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Cosmic Sans

Howard Pinsky

A design-focused podcast dissecting the journeys of artists, thought leaders, product managers, and damn good people.

Hosted by Howard Pinsky, this podcast dives deep into the creative process, career evolution, and behind-the-scenes moments that shape the work and lives of inspiring individuals across the design and tech industries. From navigating creative blocks to scaling big ideas, each episode offers candid conversations, valuable insights, and a healthy dose of real talk.

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  • 20 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 1 hr 8 min
  • English
  • August 10 · 51 min

    Fighting Beige: Talking design with Fergie Ferguson

    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.

  • July 20 · 1 hr 17 min

    The Future of Logo Design, AI & Building a Creative Career | CJ Cawley

    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?

  • June 22 · 57 min

    From Doodles to Nike: How Deja Brown Built Her Creative Career

    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

  • May 26 · 1 hr 47 min

    Inside the Mind of Mexifunk | Orlando Arocena

    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.

  • May 4 · 1 hr 4 min

    From Doubt to Designing for Nike & The Vegas Sphere | David Oku

    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.

  • April 14 · 1 hr 19 min

    Dave Baker — Comics, Creativity, and Betting on Yourself

    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.

  • March 31 · 1 hr 36 min

    Tom Muller on Designing X-Men, Building a Studio, and Creative Direction

    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.

  • March 17 · 1 hr 13 min

    Goldie Chan: Personal Branding for Introverts

    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.

  • March 3 · 1 hr 1 min

    Steven Estrella – Illustrator and Designer

    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!

  • February 16 · 47 min

    Kate Kassab – UI/UX Designer in the Crypto Space

    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.

  • February 3 · 1 hr 9 min

    Rob Zilla – Sports Artist and Illustrator

    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.

  • January 19 · 1 hr

    Adam the Illustrator

    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.

  • January 5 · 1 hr 1 min

    Travis Knight – Illustrator and Designer

    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.

  • Dec 21, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min

    Carrlyn Bathe – Reporter and Host for the LA Kings

    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.

  • Dec 8, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min

    Arabela Espinoza and Elle Mott from Weekend Creative

    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.

  • Nov 24, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min

    Justin Odisho – Educator and Content Creator

    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!

  • Oct 20, 2025 · 58 min

    Ruben Cespedes – Principal Product Designer and Content Creator

    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.

  • Oct 6, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min

    James Barnard – Logo Designer

    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

  • Sep 23, 2025 · 52 min

    Fiorella Granda – Illustrator

    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

  • Sep 5, 2025 · 1 hr

    Amy Hood from Hoodzpah – Brand Designer

    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/

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