Hi-Res Ryan Starr

Katie Johnson and Ilana Griffo are the creative duo behind Goodtype, an inclusive space for lettering artists, calligraphers, & type designers championing good type & good business. After running their own successful art businesses, the two artists met via DM and joined forces virtually from their homes in New York and Texas. They share a drive to help other artists pursue their passions and take the fear out of business. They’re both lettering artists as well as published authors, and they believe everyone deserves to love their job. Katie and Ilana join the season finale of the lettering series to discuss their first year as podcasters, find your creative voice, promoting your work that feels authentic to your identity and their biggest "pinch me" moments.  

Jess Goldsmith is an illustrator and lettering artist born and bred in NYC. Her work is colorful, and fun and invokes the sense of humor and playfulness that she's known for. She has created work for Adobe, Hulu, Microsoft, Pinterest, Amazon, and more. She is also the owner, curator, and author of Women of Type, a community that exists to amplify the work of women and nonbinary creatives in the lettering and type industry. Women of Type serves as a hub for members to share their work, find artists to connect with, and provide paid opportunities for those starting out in the industry. The Women of Type Book is available worldwide and showcases the work of over 130 artists from 20+ countries, spanning 5 continents as a creative collaboration to celebrate letters, colors, and the power of the written word. Jess joins the show to discuss how she "accidentally" created this community, the responsiblity of curating the channel and the importance of practicing an artistic discipline you don't get paid for.   

Ian Barnard is a hand lettering artist and calligrapher with a passion for inspiring, entertaining and helping people to get better at their lettering skills through videos on his Instagram and Youtube channels. He also creates and sells digital lettering brushes for the iPad and creates custom lettering and typefaces for clients. Ian talks about how he got his start with hand lettering, the role his digital products play in his career and keeping your passion when your hobby becomes your profession. Plus, listen for a special announcement at the end of the episode!

Huyen Dinh is a Viet lettering artist, illustrator, and author of How to be a Rule-Breaking Letterer. Known on the internet for her pink pastel palette and wiggly lettering with quirky messages, she enjoys making the world colorful with brands like Facebook, Canon, LG, Cotton Natural, and more. She’s also interested in helping other artists by sharing freelance and digital art tips on her social media. She also wants to inspire other female Asian artists to embrace their heritage and stand against social expectations. Huyen joins the show for a conversation about self-care, pole-dancing, embracing imperfection and why some people think she "looks like her art."    

Thom Niessink is a Dutch graphic designer focused on lettering, type design and illustration. Throughout his career he developed a true passion for typography and custom lettering. Inspired by vintage magazines, signs and postcards from the 50’s and 60’s, his way of working is almost completely digital, using the iPad as a digital sketchbook. Combining retro and contemporary letterforms with subtle paper textures and color pallets he creates appealing compositions with a consistent typographic rhythm. Thom joins the show for a conversation about adjusting to freelance lifestyle, finding inspiration for a typeface from a sign for his great grandfather's vegetable and fruit shop and what television shows he's currently binging while he works.   

Alanna Flowers is the lettering artist and designer behind AGF Design Studio. She creates engaging work for brands like Adobe, American Greetings and The Los Angeles Times. When she’s not creating for clients she’s busy helping fellow creatives who are interested in learning about lettering, digital art, and freelance through her YouTube channel and Instagram. Alanna joins the show for a conversation about the publication of her first book “Love Letters: An Alphabet of Affirmations,” as well as using her lettering to open up larger conversations on topics and causes that matter to her. Plus, Alanna and Ryan bond over being “yearbook nerds.”