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 ever-changing shoreline. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast Revisit the full episodes below: Andrew van der Merwe: Ephemeral calligraphy from the beaches of South Africa. Searching for signs of the British seaside with Justin Burns. Tyler Haughey: Neon and nostalgia down on the unseen Jersey Shore.
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29:44
Sara Soskolne: A life shaped by letters.
From studying 19th-century sans serifs to expanding Gotham for the Obama Foundation, Sara Soskolne’s career has helped define how the world reads today. In this episode, Doug Wilson sits down with his longtime friend and brilliant type designer, Sara Soskolne, for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about growing up curious, falling into typography, and Sara’s experiences of coming into her own in a male-dominated field. It’s an episode filled with humor, insights, and a touch of typographic magic. Check out Sara’s work for the Obama Foundation here: obama.org/stories/building-on-the-past-looking-ahead Take a deep dive into brand refresh for the Obama Foundation on Manual’s website: https://manualcreative.com/work/obama-foundation
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48:01
Women of Type: Crafting Community with Jess Goldsmith.
Hold onto your sketchpads! This week, Livia Halltari sits down with Jess Goldsmith, the one-woman-show behind Women of Type. Jess talks about her creative journey — from doodling graffiti-inspired letters as a kid to building a global community that amplifies lettering work from women and non-binary creatives around the world. As a self-taught designer, lettering artist, and author, Jess also shares her advice for aspiring creatives. Check out Jess’s work on Instagram at @chickofalltrade, and see what Women of Type is up to at @womenoftype. Buy Jess’s book, “Women of Type,” here. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
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38:28
Trevor Jackson: How to remix your career and stay independent.
In this week’s episode, host Graham Sturt joins British designer and music producer Trevor Jackson in his Shoreditch studio. Surrounded by an impressive collection of music ephemera, they discuss Trevor’s creative approach, how he got into designing record sleeves for early house and hip-hop artists, and why he doesn’t believe in having a “house style.” Check out Trevor’s work at trevor-jackson.com Listen to Trevor’s monthly show on NTS Radio You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
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46:09
How Kris Andrew Small found his groove: movement, color, and making art that matters.
On this week’s episode, Sydney-based artist Kris Andrew Small shares his journey from frustrated graphic designer to global creative powerhouse. He spills on how he transformed personal passion into bold, high-energy artwork that breaks rules and speaks volumes. From collaborating with icons like artist M.I.A., to creating campaigns for Nike and Reebok, Kris dives into his process, his love for color and movement, and why staying true to yourself is everything. Packed with thought-provoking moments and refreshing honesty, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration to break the mold and trust their creative instincts. Check out Kris' work at krisandrewsmall.com. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast
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.
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