Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Cosmic Sans

What does it take to build a creative career while still making time for the things that actually matter?In this episode of Cosmic Sans, I sit down with editorial and graphic designer Kieron Anthony Lewis to talk about his journey from studying video game design to creating beautiful, physical publications — including an ambitious two-year book project celebrating art and culture in Lagos, Nigeria.We get into how fatherhood has changed Kieron’s relationship with work, why designers should embrace AI without forgetting the fundamentals, the nerves that never completely disappear when speaking on stage, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your career is say no.Kieron also shares some great advice for younger designers trying to stand out in an increasingly crowded creative industry, including why following what already works can sometimes keep you from finding your own voice.And toward the end, the conversation gets a little more personal as we talk about family, loss, time, and the importance of making things — and memories — that last.Find Kieron:kieronlewis.comFollow Cosmic Sans for more conversations with artists, designers, and damn good people.

00:00 Meet Kieron Anthony Lewis

01:59 How fatherhood changes everything

06:38 Balancing freelancing, work & family

10:15 From comics and video games to graphic design

14:36 How the design industry has changed

20:19 How Kieron uses AI in his creative workflow

24:59 Raising kids in a world of AI

28:32 Learning to speak confidently on stage

34:25 The power of pausing before you speak

41:18 Designing a massive book about Lagos

45:59 Where Kieron finds freelance clients

49:51 How designers can carve out their own space

53:23 Why creatives are afraid to stand out

56:16 Turning online negativity into something positive

59:03 Knowing when to say no to a client

1:02:27 Time vs. money

1:03:16 Family, legacy & making things that last

I sat down with designer and entrepreneur Matthew Matsuzaki — better known online as Whale — fully expecting to talk about design.

We barely did. 😅

Instead, we ended up having one of the most personal conversations I've had on the podcast.

Matthew opens up about neurodivergence, ADHD and OCD, learning how his brain works, nearly 10 years of sobriety, meditation, parenting, relationships, vulnerability, recovery and the process of tearing down what you thought you knew about yourself.

Eventually, we even talk a little design — including how those experiences influence Matthew's work as Head of Brand at Ghost, the origins of his career, and why he's building Wimp Decaf as an intentionally different kind of business.

This one went absolutely nowhere I expected it to go — and I'm really glad it did.

What happens when you leave the security of the corporate world and bet on yourself?

In this episode of Cosmic Sans, I sit down with Fergie, better known as The Anti-Beige Designer, to talk about her leap from corporate design into freelancing, the very real ups and downs of building her own business, and why networking and putting yourself out there can make all the difference.

We also dive into Fergie’s love of color (and dislike of beige 😅), building color palettes, developing a recognizable personal brand, and how she approaches working with clients who may not be quite as adventurous.

Plus, we get into AI and the future of creativity — including how Fergie uses AI for ideation, how it helped her take on projects she couldn't have tackled before, and why she believes AI can be an assistant to designers rather than their replacement.

And, of course, we wrap things up with some rapid-fire design hot takes — including the other color Fergie would happily ban forever.

Brand designer CJ Cawley joins me to chat about his journey from a difficult childhood and homelessness to building a successful branding studio, why telling your story matters more than ever, and how mental health has shaped both his life and creative career.

We also tackle one of the biggest conversations happening in design today: AI.

Is AI replacing designers? Or is it simply raising the bar for creativity?

Artist, illustrator, and designer Deja Brown joins the Cosmic Sans Podcast to discuss her creative journey, building a recognizable artistic style, and turning personal artwork into collaborations with brands like Nike, Adobe, Coach, Adidas, Converse, Olipop, and more. 

We dive into the realities of freelancing, pricing creative work, networking, social media, finding your voice as an artist, and how Deja approaches creativity when inspiration runs dry. We also discuss representation in the design industry, the impact of AI on creative careers, and why protecting your creativity is more important than ever. 

Whether you're a designer, illustrator, freelancer, or someone looking to build a creative career, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest insights.

• Building a creative career through social media
• Working with brands like Nike, Adobe, Coach, and Adidas
• Freelance pricing and negotiating creative work
• Developing a unique artistic style
• Representation and diversity in design
• Creativity, burnout, and finding inspiration
• AI's impact on artists and designers
• Advice for emerging creatives

Illustrator and creative strategist Orlando Arocena joins Cosmic Sans to discuss building the “Mexifunk” identity, breaking the limits of Adobe Illustrator, and working on franchises like Spider-Man, Terrifier, SpongeBob, Power Rangers, and John Wick.

We also dive into the business side of creativity — licensing, contracts, creative ownership, AI, branding, and why artists need to understand far more than just making great work. 

David Oku’s work is bold, vibrant—and deeply personal.

From facing rejection early in his career to working with brands like Nike and designing for the Vegas Sphere, David shares his journey, his creative process, and his honest thoughts on AI, identity, and the future of art.

Comic artist Dave Baker (TMNT, Star Trek, Godzilla) joins Cosmic Sans to break down the realities of building a career in comics.

We dive into self-publishing vs. working with publishers, why understanding contracts is critical, how social media is changing the game, and the balance between making money and making meaningful work.

Dave also shares honest insights on creative identity, originality, and why artists need to stop playing it safe if they want to stand out.

If you're a designer, illustrator, or creative trying to build something of your own—this one’s for you.

Tom Muller is a creative director who’s worked with Marvel, Disney, Google, and major AAA game studios, but his path wasn’t linear.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Building a career through side projects and connections
• Designing for Marvel’s X-Men
• The reality of creative direction vs. hands-on design
• Why every designer still needs a website
• How AI is impacting the creative industry

If you’re a designer, creative, or just curious how big creative careers are built, this one’s packed.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, Howard Pinsky sits down with personal branding expert, author, and speaker Goldie Chan to unpack what it really takes to build a meaningful presence online — especially as an introvert.

Goldie shares the story behind creating 800 consecutive LinkedIn videos, writing her book Personal Branding for Introverts, and navigating burnout, public speaking, and even a life-changing cancer diagnosis. The conversation dives into the realities of content creation, why consistency beats bursts of effort, and how personal branding can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

They also explore the role of AI in branding, why copying others is bad advice, and how introverts can thrive without pretending to be extroverts.

If you’ve ever struggled with putting yourself out there, growing an audience, or finding your voice online — this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with Toronto-based illustrator and designer, Steven Estrella. We chat about his work with the NBA, the Boston Celtics, moving to another country, staying creative, and a lot more!

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with UI/UX designer, Kate Kassab. We chat about her experience in the crypto space and the challenges it brings, shifting careers, exploring 3D, and much more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with artist and illustrator, Robert Generette III, better known as Rob Zilla. We chat about his focus and dedication to sports illustration, defining his style, working with clients like Nike, NBA, NFL, MLB, and much more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with illustrator and designer, Adam Bosley, better known as Adam the Illustrator on Instagram. We chat about his brand new plushie, content creation, building up a design brand, and much more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with illustrator and designer, Travis Knight. We chat about his very unique style, the importance of posting on social, and working with clients like Netflix, Warner Brothers, DC Comics, and more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, with LA Kings Reporter & Host, Carrlyn Bathe. We'll be chatting about her journey from a member of the Ice Crew to sitting in the broadcast booth, how she balances content creation, what NHL locker rooms smell like, and so much more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with Arabela Espinoza and Elle Mott from Weekend Creative to chat about their experience building up their agency, working with clients, growing pains running a business, and much more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with educator and content creator, Justin Odisho to chat about his journey to 1 million subscribers uploading Photoshop, Premiere, and After Effects tutorials, how content creation is changing with short form videos, and so much more!

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with Principal Product Designer and content creator, Ruben Cespedes to chat about his experience in the industry, how AI is transforming his workflows, how he balances content creation, and much more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with logo designer, James Barnard. We chat about the HBO logo misalignment, working with clients, Adobe Illustrator, and much more

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with Illustrator, Fiorella Granda, also known as FiorellaDoodles. We chat about working with clients such as the WNBA, designing a basketball court, and much moreFollow Fiorella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiorelladoodles/Follow the Cosmic Sans Podcast on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cosmicsanspodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6IdhFtjpQfU9bXiZUwe3eNApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cosmic-sans/id1809877829

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with brand designer and creative director Amy Hood who's a co-founder of the design studio, Hoodzpah. We chat about working with clients such as Netflix and Disney, type design, branding, and much more.Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyhoodlum/

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with designer and art director Kristine Arth to chat about her design studio Lobster Phone, the importance of branding, handling clients, and much more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with designer and Art Director Stefanie from "Stef Creative" to chat about her vibrant art style, design theory, creating with a full time job, the state of AI, and much more.

Follow Stef on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stef.creative/Follow the

Cosmic Sans Podcast on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cosmicsanspod

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cosmic-sans/id1809877829

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with illustrator Tyler Pate from "The Creative Pain" to chat about his journey as a designer, content creator, and art director for Nickelodeon / Paramount.Follow Jesse on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imjesseshow/Follow the Cosmic Sans Podcast on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cosmicsanspodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6IdhFtjpQfU9bXiZUwe3eNApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cosmic-sans/id1809877829

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with Jesse Showalter to chat about his journey as a designer, content creator, and entrepreneur. We'll touch on the shifting design industry, Liquid Glass, mental health, and much more.Follow Jesse on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imjesseshow/Follow the Cosmic Sans Podcast on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cosmicsanspodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6IdhFtjpQfU9bXiZUwe3eNApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cosmic-sans/id1809877829

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with designer, Cody A. Banks, to chat about his journey as a designer, father, and now toy maker.Follow Cody on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codyabanks/Follow the Cosmic Sans Podcast on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cosmicsanspodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6IdhFtjpQfU9bXiZUwe3eNApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cosmic-sans/id1809877829

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with artist and Community Advocate, Elise Swopes, who has been pushing the bounds of mobile design. We chat about how she got into the industry, Photoshop on iPhone, speaking at Adobe MAX, finding peace, and much more.Follow Elise on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swopes/Follow the Cosmic Sans Podcast on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cosmicsanspodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6IdhFtjpQfU9bXiZUwe3eNApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cosmic-sans/id1809877829

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with designer and educator, Brandon Groce, who has worked with brands like Disney, Hilton, Adobe, Wix, and more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with Unmesh Dinda from PiXimperfect  who has accumulated over 5 million subscribers teaching Photoshop and has presented at major design conferences all over the world.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with Kingsley Nebechi, who's worked for brands such as Nike, LEGO, BBC, and many more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with James White, also known as Signalnoise, to discuss his journey as a neon-powered artist who has worked with Metallica, Muse, ModRetro, and much more.

In the first episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with Aaron Nace of Phlearn to discuss his journey as an artist, educator, and public speaker. We also chat about the current and future states of AI, LLMs (large language models), mental health support, and much more.