talk about brave creative humanity. Themes include embracing failure, reframing imposter syndrome, and finding belonging in creative work—plus what’s next for the Brave Creative Humans podcast series.
Join me for the book’s official launch on October 1 and 2, 2025, at Canada’s largest conference for graphic designers, DesignThinkers Toronto!
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It’s the final episode before Talk Paper Scissors takes a break until September and we have one of the best with us today, talking all about accessibility in digital publishing.
Laura Brady is an accessible publishing expert who works with eBound Canada, the Accessible Books Consortium, the International Publishers Association, and Adobe among other organizations. She teaches, she consults, and she advocates for accessible publishing on a global scale.
In this conversation, you’ll hear all sorts of examples of accessible digital publishing, including the ways to think proactively about creating and publishing content that’s ready to be enjoyed by a wide audience. You’ll get thinking about the tools and processes used in accessible digital publishing, including the way human interaction are still critical in the process. Finally, you’ll hear about the newly-enacted EU accessibility legislation that’s fundamentally changing accessible publishing for the better.
This episode is a guest lecture in DG 8111 - Digital Publishing in the Master of Digital Media Program at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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Let’s make magic!
In this episode you’ll hear about Diana’s latest collaborative making project (that could involve you!) called Making Magic; a collection of creativity kits that anyone can use to experience a bit of everyday joy and wonder.
You’ll hear about the first batch of kits ready to share (Upcycled Zine Kits), as well as the three alternative creative economies on which this project is built (no money need be exchanged!). You’ll also hear about the three nodes of knowledge planted recently in Diana’s mind that fit together to allow this project to come forth, as well as how you can become involved in making magic.
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A home for zines!
From makers near and far, with small and large publications, you’ll hear about the exciting medium of zines where anything can happen at the intersection of art and independent publishing. This is the 4th and final episode in the series, featuring the Toronto Zine Library.
The Toronto Zine Library & Archive (TZL) is a physical library space run by a collective of zine readers, zine makers and librarians who strive to make zines accessible for the Toronto community. They believe that zines are an important medium of communication, and that they should be cherished, protected, and promoted.
In this conversation, you’ll hear from Toronto Zine Library volunteers, Silvia and Miles. You’ll hear how the library got started and its goals as a volunteer-run space. You’ll also hear how Sylvia and Miles define ‘zines’ and why zines can be both a stepping stone, as well as an independently-published art form in their own right.
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Yesssss zines!
From makers near and far, with small and large publications, you’ll hear about the exciting medium of zines where anything can happen at the intersection of art and independent publishing. This is the 3rd of 4 episode in the series, featuring Sisley Mark.
Sisley is a Chicago-based artist and creative. She primarily works with acrylic or ink on canvas and paper. Her work is deeply rooted in the belief that art isn't about the polished end result. It is about the stories, experiments, and emotions that unfold along the way.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about Sisley’s at practice and her summer camp start in zine making as a kid and why sharing physical art is so powerful. You’ll hear her love-hate relationship with boredom (a gateway into noticing), as well as her focus on the process—for better or for worse.
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Zines! Zines! Hooray for Zines!
From makers near and far, with small and large publications, you’ll hear about the exciting medium of zines where anything can happen at the intersection of art and independent publishing. This is the 2nd of 4 episode in the series, featuring Hannah and Sarah of Feels Zine.
In this episode, you’ll hear how Feels Zine came to be, as well as hear more about the interdisciplinary nature of the Feels Zine team duo, Hannah and Sarah.
You’ll hear what it feels like to produce Feels, including engaging in the more challenging emotional themes, as well as the lighter ones. You’ll hear the process through which each issue travels and why Sarah and Hannah still (mostly) consider Feels a ‘zine’(including why existing in the middle of the publishing spectrum can be beneficial).
Finally, you’ll hear how Feels is funded, the live event aspect of each issue, as well as big dreams for the zine.
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Welcome to a 4-part publishing series all about the world of zines! From makers near and far, with small and large publications, you’ll hear about this exciting medium where anything can happen at the intersection of art and independent publishing.
First up we have Ioana Simion, who is an artist-educator and facilitator based London. She runs community workshops under the artistic identity of Artizine.
In this conversation, you’ll hear how to Ioana’s zine making evolved from solitary practice through to creating in community, and how she experiments in her zine making. She shows us what type of magic can happen when we take formal design practice and marketing out of the equation and focus solely on making in a community space.
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Meet emerging typeface designers, Paulina Marin and Darrab Qureshi! Paulina designed a typeface called Funky Pants and Darrab designed an Arabic typeface called Qalam in GCM 806 Advanced Typography at Toronto Metropolitan University. In the following conversation, you'll get to hear about each typeface. You'll also hear their perfect type pairings, sensory descriptions of each (sight, smell, touch, sound and even taste), as well as what was easy and difficult about the process. Let the type geekery begin!
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Welcome to a thought-provoking and paradigm-shifting conversation with James McCrae, author, poet, and teacher who empowers creators to live with purpose and turn imagination into reality.
In this conversation you’ll hear how James’ career has always been rooted in both art and writing, including his navigation through various facets of the design industry. You’ll hear why James believes that social media is an art form in its own right and how making mistakes have been some of his greatest moments of learning.
We talk about the role ego plays in creative practice, and the importance of planting intentional seeds, allowing quality ideas to grow and mature in our subconscious. We also talk about trust and control in creative processes.
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Today we have educator, storyteller and Toronto tourism go-to, Alex Sein @BeardedProf416. In this conversation, you’ll hear Alex’s story of becoming a Torontonian, including his link to graffiti culture in the city and how he accidentally became intwined in this community.
You’ll hear about the history of graffiti, why it matters and how graffiti is often a collaborative process. You’ll not only hear about physical infrastructure of a place (including the idea of a 15-minute city), but also the emotional infrastructure that signage, advertising and graffiti help shape. You’ll hear the surprising ways that graffiti is deeply-rooted in history of places all over the world and both consciously and subconsciously connect and foster belonging.
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Today’s conversation features Paige Deasley, photographer, storyteller, and creative strategist passionate about helping people reconnect with nature.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about Paige’s life that exists at the intersection of nature and creativity. You’ll hear how she handles working remotely while immersing herself in nature, how she found her photographic voice, as well as what about the natural world inspires her and what it’s like to swim with an octopus. Finally, you’ll hear about Paige’s ideal vision of a life that allows her to explore creativity in the natural world.
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Today we have the one, the only, Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr., an American printer, book artist and papermaker who has been puttin’ ink on paper since 1949. He is a citizen printer, which you’ll hear much more about very soon.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about Amos’ incredible book, Citizen Printer, including how it came to be, what it means to be a citizen and Amos’ vision for citizenship today and tomorrow. You’ll hear about activism, humanism, materialism, capitalism, environmentalism, and the need for a new system. And in the wise words of Amos, “participation changes the system”.
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Today’s guest is internet artist, Nolen Royalty. He's interested in getting strangers to interact over the internet in unusual ways and in pushing mundane technology to its limits. Projects of his include stranger video (a website that shows you live, silent video of a stranger's face until one of you blinks), One Million Checkboxes (a website with a million global checkboxes), and games that run inside Google Calendar, MacOS Finder, and your unclosed browser tabs.
And he’s also created a game called Talk Paper Scissors, which is how we—by happenstance—connected.
In this conversation you’ll hear how Nolen brings strangers together for spontaneous joy on the Internet. You’ll better understand why Nolen prefers creating experiences that foster collaboration rather than competition, how building constraint facilitates participation, as well as the role multi-level storytelling plays in his work.
Also, you’ll hear an epic rock paper scissors showdown of monumental proportions to decide the ultimate Talk Paper Scissors champion….
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Could you collaborate to make an award-winning professional short film with a team from start to finish in just 48 hours? Our guest today has done just that! James Rowan is a technologist, educator, and researcher working at the intersection of film, television, and emerging technology.
You’ll hear James talk about the ways in which both creativity drives technology and technology drives creativity. He provides advice about how to develop both creative thinking skills, paired with the technical skills necessary to make a vision come to life, and what’s needed to bridge the gap between these two states of being.
We chat about the inventible failures that will occur in figuring things out as you go, and that failure is simply data. We talk about collaboration and the power of the hive mind; diverse individuals with different areas of expertise coming together to push innovation through experimentation.
Here's the link to watch James and team's incredible 48-hour film project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPRe2bVe27o
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Elliot Jay Stocks is a designer and musician, known in typographic circles thanks to his time as Creative Director of Adobe Typekit, founder of typography magazine 8 Faces, and for his recent collaboration with Google that lead to the creation of Google Fonts Knowledge.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about Elliot’s prolific career in type. We talk passion projects and opportunities to broaden skills sets and unique opportunities that can happen from following one’s genuine interests. Elliot also shares his process for writing and designing my very favourite typography textbook, as well as the entry point for students who are just beginning to formally explore the world of letterforms.
A quick note that this episode isn’t sponsored — as always I’m just a curious human trying to connect with interesting, creative people and projects out in the world.
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Welcome to 250th episode of Talk Paper Scissors where I celebrate YOU the listeners, chat about podcasting milestones and share info about the upcoming release of my book called Brave Creative Human: Reframe imposter syndrome, embrace failure and be unapologetically you, with the foreword written by the one and only Drag Artist & Creativity Professor, Guy Anabella!
Release date: September 28, 2025!
Here’s to the celebrating the small successes that turn out to be not so little with time and consistency.
Note: The Book* above is not my book; it’s a delightful read by author Keith Houston that’s “a cover-to-cover exploration of the most powerful object of our time”. I couldn't agree more!
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From actionable leadership strategies to creative direction to AI, this episode is for all of the creative change makers!
In this conversation, you’ll hear from creative leader, Vince Wanga, author of "The Art of Direction” with a distinguished two-decade career. He shares the benefits of long-term goal setting and he shares his next audacious goal. You’ll hear about his book and the important and deeply personal stories about creative leadership he shares in it.
You’ll hear why creative leadership isn’t the only ‘path to success’, as well as what Vince believes are the most pressing challenges of our time as designers and creatives. Vince makes a compelling case for using AI ‘as a tool, not a crutch’ and the ways that he sees this technology integrating into creative processes.
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Have you ever dressed up as a life-sized paper doll, used a typewriter in a public bathroom or traveled to multiple continents to learn more about sheep? Meet Kara Dunne, who has done all of the above and more in the name of art.
In this conversation, you’ll learn more about why and how many artistic modalities are part of Kara’s artistic practice, as well as about her most challenging project to date: a book called ‘Shopping Cart Shepherds’ and all of the serendipity leading to its creation. You’ll hear about the importance of following the breadcrumbs in a creative project, no matter if you know where they’ll lead, as well as what Kara’s up to now and next.
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Today’s guest is Rosie Meleady, Irish author and my first cousin once removed!
Rosie is currently having a fabulous midlife crisis in Italy, running women’s writing retreats in Italy twice a year, and hosting women solo travellers and creatives in her Umbrian villa guest house. She writes humorous living memoir and humorous fiction.
Through this conversation, you’ll better understand Rosie’s journey as both an independent and traditionally published author, her process for writing ‘living memoir’ (or ‘reality TV in book form’, as she calls it), and the advice she has for new authors. You’ll also learn why your new favourite creative hobby could be eavesdropping.
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This 3 part mini-series features 3 designers who bring different kinds of magazines to life. In this third and final episode, we have Creative Director and magazine designer, Kyle Scrhuder.
In this conversation, Kyle straddles the line between printed magazines and digital magazines. You’ll also hear about a project early in Kyle’s career that fundamentally changed the way he approached magazine design from that day forward. Kyle maps out a framework to balance readability and creativity, digging into actionable techniques to move through a magazine design process, including what magazine designers can learn from UX/UI designers.
You can find visuals discussed in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in GCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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This 3 part mini-series features 3 designers who bring different kinds of magazines to life. In this second episode, we have Alexandra Golubeva, Designer at Readymag!
In this conversation, Alexandra takes us through what Readymag is all about, as well as a series of projects that showcase the platform’s capabilities. You’ll better understand what’s possible with digitally published magazines, as well as how Alexandra thinks about working with type on the web and lots of tips around accessibility for publication design on the web.
You can find visuals discussed in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info and definitely check out all the links to the projects to follow along with eh conversation and explore with us in real time.
This episode is not sponsored in any way (just a cool tool!) and is part of a guest lecture series in GCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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This 3 part mini-series features 3 designers who bring different kinds of magazines to life. First up we have Art Director and Issues Magazine Shop owner, Nicola Hamilton!
In this conversation, you’ll hear Nicola share what it means to work on projects that manifest in print, as well as how she approaches the design of Serviette magazine to serve the content and audience, including working with a number of design constraints.
Nicola shares insights about how she believes current students keen on being part of the magazine industry can work on achieving this reality. We talk about what it means to try and fail in magazine making, as well as communication and collaboration necessary to make a magazine happen. Nicola also chats about her ‘clubhouse for print’, Issues Mag Shop, and you’ll hear what she’s most excited about in Magazine Land.
You can find visuals discussed in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in GCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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This is the third and final episode in a 3-part mini series about exploring creative education, both as a noun and a verb; new ways of thinking about assessments, grading and ungrading with 3 brilliant educators who work and teach in the spaces of communication, design, creativity, art and art therapy.
In this episode, you’ll hear from Art Therapist and Educator, Patricia Ki, who brings a rich understanding of therapeutic practice and educational pedagogy informed by her practice to this conversation. She discusses how traditional grading systems are in misalignment with the communities of care art therapists are aiming to foster. Patricia dives into the concepts of individualism and competition that lie at the centre of a colonial education system, as well as the connection between capitalism and traditional grading systems, all of which are in direct opposition to the goal of collective care.
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This is the second episode in a 3-part mini series about exploring creative education, both as a noun and a verb; new ways of thinking about assessments, grading and ungrading with 3 brilliant educators who work and teach in the spaces of communication, design, creativity, art and art therapy.
In this episode, you’ll hear from researcher, educator, designer and artist, Rupsha Mutsuddi, about her upbringing in a variety of school systems and the ways it’s led to her current path. You’ll hear about the unique interdisciplinary nature of Rupsha’s cohort in the PhD in Global Health program at York University and how they use grades to support students through a pathway of their choice using a pass/fail model. Rupsha shares how important it is for designers to be able to articulate their value, the benefits of iteration and the importance of staying in the divergent stage of thinking for longer than we think we have to. Finally, you’ll hear ideas about encouraging vs. stifling creativity in the classroom.
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This is the first episode in a 3-part mini series about exploring creative education, both as a noun and a verb; new ways of thinking about assessments, grading and ungrading with 3 brilliant educators who work and teach in the spaces of communication, design, creativity, art and art therapy.
First up is Dom Prevost, Group Creative Director at Resonance and also teaches at IDEA School of Design (Capilano University) and Miami Ad School. With a multi-disciplinary approach and years of international experience, Dom has created award-winning, fully-integrated campaigns for some of the world’s most iconic brands including Nike, adidas, Benetton, lululemon, Foot Locker, Mercedes, Ford, Johnnie Walker, Red Bull, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Ministry of Sound, Playstation and Ubisoft.
In this episode, you’ll hear about a course Dom teaches that, at its core, is helping students succeed through embracing failure, by removing control and providing space for things to go wrong. Dom explains what he hopes to instil in his students about failure, iteration and pushing past the first ideas, as well as how he uses grades not as a means of control and power, but as a means of relinquishing control and power, handing it back to students to show up with good, bad and ugly ideas.
Finally, Dom gives us a sneak peek at his upcoming new workshop at DesignThinkers Vancouver, May 13-14, 2025.
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 5!)
This episode is guest hosted by Natalie Annabelle.
Name: Lora
Release Date: 2022
Designers: Cyreal, (Type Designer) Alexei Vanyashin, (Photographer) Olga Karpushina
Classification: Serif font
Owned By: Open Source / SIL Open Font License
Claim to Fame: A classic serif typeface that exudes sophistication and readability.
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 5!)
This episode is guest hosted by Sam Weinberg.
Name: Eurostile
Release Date: 1962
Designer: Aldo Novarese
Classification: Geometric
Owned By: URW Type Foundry
Claim to Fame: Popular in Sci-fi media and space exploration branding. Used in the original Dr Who title sequence.
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 5!)
This episode is guest hosted by Joanne Liao.
Name: Abhaya Libre
Release Date: 2015
Designer: Sol Matas
Classification: Serif
Owned By: The Abhaya Libre Project Authors
Claim to Fame: It’s a redesigned version of the existing FM Abhaya typeface made suitable for the Latin alphabet.
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 5!)
This episode is guest hosted by Matthew Karton.
Name: Lexend
Release Date: 2019
Designers: Bonnie Shaver-Troup, Linnea Lundquist, and later Thomas Jockin, Santiago Orozco, Héctor Gómez
Classification: Sans-Serif
Owned By: The Lexend Project
Claim to Fame: An early typeface designed for people with Dyslexia, and low reading fluency.
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 5!)
This episode is guest hosted by Darrab Qureshi.
Name: Georgia
Release Date: 1996
Designer: Matthew Carter
Classification: Transitional Scotch Roman style
Owned By: Microsoft Corporation
Claim to Fame: A font created and tailored for on-screen display, Georgia was designed to be highly legible at small sizes on low-resolution screens. Its distinctive serifs and generous spacing make it a popular choice for digital reading and web typography.
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This is the fifth and final episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with design typography pros from across North America!
This episode features Koy Sun, a seasoned Thai American artist, whose decade-long journey through the realms of custom lettering and illustration has recently expanded into the vibrant territories of sign painting and mural work. In this episode, you’ll hear Koy talk about his introduction to letterforms and using the painted medium to craft his work today. Koy speaks to why he believes people are drawn to hand painted signs and you’ll hear how and why sign painters think differently than traditional graphic designers. Finally, you’ll hear how Koy stays creatively inspired and why he focuses on authenticity over the algorithm.
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This is the fourth episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with design typography pros from across North America!
This episode features Jamie Chang, founder of Manic Type in Toronto, Canada. You’ll hear Jamie draw parallels between brand identity design and type design, better understand his process and hear about ways that designing a typeface can get out of hand (in a both a good way and bad way). You’ll hear how Jamie decides what kind of type to design next, demystifying the licensing of his fonts, and why he doesn’t use AI in his process. Finally you’ll hear why creativity shouldn’t always be the goal.
The thread that travels throughout the conversation is a brilliant analogy comparing the type design industry to the music industry. You’ll never look at a font (or a guitar!) the same way again.
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This is the third episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with design typography pros from across North America!
In this episode features the legendary, Jessica Hische. You’ll hear Jessica’s origin story in graphic design and illustration, how she works with sources of inspiration and what her process looks like (yes, verbal brainstorming!). You’ll hear how and why technology has changed Jessica’s process and how she thinks about the topic on so many creatives’ minds: AI. Finally, Jessica shares that it’s a small world, after all, and that, in fact, is a really big deal.
I’m also joined by Chris Rouleau, co-hosting this episode alongside me.
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This is the second episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with design typography pros from across North America!
In this episode you’ll hear about Chris’ recent projects, the magic to be found in creative constraints, and helpful advice about where to find inspiration. You’ll hear about Chris’ typical process, his thoughts on how many is too many typefaces and advice for muralists looking to scale up and transfer designs onto a wall. Lastly, you’ll hear the role that failure plays in Chris’ process and what Chris is up to next.
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This is the first episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with design typography pros from across North America!
In this episode you’ll hear design, illustrator and content creator, Fiorella Granda, discuss her relatively recent shift to full-time illustration, her creative process and the way passion projects fuel her work with big brands (including details about her project in Toronto with the WNBA). You’ll also learn about Fiorella’s love/hate relationship with social media, tips for pricing and licensing your work, as well as the magic to be found in showcasing your heritage to others.
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On the heels of his debut as Mufasa in Mirvish’s The Lion King last Friday night, Oren Williamson is here to chat all things creativity, collaboration and comedy!
In this episode, you’ll hear Oren’s origin story moving through his non-linear creative journey. You’ll hear him explain the process to play a role in The Lion King’s production, as well as a moment-by-moment account of what was going on in his mind on stage as Mufasa for the first time.
We talk all of my favourite topics: facing failure, combatting perfectionism, the necessity of vulnerability and the magic of curiosity.
You’ll also hear about the Wild West of theatre school, including crying day and naked day. Yes, naked day.
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Have you ever found yourself straddling the world of art and the world of design, not sure if you should commit fully to one or the other?
Enter Zach Litoff, a multi-media artist AND designer whose work blends art and design to create visually compelling narratives. He’s here to chat about existing in both worlds and the benefits he’s found in living in multiple creative spaces.
In this conversation you’ll hear about Zach’s multi passionate interests in art, science and athletics. You’ll hear an interesting idea about the ways in which the historically significant painters were, in fact, designers. You’ll hear about the mind shift that’s helpful to blur the lines of commissioned design and artistic practice and Zach’s approach to different types of creative projects. Finally, you’ll hear about a few recent, meaningful projects Zach’s most proud of and Zach’s approach to failure.
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We’re talking about brands with multi award winning designer Amelia Nash, Brand & Marketing Manager for the School of Visual Arts Masters in Branding program and Senior Staff Writer for PRINT Magazine.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about Amelia’s predictions in branding through 2025 related to strategy, design and emerging practices.She shares her excitement about typographic revival in brand identity design and sustainable practices in packaging.
You’ll hear about the way branding is an ecosystem, balancing trendiness with timelessness and the influence of local design on global brand strategy, and Amelia shares a range of examples throughout. We end the conversation with Amelia’s hope for the future of branding (which is her hope for humans everywhere!).
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Let’s talk portfolios!
Meet Robert Smith, a seasoned creative leader, branding strategist, and published author with over 30 years of experience in the design and marketing industry. He is the architect/creative director of the beloved Farm Boy brand. With a reputation for blending creativity with business acumen, Robert has been recognized with more than 100 industry awards for excellence in design and branding.
In this conversation full of rich insights, you’ll hear why even bad internships are successful in developing self-awareness, excellent advice for portfolio creation, as well as advice on where to have digital presence as a designer. You’ll better understand why storytelling is so important in a portfolio and how to approach it, portfolio upkeep, and concrete Ideas for standing out in a competitive space. Finally, you’ll hear what you can learn from a box of Fruit Loops about promoting your work.
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In this episode, you’ll meet one of Diana's best friends, Eden Kim, who talks about her recent career break travelling around the world and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Eden considers herself a global citizen, with home being wherever her heart happens to be visiting at any given time. Over the years, she’s transformed from a 21-year-old from South Korea who didn’t speak English to someone who moved to Canada alone, built a cross-border career, and became a fearless networker.
This conversation is anchored around an event, a lesson and a story Eden’s learned over the past 1+ year. You’ll hear small world stories and profound learnings. You can follow Eden’s journey on instagram at @edenkimfromkorea.
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Back your bags, we’re going on a trip!
Today I am speaking with Mark Domanski, Director of Destinations, who oversees the build and expansion of the immersive miniature exhibits at Little Canada.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about the design and creative collaboration within Little Canada, as well as the attraction’s origin story. You’ll learn about the interdisciplinary nature of the build team, and materials and techniques used to create the models.
You’ll hear how storytelling happens in the space, including the incorporation of Indigenous voices, in consultation with Indigenous communities. Finally, Mark shares his ‘not to be missed’ list of what to see when you check out the space for yourself.
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Today we are talking about signs that define Toronto! Featured today is Kurt Kraler, a registered Architect (OAA) and project manager at ERA Architects and co-creator of the book “The Signs That Define Toronto”.
In this episode you’ll better understand how and why signs can tell us so much about the changing culture of a city, including iconic signs like Honest Ed’s, Tip Top Tailors and Zanzibar (and why the latter is particularly unique). You’ll learn how signs can shape community identities, Queer signage in Toronto, and why signs in Toronto changed after 1911.
You’ll hear Kurt’s big a-ha moment in the final stages of finishing his book, the importance of shifting policy around historical sign preservation, and a San Fransisco advocacy group’s approach to restoring and preserving neon signage within their city.
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This final episode of 2024 features Austrian interface and app designer and fellow type geek, Oliver Schöndorfer. In this episode, you’ll learn LOTS about web typography, specifically:
- How Oliver defines web typography
- Web font hierarchy
- The ins and outs of choosing a typeface for the web
- The difference between ‘web fonts’ and ‘web safe fonts’
- A brief history of web typography
- The crossovers between typography for print and typography for the web
- The way that screen size plays a role in setting type
- Why variable fonts are a game-changer for the web, including how optical sizing works
- Best practices for accessible web typography
- The difference between absolute and relative units and why this matters
- Why we shouldn’t trust AI-generated type (yet)
- And finally, Oliver indulges Diana’s improv game to summarize key takeaways about web typography in to a dessert metaphor (yum!)
I encourage you to check out my two previous episodes with Oliver, Episode 134: Pairing Type with Oliver of Pimp My Type and Episode 156: Untapped Typography Potential.
Check out the show notes for some links to articles Oliver mentions in the episode at www.talkpaperscissors.info.
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This episode features Radim Malinic, the creative director and designer at the helm of award-winning branding and creative studio Brand Nu Studio and the independent publishing firm Brand Nu Books. In this episode, you’ll hear about Radim’s journey and evolution with mindfulness techniques, why Radim is a self-described ‘Eternally Curious Idiot’, what his unbalanced existence used to look like versus what his more balanced existence looks like now. We chat about failure, opportunity and fear. Finally, you’ll hear about Radim’s 7th, forthcoming book, including the book he decided not to write and the one he’s writing instead.
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This episode features Alec Vivier-Reynaud, a french bio-designer and graphic designer. At the intersection of biology and graphic design, his biodesign researches propose a new paradigm where images become living entities. You’ll hear about Alec’s love of printmaking and how Alec’s proprietary process works. If you think combining cyan, magenta, yellow and black is cool, you’ll be fascinated by what happens when you combine bio inks (think beyond colour to texture, volume, shine and more). Finally, you’ll hear what happens to type when Alec prints letterforms.
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This episode features Jess Goldsmith, founder of Women of Type!
In this episode, you’ll hear about Jess’ role in the world of type, including the community she’s created, uplifting and amplifying the work of women and non-binary artists in the typography and lettering industry.
You'll also hear about recent features that Jess is jazzed about and ways to get featured on the women of Type page.
Finally, Jess shares great advice for creative professionals everywhere.
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This episode features a conversation with Toronto-based designer, developer and accessibility specialist, Michael Young. His graduate level research involves making technology more accessible, specifically through the expansion of Raleway; an open source Google font used in communications by the Ontario Government.
In this episode you’ll hear more about Michael’s gateway into this work, hear about the Syllabic writing system, and what Unicode is in plain language. You’ll hear what it was like for Michael to embark on a journey of font creation for the first time, including what surprised him the most and what challenged him most in the process. You’ll learn about typographic tofu and hear helpful resources related to typography for Indigenous language support.
If you’d like to see some of the visuals related to what’s discussed in this episode, please check out the show notes at www.talkpaperscissors.info.
This conversation is part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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This episode features an in-person conversation at Canada’s largest graphic design conference with type aficionado, Carl Shura!
In this episode you’ll hear LOTS of excellent type geekery, such as:
- The history of the typeface Cooper Black and the ways it’s connected to Carl as a person
- The idea that letterforms are just ‘blobs with defects’
- How Carl worked backwards from a few letters to reconstruct an iconic Toronto building sign
- How to approach the development of a revival typeface
- The ways that tools and our physical human bodies shape our understanding of how type should look
- Carl’s delightful views on Comic Sans
- And so much more!
If you’d like to see some of the visuals related to what’s discussed in this episode, please check out the show notes at www.talkpaperscissors.info.
This conversation is part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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In today’s episode, I have Ali DuHart, a Senior Graphic Designer at Benefit Cosmetics where she’s worked for the last 8 years. You’ll hear about Ali’s role at Benefit Cosmetics including visual merchandising: what it is and how it comes together.
We get into some specifics around prototyping for print, the importance of understanding different audiences in different situations/events, and we talk about balancing brand identity with trendiness, and specifically how Benefit Cosmetics achieves this.
Ali talks about her career path getting into design and where she started as a traditional artist. Ali’s also RGD Certified and has attended conferences, judged awards and mentored students within the design hub of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Canada. She describes the benefits of being part of this professional organization.
If you like cosmetics, if you like printing, if you like glam… this episode’s for you!
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The Herzberg Design Co is a New Orleans based studio specializing in type design, brand identity, art direction, and everything related to letters; it’s a one-man operation founded by Dutchman Matthijs Herzberg. He focuses on unconventional and exuberant work, but always with a sharp eye for detail, quality, and purpose (as such, combining the best of New Orleans with the best of The Netherlands).
In this episode, you’ll hear why Matthijs loves letters, an analogy about type designers that fundamentally changes the way I understand the profession and what he’s working on now and next. This episode is ripe with metaphor and deep thinking about the role of type and the type designer in the larger realm of visual communications.
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This episode is all about collage! Eric Bargenda is seasoned design director who has taken his love for graphic design, ephemera and all things vintage and applied it to the art of analog collage.
In this episode, you’ll better understand the ways in which collage is a natural extension of graphic design, you’ll hear Eric describe his collage process and learn about the surprising way community and collaboration has popped into Eric’s artistic work.
We talk about the power of getting feedback, explore a reframing of the designer’s role beyond simply being ‘a creative’ and you’ll hear about the bricks and mortar design store Eric and his wife run in St. Thomas, ON called Revival Studio.
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In this episode, you’ll hear world-class Canadian Olympic sprinter and Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Micha Powell, share the process for writing and publishing her book, Sprinting Through Setbacks, and the important lessons she’s learned in the process.
You’ll hear her inspiring story that changed the trajectory of her track career. Micha speaks about self doubt and imposter syndrome, the ways in which they’ve shown up in her athletic journey. How writing can be a time machine and we get into why relying on AI as a writing tool isn’t the answer.
Micha shares the importance of mindset in sport and beyond, including the importance of staying in your own lane (physically and metaphorically). You’ll better understand the ways in which we can all succeed in our own ways, as well as lots of actionable strategies for maintaining focus in a distracted, digital world.
I encourage you to also check out my first episode with Micha, Episode 96: Storytelling & Athletics with Micha Powell.
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This episode features a conversation with Jeff Newberry, a music director, composer, arranger, sound designer, and educator working in theatre, concert, and community spaces. For Mirvish, Jeff is the associate music director of Disney’s The Lion King in Toronto. (Opening night is November 2!)
In this conversation, Jeff describes his vision of strong creative leadership — a leader who isn’t afraid to feel stuck, can embrace silence and scrap a plan when needed. We talk about the importance of learning names as a gateway to making others feel seen and the magic to be found in encouraging others to be ‘strong and wrong’.
We also dive into education more broadly. The importance of agency, what student-centred learning actually looks like and ways in which traditional hierarchical structures should be re-examined for a truly collaborative process.
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It’s Peter! Peter Ha is a designer, artist and educator. He is a co-founder of Equal Parts Studio, a Toronto-based contemporary graphic design practice, whose process is founded on curiosity and finding the joy and playfulness in every project.
In this conversation, you'll hear why Peter loves type, including some different professional and passion projects that put type in the spotlight. Peter seamlessly transitions from coding to working with wood on type and back again, using a variety of digital and analog tools in experimental ways. You’ll also hear Peter share his Vietnamese culture (and a Zoolander reference makes an appearance!).
I encourage you to check out Instagram @talkpaperscissors or talkpaperscissors.info for visuals that Peter describes in this episode.
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Why do thousands of people have Johnny Cupcakes' logos tattooed on their bodies? And why have thousands of people camped out for Johnny's special edition T-shirts?
In this conversation, you’ll learn about the secret ingredients to Johnny Cupcakes’ success: surprise and delight. You'll hear how he’s been able to stretch a traditional marketing budget using these key ingredients and SO MUCH MORE, including:
- How Johnny’s printing internship helped inform his brand today
- Johnny's entrepreneurial evolution, including where the name ‘Johnny Cupcakes’ originates
- Actionable steps for flexible and long lasting logo design
- A sales strategy that really works: the art of the pre-sale
- Demystifying working with others: licensing, partnering and parody
- How to price products to reflect invisible value
- And remembering that being kind is free
This conversation is so rich and has a ton of actionable items for starting and growing a brand.
Entrepreneurs, marketers, brand owners, printers and designers… this episode is for ALL of you!
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Welcome to a fun deep dive into typography, play, passion projects and butts, with self-proclaimed Type Dork, Sophie Elinor Brown!
In this conversation, you’ll hear the ways in which Sophie weaves humour and silliness in her work, the tools she uses, curiosity’s role in resourcefulness and continuous learning and the ways in which doing work both for large, global clients as well as for smaller, local clients can be exciting in their own right.
Check out the visuals discussed in this episode at talkpaperscissors.info or Instagram @talkpaperscissors and @sophie_elinor.
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In this first episode back after the summer break, you’ll hear from multidisciplinary creative and community-builder, Allison MacKenzie about her brainchild called Tinker*.
You’ll hear about the ways that it’s an interdisciplinary, iterative, low-stakes and high community environment. We talk about imperfection, vulneratibility and experimentation and Ally shares stories of Tinkerers in action. We get into the traps of social media and Ally’s big goals for the space.
Finally, we end with a discussion of the 4 P’s we’re both working to cultivate in our respective spaces: projects, passion, peers and play (aka Lifelong Kindergarten!).
Join Tinker in Toronto’s Annex this fall: September 19, October 3 & October 17
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This is the sixth episode in a 6-part magazine mini series. Here you’ll meet Immersive Technology Specialist, Michael Carter-Arlt.
In this conversation, you’ll hear the ways in which Michael’s print background informs his work in immersive technologies and the bridging of these two worlds. You’ll hear about XR technologies (including the differences between Augmented Reality [AR], Virtual Reality [VR] and Mixed Reality [MR]). Finally you’ll learn more about the specific ways that Michael envisions the use of XR and the possibilities for the publishing industry.
Images and videos discussed in the episode can be found in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing, as well as DG 8111 Digital Publishing in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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This is the fifth episode in a 6-part magazine mini series. Here you’ll meet Creative Director and zine designer publisher, Dominic Ayre. The conversation focusses around a single question (“What is Do Not Xray zine?”) and Dom takes us on a wonderfully passionate and techno-filled deep dive about his upbringing, early hip-hop, and graffiti leading to his current space of creativity, professional publications and zine culture. Music lovers, typography lovers, zine lovers… this episode is for you.
Images discussed in the episode can be found in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing, as well as DG 8111 Digital Publishing in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Magazines #TalkPaperScissors
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This is the fourth episode in a 6-part magazine mini series. Here you’ll meet award-winning journalist, author and educator, Angela Misri. You’ll hear about Angela’s career path in different media spaces: in print, in audio and on the web. You’ll hear specific examples related to telling stories in added value ways; the why and the how of telling the same story differently across mediums.
You’ll also hear about the shifts that Angela’s seen in the last 20 years in publishing industry, and what parts of journalism Angela believes are most at risk from AI domination. You’ll also hear what Angela believes we’ll be talking about in a year’s time when it comes to AI and journalism.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing, as well as DG 8111 Digital Publishing in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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This is the third episode in a 6-part magazine mini series. Here you’ll meet digital reading expert, Alyssa Andino. you’ll learn more about what Alyssa’s role entails and more about digital reading experiences, including what works and what doesn’t work. You’ll learn about the ways that Alyssa and her team are thinking of the reading experience beyond fonts (size, style and colour).
You’ll hear tips for using Adobe InDesign effectively to consider both the print experience and the digital reading experience (your future self will thank you for it!) and you’ll learn more about accessibility features Alyssa must consider in the app she manages. Finally, Alyssa and I brainstorm what digital reading might look like as technology advances.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing, as well as DG 8111 Digital Publishing in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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This is the second episode in a 6-part magazine mini series. Here you’ll meet graphic designer, Yas Fakhr. You’ll hear Yas’ process for creating long documents and the very best book design and printing geekery between she and Diana. You’ll hear Yas’ advice for what new designers should consider at various stages in the long document design process. You’ll learn Yas’ thoughts on grids, including when to make them and when to break them, as well as what’s on Yas’ Adobe InDesign wish list. Finally, we dive into the murky waters of AI in the design space and how Yas has seen it used effectively and ethically among she and her colleagues.
Images discussed in the episode can be found in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing, as well as DG 8111 Digital Publishing in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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This episode features Daniel Fish, Editor of Precedent, a career and lifestyle magazine for lawyers. In this conversation, you’ll learn about Precedent, including the journey that Daniel and his team embark on with each issue, including a discussion of Daniel’s ‘print brain’ and how he’s shifting gears to a fully-online publication.
You’ll hear what it’s really like to be an Editor and how it’s similar and different from the way magazine Editorial roles are portrayed in popular culture. Also, you’ll hear what role Daniel feels is missing in smaller magazine teams and why it’s such a loss.
We talk AI, including what it’s really good at in the magazine space and what it can’t currently replicate. Finally, you’ll hear what Daniel continues to be excited about in the realm of magazines and journalism-at-large.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing, as well as DG 8111 Digital Publishing in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University. A special shout out to Master of Digital Media student, Crystal Chan, for her loyal listenership and fantastic questions towards the end!
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Today’s guest is Ryan Kough, a neurodivergent artist and design educator who focuses on participatory community-driven design initiatives. She is an avid ungrading advocate and in this discussion, she and Diana share their experiences and reasons why they believe ungrading is an amazing framework for a diverse group of learners.
The two discuss the magic of student agency, true experiential learning and facilitating opportunities that shape the students and the educators who participate. Ryan shares the ways in which community-engaged learning and ungrading can be interwoven. You’ll hear how Ryan establishes a final grade and how she handles fair work share amongst a group, sharing the practical application of shifting away from classroom control and breaking down hierarchical structures to ensure all voices know they have equal merit.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode, Diana shares an exciting new initiative that she’s adding to the Talk Paper Scissors space.
Introducing PopUp Workshop: Where creative work meets play! ✨
You’ll hear about 4 workshops that can be facilitated both in-person and virtually, locally and globally.
- Playful Printing
- Improv for Innovators
- Friends with Failure
- Custom Speaking + Workshops
Here’s to the next 200 episodes and brand new in-person workshops!
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this final episode in the series, Diana reflects on 9 different responses to 7 questions about storytelling through art and design, discussing 3 emergent themes.
- 3D Environment Artist @nanoshades
- Drag Artist & Professor of Creativity @guy.anabella
- Visual Note Taker @inkfactorystudio
- Brand Identity Designer @carla.palette
- Singer-Songwriter-Producer @barbralica
- Visual Artist & Writer @britchida
- Tattoo Artist @soot.tattoo
- Author & Teacher @recessmagic
- Breathwork Facilitator & Writer @aribeing
This is the Art and Design of Storytelling.✨
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Q: At the end of your life, what story do you hope others tell about you?🎙️
In this episode, you’ll hear some universal truths about life and living from a book written by experts on death and dying, as well as what story each of the 9 creative minds in this series hopes is told about them:
- 3D Environment Artist @nanoshades
- Drag Artist & Professor of Creativity @guy.anabella
- Visual Note Taker @inkfactorystudio
- Brand Identity Designer @carla.palette
- Singer-Songwriter-Producer @barbralica
- Visual Artist & Writer @britchida
- Tattoo Artist @soot.tattoo
- Author & Teacher @recessmagic
- Breathwork Facilitator & Writer @aribeing
This is the Art and Design of Storytelling.✨
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Q: How do you measure the success of a narrative-driven project, and how has your definition of success evolved over the course of your career? 🎙️
In this episode, you’ll learn about Diana’s unlearning of traditional measures of success and hear about measures of success from the 9 creative minds in this series:
- 3D Environment Artist @nanoshades
- Drag Artist & Professor of Creativity @guy.anabella
- Visual Note Taker @inkfactorystudio
- Brand Identity Designer @carla.palette
- Singer-Songwriter-Producer @barbralica
- Visual Artist & Writer @britchida
- Tattoo Artist @soot.tattoo
- Author & Teacher @recessmagic
- Breathwork Facilitator & Writer @aribeing
This is the Art and Design of Storytelling.✨
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Q: How has the evolution of your own life experiences impacted the stories you choose to tell through your artistic endeavours? 🎙️
In this episode, we’ll touch on the success of the deeply-moving, Humans of New York, as well as hear from the 9 creative minds in this series about their own moments of transformation:
- 3D Environment Artist @nanoshades
- Drag Artist & Professor of Creativity @guy.anabella
- Visual Note Taker @inkfactorystudio
- Brand Identity Designer @carla.palette
- Singer-Songwriter-Producer @barbralica
- Visual Artist & Writer @britchida
- Tattoo Artist @soot.tattoo
- Author & Teacher @recessmagic
- Breathwork Facilitator & Writer @aribeing
This is the Art and Design of Storytelling.✨
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Q: Can you discuss the intersection of technology and storytelling in your field, and how advancements may influence the way you approach narrative in your projects?🎙️
In this episode, we’ll dive into artificial intelligence and creativity, as well as the specific technologies (both low-tech and hi-tech) that help the 9 creative minds in this series create and disseminate their work:
- 3D Environment Artist @nanoshades
- Drag Artist & Professor of Creativity @guy.anabella
- Visual Note Taker @inkfactorystudio
- Brand Identity Designer @carla.palette
- Singer-Songwriter-Producer @barbralica
- Visual Artist & Writer @britchida
- Tattoo Artist @soot.tattoo
- Author & Teacher @recessmagic
- Breathwork Facilitator & Writer @aribeing
This is the Art and Design of Storytelling.✨
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Q: Are there specific themes or motifs that consistently appear in your work, and if so, how do they contribute to the overall narrative you're trying to convey?🎙️
In this episode, we’ll hear about the specific themes and big ideas explored by the 9 creative minds in this series:
- 3D Environment Artist @nanoshades
- Drag Artist & Professor of Creativity @guy.anabella
- Visual Note Taker @inkfactorystudio
- Brand Identity Designer @carla.palette
- Singer-Songwriter-Producer @barbralica
- Visual Artist & Writer @britchida
- Tattoo Artist @soot.tattoo
- Author & Teacher @recessmagic
- Breathwork Facilitator & Writer @aribeing
This is the Art and Design of Storytelling.✨
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Q: How do you integrate storytelling into your creative practice, and what role does it play in shaping your vision?🎙️
In this episode, we’ll consider the power of stories, explore ‘hard truths’ about storytelling and hear how the 9 creative minds in this series use storytelling:
- 3D Environment Artist @nanoshades
- Drag Artist & Professor of Creativity @guy.anabella
- Visual Note Taker @inkfactorystudio
- Brand Identity Designer @carla.palette
- Singer-Songwriter-Producer @barbralica
- Visual Artist & Writer @britchida
- Tattoo Artist @soot.tattoo
- Author & Teacher @recessmagic
- Breathwork Facilitator & Writer @aribeing
This is the Art and Design of Storytelling.✨
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Q: What is your story?🎙️
In this foundational episode, we’ll define ‘story’, explore the importance of centring one’s audience in the act of storytelling and meet the 9 creative minds in the series:
- 3D Environment Artist @nanoshades
- Drag Artist & Professor of Creativity @guy.anabella
- Visual Note Taker @inkfactorystudio
- Brand Identity Designer @carla.palette
- Singer-Songwriter-Producer @barbralica
- Visual Artist & Writer @britchida
- Tattoo Artist @soot.tattoo
- Author & Teacher @recessmagic
- Breathwork Facilitator & Writer @aribeing
This is the Art and Design of Storytelling.✨
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Once upon a time there were 9 creatives in 8 episodes answering 7 questions who were spread out over 6 geographic locations resulting in many virtual high 5’s because there were 4 hours of conversations with 3 themes emerging released over 2 weeks as 1 large, interconnected story.
This is the Art and Design of Storytelling.
- This series features 9 incredible creatives:
- 3D Environment Artist @nanopants
- Drag Artist & Professor of Creativity @guy.anabella
- Visual Note Taker @inkfactorystudio
- Brand Identity Designer @carla.palette
- Singer-Songwriter-Producer @barbralica
- Visual Artist & Writer @britchida
- Tattoo Artist @soot.tattoo
- Author & Teacher @recessmagic
- Breathwork Facilitator & Writer @aribeing
Coming soon on Monday, May 13, 2024.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Meet emerging typeface designers, Max Berardi and Cecilia Ly! Max designed a typeface called League Gothic and Cecilia designed a typeface called Verre Fondu and in the following conversation, you'll get to hear about each typeface. You'll also hear their perfect type pairings, sensory descriptions of each (sight, smell, touch, sound and even taste), what was easy and difficult about the process, including what they’d do differently next time. Let the type geekery begin!
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Today's guest is Franz Hoffman, designer-turned-entrepreneur and cofounder of Fontself, which brings easy type-making capabilities into the hands of all creatives.
In this conversation you’ll learn why Fontself was created and more about Fontself as a tool and its evolution, hearing about some interesting projects from around the globe with the Fontself toolset at their centre. Experimentation, iteration and democratization are all themes explored throughout the following 40 minutes. This episode is not sponsored by Fontself; I believe that it’s just a really great tool that I was excited to learn more about from Franz directly.
This episode is co-hosted by Graphic Designer, Michael Young.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Today’s guest is the best designer in the world! [Source: his website, TheBestDesignerInTheWorld.com]
Harbor Bickmore is a graphic designer and type designer, selling his work under That That Type.
In this conversation you’ll hear why Harbor got into typeface design and his process for creating typefaces. You’ll hear about Harbor’s favourite typeface he’s released to date, as well as what hasn’t worked in his type design experimentation (the juicy failures!).
You’ll also hear about Harbor’s new offering: That That Font Box, a font-of-the-month club for type enthusiasts. It’s a creative solution to the problem of selling type in a time that’s proving difficult for type designers.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Today’s guest is the best designer in the world! [Source: his website, TheBestDesignerInTheWorld.com]
Harbor Bickmore is a graphic designer and type designer, selling his work under That That Type.
In this conversation you’ll hear why Harbor got into typeface design and his process for creating typefaces. You’ll hear about Harbor’s favourite typeface he’s released to date, as well as what hasn’t worked in his type design experimentation (the juicy failures!).
You’ll also hear about Harbor’s new offering: That That Font Box, a font-of-the-month club for type enthusiasts. It’s a creative solution to the problem of selling type in a time that’s proving difficult for type designers.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode you’ll hear artist Sarah Nguyen’s multi-hyphenated career and her role as a life-long learner. Sarah shares the deepest and most delicious answer to ‘why paper?’ ever articulated in 188 episodes of this podcast.
You’ll hear about the stories woven within Sarah’s paper cut artworks, which can be up to 20 feet long, as well as the details of working with Tyvek as a medium and the ways in which ‘drawing with a knife’ means that there’s no eraser. We dig into the concept of failure and the way Sarah views ‘failed’ cuts into her artwork.
Sarah and I embark on a little inspired improv, revealing the magic of storytelling, following your intuition and what can happen when art is treated a community act.
Equally as delightful as her partner, Phong, I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation between Sarah and I as much as I enjoyed having it.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode you’ll hear artist Sarah Nguyen’s multi-hyphenated career and her role as a life-long learner. Sarah shares the deepest and most delicious answer to ‘why paper?’ ever articulated in 188 episodes of this podcast.
You’ll hear about the stories woven within Sarah’s paper cut artworks, which can be up to 20 feet long, as well as the details of working with Tyvek as a medium and the ways in which ‘drawing with a knife’ means that there’s no eraser. We dig into the concept of failure and the way Sarah views ‘failed’ cuts into her artwork.
Sarah and I embark on a little inspired improv, revealing the magic of storytelling, following your intuition and what can happen when art is treated a community act.
Equally as delightful as her partner, Phong, I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation between Sarah and I as much as I enjoyed having it.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode you’ll hear author Phong Nguyen’s playful approach to his work that harnesses ‘beginner mind’. You’ll learn more about Phong’s 4th book, ROUNDABOUT: An Improvisational Fiction that has a clever narrative, fascinating process and incredible constraints… there are no letter e’s found within the 60,000 word book! (More accurately, there’s a single e, which you’ll hear about in the episode.) This book project is all about constraints, as well as yes-anding; applying the foundations of improvisational theatre to writing.
We talk subconscious, we talk speed and we talk space in the act of creative making. You’ll also learn about his next book project that’s almost complete. Phong is delightful and I trust you’ll enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode you’ll hear author Phong Nguyen’s playful approach to his work that harnesses ‘beginner mind’. You’ll learn more about Phong’s 4th book, ROUNDABOUT: An Improvisational Fiction that has a clever narrative, fascinating process and incredible constraints… there are no letter e’s found within the 60,000 word book! (More accurately, there’s a single e, which you’ll hear about in the episode.) This book project is all about constraints, as well as yes-anding; applying the foundations of improvisational theatre to writing.
We talk subconscious, we talk speed and we talk space in the act of creative making. You’ll also learn about his next book project that’s almost complete. Phong is delightful and I trust you’ll enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
There are few things more typographically satisfying than recognizing type in the wild. Gotham over here, Futura over there, Helvetica everywhere!
Perhaps the only thing more satisfying is sitting down for a hearty conversation about letterforms with a fellow type geek. Pan to my conversation with Jeremy Gladstone, owner and founder of Gladstone Media in Toronto.
In this conversation, Jeremy shares more about Gladstone Media and how they do what they do, digging into the step-by-step process behind their creative work. He shares a helpful strategy for starting simple, constructing and then deconstructing creative work until it works.
We then dive into Gladstone Media’s Typefaces of Toronto project (currently in episode 9), including where it started and where it’s going.
And we meet Oscar the dog!
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
There are few things more typographically satisfying than recognizing type in the wild. Gotham over here, Futura over there, Helvetica everywhere!
Perhaps the only thing more satisfying is sitting down for a hearty conversation about letterforms with a fellow type geek. Pan to my conversation with Jeremy Gladstone, owner and founder of Gladstone Media in Toronto.
In this conversation, Jeremy shares more about Gladstone Media and how they do what they do, digging into the step-by-step process behind their creative work. He shares a helpful strategy for starting simple, constructing and then deconstructing creative work until it works.
We then dive into Gladstone Media’s Typefaces of Toronto project (currently in episode 9), including where it started and where it’s going.
And we meet Oscar the dog!
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode, you’ll meet designer and illustrator, Ben O’Neil, who worked for 70 days to create a typeface based on visual prompts from images online to create an alphabet of whimsical and wonderful letterforms. You’ll hear Ben discuss this project (called ‘Type Alike’), including his thoughts on creative constraint, as well as creative consistency.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode, you’ll meet designer and illustrator, Ben O’Neil, who worked for 70 days to create a typeface based on visual prompts from images online to create an alphabet of whimsical and wonderful letterforms. You’ll hear Ben discuss this project (called ‘Type Alike’), including his thoughts on creative constraint, as well as creative consistency.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This episode features printmaker, Heather J.A. Thomson, who has created an incredible 96-layer screen printed work that took 1 year with a grand total of 8 (!) copies existing in the world.
During this discussion, you’ll learn about Heather, her love of history and printmaking, as well as the specific process for her epic 96-layer screen printing project of banknotes from the Weimar Republic. You’ll hear about the technical set up required for this project, as well as the unexpected hiccups that presented themselves and how Heather handled them (including the harrowing thing that happened when printing layer 96!).
You’ll also hear more about Open Studio in Toronto, as well as Heather’s work as a photo lithography instructor in the space.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This episode features printmaker, Heather J.A. Thomson, who has created an incredible 96-layer screen printed work that took 1 year with a grand total of 8 (!) copies existing in the world.
During this discussion, you’ll learn about Heather, her love of history and printmaking, as well as the specific process for her epic 96-layer screen printing project of banknotes from the Weimar Republic. You’ll hear about the technical set up required for this project, as well as the unexpected hiccups that presented themselves and how Heather handled them (including the harrowing thing that happened when printing layer 96!).
You’ll also hear more about Open Studio in Toronto, as well as Heather’s work as a photo lithography instructor in the space.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
**This episode is all about my favourite practice for living a connected creative life: informational interviewing. This episode will help you better understand what informational interviews are and how they can help creative people find one another to build authentic connections.
This episode pairs well with the actionable next steps found within my 'Warm Email Template' available at https://www.talkpaperscissors.info/education.**
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
**This episode is all about my favourite practice for living a connected creative life: informational interviewing. This episode will help you better understand what informational interviews are and how they can help creative people find one another to build authentic connections.
This episode pairs well with the actionable next steps found within my 'Warm Email Template' available at https://www.talkpaperscissors.info/education.**
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 4!)
This episode is guest hosted by Kennedy Thornton.
Name: Arial
Release Date: 1982
Designers: Robin Nicholas
Classification: Neo Grotesque Sans Serif
Owned by: Monotype Corporation
Claim to Fame: The Helvetica copycat
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 4!)
This episode is guest hosted by Kennedy Thornton.
Name: Arial
Release Date: 1982
Designers: Robin Nicholas
Classification: Neo Grotesque Sans Serif
Owned by: Monotype Corporation
Claim to Fame: The Helvetica copycat
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 4!)
This episode is guest hosted by Mandy Lu.
Name: Myriad
Release Date: 1992
Designers: Robert Slimbach and Carol Twombly
Classification: Humanist, Sans Serif
Owned by: Adobe Systems
Claim to Fame: This was Apple’s primary marketing typeface for over a decade, from 2002 to 2017 for its modern and simple appearance.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 4!)
This episode is guest hosted by Mandy Lu.
Name: Myriad
Release Date: 1992
Designers: Robert Slimbach and Carol Twombly
Classification: Humanist, Sans Serif
Owned by: Adobe Systems
Claim to Fame: This was Apple’s primary marketing typeface for over a decade, from 2002 to 2017 for its modern and simple appearance.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 4!)
This episode is guest hosted by Audrey Grandinetti.
Name: Baskerville
Release Date: 1757
Designer: John Baskerville
Classification: Transitional Serif
Owned By: Well...it’s a bit complicated. The original Baskerville punches are now owned by Cambridge University Press, but the design itself is in the public domain. Many digital adaptations of Baskerville have been introduced over the years, and are owned by the specific type foundries (or individuals) who designed them.
Claim to Fame: Baskerville was praised by U.S. founding father Benjamin Franklin.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 4!)
This episode is guest hosted by Audrey Grandinetti.
Name: Baskerville
Release Date: 1757
Designer: John Baskerville
Classification: Transitional Serif
Owned By: Well...it’s a bit complicated. The original Baskerville punches are now owned by Cambridge University Press, but the design itself is in the public domain. Many digital adaptations of Baskerville have been introduced over the years, and are owned by the specific type foundries (or individuals) who designed them.
Claim to Fame: Baskerville was praised by U.S. founding father Benjamin Franklin.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the sixth (bonus!) episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with type professionals all over the world.
Final stop New York, USA!
In this episode you’ll hear David Soto discuss his creative process, as well as the way that building time into his practice and cushioning deadlines is critical to produce his best work. You’ll learn about David’s creative rituals, the Dope Type Society, as well as his future art and design aspirations.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the sixth (bonus!) episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with type professionals all over the world.
Final stop New York, USA!
In this episode you’ll hear David Soto discuss his creative process, as well as the way that building time into his practice and cushioning deadlines is critical to produce his best work. You’ll learn about David’s creative rituals, the Dope Type Society, as well as his future art and design aspirations.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the fifth episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with type professionals all over the world.
Next stop Margate, UK!
In this episode you’ll hear illustrator, Melanie Johnsson, discuss her family history of graphic design, as well as her favourite tools including how and why she loves Adobe Photoshop. Mel describes how personal branding plays a huge role in today’s world of graphic design and the ways that making your core values known to the world can be critically important to working with your dream clients.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the fifth episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with type professionals all over the world.
Next stop Margate, UK!
In this episode you’ll hear illustrator, Melanie Johnsson, discuss her family history of graphic design, as well as her favourite tools including how and why she loves Adobe Photoshop. Mel describes how personal branding plays a huge role in today’s world of graphic design and the ways that making your core values known to the world can be critically important to working with your dream clients.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the fourth episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography, speaking with type professionals all over the world.
Next stop Toronto, Canada!
In this episode you’ll hear designer and artist, Andrea Cataro, share many, many tips and tricks for creating typographic chalk murals, including tools and strategies for transferring your design to the wall. If you’ve ever considered dabbling in chalk mural creation, this episode is for you!
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the fourth episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography, speaking with type professionals all over the world.
Next stop Toronto, Canada!
In this episode you’ll hear designer and artist, Andrea Cataro, share many, many tips and tricks for creating typographic chalk murals, including tools and strategies for transferring your design to the wall. If you’ve ever considered dabbling in chalk mural creation, this episode is for you!
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the third episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with type professionals all over the world.
Next stop: Lagos, Nigeria!
In this episode (No.176: Nigerian Type Perspectives with Jordan Belonwu) you’ll hear designer and creative director, Jordan Belonwu, discuss what differentiates Nigerian typography from Eurocentric typographic standards, including its tendency to focus on expressiveness. Jordan highlights a project that takes type from the archives and makes it functional, which can introduce new opportunities and meaning in art and design. You’ll also hear the process for creating a typeface for Sporting Lagos, as well as Jordan’s great advice for taking on projects that help you learn and grow as a creative.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the third episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with type professionals all over the world.
Next stop: Lagos, Nigeria!
In this episode (No.176: Nigerian Type Perspectives with Jordan Belonwu) you’ll hear designer and creative director, Jordan Belonwu, discuss what differentiates Nigerian typography from Eurocentric typographic standards, including its tendency to focus on expressiveness. Jordan highlights a project that takes type from the archives and makes it functional, which can introduce new opportunities and meaning in art and design. You’ll also hear the process for creating a typeface for Sporting Lagos, as well as Jordan’s great advice for taking on projects that help you learn and grow as a creative.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the second episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with type professionals all over the world.
**Next stop: Toronto, Canada!
In this episode you’ll hear graphic designer, letterer and instructor, Chris Rouleau, discuss his professional lettering journey, hear about his large-scale type mural projects, the magic behind Chris’ Alphabet 100 practice and tips for drawing cohesive alphabets. You’ll also hear about the contents of Chris’ pencil case (and how he uses each tool), as well as his ideas for delightful new alphabets!**
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the second episode in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography, speaking with type professionals all over the world.
**Next stop: Toronto, Canada!
In this episode you’ll hear graphic designer, letterer and instructor, Chris Rouleau, discuss his professional lettering journey, hear about his large-scale type mural projects, the magic behind Chris’ Alphabet 100 practice and tips for drawing cohesive alphabets. You’ll also hear about the contents of Chris’ pencil case (and how he uses each tool), as well as his ideas for delightful new alphabets!**
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This episode is the first in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography, speaking with type professionals all over the world. First stop: Athens, Greece!
In this episode, you’ll hear Chris Ellinas (designer for huge brands like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon) discuss what it’s like recreating design assets for the entertainment industry, including the tools he relies on across multiple languages (4000 assets and counting!).
You’ll also learn about Chris’ digitally nomadic lifestyle, the favourite places he’s lived and worked, as well as a rapid fire Q&A from students. The episode ends with a beautiful story and important lesson that all creatives should hear about passion projects turning into something bigger than themselves.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This episode is the first in a 5-part guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography, speaking with type professionals all over the world. First stop: Athens, Greece!
In this episode, you’ll hear Chris Ellinas (designer for huge brands like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon) discuss what it’s like recreating design assets for the entertainment industry, including the tools he relies on across multiple languages (4000 assets and counting!).
You’ll also learn about Chris’ digitally nomadic lifestyle, the favourite places he’s lived and worked, as well as a rapid fire Q&A from students. The episode ends with a beautiful story and important lesson that all creatives should hear about passion projects turning into something bigger than themselves.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Ryan Kough is an assistant professor of Integrated Media Arts at Juniata College who believes in design as a community-building tool creating partnerships between community members and student designers to create sustainable, long-term design solutions.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about Ryan’s gallery exhibition called Under Pressure (opening reception happens this week!) and how she uses experimentation in the classroom, specifically revealing the transformative power of the ‘Problems Exercise’.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Ryan Kough is an assistant professor of Integrated Media Arts at Juniata College who believes in design as a community-building tool creating partnerships between community members and student designers to create sustainable, long-term design solutions.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about Ryan’s gallery exhibition called Under Pressure (opening reception happens this week!) and how she uses experimentation in the classroom, specifically revealing the transformative power of the ‘Problems Exercise’.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This episode features Montréal-based illustrator, artist, and best-selling author, Raymond Biesinger!
In this conversation, you’ll hear about the ways that storytelling is baked into Raymond editorial, commercial and personal projects. We do a deep dive into one of Raymond’s poster projects that took him 20 working days to complete through ‘chasing the density dragon’.
You’ll also hear Raymond’s creative process and the tools he uses, the way imperfections play a vital role in the spirit of his work, and ultimately how layers of narrative make Raymond’s work clever, complex and consistently exciting.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This episode features Montréal-based illustrator, artist, and best-selling author, Raymond Biesinger!
In this conversation, you’ll hear about the ways that storytelling is baked into Raymond editorial, commercial and personal projects. We do a deep dive into one of Raymond’s poster projects that took him 20 working days to complete through ‘chasing the density dragon’.
You’ll also hear Raymond’s creative process and the tools he uses, the way imperfections play a vital role in the spirit of his work, and ultimately how layers of narrative make Raymond’s work clever, complex and consistently exciting.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this final episode of 2024 you’ll hear from type designer, Anna Korash and her newest experimental typeface, Invert; why it started, how it got going and where it is now. You’ll learn how variable fonts work and Anna’s unique technical and creative constraints in this project. Anna shares why platforms like Future Fonts are ideal for experimental projects like this, Invert’s future expansion plans into other writing systems, as well as which typeface she’d use for the rest of her life if she had to choose.
Head over to futurefonts.xyz and download a free trial version of Invert to play along with as you listen. Also, check out the show notes for this episode to see Anna’s generous sharing of her process in designing this typeface at talkpaperscissors.info.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this final episode of 2024 you’ll hear from type designer, Anna Korash and her newest experimental typeface, Invert; why it started, how it got going and where it is now. You’ll learn how variable fonts work and Anna’s unique technical and creative constraints in this project. Anna shares why platforms like Future Fonts are ideal for experimental projects like this, Invert’s future expansion plans into other writing systems, as well as which typeface she’d use for the rest of her life if she had to choose.
Head over to futurefonts.xyz and download a free trial version of Invert to play along with as you listen. Also, check out the show notes for this episode to see Anna’s generous sharing of her process in designing this typeface at talkpaperscissors.info.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode you’ll learn how Eleni Beveratou (Creative Director of Dalton Maag) went from hating type in school to realizing its utmost importance, leading her to find her niche and complete a Master’s degree in Typeface Design. Eleni walks us through how experienced readers read and how this informs typeface choice, as well as assessing accessible type through the helpful metrics of legibility, readability, likeability. Eleni explains why choosing simpler characters over more complex shapes are not always better for accessibility, as well as how using type in digital environments must be carefully considered, particularly the differences in light mode versus dark mode. Finally, you’ll learn the ‘basics’ that Eleni wishes she knew early in her career.
This episode was recorded live at DesignThinkers Toronto 2023 as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography in Fall 2023 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode you’ll learn how Eleni Beveratou (Creative Director of Dalton Maag) went from hating type in school to realizing its utmost importance, leading her to find her niche and complete a Master’s degree in Typeface Design. Eleni walks us through how experienced readers read and how this informs typeface choice, as well as assessing accessible type through the helpful metrics of legibility, readability, likeability. Eleni explains why choosing simpler characters over more complex shapes are not always better for accessibility, as well as how using type in digital environments must be carefully considered, particularly the differences in light mode versus dark mode. Finally, you’ll learn the ‘basics’ that Eleni wishes she knew early in her career.
This episode was recorded live at DesignThinkers Toronto 2023 as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography in Fall 2023 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode you’ll learn about the Netherlands-based type design company, Typotheque, and you’ll hear from two of its team members (Peter Bil’ak and Kevin King) and the way they work with language and give shape to language. You’ll hear a lot about the North American Indigenous Syllabics Project and the book that Typotheque recently published, celebrating the rich linguistic and typographic diversity of Indigenous languages in North America. You’ll hear a high level overview of the syllabic writing system used by many First Nations and Inuit communities, as well as the way that type is an important part of the visual culture. You’ll better understand the ways that traditional tools influence shapes of letterforms and how Kevin got started drawing syllabic forms for his work with Indigenous type revitalization and perseveration.
Finally, you’ll learn how cognitive psychologists work on the Typotheque team to inform typeface design, including a recent typeface release from Typotheque (called ‘Dash’) and its scientific origins. I gained so much from this conversation and I hope you will too.
This episode was recorded live at DesignThinkers Toronto 2023 as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography in Fall 2023 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode you’ll learn about the Netherlands-based type design company, Typotheque, and you’ll hear from two of its team members (Peter Bil’ak and Kevin King) and the way they work with language and give shape to language. You’ll hear a lot about the North American Indigenous Syllabics Project and the book that Typotheque recently published, celebrating the rich linguistic and typographic diversity of Indigenous languages in North America. You’ll hear a high level overview of the syllabic writing system used by many First Nations and Inuit communities, as well as the way that type is an important part of the visual culture. You’ll better understand the ways that traditional tools influence shapes of letterforms and how Kevin got started drawing syllabic forms for his work with Indigenous type revitalization and perseveration.
Finally, you’ll learn how cognitive psychologists work on the Typotheque team to inform typeface design, including a recent typeface release from Typotheque (called ‘Dash’) and its scientific origins. I gained so much from this conversation and I hope you will too.
This episode was recorded live at DesignThinkers Toronto 2023 as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography in Fall 2023 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
We are 23 days away from 2024 and with me today are two fantastic Toronto-based makers with calendars for us to enjoy all 366 days of the year ahead. In this episode, you'll hear from Phoebe Todd-Parrish and Ana Rita Morais about their calendar projects, yes, but the conversation is so much more than that. You'll better understand Ana Rita and Phoebe's unique creative processes and sources of inspiration, when they know when they've reached the finish line in their creative work, and you'll hear really great advice for creatives who look back on their old work with dread (aka most everyone). Links to six other incredible calendar projects can be found in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
We are 23 days away from 2024 and with me today are two fantastic Toronto-based makers with calendars for us to enjoy all 366 days of the year ahead. In this episode, you'll hear from Phoebe Todd-Parrish and Ana Rita Morais about their calendar projects, yes, but the conversation is so much more than that. You'll better understand Ana Rita and Phoebe's unique creative processes and sources of inspiration, when they know when they've reached the finish line in their creative work, and you'll hear really great advice for creatives who look back on their old work with dread (aka most everyone). Links to six other incredible calendar projects can be found in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
The final stop on our journey hearing from those in industry who make space for others through community-building, we have the Association of Registered Graphic Designers! In this episode, you’ll hear from RGD’s Executive Director, Hilary Ashworth, and RGD’s President, Nicola Hamilton about the organization, including what it is and why to get involved. You'll learn about different membership levels, different professional opportunities and more about the amazing community of design folks from coast-to-coast who make the organization such a valuable one to be part of. Finally, you'll hear some exciting new initiatives for 2024 and beyond!
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
The final stop on our journey hearing from those in industry who make space for others through community-building, we have the Association of Registered Graphic Designers! In this episode, you’ll hear from RGD’s Executive Director, Hilary Ashworth, and RGD’s President, Nicola Hamilton about the organization, including what it is and why to get involved. You'll learn about different membership levels, different professional opportunities and more about the amazing community of design folks from coast-to-coast who make the organization such a valuable one to be part of. Finally, you'll hear some exciting new initiatives for 2024 and beyond!
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the fifth of 6 episodes where you’ll hear from movers and shakers in the printing, typography and design spaces who make space for others through their creation of national and global communities. In this episode, you’ll hear from Katie Johnson and Ilana Griffo, the duo behind Goodtype**, what it’s all about and the often overlooked world of 'art licensing'. You'll learn about their take on group work and the key ingredients they believe are necessary to engage in a successful partnership. Katie and Ilana also give advice to students about careers in graphic design, as well as specific and actionable advice for portfolio-building and curating. Finally, the duo discuss their new book project with info they’re sharing here first!
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography in fall 2023 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.**
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the fifth of 6 episodes where you’ll hear from movers and shakers in the printing, typography and design spaces who make space for others through their creation of national and global communities. In this episode, you’ll hear from Katie Johnson and Ilana Griffo, the duo behind Goodtype**, what it’s all about and the often overlooked world of 'art licensing'. You'll learn about their take on group work and the key ingredients they believe are necessary to engage in a successful partnership. Katie and Ilana also give advice to students about careers in graphic design, as well as specific and actionable advice for portfolio-building and curating. Finally, the duo discuss their new book project with info they’re sharing here first!
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography in fall 2023 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.**
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the fourth of 6 episodes where you’ll hear from movers and shakers in the printing, typography and design spaces who make space for others through their creation of national and global communities. In this episode, we have living print legend, Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.!
Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. is an American printer, book artist and papermaker who has been puttin’ ink on paper since 1949. You’ll hear how Amos describes himself and his work, his entry point into printing and his counter-cultural (wise!) advice of setting low-expectations. You’ll also hear Amos’ experimental approach to making multiples, the way in which his signature printing process was born, and how systemic injustices can negatively impact creative living and making. Finally, you’ll hear about Amos’ labour-of-love community printing space in Detroit, Michigan: The Pile of Bricks.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the fourth of 6 episodes where you’ll hear from movers and shakers in the printing, typography and design spaces who make space for others through their creation of national and global communities. In this episode, we have living print legend, Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.!
Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. is an American printer, book artist and papermaker who has been puttin’ ink on paper since 1949. You’ll hear how Amos describes himself and his work, his entry point into printing and his counter-cultural (wise!) advice of setting low-expectations. You’ll also hear Amos’ experimental approach to making multiples, the way in which his signature printing process was born, and how systemic injustices can negatively impact creative living and making. Finally, you’ll hear about Amos’ labour-of-love community printing space in Detroit, Michigan: The Pile of Bricks.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the third of 6 episodes where you’ll hear from movers and shakers in the printing, typography and design spaces who make space for others through their creation of national and global communities. In this episode, you’ll hear from board member, Sam Archibald, about the newly-launched Canadian Typography Archives, the impetus that lead to the project, as well as the driving force behind it. You'll hear about the uniquely Canadian perspective missing from type history books and how the archive plans to fill in the gaps now and in the future, including the goal to include diverse representation. You can find lots of links in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography in fall 2023 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the third of 6 episodes where you’ll hear from movers and shakers in the printing, typography and design spaces who make space for others through their creation of national and global communities. In this episode, you’ll hear from board member, Sam Archibald, about the newly-launched Canadian Typography Archives, the impetus that lead to the project, as well as the driving force behind it. You'll hear about the uniquely Canadian perspective missing from type history books and how the archive plans to fill in the gaps now and in the future, including the goal to include diverse representation. You can find lots of links in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 230 - Typography in fall 2023 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the second of 6 episodes where you’ll hear from movers and shakers in the printing, typography and design spaces who make space for others through their creation of national and global communities. You’ll hear from Hello, Print Friend’s Miranda Metcalf (my newly-found print twin!), her historical pathway to printmaking and her hugely thoughtful answer to why the printed medium intrigues her so much.
You'll learn how the podcast got started and how it’s evolved over time, including why and how it exists as a bilingual podcast. Learn about Miranda’s favourite recent guests, including a deep dive into Miranda’s conversation with a famous political activist. Finally, you'll be guided down a winding path to hear Miranda’s favourite question to ask her printmaking guests, a discussion about the science of readability and even a typographic connection to Thai letterforms!
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the second of 6 episodes where you’ll hear from movers and shakers in the printing, typography and design spaces who make space for others through their creation of national and global communities. You’ll hear from Hello, Print Friend’s Miranda Metcalf (my newly-found print twin!), her historical pathway to printmaking and her hugely thoughtful answer to why the printed medium intrigues her so much.
You'll learn how the podcast got started and how it’s evolved over time, including why and how it exists as a bilingual podcast. Learn about Miranda’s favourite recent guests, including a deep dive into Miranda’s conversation with a famous political activist. Finally, you'll be guided down a winding path to hear Miranda’s favourite question to ask her printmaking guests, a discussion about the science of readability and even a typographic connection to Thai letterforms!
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the first of 6 episodes where you’ll hear from movers and shakers in the printing, typography and design spaces who make space for others through their creation of national and global communities. You’ll hear from Marcroy Smith, founder of People of Print, who will explain the origin story of People of Print, why print isn’t dead (as well as where this phrase originated), as well as the way that print and digital have a synergistic relationship. You’ll learn about the innovative ‘Posterzine’, the way in which Marcroy loves making new things as evidenced by his depth and breadth of work, and we dive into failure in creativity.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the first of 6 episodes where you’ll hear from movers and shakers in the printing, typography and design spaces who make space for others through their creation of national and global communities. You’ll hear from Marcroy Smith, founder of People of Print, who will explain the origin story of People of Print, why print isn’t dead (as well as where this phrase originated), as well as the way that print and digital have a synergistic relationship. You’ll learn about the innovative ‘Posterzine’, the way in which Marcroy loves making new things as evidenced by his depth and breadth of work, and we dive into failure in creativity.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode, you’ll meet 6 Master of Digital Media students at Toronto Metropolitan University who share diverse perspectives on the topic of inspiration: where it comes from, what it feels like and how to channel it.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode, you’ll meet 6 Master of Digital Media students at Toronto Metropolitan University who share diverse perspectives on the topic of inspiration: where it comes from, what it feels like and how to channel it.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this very special conversation you’ll hear from celebrated illustrator, author, designer and without-a-doubt Book Worm, Coralie Bickford-Smith, including her creative process for book cover design and a discussion about creativity more broadly. She demystifies her experience designing for other authors’ book covers versus working on her own books. You’ll hear about the way that she uses constraints in her work, the printing press in her kitchen and the typeface she’d use for the rest of her life if she could only choose one.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this very special conversation you’ll hear from celebrated illustrator, author, designer and without-a-doubt Book Worm, Coralie Bickford-Smith, including her creative process for book cover design and a discussion about creativity more broadly. She demystifies her experience designing for other authors’ book covers versus working on her own books. You’ll hear about the way that she uses constraints in her work, the printing press in her kitchen and the typeface she’d use for the rest of her life if she could only choose one.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 3!).
This episode is guest hosted by Vittoria Casale.
Name: Barlow
Release Date: 2007
Designer: Jeremy Tribby
Classification: San-Serif
Owned By: Google Font free licensed font
Claim to Fame: The typeface that was named in honour of internet pioneer and activist, John Perry Barlow
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 3!).
This episode is guest hosted by Vittoria Casale.
Name: Barlow
Release Date: 2007
Designer: Jeremy Tribby
Classification: San-Serif
Owned By: Google Font free licensed font
Claim to Fame: The typeface that was named in honour of internet pioneer and activist, John Perry Barlow
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 3!).
This episode is guest hosted by Rebecca Karton.
Name: Lo-Res
Release Date: 1985
Designer: Zuzana Licko
Classification: Modular Sans-Serif Pixel Typeface
Owned By: Emigre, Inc.
Claim to Fame: Licko was one of the first designers to use a Macintosh 128K to create fonts for the computer as an art form, starting a revolution in digital type and layouts.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 3!).
This episode is guest hosted by Rebecca Karton.
Name: Lo-Res
Release Date: 1985
Designer: Zuzana Licko
Classification: Modular Sans-Serif Pixel Typeface
Owned By: Emigre, Inc.
Claim to Fame: Licko was one of the first designers to use a Macintosh 128K to create fonts for the computer as an art form, starting a revolution in digital type and layouts.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 3!).This episode is guest hosted by Cameron Mady.
Name: Impact
Release Date: 1965
Designers: Geoffrey Lee
Classification: Transitional Sans Serif Display
Owned By: Monotype Imagining Holdings Inc.
Claim to Fame: The typeface synonymous with the Internet and meme culture
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 3!).This episode is guest hosted by Cameron Mady.
Name: Impact
Release Date: 1965
Designers: Geoffrey Lee
Classification: Transitional Sans Serif Display
Owned By: Monotype Imagining Holdings Inc.
Claim to Fame: The typeface synonymous with the Internet and meme culture
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Oliver of Pimp My Type is back and he’s here to talk untapped typographic potential!
In this conversation, Oliver explains what ‘typographic colour’ means, tried and true techniques for emphasis, prioritizing optical distance in typesetting (using one’s gut and not just math!), as well as the role intentionality plays in the process.
Oliver also demystifies the characteristics of display type that make it different from text type, the advantages of variable fonts for both digital and print design, as well as use cases for baseline grid.
The conversation even strolls into Comic Sans and books featuring Disney Princesses. Above all else, prepare for lots of actionable strategies to harness type’s power!
The design work on which this episode is centred can be found in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Oliver of Pimp My Type is back and he’s here to talk untapped typographic potential!
In this conversation, Oliver explains what ‘typographic colour’ means, tried and true techniques for emphasis, prioritizing optical distance in typesetting (using one’s gut and not just math!), as well as the role intentionality plays in the process.
Oliver also demystifies the characteristics of display type that make it different from text type, the advantages of variable fonts for both digital and print design, as well as use cases for baseline grid.
The conversation even strolls into Comic Sans and books featuring Disney Princesses. Above all else, prepare for lots of actionable strategies to harness type’s power!
The design work on which this episode is centred can be found in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Mr. Tom Froese is an award-winning illustrator, teacher, and speaker, having worked for brands and businesses all over the world, including Yahoo!, Airbnb, GQ France, and The Wall Street Journal. Tom is a Top Teacher on Skillshare, where over 120,000 students (and counting!) have learned his unique and accessible approach to commercial illustration. In this conversation, Tom shares his professional origin story and early influences, what it means to ask the right questions of your creative work, how he uses constraints, as well as handling criticism of one’s creative work. Tom and I share teaching lessons we’ve each learned over the course of the last decade and you’ll hear what’s next for Tom’s work.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
Mr. Tom Froese is an award-winning illustrator, teacher, and speaker, having worked for brands and businesses all over the world, including Yahoo!, Airbnb, GQ France, and The Wall Street Journal. Tom is a Top Teacher on Skillshare, where over 120,000 students (and counting!) have learned his unique and accessible approach to commercial illustration. In this conversation, Tom shares his professional origin story and early influences, what it means to ask the right questions of your creative work, how he uses constraints, as well as handling criticism of one’s creative work. Tom and I share teaching lessons we’ve each learned over the course of the last decade and you’ll hear what’s next for Tom’s work.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the sixth and final episode in a 6-part series. Here you’ll meet Justine Abigail Yu, Founder of Living Hyphen Magazine, which explores the experiences of hyphenated Canadians and what it means to live in between cultures.
You’ll learn about the origins of Living Hyphen, the spark that started this journey and ultimately why Justine Abigail created this community. You’ll also hear how the community’s varied submissions organically shaped the final magazine and amplified its diversity.
Justine Abigail shares the political and symbolic reasons she decided to produce Living Hyphen as a printed-only magazine, what collaboration in making the magazine looks like and what forms Living Hyphen takes today, beyond the printed page.
Finally, you’ll hear about Justine Abigail’s experience telling her own story and her big vision for the future of Living Hyphen.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing through The Chang School at TMU.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the fifth episode in a 6-part series. Here you’ll meet Rich Pauptit, President of Flash Reproductions, who brings beautiful ideas to life.
Rich shares how passion-project-turned-experimental-magazine, Wayward Arts, got started, how it’s evolved and the issue that Rich considers his greatest achievement EVER (including the story behind it).
You’ll hear about the “lost issue” of Wayward Arts, interesting tech Flash Reproductions has integrated into magazines, as well as the trajectory that the business has tooled up to support. Finally, you’ll hear Rich’s ideas about the future of the industry including his take on AI, as well as his open invitation to listeners to see Flash in the flesh.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing through The Chang School at TMU.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the fourth episode in a 6-part series. Here you’ll meet Chris Fraser, Chief Finder - Business Development for Toronto-based Printing Company, Moveable Inc.
In this episode you’ll hear actionable takeaways for printing magazines, including how to get started. Chris shares his ‘bankable’ insights including specifics info about magazine size, paper choices, the importance of proofing, delivery, alterations and scheduling, all starting with the end in mind.
Chris details why and how Print on Demand (POD) magazines may or may not be a feasible solution for the future of magazine production, as well as ideas for funding your magazine with so many incredible examples along the way.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in GCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing in The Creative School at TMU.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the third episode in a 6-part series. Here you’ll meet Audrey Vandenbroeck, Vice President of Customer Success at Issuu. If you’ve ever wondered why and how to publish using Issuu’s platform, this episode is for you.
Audrey shares the ways in which Issuu can help students (in their presentations, portfolios and student work), as well as students who are transitioning into professional spaces. She describes the variety of ways to share and circulate publications uploaded to Issuu, as well as statistics features to help drive a digital strategy. Finally, you’ll hear how to connect InDesign and Issuu to integrate into your current production workflow.
Check out Issuu.com to explore a number of the publications that Audrey mentions throughout the episode.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in GCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing in The Creative School at TMU.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This is the second episode in a 6-part series. Here you’ll meet James Hewes, CEO of FIPP, a global magazine industry organization. You’ll learn how James went from working in banking to making magazines, eventually running the BBC’s international magazine business.
James shares macro trends in magazines, including the shift in the advertising model and the ways that magazine publishing mirrors the music industry (including how we can see our future in the music industry’s present).
Finally, James shares his thoughts on the future of AI in the media industry and why making magazines is (still) the greatest job in the world.
James’ visuals he discussed in the episode can be found in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in GCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing in The Creative School at TMU and co-hosted by student, Samantha Benezra.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
This episode is the first in a 6-part series in magazine production and publishing. Here you’ll meet Nicola Hamilton, Toronto-based magazine Art Director and independent magazine shop owner. In this episode you’ll hear trends in magazine publishing and production.
Nicola describes her process as an Art Director, including how she collaborates in making magazines among many stakeholders. Nicola also shares her advice for sourcing inexpensive (even free!) visuals for magazine projects. Finally, she describes the importance of setting the technical foundation of a periodical publication, as well as what ‘pacing’ means and how to design with pacing in mind.
And here’s the great news for all magazine makers: Nicola believes that the future belongs to niche publications (that YOU could create!).
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in GCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing in The Creative School at TMU and co-hosted by student, Enza Borson.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)
In this episode you'll meet Camilo Saenz and Kristin Lewis who are using their talents for graphic design, videography and photography to communicate and accelerate this important organization doing important work.
These two excitingly talented creatives who work in a STEM organization (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) called Visions of Science here in Toronto.
Visions of Science is transforming lives and advancing equity through STEM; providing access, increasing representation and fostering meaningful inclusion. They reach 1000+ youth in 30 communities each year through in-school programming, after-school tutoring, camps and partnerships with major organizations like Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) and IBM.
This conversation about creative thinking and creative outputs is framed around the four pillars of STEM.
I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people!
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Recorded at Podcamp 2023, here’s a talk about breaking all the rules in podcasting: “By day, Diana teaches students within The Creative School at TMU to know their audience and create compelling visual content. By night, Diana does the exact opposite: she creates podcast content for herself more than for her audience — with no set production schedule, no set show format, no set episode length, no less! — in a decidedly non-visual format. And it’s the best thing she’s ever done. Learn the way Diana uses podcasting as a creative outlet (that sometimes interweaves with her day job), allowing her to explore new topics, speak with interesting people and create a body of work that’s opened doors she didn’t know existed. Be inspired to create your own podcast that breaks all the rules and is uniquely you.”
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Meet emerging typeface designers, Nicole Galindo and Cameron Mady! You’ll learn about their original typeface designs (Dogggo and Perpetua) created in Advanced Typography class at Toronto Metropolitan University. You’ll hear about their typefaces’ perfect pairings, sensory descriptions of each (sight, smell, touch, sound and even taste), the ways they could be uniquely transformed into variable fonts, as well as where they plan to take their typefaces next. Playful and classic, spirited and rule-bound, these two original creations don’t disappoint.
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This is the final episode in the Brand New series where you’ll hear from Richard Nalli-Petta of Parcel in Toronto chat about his work for the agency, including one very special project he’s been a part of recently. You’ll hear how Parcel defines branding, the ways collaboration happens on large projects and the challenges of handing finished work to a client, who can then shape or change the design in any way they see fit. Finally you’ll hear why Richard believes design jobs are safe from being totally taken over by AI.
Finally, I encourage you to check out the images shared by Richard during the recording, which are available in the show notes at https://www.talkpaperscissors.info/.
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in Design as Communication, Bachelor of Brand Design Program, George Brown College School of Design.
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Welcome to the second episode in our Brand New series all about brand identity design. Today’s episode features the passionate and talented team at Loop who designs for social good.
Here you’ll meet designers Josh Layton and Emma Steele, learn what Loop does and how they see themselves as different from traditional agencies, as well as how Loop’s process is one of deep listening and unlearning, stemming from a place of curiosity and connection.
You’ll learn what human-centred design means to Loop and how they approach their work through this critical lens, as well as all of the ways that equity, diversity and inclusion is baked into to Loop’s people and processes and is constantly evolving.
Finally you’ll hear the ways that storytelling is used to build trust through design, helping to weave a common thread for supporters of the cause.
The Loop team presented beautiful visuals to accompany their talk so please check them out at https://www.talkpaperscissors.info/!
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in Design as Communication, Bachelor of Brand Design Program, George Brown College School of Design.
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It’s Meg! Meg Lewis is a designer, illustrator, artist and all-around creative. In this conversation, Meg and Diana get delightfully weird!
The duo discuss Meg’s approach to their work centred around making the world a happier place, Meg’s ‘no process’ process and their definition of success. You’ll hear about the dreamiest client project Meg’s ever worked on (it’s a good one!), including Meg’s wildest idea that they can’t get out of their head.
You’ll also hear about Meg’s approach to finding their style, including why they’re not upset by copycat work. Diana invites Meg to play an improv game with her about the embodiment of fonts and it’s embarrassingly magical (you can practically hear the hives forming on Diana’s neck). Finally, you’ll learn about Meg’s awesome advice to their younger self, what happened when Meg decided to dance and you can’t forget the clowns and the mimes and circus stuff. It’s a fun one!
This episode is part of a guest lecture series in Design as Communication, Bachelor of Brand Design Program, George Brown College School of Design.
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In this episode, you’ll meet Aurelie Maron, a full-time lettering artist and teacher based out of the Gold Coast, Australia. You’ll hear Aurelie’s story, including why neither agency life nor freelance work was the right fit for her creativity. You’ll hear accessible ways for beginners to get started in their lettering journey, as well as the way Aurelie uses lettering challenges to practice her craft, hone her style and scale her business.
You’ll hear about her creative processes in approaching unfamiliar design challenges, as well as for designing an original typeface (and how to move forward if you feel stuck!). Finally you’ll hear about Aurelie’s desert island typeface choices (great minds think alike!), about her new Domestika course and about how she makes money as a lettering artist.
This episode was part of a guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography in The Creative School at TMU and co-hosted by student, Katrina Javier.
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In this episode, you’ll meet Jorge Gomez, a brand strategist and graffiti writer based out of Inglewood, CA. You’ll hear about Jorge’s work running The Money Studio, helping BIPOC-owned brands preserve their culture, as well as his design origin story that started with graffiti. You’ll hear how he’s doubled down on setbacks in his life and used them as powerful catalysts for growth, including the ways in which he faced prejudice in his ascent through school and into industry. Jorge shares his use of Design Thinking and math (math!) when painting murals, how he said “yes” before he was ready and the ways in which his family plays an integral role in his work.
This episode was part of a guest lecture series in GCM 806 Advanced Typography in The Creative School at TMU and co-hosted by student, Katrina Javier.
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In this episode close to Diana’s heart released on what would have been her Dad’s 69th birthday, hear them read a favourite children’s story book together. First recorded in the late 1980s and then in 2021, hear Diana, her Dad and her youngest daughter (who narrowly missed meeting her Grandad) read for the first and last time together, united through the magic of audio.
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In this final conversation of the series, academic, author, artist and activist, Dr. Robyn Bourgeois (Laughing Otter Caring Woman) shares what it means to be heart-centred, inside and outside of the university system. She provides examples and actionable takeaways for becoming and remaining heart-centred through difficult situations. Robyn discusses how and why she sets boundaries when helping students navigate difficult situations, as well as her experience calling upon both mental health training and Cree cultural practices to lift the heaviness of others’ stories. Robyn provides a great example of the way heart-centeredness changes outcomes in challenging situations and how we all need community to survive and thrive. This is the third and final episode in a 3-part series, co-hosted by Diana’s friend and colleague, Nat Lumby.
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In this conversation, design education leader, Dr. Ana Rita Morais, shares her vision for the future. She gives us a peek into the ways in which paradigm-shifting tech like AI can be integrated into educational spaces, as well as the evolution of her large-scale calendar project supporting BIPOC students in need. The conversation continues with Ana Rita’s vision of future learning environments and how the traditional classroom continues to expand into new spaces, helping students embrace curiosity, develop critical thinking skills and improve their communication skills. Ana Rita shares what excites her the most – and what scares her the most – about the future of design education, as well as how the myriad of free design resources online is (or isn’t) changing formal means of design education. Lastly, you’ll learn about a big, important project Ana Rita’s embarking on in this space. This is the second episode in a 3-part series, co-hosted by Diana’s friend and colleague, Nat Lumby.
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In this intimate conversation, cultural diversity educator Gail-Ann Wilson Michell shares her reality growing up ‘being the only’; a young Black girl and then woman and educator in Edmonton, including sharing her experiences in school. She describes important parts of her work including her take on what she calls ‘the six letter word’; its historical context and its role in modern life. Gail-Ann shares beautiful, vulnerable and heartbreaking stories about her work as a teacher and her forthcoming role in the Alberta Teachers Association, including describing the single most racist act she’s ever endured. There’s so much more captured in this conversation that ends with a powerful, accessible next step — call to action — for educators everywhere in fostering greater equity, diversity and inclusion in their classrooms. This is the first of a 3-part series, co-hosted by Diana’s friend and colleague, Nat Lumby.
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In this episode, Diana shares her week of serendipitous BIG MAGIC centered around books while she was filming her Domestika course in New York City. Interwoven throughout the story are excerpts from Elizabeth Gilbert's incredible book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. Expect sunshine, rainbows and some serious BIG MAGIC.
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In this final episode of 2022, Diana reflects on the best parts of producing a podcast and how statistics alone can’t capture the whole story. To continue her work sowing seeds of creative confidence, Diana shares an excerpt — a big idea — about making friends with Failure to boost creative confidence. Here’s to savouring the last of 2022 and looking ahead to 2023!
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Welcome Oliver Schöndorfer of Pimp My Type! In this episode you’ll hear Oliver’s approach to pairing type, a helpful framework to think about categorizing type in a different way and rethinking font classification systems for ‘finding’ type versus for ‘filing’ type. You’ll also hear Oliver’s favourite pairing right now, the typeface he would choose if he could only choose one and so much more. Let the type geekery begin!
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The final episode in a 3-part mini series focused on the topic of ‘inspiration’, Diana dishes up her thoughts on the topic of inspiration, marrying her experiences with others’ research. She will explain the way she thinks about ‘a-ha moments’, as well as share a framework that allows humans to connect to inspiration more easily through ‘ACE-ing’ it: embrace, pace, place, space, interface and chase. So what are you waiting for? Your next great idea? Good, because it’s waiting for you too.
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The second episode in a 3-part mini series focused on the topic of ‘inspiration’, Diana sits down with a panel of 5 Master of Digital Media Students from Toronto Metropolitan University to learn more about their personal experiences with inspiration; what inspires them, how they seek it out (or don’t seek it out) and a series of other big ideas (self-worth, flow state, rest) that weave in and out of this topic.
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The first episode in a 3-part mini series focused on the topic of ‘inspiration’, Diana sits down with Reilly Stephens, Creative Strategist, Pinterest to learn more about what’s at the intersection of inspiration and digital media.
In this conversation the pair discuss inspiring spaces online, how Pinterest is approaching inspiration differently than other online platforms and why inspirational spaces are so necessary in 2022 and beyond.
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This is a very special crossover episode between Talk Paper Scissors and the Graphic Design is Fun podcast where Diana and Canadian graphic designer, Dan Alan, chat about the topics of teaching and learning graphic design.
In this conversation, Dan describes what he believes it takes to be a graphic designer, as well as his thoughts about learning graphic design. He reveals what’s on his radar right now and what it might mean for the future of the industry.
After listening to this episode, head over to Dan’s podcast, Graphic Design is Fun, where you’ll hear him pickDiana’sbrain about her teaching origin story (which may surprise you!), how her role as an instructor has evolved over the last 10 years and the pair dip their toes into topics very close to Diana’s heart; namely creative confidence and normalizing failure.
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 2!).This episode is guest hosted by Andres O'Brien Ramirez.
Name: Geometos Neue
Release Date: 2017
Designers: Depak Dogra
Classification: Sans Serif
Owned By: Graphite
Claim to Fame: Futuristic design
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 2!).This episode is guest hosted by Zoe Soeiro.Name: Proxima Nova
Release Date: 2005
Designers: Mark Simonson
Classification: Geometric Sans Serif
Owned By: Mark Simonson Studio
Claim to Fame: Replacing Helvetica as the world's most popular typeface
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 2!).This episode is guest hosted by Ian Ugale.Name: ITC Benguiat
Release Date: 1977
Designers: Ed Benguiat
Classification: Serif Display
Owned By: International Typeface Corporation
Claim to Fame: The typeface used in Stranger Things
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From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 2!).This episode is guest hosted by Maya Navarro.
Name: Times New Roman
Release Date: 1932
Designers: Stanley Morison and Victor Lardent
Classification: Mixed Transitional Old-Style (Serif)
Owned By: Monotype
Claim to Fame: The typeface commissioned by The Times and the most widely installed serif typeface
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 2!).This episode is guest hosted by Johanna Gibson.
Name: Gill Sans
Release Date: 1928
Designer: Eric Gill
Classification: Humanist Sans-Serif
Owned By: Monotype
Claim to Fame: Typeface for London North and Eastern Railway
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 2!).This episode is guest hosted by Shelby Cooper and Zohal Rashid.
Name: Bodoni
Release Date: 1798
Designers: Giambattista Bodoni
Classification: ModernSerif Script
Owned By: Linotype
Claim to Fame: One of the older typefaces still in use as a font today.
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 2!).This episode is guest hosted by Nate Evangelista.
Name: Didot
Release Date: Between 1784 and 1811
Designer: Firmin Didot
Classification: Modern Serif
Owned By: Various type foundries, most notably Hoefler & Co. and Linotype
Claim to Fame: The beginning of the Neoclassical typeface movement and recognized fashion icon as Vogue Magazine’s logo
In this perspective-shifting episode, Madeleine Dore (author of I Didn’t Do The Thing Today: Letting Go of Productivity Guilt) chats about all sorts of important ideas, especially as summer’s restful embrace invites us to slow down and play.
Madeleine discusses why ‘perfection’ is a flawed concept (and what’s better than striving for perfection), the importance of taking productivity down off its pedestal, the bright side of not completing your to do list, the importance of being curious to question where our productivity guilt comes from, as well as broadening the measure of a day to celebrate the variances there within (as well as the variances within ourselves). Madeleine provides insight on the daunting nature of ‘space’ that rest affords us, practical tips for living presently in our days, the ways Madeleine chooses to measure her days beyond ‘being productive’, why the very ‘quantifiable’ measure of productivity is actually an imperfect metric too and what the term ‘precrastination’ means.
It’s a BIG one!
After the conversation, Diana shares her plans for rest this summer and why she’s both nervous and excited about taking some time off.
Listen in on TMU’s Magazine Production & Publishing class in Spring 2022…
In this final episode in a 3-part series about magazines, meet Steph Beveridge, Account Manager at Hemlock Printers in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In this conversation, Steph explains the types of magazines Hemlock prints and the ways in which small, niche publications are growing their audiences. Steph shares a breakdown of typical printing processes for magazines, trends in magazine printing (including size, paper and finish), as well as actionable tips for designing with print in mind. She shares the big challenge for the printing industry right now, unique advertising opportunities for publishers, as well as the economics of niche magazine publications. Finally, Steph describes the reasons she got into this field and her biggest takeaways from having studied at TMU.
Listen in on TMU’s Magazine Production & Publishing class in Spring 2022…
In this second episode in a 3-part series about magazines, meet Lonelle Selbo, publisher and designer of LIFE AU LAIT Magazine, a digital publication serving Prince Edward County (PEC), Ontario, Canada. In this conversation, Lonelle explains her magazine’s origin story, why digital is the right format for her publication and the way she’s adapted to help local businesses promote themselves during the pandemic. Lonelle defines maximalism and how she embraces it in the design of LIFE AU LAIT Magazine. She also explains how she uses rules in her creative process, specifically focusing on the criteria of intentionality and usefulness. Lonelle shares where she thinks the future of magazine content is headed and shares future plans for her magazine. Also, Diana shares her big idea for the future of the magazine industry… a collaboration is very possible and you’re hearing it here first! Finally, insights about the power of listening emerge and remerge throughout the conversation.
Listen in on TMU’s Magazine Production & Publishing class in Spring 2022…
In this conversation, we welcome Greg Davis, Publisher of Melanistic Magazine based in Edmonton, Alberta. He shares his story as “a Jamaican who found himself in Toronto who got lost in Tokyo”. He describes how communicating a consistent and authentic voice that speaks to the nature of the magazine is what’s most important (versus trying to please everyone). Greg explains what a publisher of a magazine is responsible for, describes typical and creative revenue models for both small and large publications, as well as why he believes the magazine industry is stronger now than it was before the pandemic.
In this final conversation in the mini series about big emotions in creative living, you will hear from children’s book author and illustrator, Lisa Anchin with her recently released work, The Paper Bird. Lisa sheds light on how book making is a hugely collaborative process and the way she works with her publishing team. She speaks to the role that self-doubt plays in her creative process and her approach to break out of the cycle of self-doubt (hint: make more stuff!). Lisa ends this episode by reading The Paper Bird and purely by coincidence, actual birds arrived as she began reciting her story and offered their sing-song gifts to the recording. Magical!
In this episode about big emotions in creative living, you’ll meet Jamie Roberts of Rock That Creative Job and learn how she helps support creative people in various stages of their journeys. We take a deep dive into imposter syndrome and Jamie shares an assessment she’s created to help individuals align themselves in the right environments that will enable them to thrive. We discuss the magic of low-stakes opportunities, practicing and getting comfortable with failure in the process. She speaks about moving yourself forward — iterating and innovating — and the only way to make that happen is through doing. Jamie provides sound advice for selling oneself in an authentic way even if you loathe self-promotion (hint: know your audience!). Finally, Jamie offers some excellent advice to recent graduates about how to differentiate themselves in a competitive hiring landscape, including doubling down on your personal story so that you’re a memorable candidate for the job.
In this first episode in a mini series all about big emotions in creative living, you’ll hear what The Scaries is all about, how it evolved and the form it takes today. You’ll hear the voices behind The Scaries: Nicola Hamilton and LeeAndra Cianci. We talk about the emotional realities of creative living (including regular feelings of self doubt) and how the duo overcame burnout through their creative practice. We dive into imposter syndrome, fear and why giving our big feelings a voice is a huge step towards making them work for us and not against us! Finally, Diana announces the big super secret project she’s been working on.
Welcome to the future… FONT FUTURES!
In this episode, we meet Toronto-based type designer, Kevin King, who is working to revitalize and preserve North American Indigenous languages in digital spaces. You’ll hear Kevin’s career origin story, the challenges that exist in digital spaces for minority language support, current barriers to access and the process involved in helping to remove these barriers. You’ll learn the process involved in taking on a project of this magnitude, including a research methodology that helped Kevin reach out to Indigenous communities and work with language keepers directly. Finally, Kevin provides excellent advice for up-and-coming type designers.
Welcome to the future… FONT FUTURES!
Today’s guest is the legendary Charles Nix, Creative Type Director at Monotype. In the following talk, you’ll hear the who, what, why, when, where and how of variable type technology, including some incredible examples of variable type that already exist in the world. You’ll hear about the technology behind variable type, as well as the creative solutions possible for both the digital and physical world when designers are able to play with type as a medium. Variable font technology allows creatives to move beyond the binary to space that’s fluid and dimensional, exploring a spectrum of type. This episode could be called ‘Variable Type 101’ and it’s jam-packed with insight!
Welcome to the future… FONT FUTURES!
In this first of three episodes in the series, you’ll meet emerging typeface designers Nate Evangelista and Sarah Zahavi. You’ll learn about their original typeface designs (Aqua and Negative Space), as well as their process, sources of inspiration and their favourite glyphs. Nate’s original typeface is derived from feeling, while Sarah’s is derived from thinking. Nate’s is organic and natural, while Sarah’s was born on city streets. These two typefaces, their processes and their designers are incredibly different, but each is also incredibly successful in their interpretations of the creative brief.
Welcome The Little Friends of Printmaking, JW and Melissa Buchanan! This silkscreening duo of printmakers, illustrators and designers from Pasadena, California produce work for clients like Disney, FX, Nike and Cartoon Network. In this conversation, the pair discuss The Little Friends of Printmaking’s origin story, the way printmaking bridges the gap between technical and creative pursuits, how the medium of print offers a wonderful constraint, the how-to of silk screening, as well as The Little Friends’ creative process. The duo shares the surprising physicality of the silk screen process, interesting techniques they like to explore (marbling, matte vs. gloss, etc.) and tips for getting started. Finally, Melissa and JW share what they’re working on now and what we can expect in the future. Let’s tap into our inner printing nerds!
Welcome to an 11-part series exploring the intersection of listening and creativity. Why is listening so important? How can we become better listeners? How can listening make us more creative?
In this final conversation, chiropractor and acupuncturist Dr. Christine Wozniak explains the intimate relationship between stretching our bodies and improving our ability to listen through a process of attunement. She explains ‘attunement’, how to achieve it through the act of stretching and how it can positively impact our ability to listen. Like our interconnected bodies themselves, this episode helps us understand the links that exist between mind, body and creativity.
Welcome to an 11-part series exploring the intersection of listening and creativity. Why is listening so important? How can we become better listeners? How can listening make us more creative?
In this conversation, family law litigator Jenna Beaton describes the patience and restraint often needed while listening as a lawyer, as well as the directive component to listening (controlling the conversation parameters) often required in law. We explore the importance of asking the right questions, separating emotionality from the content in high stakes listening and the importance of asking ‘why’ to question the status quo.
Welcome to an 11-part series exploring the intersection of listening and creativity. Why is listening so important? How can we become better listeners? How can listening make us more creative?
In this conversation, creative strategist Douglas Davis, generously shares the way listening is critical to the dynamic of understanding communication gaps that can exist between various stakeholders in the creative process and how listening allows creatives to be more strategic, including the importance of listening for the questions behind the questions. He also shares how learning to control our emotions is necessary within the context of the creative process through listening to our own bodies, as well as his take on imposter syndrome, drawing parallels between today’s creative climate and that of the turn of the new millennium (in the early days of web design). Finally, Douglas reminds us that listening is required to allow creative people everywhere to remain on brand, on strategy and on message.
Welcome to an 11-part series exploring the intersection of listening and creativity. Why is listening so important? How can we become better listeners? How can listening make us more creative?
In this conversation, dog trainer Jenna Kingston shares how dogs listen to one another and to the humans in their lives. Jenna explains the power that intuitive energy plays in canine listening, as well as how dogs in a pack communicate with one another. Dogs teach us that calm energy is required in a chaotic environment because you can only control yourself and not the world around you. Lastly, Jenna shares her thoughts on being willing to remain quiet and listen so that we can learn from every situation.
Welcome to an 11-part series exploring the intersection of listening and creativity. Why is listening so important? How can we become better listeners? How can listening make us more creative?
In this conversation, former talk show host and fellow curious human, Drew Marshall, shares his experiences during a three month vow of silence while walking the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James); a nearly 1000 km walk in northwestern Spain. Drew shares what led him to walk 1000 km in silence (what he calls ‘accidental intentionality’), his insights about the importance of asking questions as a precursor to listening and why his vow of silence gave everyone permission to dive below surface level in conversations. Drew shares a powerful story about what happens when we make assumptions, including how listening can open our hearts and minds to receiving new people and new experiences. Finally, Drew explains the way in which life slowed down when he went silent, how silence affected his creativity and his approach to ‘chasing the why’.
Welcome to an 11-part series exploring the intersection of listening and creativity. Why is listening so important? How can we become better listeners? How can listening make us more creative?
In this conversation, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Jennifer Hunter gets into the nitty-gritty about different types of listening exchanges, as well as how to tap into our emotional states as a way to listen on another level. She and Diana explore the imbalance they feel in how communication is taught (speaking vs. listening) in classrooms of all levels, as determined by metrics like participation grades. Dr. Jennifer Hunter also identifies listening’s transformational power, listening’s role as a precursor to creative thinking, the role self-esteem plays in listening and she positions the act of listening as a gift we can offer others.
Welcome to an 11-part series exploring the intersection of listening and creativity. Why is listening so important? How can we become better listeners? How can listening make us more creative?
In this conversation, professional jazz vocalist Kalya Ramu describes how listening is quintessential to performing live music, as well as how making music happens in a virtual environment. Kalya shares how she actively listens to a piece of music as a professional and how we can all benefit from this type of meditative music listening experience too.
Welcome to an 11-part series exploring the intersection of listening and creativity. Why is listening so important? How can we become better listeners? How can listening make us more creative?
In this conversation, mediator Oliver Martin, articulates what active listening looks like, why our brains make it so difficult to actively listen, as well as why listening is hugely important as a means to help others clarify their own thoughts. Oliver reminds us that listening is a superpower in the pursuit of what it means to be human and connect with others, offering strategic approaches to becoming a better listener today. Let’s get compassionately curious.
Welcome to an 11-part series exploring the intersection of listening and creativity. Why is listening so important? How can we become better listeners? How can listening make us more creative?
In this episode, improv extraordinaire (and Diana’s high school drama teacher!) Tim Miller, describes what we can learn about listening through the world of improvisational threatre and how the key foundations of improv are also excellent guideposts for life. He shares personal and vulnerable anecdotes about how listening to himself and listening to others has made him a better person.
Welcome to an 11-part series exploring the intersection of listening and creativity. Why is listening so important? How can we become better listeners? How can listening make us more creative?
In this episode, senior TV news producer, Kati Mason, describes how she listens as a journalist and producer, understanding the unspoken biases and motivations behind every story. She explains key journalistic foundations and storytelling devices, including how they are impacted by listening. Also, Kati and Diana try to solve world peace… no big deal.
Welcome to an 11-part series exploring the intersection of listening and creativity. Why is listening so important? How can we become better listeners? How can listening make us more creative?
You’ll hear stories and insights from the lived experiences of 11 diverse listeners: a composer, TV morning show producer, improvisational theatre extraordinaire, mediator, jazz vocalist, clinical psychologist, former radio show host who embarked on a 3-month vow of silence, dog trainer, family lawyer, creative strategist and chiropractor.
In this first episode, composer Emad Saedi shares his story about quitting his full-time job as a tech journalist to pursue an uncertain (but soul-giving) career composing music. You’ll hear his views on listening across cultures, as well as why he believes silence is beautiful and necessary.
It’s here! We’ve made it! EPISODE 100! To celebrate, Diana’s looking back at some of her favourite answers to the question: “If you could only choose one typeface to use for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?” Diana’s own ‘desert island typeface’ is Proxima Nova and a very special guest joins us to make all of Diana’s type dreams come true.
We learn our ABCs as preschoolers, writing down our alphabet, combining letters into words into sentences and eventually into stories. When entering into a new industry, it can be like learning a whole new language to understand the technical jargon and specific buzzwords thrown around. The graphic communications industry is no different and in this 3-part series, Diana takes a stroll through the alphabet that we all know and love, using it as a framework to explore the ABCs of GCM. In this final episode, we explore the letters S - &: Saddle Stitch, Trim Size, UV Coating, Virgin Paper, Watermark, X-height, Yellow, Zip File and Ampersand.
We learn our ABCs as preschoolers, writing down our alphabet, combining letters into words into sentences and eventually into stories. When entering into a new industry, it can be like learning a whole new language to understand the technical jargon and specific buzzwords thrown around. The graphic communications industry is no different and in this 3-part series, Diana takes a stroll through the alphabet that we all know and love, using it as a framework to explore the ABCs of GCM. In this episode, we explore the letters J - R: Justified, Kilobyte, Leading, Makeready, Newsprint, Offset, PPI, Quire and Ream.
We learn our ABCs as preschoolers, writing down our alphabet, combining letters into words into sentences and eventually into stories. When entering into a new industry, it can be like learning a whole new language to understand the technical jargon and specific buzzwords thrown around. The graphic communications industry is no different and in this 3-part series, Diana takes a stroll through the alphabet that we all know and love, using it as a framework to explore the ABCs of GCM. In this episode, we explore the letters A - I: Author's Alterations, Bar Codes, Creative Cloud, Descenders, Endpapers, Fifth Colour, Grain, Hickies and Imposition.
Micha Powell is an Olympian, public speaker, model and producer. In our conversation and through the power of story, Micha helps us understand the emotional rollercoaster of elite-level competition as a track and field athlete. You’ll also hear about Micha’s podcast, People Behind the Performance, and why she felt compelled to create it. You’ll hear Micha talk about her incredible Mom, her thoughts on the link between creativity and athletics, and… you’ll hear Diana cry (in the best way possible).
In this Olympic-themed episode, designer and illustrator, Paul Twa, generously shares his knowledge about the history of the design of the Olympic Games and the ways it mirrors graphic design trends, techniques and tools at-large. Controversial Olympic emblems, incredible pictogram systems and a deconstruction of the Beijing 2022 Olympic design are all discussed. We also look ahead to the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games and Paul shares his thoughts on democratization of design.
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet watercolour artist, Katherine Klimitas, who shares the unique process she uses to paint, the way she manages her time to pursue both artistic projects and graphic design work, and the great story of how she came to work for Rod Stewart on a project. Katherine’s experiences intersect with Erin (entering a flow state) and Babette (determination in creativity).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet digital paper artist, Erin Sass, who shares the way she uses the app Procreate to add layers and texture to create realistic digital paper creations, how her future will ideally include a blend of engineering and design, as well as learn the subject matter that fuels her. Erin’s experiences intersect with Kate (creating work that’s meaningful) and Katherine (entering a flow state).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet woodworker, Babette the Builder, who shares how she fell into woodworking by accident, the way resourcefulness is an important skill in creative work and her belief that sometimes formal education and training dampens creativity. Babette’s experiences intersect with Katherine (determination in creativity) and Diana (spontaneity of her process), coming full circle back to the very first episode, 077: Intersection Primer.
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet LEGO artist, Kate Hunter, who shares how she entered into the world of LEGO, the ways she reimagines her favourite famous art pieces in LEGO mosaic and how she’s paving the way for future female art and LEGO enthusiasts to follow their passions and never settle. Kate’s experiences intersect with Sarah Dennis (the power of play) and Erin (creating work that’s meaningful).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet photographer, Sarah Wright, who discusses the name of her business (Yes and Studio) that also encapsulates her creative philosophy, the power of constraint in breeding creativity and her proclamation of the deep love she feels for Post-it Notes. Sarah Wright’s experiences intersect with Lillian (the joy of creative control) and Sarah Dennis (balancing creative callings).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet paper cut artist, Sarah Dennis, who reveals how she creates her paper cut masterpieces by focusing on negative space, the ways that she works with simple tools and simple materials to make extraordinary creations, as well as the importance of setting time goals in creative work. Sarah Dennis’ experiences intersect with Sarah Wright (balancing creative callings) and Kate (the power of play).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet filmmaker, Lillian Chan, who discusses her creative work for children and adults alike, her non-linear creative process and the deep appreciation she feels when she experiences moments of solitude to create. Lillian’s experiences intersect with Alison (research as part of the creative process) and Sarah Wright (the joy of creative control).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet bridal henna artist, Sana Riyazali Merchant, who discusses the ways in which history and culture influence her work, the interesting challenges associated with drawing on hands as canvases and how her medium (henna paste) is uniquely tricky to work with. Sana’s experiences intersect with Keight (traditional meets modern) and Alison (storytelling through art).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet tattoo artist, Alison Zou, who shares how she entered into the tattoo industry, the technicalities of fine-line tattooing and what her own, personal tattoos mean to her. Alison’s experiences intersect with Sana (storytelling through art) and Lillian (research as part of the creative process).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet portrait artist, Keight MacLean, who discusses how she fell into her work by accident and through lots of experimentation, the ways living abroad immersed in art for a year continues to impact her professional work, as well as how and why she never experiences creative block. Keight’s experiences intersect with Shen (setting boundaries in creative work) and Sana (traditional meets modern).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet animator, Shen Ramu, who discusses how she continues to refine and redefine her style, how she keeps herself inspired and the tools she uses to create her work. Shen’s experiences intersect with Caroline (the importance of immersion in nature) and Keight (setting boundaries in creative work).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet textile designer, Caroline Duffy, who discusses the textile design industry, how her involvement in an artistic community is life-giving and the joys and challenges of working for oneself. Caroline’s experiences intersect with Sareka (bright colours bring joy) and Shen (the importance of immersion in nature).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet abstract painter, Sareka Unique, who discusses the inspiration present all around her, the way her current mood dictates her final product, how she knows when a piece is complete and the special community she’s created for other artists online. Sareka’s experiences intersect with Billi-Rose (creating safe spaces through art) and Caroline (bright colours bring joy).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet Art Therapist, Amelia Hutchison, who chats about using art and creativity to gain agency and feel empowered in the face of challenging emotions. We discuss enjoying the process of making, leaning into getting messy and removing the need for the word ‘talent’ in our artistic vocabularies. Amelia’s experiences intersect with Inger (the journey is the destination) and Billi-Rose (art as therapy). Nat Lumby co-hosts this episode.
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet makeup artist, Billi-Rose Ledoux, who chats about enhancing natural beauty through her art, helping people feel empowered through her craft and the fact that inspiration can come from anywhere. Billi-Rose’s experiences intersect with Amelia (art as therapy) and Sareka (creating safe spaces through art).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this episode, you will meet Norwegian advertising professional and Photoshop artist, Inger Kristine Steinsland, who chats about the magic of happy accidents, visual simplicity and having fun in your work. She speaks to the importance of removing the toxic culture of fear, the possibilities of problem solving through design and the importance of enjoying the process. Inger’s experiences intersect with Brooke (the importance of failure) and Amelia (the journey is the destination).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.
In this first episode, you will meet Canadian realist painter and artist, Brooke Cormier, who chats about all things growth, the importance of experimentation, the challenges of running a business as a creative and that failure is part of the process. Brooke’s experiences intersect with many of the artists in this series, but namely with Diana (the nature of growth) and Inger (the importance of failure).
Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect. Over the course of 18-episodes there are 9+ hours of conversations with artists in 5 countries and that’s been 3 months in the making.
In this primer episode, Diana introduces the series, explains how it evolved and shares her creative process to uncover others’ creative processes. You will be introduced to the voices of the 17 artists and their points of intersection are revealed. These are the stories between the stories where common themes, ideas and truths emerge and interweave from past to present to future.
Letraset is a largely antiquated process for transferring letters and graphics onto various materials. It rose in the 1950’s and fell in the 1990’s. While most people in the worlds of typography, graphic design and printing have long since put away their dry-rub transfer sheets, one Toronto-based artist and zinester loves using Letraset in his practice as a way to incorporate analog processes into his design work. In this conversation we meet the magical Jonathan Valelly, who uses Letraset as a jumping-off point for digging deeper to the relationship between design and technology, including how using Letraset helps counteract the ‘Abdobification’ of design. Jonathan will delight and intrigue and challenge you, through the power of Letraset.
This is the sixth episode in a 6-part series all about Accessibility Changemakers: conversations with persons with disabilities, as well as allies of persons with disabilities, all of whom are working to make the world a more inclusive place through their creative leadership.
Meet Kelly and Adam, both university accessibility specialists. In this conversation, they walk us through the current status of accessible publishing, including how technology has evolved in 15 years, as well as barriers that still exist today and what the library is doing to make access to accessible documents easier. Kelly and Adam describe the ways in which technologies (including AI) will not remove all barriers to accessibility and why humans will remain at the forefront of inclusion efforts for the foreseeable future.
This is the fifth episode in a 6-part series all about Accessibility Changemakers: conversations with persons with disabilities, as well as allies of persons with disabilities, all of whom are working to make the world a more inclusive place through their creative leadership.
Meet Theresa Mabe, a visually-impaired higher education marketing professional with a degree in digital media and web technology. Theresa is incredibly knowledgeable and beautifully articulate about digital accessibility. In today’s conversation, Theresa focuses on accessibility within social media platforms (primarily Instagram), including giving us the low down on which social media platforms are outperforming others when it comes to accessibility. Theresa also dives into two inaccessible practices that she sees all the time on social media (and why to avoid them!). Furthermore, her savvy marketing mind reminds us of the brand recognition benefits of creating accessible content, including examples of brands who are getting it right. This episode is for anyone who posts content to social media and it’s one you don’t want to miss!
This is the fourth episode in a 6-part series all about Accessibility Changemakers: conversations with persons with disabilities, as well as allies of persons with disabilities, all of whom are working to make the world a more inclusive place through their creative leadership.
Meet Mel Sutjiadi, is a QTPOC multi-disciplinary creative director, designer, illustrator, developer, and educator who loves to solve problems through design. They are a Registered Graphic Designer (RGD) and they were recently announced as a finalist for the RGD’s ULTRABOLD Awards, celebrating emerging designers under 35 who are making an impact on the design community and beyond. In this conversation, Mel provides practical tips for thinking about and building more accessible digital experiences for as many people as possible. They expand our preconceived ideas about accessibility and share that accessibility needs are not as far removed from ourselves as we might think. Lastly, Mel reminds us of the power we have as designers and that with restrictions comes great design.
This is the third episode in a 6-part series all about Accessibility Changemakers: conversations with persons with disabilities, as well as allies of persons with disabilities, all of whom are working to make the world a more inclusive place through their creative leadership.
Meet Josh Skinner, a Registered Graphic Designer (RGD), post-secondary instructor and senior product designer who is passionate about equity and accessibility. In this conversation, Josh discusses the design process and the role accessibility plays in it, the importance of truly defining what ‘accessibility’ means for your project and that accessibility can (and should) be more than a checklist. Furthermore, Josh sets the record straight that designing more inclusively does not have to mean losing your brand’s voice.
This is the second episode in a 6-part series all about Accessibility Changemakers: conversations with persons with disabilities, as well as allies of persons with disabilities, all of whom are working to make the world a more inclusive place through their creative leadership.
Meet Lee Eldridge, a workflow automations specialist who has a long history of helping facilitate accessible communications solutions. In this episode, Lee helps us understand what many clients, large and small, are thinking when it comes to organizational accessibility efforts. Lee suggests the need for freely-available, legislation-compliant accessibility training provided by the government to help more individuals create accessible communication pieces. Lee also speaks to the ways in which he feels governments might start reacting to accessibility non-compliance in the near future.
This is the first episode in a 6-part series all about Accessibility Changemakers: conversations with persons with disabilities, as well as allies of persons with disabilities, all of whom are working to make the world a more inclusive place through their creative leadership.
Meet Kevin Shaw, an entrepreneur with a mission to build, lead and inspire. Kevin grew up with low vision and lost his vision entirely at the age of 19. In this conversation, Kevin speaks to the medical model of disability versus the social model of disability, including the ways in which people aren’t disabled; rather it’s environments that are disabling. Kevin explains how he navigates physical and digital spaces, demonstrating screen reading technology within accessible and inaccessible digital environments. Finally Kevin provides his take on what companies are doing right from an accessibility standpoint and where they still have a ways to go, leading him to explain his latest technology venture, MenuVox. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who designs digital spaces and documents, including websites, software and PDF files.
Welcome Olivia Kane from The Weekly Typographic podcast! Just like your favourite crossover episode on TV (think the Jetsons and Flintstones or New Girl and Brooklyn Nine Nine), this, too, is a crossover episode… as it pertains to geeky typography-focused podcasts. In today’s episode, Olivia shares a Nerd Alert all about the Industrial Revolution’s massive impact on typography as we know it today, as well as the type revolution we’re currently experiencing. You don’t want to miss it!
In this special 2-part series, guest host, Mark Corrigan, explores the intersection of mindfulness and creativity. In this second episode, Mark unpacks mindfulness for creatives, including specific tools and techniques for individuals who rely on creative problem solving. Mark and Diana go back-and-forth throughout, bringing their personal experiences, thoughts and challenges to the conversation.
In this special 2-part series, guest host, Mark Corrigan, explores the intersection of mindfulness and creativity. In this first episode, Mark uncovers the foundational principles of mindfulness as a practice, attitudes of mindfulness and, more specifically, how mindfulness practice can benefit professionals in different parts of the economy. Mark and Diana go back-and-forth throughout, bringing their personal experiences, thoughts and challenges to the conversation.
Toronto-based graphic designer and lettering artist, Christopher Rouleau, is back on the podcast one year after his first appearance, this time chatting about his newest project called The New Pop! He and Diana also chat about his other recent hand lettering and art projects, his creative process, as well as a very special source of inspiration from the home of his Grandmother.
This is the third and final episode in this NEW 3-part magazine mini-series. These episodes feature conversations with amazing people doing amazing work in the world of magazine production and publishing. In this episode, Dan Thompson, Founder of Italic (a visual communications manufacturing company) shares ideas, trends and hope about the continued relevance of printed publications in a digital world.
This is the second episode in this NEW 3-part magazine mini-series. These episodes feature conversations with amazing people doing amazing work in the world of magazine production and publishing. In this episode, Nicola Hamilton (Art Director of Best Health Magazine, design educator and President of The Association of Registered Graphic Designers) shares her vast experience designing magazines. In this conversation, she discusses digital versus printed magazine strategy, the importance of storytelling and her process as an Art Director. She also reveals her favourite magazine on the planet.
This is the first episode in a NEW 3-part magazine mini-series. These episodes feature conversations with amazing people doing amazing work in the world of magazine production and publishing. In this episode, L’Amour Lisik of The Malahat Review in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada shares her experiences working as a Managing Editor of a Canadian literary magazine. She discusses the role of a managing editor, as well as the role an editor has to play in fostering equity, diversity and inclusion.
This episode features Dr. Maha Bali, Associate Professor of Practice at the Center for Learning and Teaching at the American University in Cairo. In this final episode in the Virtual Reality podcast mini-series, Dr. Bali underscores the need for equality in virtual classrooms, designing for flexibility and taking the time to determine why and how we assess student learning. If you’re an educator interested in creating a more equitable, meaningful and just world inside of your classroom so that it can be modelled by students once they’re outside of your classroom, this episode is for you.
The debate around whether or not participants should be encouraged to keep their cameras on during virtual synchronous interactions is a hotly-debated topic. This episode features three reasons why instructors may choose to make their next classroom interaction ‘cameras optional’ or even encourage a ‘cameras off’ environment. Rooted in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), these reasons include levelling the playing field among students to encourage inclusion, removing unnecessary distractions, and encouraging participants to tap into their unique learning styles.
This episode features Psychological Science graduate student Daryll Wilson, whose research is focused on teaching and learning. In this conversation, Daryll addresses some of the challenges he’s faced while learning online and he provides ways that instructors can help students by offering flexibility; both in how and when students work through course content, as well as with flexible deadlines. Furthermore, Daryll sheds light on his research about incorporating ‘consolidation pauses’ during lectures and why this is a promising strategy to improve the student experience.
This episode features Nat Lumby, Jay Wong and Chris Ambedkar who all teach in the same undergraduate program as Diana... and they all happen to be award winning university lecturers! Four colleagues and friends reflect on a year of virtual teaching, including what worked really well, what surprised them (for better or for worse) and what the future of virtual education might look like. You’ll hear the words ‘flexibility’, ‘community-building’ and ‘balance’ a number of times. You’ll also hear their thoughts on breakout rooms, their video conferencing software feature wish list, as well as how ‘edutainment’ has a bad rap and why that needs to change.
In this first episode of a 5-part series reflecting on a year of virtual teaching and learning, Diana describes her approach to having ‘serious fun’ in the classroom. Based on principles of play and experimentation, Diana asks: what if trusting your audience by opening up to the group is the secret ingredient that will allow for connection in meaningful ways? From improv to gifs and puns (oh my!) Diana has given herself a gift: permission to be vulnerable and show up in front of hundreds of students as her true self. Let’s have some serious fun.
This is the final episode in a 3-part magazine mini-series. Each episode features a conversation with amazing people doing amazing work in the world of magazine production and publishing. In this episode, Darren Halliday, Sales Director for Canada’s largest magazine printer shares his insights about the printed medium and the business of printed magazines. He shares some very hopeful information for small, niche magazine publishers; namely that you don’t have to have a huge following to be successful and the printing industry is better equipped than ever before to support independent publishers.
This is the second episode in a 3-part magazine mini-series. Each episode features a conversation with amazing people doing amazing work in the world of magazine production and publishing. In this episode, Janine Vangool of Uppercase Magazine (now publishing its 50th issue!) shares her insights of more than a decade designing and publishing magazines, including a hot tip for linking editorial content in Google Docs directly to Adobe InDesign, as well as how she approaches grid structure in the layout of each issue. She also discusses the ways in which niche publications can get off the ground, how to succeed as an independent publisher and why Uppercase Magazine will always be offered in print.
This is the first episode in a 3-part magazine mini-series. Each episode features a conversation with amazing people doing amazing work in the world of magazine production and publishing. In this episode, Jay Page and Steve Frattaroli of Flash Reproductions in Toronto, Canada share their experiences with a creative publication that’s unlike any other in Canada: Wayward Arts magazine.
This is a special episode. It’s not everyday you get to chat with one of your professional idols! Ellen Lupton is a writer, curator, educator, and designer. Her most recent book, Extra Bold: a feminist, inclusive, anti-racist, nonbinary field guide for graphic designers, was published earlier this month and it’s an incredible resource for everyone in the design industry.
In this episode, you’ll hear from Ellen about why this book, and the subject matter contained within, is so needed in the field of design. You’ll also hear why design is the perfect discipline to normalize the visual language of equity, diversity and inclusion. Ellen also provides insights about the way in which design is a tool for change, helping to give visual shape to social movements. And, as one of the greatest typographic minds on the planet, she gives as near a perfect answer as possible to my question about the single typeface she would use for the rest of her life. Also joining us on this episode bringing his unique perspective and voice, is Diana’s colleague and friend, Chris Ambedkar.
This is the final episode in a 3-part mini-series about digital publishing, featuring original student work, in their own voices. Four emerging minds teach us about what’s near, new and next in the digital publishing space; from the future of the PDF (Tristan Fitkin), to virtual education (Mya Leggo), to NFTs (Matthew Soesito), to artificial intelligence for digital publishing (Jack Benjamin), this episode ends the series making predictions about the future of an evolving industry.
This is the second episode in a 3-part mini-series about digital publishing, featuring original student work, in their own voices. Four emerging minds teach us about the ways in which technology can help take digital publishing to the next level; from remix culture (Celaia Gonzalez), to continuous publishing (Stephen Fernandez), to paywalls (Bronwyn James), as well as accessibility considerations and user interaction (Dominique Paul), this episode continues where the first left off.
This is the first episode in a 3-part mini-series about digital publishing, featuring original student work, in their own voices. Four emerging minds teach us about the digital publishing of yesterday and current technologies used today; from the history of blogging (Tristan Aus), to an overview of the current state of digital publishing (Maria Shah), to the technical aspects of using Adobe InDesign vs. Pressbooks (Aanya Kumar) and the collaborative possibilities of digital publishing using Wattpad (Wendy Yang), this episode covers a lot of ground.
If you’ve ever had a moment when you’ve wanted to break up with your phone, this episode is for you. Sometimes we just have to disconnect to reconnect, you know? After reading Catherine Price’s ‘How to Break Up With Your Phone’, Diana reflects on the impact our phones have on our minds, our well being and our creativity. The way in which we think about our relationship with these complicated, emotional, ever-present objects is essential to choosing whether or not to spend our days writing our own life stories or spend our days consuming others’ life stories. If we’re merely consumers of the world and not creating our own world, whose world are we living in?
In this episode, Diana chats with the creators and hosts of the Dear Professor Podcast, Anna Lang and Katelyn O’Brien. They chat about the highs and lows of creating a podcast from scratch as part of their graduate degree in the Master of Digital Media Program at Ryerson University. Anna and Katelyn also give listeners the real story on what it’s been like to undertake post-secondary education virtually during a pandemic. Finally, Diana presents the two with her top 5 most memorable moments working alongside them on this project (one of which involves meeting inside of a kids’ playhouse).
Dear Professor, let's Talk Paper Scissors.
You’re hearing it here first!
Here’s the world premiere of Diana’s first-ever children’s book series... introducing ‘Dogs With Jobs’! In today’s episode she reads the first book in the series is all about Frank, the hog doggingist dachshund entrepreneur who is forced to get creative when competition encroaches upon his hot dog stand. (You’ve got to love an anthropomorphized canine companion with loads of ambition!) Diana also shares the unique creative process that produced this story.
(Real life dogs, Beans and Osa, make an appearance too.)
In this final episode of a 3-part mini-series, Diana uses scissors to cut through different types of paper and plastic.
This ASMR-inspired (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) episode is perfect for winding down after a long day of studying. Focusing your mind on the sounds will help you stay as sharp as your scissors.
In this episode, Diana turns 248 pages of a textbook, from front to back cover. The gentle, rhythmic sound of hands running over 80# silk book stock is as relaxing as it is familiar.
This ASMR-inspired (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) episode is perfect for winding down after a long day of studying. There's nothing like the sound of someone else reading to put you to sleep...
In this episode, Diana softly reads Chapter 2: The History of Print from the Introduction to Graphic Communication textbook by Harvey Levenson and John Parsons.
This ASMR-inspired (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) episode is perfect for winding down after a long day of studying. Whether you're listening to relax, de-stress or looking for a new way to experience textbook content, this hour-long audio recording is as relaxing as the printing industry gets.
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type.
Name: Zapfino Arabic
Release Date: 2014
Designer: Nadine Chahine
Classification: Calligraphic
Owned By: Linotype
Claim to Fame: This typeface was designed by one of the most talented female type designers in the world today, who is helping to bridge the gap between Latin and Arabic letterforms.
In today’s episode we had the opportunity to speak to the designer herself! Some of the insights revealed in the interview with Nadine include:
- The ways in which serif and sans serif classifications overlook the most important characteristics of type
- What it was like to work with type legend, Hermann Zapf
- Whether or not there will be a Comic Sans Arabic
- What Latin letterforms can learn from Arabic letterforms
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type.
Name: Freight
Release Date: 2005
Designers: Joshua Darden and GarageFont Design
Classification: Humanist
Owned By: Phil’s Fonts Inc.
Claim to Fame: A popular typeface designed by the first-known African American type designer.
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type.
Name: Gotham
Release Date: 2000
Designers: Tobias Frere-Jones
Classification: Geometric sans serif
Owned By: Hoefler&Co.
Claim to Fame: The typeface that unified Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type.
Name: Comic Sans
Release Date: 1994
Designers: Vincent Connare
Classification: Sans serif script
Owned By: Microsoft Corporation
Claim to Fame: The world’s most loved-to-be-hated typeface.
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type.
Name: Wingdings
Release Date: 1990
Designers: Charles Bigelow & Kris Holmes
Classification: Dingbats
Owned By: Bigelow & Holmes, Microsoft Typography
Claim to Fame: Wingdings allowed personal computer users an easy way to communicate with symbols as represented through letters on the computer keyboard.
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type.
Name: Papyrus
Release Date: 1982
Designer: Chris Costello
Classification: Fantasy
Owned By: Letraset
Claim to Fame: Used and abused in personal computing and recently spoofed on SNL.
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type.
Name: ITC Zapf Chancery
Release Date: 1979
Designer: Hermann Zapf
Classification: Script
Owned By: Linotype
Claim to Fame: The first and only calligraphic typeface shipped with the first Apple computers.
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type.
Name: Helvetica
Release Date: 1957
Designer: Max Miedinger, Eduard Hoffmann
Classification: Neo-Grotesque Sans Serif
Owned By: Haas Type Foundry
Claim to Fame: The world’s most ubiquitous typeface.
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type.
Name: Futura
Release Date: 1927
Designer: Paul Renner
Classification: Geometric Sans Serif
Owned By: The Bauer Type Foundry
Claim to Fame: The typeface that put a man on the moon.
From the middle ages to the Middle East, from Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before… welcome to An Incomplete History of Type.
Name: Blackletter (specifically Donatus-Kalender)
Release Date: 1455
Designer: Johannes Gutenberg
Classification: Blackletter
Owned By: n/a
Claim to Fame: The world’s first mechanized typeface, used in the world’s first mass-produced book.
Welcome to digital publishing’s future!
The third in a 3-part mini-series, this episode explores predictions about what digital storytelling could look like in 2022 and beyond. Also, special guest and PDF expert, Jason Lisi, joins us to dive deeper into PDF specifications for digital publishing and give us a sense of where PDF could be headed in the future.
Welcome to digital publishing’s present!
The second in a 3-part mini-series, this episode explores the last 10 years of digital publishing and what’s going on in today’s publishing landscape. Four key trends are discussed: Digital Rights Management (DRM), software for digital publishing (namely, Adobe InDesign CC), self-publishing and publishing in a pandemic.
Welcome to digital publishing’s past!
The first in a 3-part mini-series, this episode explores 40 years worth of major technologies and events in digital publishing, from the recognized birth of digital publishing in 1971 with Project Gutenberg to Google’s attempt to digitize the world’s books that went up in flames in 2010. Like Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, whose past, present and future spirits arrive on Christmas Eve to show him a side of himself he can’t see from within, Diana too will be taking you on a journey... she will be your guide through the past, present and future of digital publishing.
Happy New Years’ Eve! This is the final episode in a 5-part mini series leading up to 2021 that will get you thinking in fresh new ways for a fresh new year. This episode is all about a New Years’ Day tradition that involves focusing on feelings more than specific goals, and it’s especially helpful for visual thinkers.
Happy New Years’ Eve Eve! This is the fourth episode in a 5-part mini series leading up to 2021 that will get you thinking in fresh new ways for a fresh new year. This episode encourages you to think about creative insight in a new way and cha cha in the rain.
This is the third episode in a 5-part mini series leading up to 2021 that will get you thinking in fresh new ways for a fresh new year. This episode taps into an itty-bitty productivity hack that will help you get to the top of List Mountain.
This is the second episode in a 5-part mini series leading up to 2021 that will get you thinking in fresh new ways for a fresh new year. This episode focuses on three little words that may change the way you think about your next project.
This is the first in a 5-part mini series leading up to 2021 that will get you thinking in fresh new ways for a fresh new year. This episode focuses on the ways in which ‘the rules’ are fake.
In today’s episode I have the honour and pleasure to introduce you to two creative, innovative and talented emerging designers who are going to do big things in this world. In fact, they’ve ALREADY done big things. Veronika Wiszniewska and Mary-Anne Buerano have designed incredible original typefaces (eat your heart out, Garamond!). Veronika designed a text face inspired by her aunt’s stunning handwriting called ‘Aggers’, while Mary-Anne designed a display face perfect for the festive season called ‘Bright’. While each of these typefaces is very different from one another, both are original, both are hand-crafted and both are beautiful. You’ll be hearing a lot about these talented artists making waves in the design industry in the not-too-distant future.
Type, set, match!
It’s time for our third Talk Paper Quizzers episode where contestants answer trivia questions to compete for the completely fictional, completely worthless, but highly-coveted “Apostrophe”.
In this episode, a live studio audience of typography students face off in 4 typesetting category rounds: typographic typos, signs & symbols, digital documents and custom characters.
The questions are based on chapters 9-12 of Type Rules! The Designer's Guide to Professional Typography, Third Edition by Ilene Strizver, as well as a number of Talk Paper Scissors podcast episodes: 019 - 024.
It’s time to Talk Paper Quizzers!
Some typefaces are designed to be legible, others to be beautiful, others to be odd, eccentric and quirky. But some typefaces are designed for very specific purposes and extend into important world issues, far removed from the pages they’re printed on. This week’s episode looks at 3 different designs (one holy, one old and one stylish) that aim to make the world a better place from an environmental perspective. Saving the world, one typeface at a time.
From The Great Gatsby, to Monsters, Inc., to The Godfather, typography has a significant role to play in film. Today’s episode explores the concept of ‘typecasting’ and kinetic typography in beloved films across a variety of genres. From Hollywood heavyweights to incredible indies, kinetic typography has the ability to layer in new meaning, convey strong emotions and help tell incredible stories.
The ampersand. You know, the ‘and’ symbol (&). There’s lots of history and lots of personality tied into this little knotted e and t, so come along for the journey in today’s episode. Here, you’ll learn about the ampersand’s ancient and modern histories, including how it was the ultimate underdog, almost lost forever under a layer of molten ash nearly 2000 years ago. This. Is. Ampersand.
This episode is a fun one! Diana chats with Sarah Aspler, Senior Editor at Buzzfeed, to get the low down on type and other design decisions made by the media mogul. In this interview, you’ll learn ways to get started as a professional meme-maker, why you shouldn’t be “too precious with your work” and that spin class is really hard. Sarah’s laugh-out-loud personality, paired with the low down of all things Buzzfeed, makes this episode a must-listen.
Today’s episode features revered Toronto type artist, Christopher Rouleau. His work has been seen in the pages of Today’s Parent and Chatelaine magazines, as well as for companies like Pepsi and LG. He’s also a writer, educator and co-founder of Ligatures, Toronto’s typography hub.
In this episode, you’ll learn why setting creative limits is a good thing, why there’s a seat at the table for everyone and the fact that peameal bacon is rarely $0.99. Christopher’s positivity and down-to-Earth demeanour are sure to make listeners feel inspired to create their own great work.
Hey sports fans! This episode is for YOU!
We’ve got the Leafs, we’ve got the Jays, we’ve got the Toronto FC, and we’ve got the Raptors. Today we’re talking Toronto sports... with a typographic nerdy twist!
Important questions that will be answered in this episode include:
- How are the Maple Leafs and Blue Jays connected through typography?
- Why are there 16 X’s hand engraved on the Stanley Cup?
- Should ‘We The North’ be’ We, The North’?
- Which professional sports logo took Mari Kondo’s advice?
- Which team was going to be named the Toronto Beavers?
All four of Toronto’s major league sports teams have, at some point, been victorious in their respective leagues… but do we have four winning visual identities? Let’s dive into each franchise’s logo and a look at who, what, when, where, why and how they came to be.
Type, set, match!
It’s time for our second Talk Paper Quizzers episode where contestants answer trivia questions to compete for the completely fictional, completely worthless, but highly-coveted “Apostrophe”.
In this episode, a live studio audience of typography students face off in 4 typesetting category rounds: formatting, focusing (emphasizing), fine-tuning and finessing.
The questions are based on chapters 5-8 of Type Rules! The Designer's Guide to Professional Typography, Third Edition by Ilene Strizver, as well as a number of Talk Paper Scissors podcast episodes: 013 - 017.
It’s time to Talk Paper Quizzers!
The octothorpe goes by many names (such as the number sign and pound sign), but it’s resurgence in recent years is due to its new “hashtag” status. In today’s episode Diana tells the octothrope’s story from ancient Rome to modern tweets and the fact that it was only officially named “octothorpe” about 50 years ago. Who knew such a little symbol could have such a big backstory? #octothorpe
We’re so dashing excited about this episode! Diana finds herself talking about one of the simplest punctuation marks - the humble hyphen. There are no fewer than seven (seven!) different hyphen-like characters commonly used, including four different dashes, a mathematical minus sign, a catch-all stand-in called a hyphen-minus (a hyphenated hyphen!) and finally… the hyphen. Plot twists and turns take listeners on a roller coaster ride in Punctuation Park… and Diana tells a really bad joke about hyphens… and Kelly Kapoor is quoted. It’s pretty magical.
Today’s episode features the amazing Britt Rohr, owner and designer of Swell Press in Los Angeles, California. She combines old and new technologies to create stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces using letterpress technology. Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot and Oh So Beautiful Paper.
In this episode, you’ll learn how Britt uses colour and typography to bring her designs to life, as well as how she makes the most of the letterpress printing process for her clients, always pushing the boundaries of what wedding invitations “should” look like. Britt’s keen business sense and design savvy will help listeners understand the magic behind beautiful work of the highest calibre.
Young man! It’s fun to stay at the Y.M.C.K! Today’s episode is all about colour! While she’d love to talk for hours about this topic, Diana’s narrowed it down to 30 minutes, looking at the surprisingly flawed concept of the ROYGBIV and how a million different colour are made using paint vs using printing ink. There’s some fun and frivolity along the way, including the one (and only!) Pantone Barbie and a colourful read with her three year old. Finally, Diana’s going to give you some tips for working with colour, specifically when it comes to text for print.
Go big or go home in this episode all about typographic units of measure, how to convert between them (the ‘M’ word is tossed around a little) and examples of type used in record setting books. From the largest book to the longest to the smallest, there’s no shortage of extreme type in the world.
Type, set, match!
It’s time for our first Talk Paper Quizzers episode where contestants answer trivia questions to compete for the completely fictional, completely worthless, but highly-coveted “Apostrophe” (see what I did there?!).
**In this episode, Nicole and Evin face off in 3 category rounds: the history of typography, the technical aspects of font files and the anatomy of type.
The questions are based on chapters 1-4 of Type Rules! The Designer's Guide to Professional Typography, Third Edition by Ilene Strizver, as well as a number of Talk Paper Scissors podcast episodes: 001, 004, 006, 007, 009, 010 and 011.**
It’s time to Talk Paper Quizzers!
This marks Talk Paper Scissors’ 11th episode! Enter Diana’s long-time friend, colleague and go-to hand lettering lady: Natalia Lumby.
In this interview, you’ll learn what it takes to begin hand lettering (spoiler: not much!) and why it’s such a great creative outlet. You’ll hear what makes hand lettering different from calligraphy, as well as hear how brands are using hand lettering in the wild. Natalia’s down-to-Earth personality and genuine lettering wisdom shine through in this very special episode.
Cross your t’s and tittle your i’s...
Today’s episode takes a broad spectrum approach: we examine the anatomy of type through the lens of a children’s story called Letter Parade, as well as a racy rundown of Diana’s top 3 indecent parts of a character. Ooh la la! Grab an old book, magazine or scrap of packaging to keep track of the parts of characters, providing a go-to for future reference.
An infamous logo that combines an inukshuk with the year 1989. A font making the world a better place, one letter at a time. It’s time for the legibility vs. readability smackdown!
In today’s episode, learn the difference between legibility and readability and how to use the technical aspects of typeface design and page layout to improve both. Discover why it’s not always necessary to have either in a design, however 99% of the time, a document should be both legible AND readable. Let’s do this in 3, 2, 1...
This episode of Talk Paper Scissors coincides with Scholar Strike for Black Lives in Canada happening on September 9 and 10, 2020. Thousands of academics in higher education will be participating to show solidarity and protest anti-Black, racist and colonial police brutality in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere. During the Scholar Strike, we will pause our teaching and administrative duties. The idea is to use this time to organize opportunities to discuss, reflect and take action on police brutality and violence.
Our guest on the show is Chantel Ragoo, a Graphic Communications Management (GCM) alumna and former member of the printing industry who now works in the fashion industry as National Sales Manager for MOTHER Denim.
In the first 20 minutes of the episode, we talk about good and bad fashion, critical transferable skills in work environments, and the greatest challenges and greatest joys of Chantel’s work.
The latter 20 minutes are dedicated to discussing representation in various design industries, the importance of having difficult conversations, demonstrating equity over equality, and that social justice for the Black community is an ongoing process of educating yourself.
Join us for a 40-minute deep dive into not only saying we’ll do better, but actually doing better.
Rules are everywhere, even in the world of design and typography... but rules are made to be broken!
In today’s episode, Diana runs down designer Rob Carney’s 10 Commandments of Typography. While there’s no true list of to-do’s and not-to-do’s when it comes to typography (or design or art), these rules play the role of detective, helping us figure out why certain designs look professionally polished, while others look so cringingly amateurish. You’ll also be introduced to one bonus commandment… the most important of all...
Is it ‘tomayto’ or ‘tomahto’? And while we’re at it, is it a ‘font’ or is it a ‘typeface’? And does it really matter what we call it? Yes and no.
In today’s episode, you’ll learn the difference between a font and a typeface to talk the talk in the design world. You’ll also be introduced to type slang of yesteryear that’s used almost exclusively today. Closets and chests of drawers are referenced throughout, so ultimately, this episode airs a whole lot of dirty laundry about type.
Brands have come a long way since Bass & Co. Beer became the first registered trademark in the United States on January 1, 1876. From dependability to differentiation; expressive statements to experiences; iPods and influencers. Today, brands impact us in ways unique to our life on planet Earth right now, which is different from the way our parents generation, grandparents generation, and great grandparents generation all experienced brands... and it’s amazing to think that that’s as far back as branding’s genealogy goes. At 144 years young, the field of branding is still in its infancy and there are so many places it can take us. However, before we’re tempted to lay on the gas pedal and hit the road for a branding adventure, it’s important to look in the rear-view mirror to see where we’ve come from... enter today’s talk.
In this episode, find out how brands have evolved and, more importantly, if Betty Crocker was a real person.
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that Time Magazine’s Man of the Millennium and the wealthiest person in the world today both got their starts the same way: selling books.
While the story of Gutenberg’s bible isn’t as polished as Amazon’s delivery service, it’s a story worth telling.
In this episode, learn more about the man who helped propel communication technology, and therefore society, forward so that you can listen to this podcast today.
This one’s for OG, JG.
In this episode we dive into what it takes to produce a softcover book. There are three main processes to manufacturing a book: printing the text, printing the cover, and binding the two parts together. It's the classic story of text meets cover, they connect over glue, and live happily ever after. (We also talk giant rolls of toilet paper and giant glue guns.)
This episode is all about The Brand Gap by Marty Neumeier. In this timeless classic about branding and design, Marty explores what it means to build a strong brand (hint: it's more than a logo) and I share my top 3 Aha! moments revealed in the book. This book and this episode are not to be missed by anyone who wants to learn about the immutable laws of branding.
This episode is all about Comic Sans. Comic Sans is the cilantro of typefaces: either loved or hated with a passion. Comic Sans is also like an undercover spy fronting as a children’s entertainer, getting to travel to places where he'd never normally be allowed. Learn more about a typeface that's defined a generation.
Also in this episode, learn more about the host, Diana Varma, as well as where this podcast is headed.
Join host, Diana Varma, as she explores the wonderful world of design and printing, typography and branding, books and publishing.
In each episode Diana aims to answer many age-old, deep philosophical questions such as:
Where the heck did Comic Sans originate?
Why do the majority of printed books have blank pages at the end?
What is the world's ugliest colour?
What does a sassy three-year-old have to say about the visible colour spectrum?
Ready to have some fun? Let's talk paper scissors.