🔥 New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:
👉 /@artschoolgraduate_podcast

Xavier Ruffin is a Milwaukee, raised creative powerhouse—filmmaker, designer, and co-founder of Cynosure Creative Agency. From experiencing homelessness in his youth to building a bold, culture-forward agency working with brands like Netflix and Amazon Prime, Xavier’s story is one of resilience, vision, and voice.

In this raw and insightful conversation, Xavier opens up about:

• Discovering creativity as survival and identity

• Gaining early access to art school at 13

• Balancing corporate design work at Kohl’s with passion projects

• Creating Mad Black Men as a response to erasure in design history

• Co-founding Cynosure CA and working with Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It

• Building authentic visual storytelling for global brands

• Navigating client feedback, protecting creative integrity, and leading with empathy

Whether you’re a young creative trying to find your lane, a designer wanting to make a cultural impact, or a founder seeking to tell more meaningful stories—this episode will fire you up.

🎯 This episode is for you if:

• You want to build a creative career with intention and integrity

• You’re navigating representation and identity in the design world

• You’ve ever been told “you don’t belong” and need a reminder that you do

• You’re curious about transitioning from freelance to full agency ownership

• You want to know how to keep your art authentic in commercial work

📌 Resources Mentioned
– Cynosure Creative Agency: https://cynosureca.com
– Mad Black Men web series
– Clio Awards
– MIAD (Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design)
– Amazon Prime’s THEM
– Adobe Creative Suite, Blender

🎧 More Podcast Episodes
https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast

📲 Connect with Xavier Ruffin
Instagram: @xavierruffin
Website: https://cynosureca.com

🎨 New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:
👉 /@artschoolgraduate_podcast

DeAndra Hodge is an illustrator, graphic designer, educator, and soon-to-be author based in Washington, D.C., best known for her vibrant children’s book illustrations, cultural storytelling, and joyful, people-centered art. She’s illustrated over ten books, including the acclaimed Beyond the Game series and Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark, with clients ranging from Nickelodeon and Café Bustelo to Puzzles of Color.

In this inspiring and heartwarming episode, DeAndra shares her journey from studying fine art to becoming a published illustrator, why Procreate is her creative soulmate, and how she blends design thinking into her illustration process. We also talk about drawing influence from West African and Greco-Roman art, using Tumblr-era fandoms for inspiration, and why knowing who you are makes all the difference in the publishing world.

Whether you’re a student, a creative entrepreneur, or a fellow children’s book illustrator, this episode will fill you with creative fuel and a deeper appreciation for the intersection of art, culture, and joy.

✨ This episode is for you if:🔗 Connect with DeAndra Hodge:🛠️ Tools & Topics Mentioned:

• You want to break into children’s illustration or graphic novels

• You’re navigating the freelance world with creativity and purpose

• You’re curious about blending design and illustration in your workflow

• You want to use storytelling to make your art more impactful

• You’re inspired by joyful, culturally rooted visuals

🌐 Website: https://www.deandrahodge.com
📸 Instagram: @deandrahodge_

🎧 More Podcast Episodes:
https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast

• Procreate vs. Adobe Fresco

• Cultural and historical influences (West African, Art Deco, Bauhaus)

• Working with art directors and optimizing for print

• Building confidence through personal storytelling

• Transitioning from design student to professional illustrator

#DeAndraHodge #ChildrenBookIllustrator #ProcreateArtist #DesignThinking #BlackIllustrators #CreativeJourney #WomenInPublishing #FreelanceLife #IllustrationPodcast #ArtSchoolGradPodcast

🔥 New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:
👉 / @artschoolgraduate_podcast

🎨 Stephanie Brown is an interdisciplinary artist and host of IN BTWN ARTIST, a podcast about sustainable creative careers. Rooted in her Jamaican and Black American heritage, Stephanie’s work spans photography, installation, and writing, interrogating identity, colorism, and the global impacts of systemic racism. With degrees from SCAD and the University of Michigan, she creates powerful work that educates, sparks empathy, and challenges us to think critically about who we are and who we choose to become.

💼 In this episode, Stephanie shares how her time on a cruise ship opened her eyes to global colorism, why she pursued an MFA, and how she built a career that bridges art, education, and entrepreneurship. We delve into what it means to be creative.

Whether you’re exploring your identity, building a freelance career, or simply searching for belonging in your creative work, this conversation will move you.

🔗 Connect with Stephanie Brown:
Website: https://www.stephaniebphotos.com/
Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@stephaniesquared/videos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniesquared_/

🎧 More Podcast Episodes:
https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast

📚 Resources Mentioned:
– IN BTWN ARTIST Podcast
– Museum Studies + MFA experience
– Interdisciplinary Art practices
– Creative sustainability + financial stability
– Tools: Photography, installation, creative writing

📌 This episode is for you if:

• You’re exploring identity as a Black or Brown creative

• You want to understand what “interdisciplinary artist” truly means

• You’re curious about sustainable creative careers

• You’ve faced colorism or systemic barriers in your journey

• You’re ready to build agency and critical thinking through your art

#StephanieBrown #InBtwnArtist #BlackCreatives #CreativeEntrepreneur #ArtWithPurpose #InterdisciplinaryArtist #Colorism #ArtAsActivism #DesignPodcast #CreativeProcess #ArtSchoolGradPodcast #IdentityAndArt #BlackArtistsMatter

🎙️ New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:
/ @artschoolgraduate_podcast

Bria Alexander is a powerhouse creative leader at Adobe serving as a Design Program Manager, inclusive design advocate, AI strategist, and public speaker. In this dynamic conversation, Bria takes us through her inspiring journey from sales enablement to the heart of design operations, proving that where you start isn’t where you’ll end up.

We unpack how Bria navigates complex design systems, embraces inclusive language, leads with empathy, and uses AI tools like ChatGPT and Firefly to supercharge her work and personal life. We also dive into how she sets boundaries, builds community, and why she believes in opening doors for the next generation of creatives.

Whether you're in tech, creative leadership, or transitioning into a new role, this episode is full of gems you don’t want to miss.

🎯 This episode is for you if...
✔️ You’re pivoting into tech or design from a non-traditional background
✔️ You want to use AI tools responsibly and creatively
✔️ You care about inclusive design and community building
✔️ You’re navigating burnout, boundaries, or balance
✔️ You lead or work on a multidisciplinary creative team

🔗 Connect with Bria Alexander
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/briaalexander
Instagram: https://instagram.com/briaismyname
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@briaismyname
Wine + Spirits Business: https://instagram.com/somali.aid
Office Hours: Book via her LinkedIn!

🎧 More Podcast Episodes:
https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast

📚 Resources Mentioned:
– Rosenfeld Design Ops Summit
– Book: Digital Feudalism
– CAA Internship
– The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
– ChatGPT, Aura Ring, Apple Watch, and health tracking tools

#BriaAlexander #DesignOps #InclusiveDesign #WomenInTech #CreativeLeadership #AdobeFirefly #BlackInTech #AIandDesign #CommunityOverCompetition #ArtSchoolGradPodcast #HowardUniversityAlumni #DesignProgramManager #CreativeCareerPath #LifeWillLifeYou

🎙️ New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:/ @artschoolgrad_podcast

Scott Fuller is the founder of The Studio Temporary, a branding and illustration studio known for its bold simplicity, blue-collar work ethic, and vintage-inspired soul. A longtime favorite at Creative South, Scott brings both humor and honesty to every conversation, unpacking 20+ years of lessons in logo design, identity systems, and creative resilience.

In this episode, Scott shares how he transitioned from drawing on napkins in the breakroom to launching his own studio, working with notable brands such as Coca-Cola, the Atlanta Braves, and Johnnie Walker. We discuss creative discipline, the art of storytelling through design, why hand sketching still matters, and what it truly means to grow as a designer over time.

Whether you’re building a design career from scratch or looking to reconnect with your creative roots, this episode will inspire you to trust your gut, do the work, and design with purpose.

This episode is for you if:

You want to learn how to evolve as a designer over the decades.

You're building a freelance or studio practice from the ground up.

You're passionate about logo design, iconography, or identity systems.

You’re curious about how to blend analog and digital in your process.

Have you ever been told you “shouldn’t” go out on your own

🎧 Listen now — and if you're a creative educator, student, or logo nerd, this one’s a must.

Connect with Scott Fuller:

Website: https://www.thestudiotemporary.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiotemporary/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thestudiotemporary/

🎒 More Podcast Episodes:https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast

Resources Mentioned:

– The Studio Temporary

– Creative South

– Sketchbooks & analog process

– Icon design workshops

– Client red flags & favorite wins

Hashtags:#ScottFuller #TheStudioTemporary #LogoDesign #BrandIdentity #CreativeSouth #DesignPodcast #ArtSchoolGraduate #IconDesign #DesignEducation #SketchToScreen #DesignWithPurpose #CreativeEntrepreneur #DesignStudioLife #ArtSchoolGradPodcast

New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications: @artschoolgradpodcast.

Joseph Bullard is a designer, educator, podcast host, and creative storyteller—known for his bold identity work, thoughtful brand strategy, and commitment to shaping the next generation of designers. From serving as a U.S. Army Sergeant to teaching Visual Communication at Austin Community College, Joseph’s path proves that creativity can come from anywhere. He’s built a portfolio that spans clients like Dungeons & Dragons, The New Yorker, and Studio Dzo—all while hosting Students of Design, a podcast dedicated to elevating design voices and conversations.

n this inspiring deep dive, Joseph shares how he transitioned from military life to the creative world, why cultural heritage shapes his work, and the lessons he’s learned from both his own projects and his podcast guests. We explore his design process, his approach to teaching, and how he bridges the gap between professional practice and student creativity.

Whether you’re:

Navigating the leap into the design industry

Looking to strengthen your creative process

Interested in no-code web tools and identity design

Ready to balance teaching, client work, and personal projects

Curious about building a design-centered podcast and community

In This Episode:Intro — Who is Joseph Bullard?

From the U.S. Army to the design world

Early lessons from Marc English Design

Teaching at Austin Community College

Building the Students of Design podcast

Working with clients like Dungeons & Dragons and The New Yorker

Rebranding Horse Creek Resort

BARKSwag: from passion project to business

Design pricing transparency and value

The role of cultural heritage in creative work

Balancing personal projects with professional demands

Burnout, reset routines, and finding inspiration

What success means to Joseph now

#JosephBullard #DesignPodcast #GraphicDesign #BrandIdentity #BlackCreatives #CreativeProcess #StudentsOfDesign #DesignEducation #VisualCommunication #NoCodeWebsites #CreativeBusiness #ArtSchoolGradPodcast

New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:
📺 / @artschoolgraduate_podcast

Cody A. Banks is an illustrator, content creator, and the creative mind behind a growing archive of fun, expressive characters made from everyday objects. With over 15 years of experience in Adobe Illustrator, Cody blends vintage cartoon charm with a modern edge—delivering eye-catching designs and easy-to-follow tutorials across YouTube and social media.

In this inspiring episode, Cody walks us through how he built his visual style, grew a loyal following by teaching Illustrator basics, and why he believes creativity is everywhere—if you know how to look for it. From turning fire hydrants into robots to building a character from a street pole, Cody’s perspective is a refreshing reminder that design can be both simple and deeply imaginative.

Whether you’re just starting out in digital illustration, trying to build your creative brand, or want to unlock inspiration in your everyday surroundings—this one’s for you.

🎧 This episode is for you if:

• You want to level up your Adobe Illustrator skills

• You love character design with personality and style

• You’re a content creator building an audience from your art

• You want to turn tutorials into a community

• You’re ready to see the world through a more creative lens

🔗 Connect with Cody A. Banks:

Website: https://codyabanks.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@codyabanks
Instagram: https://instagram.com/codyabanks
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/codyabanksart

🎨 More Podcast Episodes:

https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast

🧰 Resources Mentioned:

– Adobe Illustrator
– Pencil & Pathfinder Tools
– YouTube Tutorials
– StickerApp Collaboration
– Everyday Object Character Method

New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:

@artschoolgraduate_podcast

Bryan Bonilla is the Co-Founder of Pirate Worldwide—a fashion and lifestyle brand redefining what it means to blend creativity, culture, and community. In this powerful conversation, Bryan shares how he went from pursuing music to building a purpose-driven brand that's more than just merch. We dive into his journey as a first-gen creative, how he partnered with Adobe, and how AI tools like Acrobat Assistant are helping him stay inspired and streamline his creative process.

Whether you’re launching a brand, navigating a career pivot, or looking to build community through your work—this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

This episode is for you if:

You're building a fashion or lifestyle brand with cultural impact.

You want to use storytelling to grow your creative business

You’re curious about how AI can support your workflow

You’re a first-gen or underrepresented creative forging your own path

You want to design with purpose, identity, and innovation

In This Episode:

Meet Bryan Bonilla of Pirate Worldwide

Growing up in Pomona and the role of creative escape

From football and music to entrepreneurship

How Pirate Worldwide was born

Scaling a brand rooted in culture and storytelling

What “Pirate” really meansWorking with Adobe and using Acrobat AI Assistant

How AI fuels creativity and strategy

Building for first-gen creatives and expanding to new audiences

Creating the By Any Means docuseries

Future collabs, legacy, and advice for the next gen

Quickfire Round: Creativity, collabs, and favorite albums

Connect with Bryan Bonilla:Pirate Worldwide: https://pirateworldwide.com

Instagram:

https://instagram.com/pirateworldwide

Adobe Feature: https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2024/04/15/how-bryan-bonilla-fashion-brand-pirate-worldwide-uses-ai-fuel-inspiration-deliver-eye-catching-fashion-contentMore

Podcast Episodes:https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast

Resources Mentioned:– Pirate Worldwide

– Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant

– By Any Means Docuseries

– Creative AI Tools– Community

-Based Branding