We live in a world awash in typography - whether we realize it or not. From the road signs that lead us home to the phones in our pockets, typography is front and center in nearly every waking moment of our day. Come meet the people and hear the stories behind the letters that shape our world.
This week, host Dan Rhatigan talks with NYC-based identity designer and type researcher Raven Mo. Raven studies cultural essentialism in typography and dives into her research on chop suey fonts—a Latin style of letterform that is meant to visually signal "Chineseness"—and why they are problematic. Raven and Dan also discuss multilingual typography, the importance of local expertise, and why translation alone doesn't make a design resonate. Check out Raven's work at ravenmo.info or follow her on Instagram @ravenmodesign . You can find blog posts for this and other episodes at…
This week, host Dan Rhatigan catches up with Felipe Casaprima and Álvaro Franca of Barcelona-based Naipe Foundry. Felipe and Álvaro met while studying typography in Rio de Janeiro and launched Naipe in 2018 with a goal of telling Brazilian stories through type. The two tell the story behind their retail font that's inspired by stone-carved letters at São Paulo's Pacaembu stadium; share how they built the foundry across continents and time zones; and discuss how community and collaboration have helped their foundry grow. Check out Naipe's work at https://naipefoundry.com You can find blog…
This week, host Graham Sturt sits down with Jim Sutherland to talk about London-based Studio Sutherl&—a design practice built on ideas, collaboration, and joy. Jim explains why he avoids a fixed house style, why discomfort can lead to better outcomes, and how a spontaneous trip to Wales led to his involvement in MTTR, a sustainable denim brand. Follow Jim's work at https://studio-sutherland.co.uk or on Instagram @studio_sutherland .
In this episode, we enter the world of serial tinkerer, Matt Holmes. A world where printing presses are rebuilt with 3D-printed parts and the finer points of typography are mastered through the trial and error of making physical type. Tune in for a conversation about curiosity, experimentation, and why learning sometimes works best when we slow down and make things with our hands. You can find blog posts for this and other episodes at https://www.monotype.com/resources/podcast
This week, Graham Sturt sits down with legendary British designer Ben Kelly to explore the ideas, collaborations, and creative philosophy behind a career that has shaped British design culture. From the iconic Hacienda nightclub to museums, exhibitions, and public spaces, Ben reflects on designing for longevity rather than fashion, finding inspiration in unexpected places, and why context is the starting point for great design. You can find blog posts for this and other episodes at https://www.monotype.com/resources/podcast .
What if design tools helped you make smarter design decisions? This week, Dan Rhatigan talks with Typogram co-founders Hua Shu and Wenting Zhang about typography, side projects, AI, and the thrill of building tools for other creatives. Hua and Wenting share how New York's visual landscape shaped their love of type, how experimental side projects led them to entrepreneurship, and why publishing imperfect ideas can open unexpected doors. They also dig into Typogram's two design tools: Typogram, a guided branding tool for non-designers, and Typogram Studio, a typography-first tool built for…
In this episode, Tom Foley speaks with Pentagram Partner Hugh Miller about creativity, collaboration, and the experiences that shape a design career. From music and typography to sketchbooks, record sleeves, and creative partnerships, Hugh reflects on the importance of self-critique, surrounding yourself with people who push you, and why great ideas rarely come from the first solution. You can find blog posts for this and other episodes at monotype.com/podcast.
What happens to creativity when designers are expected to work faster? In this episode, host Phil Garnham speaks with Barcelona-based designer and typographer Marta Cerdà Alimbau about the growing tension between speed, technology, and creating meaningful design work. Known for blending typography and illustration into expressive visual systems for global brands like Vogue, Nike, and The New York Times, Marta reflects on why doubt, memory, craft, and process still matter in an era shaped by automation and AI. You can find blog posts for this and other episodes at monotype.com/podcast .
What does it take to bring a Pixar film to life for audiences around the world? In this episode, host Bill Connolly sits down with John Trauscht, Senior Graphic Designer at Pixar Animation Studios, to explore the craft behind adapting films for global audiences and the creative mindset that makes it all possible. From designing band posters to shaping global Pixar films, John's career has been consistently artistic but not exactly linear. He shares how collaboration, critique, and "creative surfing" help bring stories to life across languages and why humans are still central to storytelling.…
What happens when your creative partner is also your identical twin? In this episode, The Stone Twins—Garech and Declan Stone—share how a lifelong relationship built on trust, honesty, and a bit of friction fuels their work. From their upbringing in Dublin to building a studio in Amsterdam, they reflect on why competing ideas often lead to stronger outcomes and why, in a fast-moving industry, original thinking and human perspective matter more than ever. The Stone Twins also unpack their unique approach to branding, from shaping the identity of Amsterdam's A'DAM Tower to turning an Irish…
What makes something easy — or frustrating — to read? In this episode, typeface legibility expert Sofie Beier shares an introduction to legibility and readability from a designer's point of view. Sofie and host Terrance Weinzierl discuss common legibility myths, how typeface designers should plan for legibility, and some real-world consequences of poor legibility and readability. You can find blog posts for this and past episodes at monotype.com/podcast.
This week we're joined by the dynamic duo of Ilana Griffo and Katie Johnson. They're creatives, co-owners of Goodtype, and co-authors of a new book, Follow Your Art: Uncover and Unleash Your Creative Voice . With a community of 1 million on Instagram — as well as digital courses and events IRL — Goodtype is a resource for type lovers, artists, and designers to connect and learn. Katie and Ilana are obsessed with helping creatives find their unique voice. In this episode, they open up about their own creative voices and share strategies to help you find yours. Follow Your Art: Uncover and…
In this episode, host Kelci Elliott sits down with Magdalena Arasanz , co-founder of W Type Foundry, to talk about falling unexpectedly in love with type, building a creative business from scratch, and what it really takes to turn design obsession into momentum. From quirky experimental fonts and the story behind their playful typeface "Puffy" to navigating the business side of running a foundry, Magda lena shares a candid, energizing look at creativity, risk, and growth. Tune in to uncover the moments that sparked transformation and the ideas that continue to fuel Magdalena's journey. To…
New York-born Max Phillips has been drawing letters for money since he was a teenager. But his path to full-time type design was a bit circuitous — and even involves a stint as a novelist. Join us as Max, founder of Dublin-based Signal Type, waxes poetically about designing typefaces. He shares the creative process behind his diverse library; how Hermann Zapf has influenced him; and the delicate balance between crafting bold faces to amuse yourself and making versatile fonts for the design world. Check out the newly expanded version of Max's Reckham family from Signal Type on MyFonts and…
This week, we travel to Thailand to hear the story behind Cadson Demak, the Bangkok-based type foundry and design studio that has been shaping the landscape of Thai typography and design for 25 years. Host Dan Rhatigan chats with Founding Partner Anuthin Wongsunkakon and Senior Type Designer Nalat Jaturapattarapong about how their foundry and studio have influenced Thai type culture, moving from a time when fonts were undervalued to building a thriving industry. They discuss the complexities of the Thai script, the evolution of the design industry in Thailand, and their pivotal role in…
Step into the world of Malcolm Garrett, an iconic British graphic designer whose career is grounded in punk rock and new technology.In this episode, Malcolm talks about designing record sleeves for bands like Buzzcocks, Duran Duran, and Simple Minds, as well as his enthusiasm for adopting new digital design tools. From the DIY spirit of London's Shoreditch neighborhood in the '80s to learning how to design on Apple IIe computers and early iterations of Adobe Illustrator, Malcolm's reflections offer a glimpse into the evolution of graphic design over the past five decades. You can find blog…
Toronto-based Bruce Mau Design is known for tackling environmental, social, and economic problems with design. Kar Yan Cheung, Director of Design Strategy at Bruce Mau, and Laura Stein, Bruce Mau's Chief Creative Officer, joined us to talk about optimism, the realistic potential for design to influence behavior, and our Re:Vision project with the agency. Also joining us are Monotype's Terrance Weinzierl and Phil Garnham, and Phil's puppy, Otto. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast .
Tune in for an inside scoop on Adobe Max 2025, a hub for creativity and design. In this episode, hosts Carl Unger, Kadley Gosselin, and Livia Halltari guide participants through an interactive Find the Font game and reveal which font they'd send in their place to a job interview. We also trade notes about MAX's vibrant artist mar k e t place; talk to Monotype Executive Creative Director, Sara Soskolne , about her work expanding the iconic Gotham typeface for the Obama Foundation; and catch up with John Roshell of Comicraft. You can find blog posts for this and past episodes at…
Cyla Costa's work feels alive. Hailing from Curitiba, Brazil, she's an award-winning graphic artist and type designer known for expressive lettering and vibrant color palettes. Feminism, strength, inclusivity, and culture are a few of the themes her work explores. This week, Cyla chats with host Molly Doane about building a creative career and studio in Brazil, her approach to type design, and why letters are not only meant to be read. You can find blog posts for this and past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
In this episode, Joy Nazzari chats about her corner of the design world—place branding—with host Marie Boulanger. Joy is the Founder and Executive Chair of DNCO , an agency that's done branding for neighborhoods in London, New York, and Vancouver as well as the city of San Francisco. From her early days in finance and tech to building an agency that centers both creativity and business strategy, Joy shares her perspective on design leadership, the power of discomfort, and how to connect people to places in meaningful ways. To see Joy's work, visit dnco.com . You can find blog posts for this…
What does it take to build an international type foundry from scratch — and keep it thriving for nearly two decades? In this episode, host Doug Wilson talks with Veronika Burian, co-founder of the independent type foundry TypeTogether . From her background in industrial design to discovering a love for typography while working in Milan, Veronika shares how global experiences shaped her perspective and inspired her to build a remote global team. You'll hear about the delicate craft of designing multi-script typefaces that respect multiple cultures, honest reflections on growing a…
Host Livia Halltari chats with Cihan Tamti , a graphic designer based in Bochum, Germany. Cihan designs for clients like Nike, Calvin Klein, and Ms. Lauryn Hill. Yet he's passionate about designing in his community, spending time each year on the identity for a local film festival called DOXS RUHR and on pro bono work for local coffee shops and restaurants. In this episode, Livia talks to Cihan about his creative process, his early interest in graffiti, the magic of having an art teacher who encouraged him, and designing the identity for the world's largest sailing event. You can find blog…
Aaron Draplin likely needs little introduction. He's one of the most beloved and best-known graphic designers working today. People fill auditoriums for his talks and workshops, wait in long lines to take selfies and buy Draplin Design Company merch, and fill his DMs with requests for advice. In this episode, originally published in 2023, Draplin shares his perspective on design education, staying inspired and motivated, the "surreal" experience of becoming a mentor figure, and the "weird little spot" he's in as he approaches 50. He's a fixture at Adobe Max, coming up next month, so we…
This week we sit down with Kristy Campbell, the founder of Pink Pony Creative , a New Zealand-based design agency known for its bold style: think hot pink, variable fonts, and playful patterns. We originally met Kristy at Adobe Max, where she's spoken about crafting sticky brand identities and the power of personal branding. In this episode, Kristy shares how she turned her passion for personality-driven design into a thriving agency that's known for pushing boundaries. And she doesn't hold back. Kristy opens up about the highs and lows of owning an agency — handling failures, navigating…
Join host Dan Rhatigan as he sits down with Sandro Berra, the Coordinator of Tipoteca Italiana , a world-class type museum, archive, and print shop located in the charming countryside of Cornuda, Italy. Dan has been teaching at TipoItalia — a type residency at Tipoteca — for the past three summers and caught Sandro while they were both in Cornuda. Together, they dive into the magic of Tipoteca, an institution dedicated to preserving the rich history of Italian typography while inspiring modern creativity. You'll also hear firsthand accounts from workshop participants embracing their inner…
This week, we sit down with designer David Jon Walker and talk about his journey from Nashville to Yale. We explore how David's roots, family inspirations (his quilting grandmother!), and a persistent drive to learn have shaped his style and career in typography and design. David candidly shares the sacrifices, risks, and leaps of faith that brought him to where he is today, including starting a new MFA mid-life and juggling fatherhood. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with insights and a reminder that the creative process is full of unexpected turns — and endless possibilities.…
Ohno Type Company is an industry rebel. Equal parts punk and precision, the studio is a direct reflection of founder James' Edmondson love of expression and eccentricity. From globular California hippie text (Chee) to deceptively complex takes on classic geometric forms (Polymath), James and his team chart their own course through the wilds of type design. In this interview from 2021, James discusses his story, process, and mindset with Monotype's Charles Nix, and shares his thoughts on building a stable, rewarding creative career. James has a new book publishing this fall, The Ohno Book : A…
Alex Swatridge is the kind of creative you wish you could just sit down and brainstorm with. In this episode, host Graham Sturt talks to Alex about co-founding DutchScot, her London-based design agency that's making waves with bold, award-winning work. Preferring to gain inspiration from physical books and museum visits instead of scrolling, Alex shares her approach to design and how she stays true to her ideas while avoiding trends. Plus, hear Alex's thoughts on AI in design and how DutchScot keeps their work collaborative and human-centered. Whether you're a designer or just curious about…
Get ready for an honest chat with Bryan Edmondson, the visionary force behind London-based SEA Design . In this episode, Bryan shares his thoughtful approach to design and studio culture and explains why developing a simple design isn't as simple as it looks. From focusing on identities that tell a story to mentoring young creatives, Bryan shares wisdom from nearly 30 years of running an award-winning studio. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast Check out Bryan's work at seadesign.com
We're ready for summer here at Creative Characters, so we decided to dig into the archives and explore the seasonal rhythms that influence art and life. From the ephemeral art of beach calligraphy by South Africa's Andrew van der Merwe, to photographer Tyler Haughey's striking portraits of off-season beach towns, to Justin Burns' reflections on the magic of the British seaside, this episode explores how the summer season shapes creativity, placemaking, and memory. Tune in and get ready for summer with this collection of stories that dive deep into the relationship between art and the…
About Creative Characters
We live in a world awash in typography - whether we realize it or not. From the road signs that lead us home to the phones in our pockets, typography is front and center in nearly every waking moment of our day. Come meet the people and hear the stories behind the letters that shape our world.
Creative Characters is a English arts & books podcast from Monotype. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
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