The Kirk + Kurtts Design Podcast

Епізоди

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  Joshua David, Fractional CMO & Brand Strategy Leader, Speaker & Executive Storyteller 10.07.2026 1год 7хв

  Kirk and Andy sit down with marketing and brand strategist Joshua David for a conversation that starts with a joke about his very long bio and quickly goes somewhere much more honest. Josh traces his path from working hotel front desks (including a stint in London that convinced him he was in the wrong industry) to community management, influencer marketing in New York, and eventually running social for Ebony, where he grew the platform from 200,000 to nearly a million organic followers befor...
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  Mika Okimura, Education Innovator | M.S. in Biology 19.06.2026 43хв

  "A sparkly rainbow that defies category." That's how this week's guest describes themselves, and honestly, it fits. For the first time, Kirk and Andy sit down with someone who isn't a designer or a founder: Mika Okimura, an educator and learning professional with over a decade of experience building inclusive, student-centered classrooms across the Bay Area, from UC Berkeley to Merritt College to San Francisco State, plus years at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Mika opens up about growing up quee...
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  **Bonus: Madison Raisch** 12.06.2026 10хв

  Many times when we have folks on the show there is an immediate and fun conversation that happens before we even do the introductions. Well, this was one time where we caught our guest in all their marvelous candor, and join in. Well, Kirk joined in with the "back in my day" conversation about moving up the ranks in regards to stewardship of design roles. Kirk and Madison sit in their rocking chairs sipping tea and complaining while Andy cautiously interjects and adds a much fresh...
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  Madison Raisch, NWSL Creative Director 12.06.2026 53хв

  Madison Raisch has seen all things in the sports design hemisphere. Over the past two decades, she spent time designing for the NFL and MLB. Madison was able to reach new heights in her career and grow her talent immensely through her talent, relationships, and mad Beatles impersonations. You know how hard it is to sound like a Scouser? We talk projects, process, and what the future holds for her role at the NWSL. It was such a privilege to have her on the show, and it's definitely wort...
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  Christopher Cashdollar, Independent Design Partner & Trusted Consultant 02.05.2026 57хв

  Starting off the new season with a Bang. Christopher Cashdollar is a certified awesome guy and great designer, and yes, that it his real name! Pennsylvania native, and Drexel University's best ever cartoonist, bought his first Power Mac while at Drexel and decided to delve into web design. This gave him the design bug and allowed him get different design jobs and grow as a designer. Fast forward to this podcast recording and Chris is an accomplished designer and speaker, but his m...
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  Tamer Kattan, Professional Standup Comedian & Brand Strategist 08.01.2026 45хв

  We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our 100th episode than by sitting down with Tamer Kattan. Tamer details his professional experience from intern to stand up comic, the trouble with having a name that rhymes with "hammer", and a life that is filled with taking risk, and following your passion. This is one of our most fun and eclectic podcast to date, and we can't thank you all enough for joining us on this journey thus far. Thanks again to Tamer for joining us...
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  Haylee Jordan & Anthony Bradley, Co-Founders at FABRIC 22.10.2025 53хв

  In this episode, Kirk and Andy sit down with Haylee Jordan and Anthony Bradley, the creative co-founders behind Fabric, a new microdose THC beverage brand that’s part mellow, part mission-driven. Haylee and Anthony walk us through how Fabric went from concept to cans, the chaos of startup pivots, and why good design can’t be an afterthought — even when the product’s not done yet. From the gold-topped packaging to their public benefit corporation status, Fabric is trying to do things different...
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  Alex Perry, CEO of Right Way Signs, LLC 06.10.2025 54хв

  This week, Kirk and Kurtts sit down with Alex Perry, CEO of Right Way, to talk about the evolution of signage from hand-painted murals to high-tech branding experiences. With deep roots in the sign painting world (his dad is still doing murals at 75), Alex shares the real story behind Right Way’s growth from a one-man shop to a trusted signage partner for brands like Nike, Starbucks, and Hilton. We dive into: Growing up around lettering and storefronts in EvanstonWhy Right Way lost a big clie...
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  James Barnard, Logo Designer, Design Educator 03.06.2025 41хв

  James Barnard didn’t start out in design. He originally wanted to work in the music industry. But after a detour through web development and publishing design in London, he found his true calling: logo and identity design. In this episode, Kirk and Andy talk with James about his path from learning Photoshop at a data entry job to designing for major UK newspapers and building his own studio in Australia. They dive into how James refined his creative process, how he manages client expectations...
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  Anna Ison, CPG Packaging & Brand Designer, Founder at Auros Design Studio, Strategic FMCG Packaging & Branding Design Consultant 12.05.2025 44хв

  Kirk and Andy sit down with Anna Sison — a Brooklyn-born creative force helping CPG brands grow through sharp, strategic packaging and brand design. With over 20 years in the industry, Anna brings big-agency experience with a nimble studio mindset, combining her deep cultural perspective with a sharp eye for design that works on shelf and connects with consumers. In this episode, Anna shares her creative origin story, the challenges of being a double minority in the design world, and how she’...
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  Selma Makui, Brand Designer & Creative Director Revisit 22.04.2025 30хв

  Design isn’t just about how something looks — it’s about how it feels. In this second conversation with brand designer and icon genius Selma Qui, Kirk and Andy go deep on how her approach to branding has evolved from crafting precise, geometric visuals to building experiences that leave a lasting emotional mark. Selma opens up about her creative process, the shift from designer to experience-maker, and why she now chooses to work only with brands and people who align with her values. We talk ...
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  Mike Perry, Chief Creative Officer & Founder 🍻 Leading TAVERN 09.04.2025 59хв

  Mike Perry has had a wild ride through the world of design. From cropping football players at NBC Sports to launching award-winning liquor brands with his agency, Tavern, Mike brings real craft, deep industry knowledge, and an obsession with the details that most people ignore. In this episode, Kirk and Andy dig into the intersection of creativity, commerce, and booze—specifically how alcohol packaging isn’t just design, it’s storytelling, strategy, and sculpture in one. Mike shares his journ...
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  Dan Forster, Lettering Artist and Type Designer 13.03.2025 57хв

  In this episode, we sit down with Dan Forster, an award-winning lettering artist and designer with over 25 years of experience. Dan has crafted stunning custom lettering for brands, agencies, and clients worldwide, but his journey into the world of type wasn’t a straight path—it was shaped by frustration, perseverance, and an unexpected return to his roots. Dan shares the story of his late father, a renowned lettering artist, and how clearing out his dad’s studio after his passing led to a cr...
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  Lindsey Meredith, Logo/visual Brand Identity Designer, Letterer, Illustrator 25.02.2025 48хв

  In this episode, we sit down with Lindsay Meredith, a brand and visual designer specializing in custom-crafted design through lettering and illustration. Lindsay’s work has been featured in Logo Lounge and includes collaborations with major names like Hasbro, Nickelodeon, LeapFrog, Disney, and professional and collegiate sports organizations. From growing up watching her father pinstripe cars to becoming an expert in brand identity, Lindsay shares how her early exposure to lettering and desig...
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  Jake Karls, Co-Founder & Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares 16.02.2025 55хв

  The Rainmaker is back! In this powerhouse episode, Jake Karls, co-founder of Mid-Day Squares, joins Kirk and Andy for an unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, burnout, and the journey back to balance. Jake’s infectious energy and passion have fueled Mid-Day Squares’ rise from a startup to a $47 million business. But with success came immense pressure, a relentless pursuit of “winning”, and ultimately, a wake-up call that forced him to reassess everything. He shares his per...
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  Emily Winston, Founder & CEO of Boichik Bagels, Engineer 30.01.2025 57хв

  What makes a bagel legendary? Is it the texture, the crust, the chew, or the history behind it? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the story of Emily Winston, the founder of Boichik Bagels, a Bay Area sensation bringing old-school New York flavor to the West Coast. In this episode, you’ll hear: • How Emily went from being a mechanical engineer at GM, working on car doors, to a full-fledged bagel artisan. • The emotional connection behind recreating her taste memory of the legendary H&amp...
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  Joel Herrera, Artist, Illustrator, Poster Designer, UX Designer, Product Designer, Instructor, Teacher 22.01.2025 49хв

  This week on the Kirk & Kurtts Design Podcast, we’re joined by Joel Herrera—visual communicator, illustrator, painter, storyteller, and former Duke art professor. Joel shares how his love for comic books and a family steeped in creativity shaped his journey as an artist. We dive into: •The accidental (and slightly annoying) way Joel discovered his talent •Why every artist feels like their work isn’t good enough •The importance of putting your art out there—even when it’s scary •Joel’s lov...
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  Alex Center, Founder at CENTER, Design Director, Graphic Designer, Packaging & Branding, Part Two 23.12.2024 27хв

  In part 2, Kirk and Andy continue chatting with Alex Center, founder and creative force behind Center Design, to discuss the art and strategy of building iconic brands like Ayoh! mayonnaise and BERO beer. From the high stakes of crafting products for big-name personalities like Molly Baz to designing a "lived-in yet fresh" aesthetic, Alex dives deep into the challenges and joys of creating consumer packaged goods that feel both timeless and trendy. Highlights: How Molly Baz's reverence for c...
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  Alex Center, Founder at CENTER, Design Director, Graphic Designer, Packaging & Branding, Part One 17.12.2024 38хв

  In this episode, Kirk and Andy sit down with the brilliant Alex Center—Brooklyn-based designer, founder of the branding studio Center, and creative visionary behind some of today’s most iconic brands. From his early days designing for Vitamin Water to a decade-long tenure at Coca-Cola, Alex shares his unique journey of building brands that resonate—and yes, there’s even a story about 50 Cent dropping a “you spit hot fire” compliment! Alex dives into his transition from in-house powerhouse to ...
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  Autumnal Beers & Jeers, Pumpkin Beer Review 25.11.2024 40хв

  In this festive fall edition, hosts Kirk and Andy get together for their annual pumpkin-themed design review. With their signature wit and charm, the duo explores the bold, bizarre, and beautiful world of pumpkin-inspired product packaging and branding. From Andy’s critique of a pumpkin-spiced spiked latte with questionable flavors but stellar design, to Kirk’s enthusiasm for non-alcoholic craft beers with spooky seasonal vibes, this episode is packed with insightful design breakdowns. Listen...