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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 differently, on purpose.

We get into:

• The brand’s unexpected founding story
• What it takes to launch a cannabis beverage in a fast-moving, weirdly regulated space
• Their approach to naming, product design, and mental health advocacy
• Why being “cool” actually matters in CPG branding
• Microdosing vs full-dose THC (and who’s drinking the 10mg cans)
• Lessons from collaborating as design-first co-founders

Whether you’re into brand building, THC beverages, or just want to hear how creatives launch real products, this one’s worth your time.

Website: drinkfabric.com

Instagram: @drinkfabric

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About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.

Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics

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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 Evanston
• Why Right Way lost a big client — and what they learned
• How digital tech and design-forward thinking rebuilt the business
• What it’s like to balance creative craft with production at scale
• The problem with clients who think signs are just another invoice line

Whether you’re a designer, business owner, or someone who just loves seeing good design in the wild, this one’s for you.

Thanks again to Alex for joining us. Check out Right Way at rightwaysigns.com.

Follow us and leave a review if you’re enjoying the show.

Support the show

About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.

Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics

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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, and why sharing design tutorials on social media became his most powerful business driver.

They also discuss:

• How to build a clean logo design process clients understand
• Using “brand nouns” to align early and avoid wasted work
• The importance of giving clients time to process designs
• How one viral TikTok post unlocked a steady stream of client leads

James also shares how he balances teaching with client work, why he prioritizes clarity over perfection, and how community sharing has improved both his practice and the industry at large.

If you want to sharpen your logo design workflow or learn how to attract clients by teaching what you know, this one’s packed with ideas you can apply.

Follow James at barnard.co and @barnardco on Instagram

Connect with James on LinkedIn

Follow Kirk at mindthefont.com.

Follow Andy at buttermilkcreative.com.

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Support the show

About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.

Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics

Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee:
Support the show