Art School Graduate Podcast

• Foossa’s Lee‑Sean Huang & David Colby Reed: Design for Participation, Story & Systems

  🎧 New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:👉 @artschoolgraduate_podcast🎙️ What happens when storytelling meets systems thinking, and design is centered around participation, not just aesthetics? In this episode, we sit down with Lee-Sean Huang and David Colby Reed, co-founders of the strategy and design consultancy Foossa, to unpack how design can truly shape communities, spark dialogue, and drive social change.We explore their creative origin story, their guiding philosophy of “Design for Participation,” and how they use narrative strategy, co-design, and service design to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. From working with foundations and governments to building equity-centered workshops, Foossa’s approach is both visionary and grounded in the everyday power of collaboration.💡 Whether you’re a designer, strategist, educator, or just a curious creative trying to figure out how to make a meaningful impact, this conversation will leave you inspired, empowered, and thinking bigger about your own practice.🎯 This episode is for you if:You’re curious about using design for civic good, not just commercial gainYou want to blend storytelling with systems thinkingYou’re navigating how to co-create with communitiesYou care about equity, facilitation, and creative empowermentYou’re tired of the “networking” game and want to build your own scene🎁 Plus:A quickfire round with fun questions on playlists, design tools, and underrated thinkersTheir biggest advice for emerging creativesThe one project they’d co-design with no limits—🌐 Connect with Foossa:Website: https://foossa.comInstagram: @foossa🎨 More Episodes + Resources:https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast—#Foossa #DesignForParticipation #LeeSeanHuang #DavidColbyReed #StorytellingInDesign #SocialImpactDesign #SystemsThinking #NarrativeStrategy #EquityByDesign #CreativeLeadership #ArtSchoolGradPodcast

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• From Homeless to Creative Powerhouse: Xavier Ruffin on Design, Resilience & Building His Own Lane

  🔥 New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:👉 /@artschoolgraduate_podcastXavier 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 identityGaining early access to art school at 13Balancing corporate design work at Kohl’s with passion projectsCreating Mad Black Men as a response to erasure in design historyCo-founding Cynosure CA and working with Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have ItBuilding authentic visual storytelling for global brandsNavigating client feedback, protecting creative integrity, and leading with empathyWhether 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 integrityYou’re navigating representation and identity in the design worldYou’ve ever been told “you don’t belong” and need a reminder that you doYou’re curious about transitioning from freelance to full agency ownershipYou 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 Episodeshttps://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast📲 Connect with Xavier RuffinInstagram: @xavierruffinWebsite: https://cynosureca.com

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• From Fan Art to Published Illustrator: DeAndra Hodge on Storytelling, Style & Standing Out in KidLit

  🎨 New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:👉 /@artschoolgraduate_podcastDeAndra 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 novelsYou’re navigating the freelance world with creativity and purposeYou’re curious about blending design and illustration in your workflowYou want to use storytelling to make your art more impactfulYou’re inspired by joyful, culturally rooted visuals🌐 Website: https://www.deandrahodge.com📸 Instagram: @deandrahodge_🎧 More Podcast Episodes:https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcastProcreate vs. Adobe FrescoCultural and historical influences (West African, Art Deco, Bauhaus)Working with art directors and optimizing for printBuilding confidence through personal storytellingTransitioning from design student to professional illustrator#DeAndraHodge #ChildrenBookIllustrator #ProcreateArtist #DesignThinking #BlackIllustrators #CreativeJourney #WomenInPublishing #FreelanceLife #IllustrationPodcast #ArtSchoolGradPodcast

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• Stephanie Brown on Identity, Colorism & Building a Sustainable Creative Career

  🔥 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/videosInstagram: 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 creativeYou want to understand what “interdisciplinary artist” truly meansYou’re curious about sustainable creative careersYou’ve faced colorism or systemic barriers in your journeyYou’re ready to build agency and critical thinking through your art#StephanieBrown #InBtwnArtist #BlackCreatives #CreativeEntrepreneur #ArtWithPurpose #InterdisciplinaryArtist #Colorism #ArtAsActivism #DesignPodcast #CreativeProcess #ArtSchoolGradPodcast #IdentityAndArt #BlackArtistsMatter

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• Designing with Purpose: Bria Alexander on Inclusive Leadership, AI, and Thriving at Adobe

  🎙️ New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:/ @artschoolgraduate_podcastBria 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 AlexanderLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/briaalexanderInstagram: https://instagram.com/briaismynameTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@briaismynameWine + Spirits Business: https://instagram.com/somali.aidOffice 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

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