The Typecast
Welcome to The Typecast, a podcast hosted by Katie Johnson and Ilana Griffo of Goodtype. Listen as we geek out over anchor points, our favorite typefaces, and how to grow an art business. For more of this duo, follow us on Instagram @goodtype.
SAYING WORDS ABOUT DRAWING WORDS
We’re two self-employed lettering artists who met by sliding into each other’s DM’s.
Now…we’re sliding into your headphones.
About
Dear hand letterers, designers, and artists of all sorts—despite what your grandma thinks, we know there’s a whole lot more to what you do than just “drawing pretty pictures.” This podcast, hosted by Katie Johnson and Ilana Griffo of Goodtype, is about what it *really* means to be a working creative. From finding clients to pricing your work and nerding the heck out about kerning, we’re covering everything that goes into building a successful and sustainable business around your passion.
And we’re not just doing it alone! We’ll be tapping some of your current (and soon-to-be) favorite artists for inspiration, insight, and laughs. We’re big on giving takeaways that you can actually put into action, and we’re even bigger on having a good time while we do it. Tune into the Typecast twice a month for a tittle-ating time (yep, we’re gonna type-pun your face off), and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review so we can show our moms how famous we are!
Want to be on an episode of The Typecast?
We’re always looking for guests who want to help our audience of artists grow their creative careers (while sharing a few laughs, of course). Submit yourself, a friend, or a topic you want us to cover on an upcoming episode!
Want to get your brand in front of our listeners?
We’re focused on creating long-term partnerships that go beyond a quick feature during an ad break. We’re looking for brands that will stick with us, form deep relationships with our community, and help our artists take real, actionable steps towards their goals.
Because our partnership philosophy is different, our sponsor opportunities look different as well, including touch-points across all of Goodtype’s content. Interested in talking about what a partnership with us could look like? We’d love to chat.
Should Artists Work for Free with Lennon Bone | The Typecast Episode 26
In this episode, Ilana and Katie talk with Creative Strategist, Lennon Bone from Stop the Starving Artist. They discuss a range of topics related to creativity, music, production, and selling your work. They explore the dynamics of collaboration among musicians, transitioning from unpaid work to paid projects, and the significance of storytelling in artistic expression.
The Ups and Downs Of Art Licensing: Real Talk with Elizabeth Silver | The Typecast Episode 25
In this episode, Ilana and Elizabeth dive into their experiences in the surface pattern design and art licensing industry. Elizabeth shares her journey from working as an in-house designer to freelancing and licensing her artwork. They discuss the misconceptions about art licensing, and the importance of balancing multiple income streams and the challenges of managing time and energy.
Staying Motivated with Passion Projects & Hobbies with Elliot Jay Stocks | The Typecast Episode 24
In this episode, Katie and Ilana dive into the creative journey of Elliot Jay Stocks, a versatile designer and author. They discuss the importance of embracing new projects and taking risks, as well as the value of side projects and passion.
Developing an Authentic Creative Voice While Balancing a Day Job with Gian Wong | The Typecast Episode 23
In this episode, Katie and Ilana dive into the world of creativity with Gian Wong, a graphic designer and illustrator. Gian shares his experience of understanding and expressing his creative style— emphasizing the importance of embracing what makes you unique and finding your tribe.
Using Social Media to Land Your Dream Job as an Artist/Designer with Tyler Pate | The Typecast Episode 22
In this episode, Tyler Pete, a graphic designer and illustrator, shares his journey in the design industry and the challenges of managing multiple projects and roles. He discusses the importance of networking and connections, the value of a degree in graphic design, and the benefits of working freelance and agencies.
How To Find Your Style & Identity As An Artist | The Typecast Episode 21
In this episode, Katie and Ilana share their personal experiences and influences that have shaped their artistic aesthetics. They explore the nuances of personal style and the journey of finding one's creative identity. Being part of the journey to creativity requires authenticity and a willingness to challenge preconceived notions of what an artist should be.
From Artist to Published Author with Dawn Nicole | The Typecast Episode 20
In this engaging episode, Katie and Ilana dive into the world of creativity and entrepreneurship with Dawn Nicole, the creative force behind her book, “The Art of Playful Lettering.” This conversation touches on Dawn’s journey with self-publishing, emphasizing the significance of catering to the diverse needs of her audience. She navigates the challenges of marketing her products while avoiding constant camera exposure, showcasing her innovative and adaptable approach.
Crafting Compelling Brands, Educating Clients, and Mastering Social Media with Kristy Campbell of Pink Pony Creative | The Typecast Episode 19
In this episode, Katie and Ilana talk with Kristy Campbell, a brand identity and graphic designer and the founder of Pink Pony Creative. Pink Pony is dedicated to assisting businesses of all sizes to craft compelling brands, collaborate to make a meaningful impact, and do things with more spice! Kristy also does TikTok content sharing her personality and business work.
How Successful Artist Makes a Full-Time Income from Art Licensing with Erin MacManness | The Typecast Episode 18
In this episode, Katie and Ilana engage in a conversation with Erin McManness, the creative force behind Paper Raven Co.—a brand renowned for its distinctive blend of stationery and home deco featuring hand lettering and florals as its trademarks. Established in 2015, Paper Raven has thrived for almost a decade!
Money, Murals, and Work-Life Balance for Artists with Phoebe Nelson of Pandr Design Co. | The Typecast Episode 17
In this episode, Katie and Ilana sit down with Phoebe Cornog, the owner of Pandr Design Co. Pandr is a design studio that specializes in creating custom murals for businesses around the globe. Phoebe is best known for her vivid murals and distinctive letterforms as well as her transparency around sharing business and pricing tips with other artists in the industry.
What Do Art and Illustration Agents Do and Do I Need an Agent? With Kat Irannejad | The Typecast Episode 16
In this episode, Katie and Ilana talk to Kat Irannejad, the director and founder of Totally Reps, an illustration and creative production agency representing and advocating for a diverse roster of artists while cultivating long-lasting client friendships.
Growing a Graphic Design Business with Social Media with Lucy Eden | The Typecast Episode 15
In this episode, Ilana talks to content creator and brand designer Lucy Eden. Lucy shares her inspiring journey, discussing how she began entering the world of content creation on TikTok and Instagram and how these platforms have propelled her career, providing valuable experiences in the fields of business, branding, and content creation.
Growing a Passion Project and Nurturing Community with Jess Goldsmith of Women of Type | The Typecast Episode 14
In this episode, Katie and lIana interview Jess Goldsmith, an illustrator, lettering artist and curator in Brooklyn, New York. She also runs Women of Type, an online-community that raises the voices of female-identifying lettering and typography artists and creates a safe space for women and non-binary artists to break barriers and prosper in the landscape of creativity.
Finding Your Style & Selling Digital Products with Jimbo Bernaus | The Typecast Episode 13
In this episode, Katie and Ilana interview Jimbo Bernaus, a lettering artist, graphic designer, and art director who co-founded ShoutBAM, a design studio offering both free and premium digital tools and courses to help you become a better designer.
Outreach, Print on Demand, and AI for Artists and Designers with Amber Vittoria | The Typecast Episode 12
Take it from Amber; anyone can be a poet, a graphic designer, a painter all at the same time! She also shares some insights about how she manages her different income streams, how she handles her print shop through online platforms, and of course, her thoughts on AI and why it’s never going to replace artists.
Keeping Creative Experimentation Alive in Your Design Business with Kelli Anderson | The Typecast Episode 11
In this episode, Katie and Ilana interview Kelli Anderson—artist, designer, tinkerer, but most importantly, a person who genuinely craves human connection, which she creates through her art.
Authenticity Over Hype: Branding and Business Advice from a Type Designer with James Edmondson | The Typecast Episode 10
In this episode, Katie and Ilana interview James Edmondson, Founder of OH no Type Co. which specializes in creating custom and retail typefaces. Listen to this episode as we chat about various topics including marketing, branding, collaboration, and passion projects.
Art Licensing: Our Favorite Secret Income Stream for Artists & Designers | The Typecast Episode 9
In this episode, Katie and Ilana discuss art licensing and how artists can license their work for products like greeting cards, apparel, and home goods. They talk about how licensing differs from freelancing, how royalties work, tips for building a licensing portfolio, and the pros and cons of working with an art licensing agent.
Creating & Publishing A Book As An Artist with Nicki Traikos | The Typecast Episode 8
In this episode, Katie and Ilana interview Nicki Traikos, Founder and Creative Director of Life I Design. Nicki talks about the process of bringing her dream of writing a book into reality, from finding the right publisher to marketing strategies and illustrating her own cover.
7 Time-Saving Hacks for Designers and Artists: Work Smarter, Not Harder | The Typecast Episode 7
In this episode, Katie and Ilana talk about the hacks that they use as graphic designers and artists to help them work smarter and save time. Listen to this episode as we spill the beans on how you can save time without compromising your unique creative process.