Shows
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold016: Leadership Lessons from Season 1 with Erik & RachelIn this episode, we reflect on the key lessons learned from the first season, focusing on leadership within the design community. We discuss how leadership often begins before one feels ready, the impact of invitations in shaping careers, and the significance of retreats as pivotal moments in personal and professional growth. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, mentorship, and the messy, generous nature of real leadership, culminating in a call to action for listeners to engage with local creative organizations.Key TakeawaysLeadership starts before you feel ready.Imposter syndrome is common among new...2025-06-2835 min
The Reflex Blue Show : A Graphic Design PodcastRachel Elnar & Erik Cargill: The Reflex Blue Show #274Rachel Elnar & Erik Cargill of the Cheers & Tiers podcast stop by to talk about their show that is based partly around the heydays of the AIGA Leadership retreats. I was fortunate enough to get to be at six[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry...
The post Rachel Elnar & Erik Cargill: The Reflex Blue Show #274 appeared first on 36 Point.2025-06-2400 min
The Reflex Blue Show Archives - 36 PointRachel Elnar & Erik Cargill
Rachel Elnar & Erik Cargill of the Cheers & Tiers podcast stop by to talk about their show that is based partly around the heydays of the AIGA Leadership retreats. I was fortunate enough to get to be at six of these conferences, ending with the one in Omaha, Nebraska. I still miss this event and the immediate connections you had with the other 250~ people there. We also talk about design leadership, the need for design community, and human pyramids.
Enjoy.
The post Rachel Elnar & Erik Cargill: The Reflex Blue Show #274 appeared first...2025-06-2400 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold015: Kristine Johnson of AIGA SeattleErik Cargill and Rachel Elnar chat with Kristine Johnson, a prominent figure in design leadership in Seattle. We explore her journey with AIGA, her impactful role in sponsorship, and the significance of community connections through leadership retreats. Christine shares insights on the unique ‘Into the Woods’ program and the AIGA LINK initiative, which connects professionals with youth in creative workshops. The conversation emphasizes the importance of networking, redefining community, and the evolving landscape of sponsorship in the design world.Key TakeawaysKristine Johnson is a design leader with a strong background in AIGA.Sponsorship success is buil...2025-06-2136 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold014: Bernardo Marguils of AIGA PhiladelphiaIn this episode, we welcome Bernardo Margulis, a creative leader with a rich background in design and technology. We discuss Bernardo’s journey with AIGA Philadelphia, the challenges and successes he faced in sponsorship roles, the importance of taking risks in professional growth, and memorable experiences from the Miami retreat. The conversation highlights the value of networking, mentorship, and the supportive nature of the design community. In this engaging conversation, we reflect on past experiences with parties, leadership roles, and the importance of community connections. Key TakeawaysBernardo Margulis has a diverse background in design and te...2025-06-1443 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold013: Gage Mitchell of AIGA Seattle and moreIn this episode of Cheers & Tiers, we engage with Gage Mitchell, a design leader and advocate for sustainable practices. Gage shares his journey through various AIGA chapters, emphasizing the importance of community building and leadership in design. This conversation explores the leadership journey of a prominent figure in AIGA, focusing on their experiences with organizing events, the value of leadership retreats, and the importance of building connections within the design community. Gage shares insights on leading retreats, fostering community impact, and the collaborative efforts of the Design for Good Task Force. They discuss the importance of harnessing the power...2025-06-0756 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold012: Victor Davila of AIGA OrlandoIn this conversation, Victor Davila shares his extensive journey in design leadership, particularly within AIGA. He discusses his roles, experiences at leadership retreats, and the importance of community in fostering growth and collaboration. Victor emphasizes the balance of multiple commitments and the impact of mentorship and relationships in the creative field. He reflects on memorable moments from leadership retreats and the collective spirit of the design community. This conversation explores the evolution of community engagement through design, focusing on initiatives like Unido and Changemakers that empower nonprofits. We reflect on the significance of leadership retreats in fostering connections and...2025-05-2446 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold011: Wendy Quesinberry of AIGA SeattleIn this episode of Cheers & Tiers, hosts Erik Cargill and Rachel Elnar interview Wendy Quesinberry, a seasoned designer and AIGA leader. We discuss Wendy's journey in design leadership, her experiences with AIGA Seattle, and the importance of community in the design world. Wendy shares memorable events from her time as president of AIGA Seattle, her transition to starting her design studio, and her vision for revitalizing the design community in Seattle. The conversation highlights the significance of mentorship, collaboration, and the need for a supportive network among designers.Key TakeawaysWendy has over 30 years of experience...2025-05-1741 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold010: Frances Yllana of AIGA Dallas/Fort WorthRachel Elnar and Erik Cargill welcome Frances Yllana, a branding experience and community strategist, to this episode of Cheers & Tiers. Frances shares her journey with AIGA from the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter to her National involvement, discussing her leadership roles and the impact of community on her career. She reflects on her experiences at leadership retreats, the importance of writing for personal healing, and her involvement with Design for Democracy. Frances also talks about her transition to design operations and how AIGA has shaped her professional path and personal growth.Key TakeawaysLeadership roles in...2025-05-1039 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold009: Brian Singer of AIGA San FranciscoIn this episode of Cheers & Tiers, hosts Erik Cargill and Rachel Elnar welcome Brian Singer, a San Francisco-based artist and designer known for his impactful projects that foster human connection and social change. The conversation delves into Brian’s journey in design leadership, his experiences with AIGA, and the memorable moments from leadership retreats. They discuss the Twitspotting project, the challenges of controversial art, and the importance of community in the design industry. Brian reflects on his transition from chapter leadership to national leadership and shares insights on building connections within the design community.Key Takeaways...2025-05-0334 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold008: Ashleigh Axios of AIGA DCIn this Cheers & Tiers episode, Ashleigh Axios shares her journey in design leadership, highlighting her extensive involvement with AIGA and the impact of community engagement on her career. She reflects on memorable experiences at leadership retreats, the importance of building trust within design communities, and the lessons learned from her leadership roles. Ashleigh also discusses the creation of the DotGov design conference and the significance of fostering connections among designers in government. The conversation emphasizes the value of giving back to the community and the personal growth that comes from such involvement. More about AIGA DC's DotGov: https://dc...2025-04-2638 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold007: Elysia Syriac of AIGA ColoradoIn this engaging conversation, Erik Cargill and Rachel Elnar explore the journey of Elysia Syriac, an experienced designer passionate about design operations and community engagement. They discuss her involvement with AIGA, the impact of mentorship, and the creative skateboard art project that raised funds for students with disabilities. The conversation also delves into the significance of leadership retreats in fostering connections and creating unforgettable experiences in the design community. In this conversation, the speakers reflect on their experiences at creative retreats, discussing the emotional highs and lows of returning to everyday life after such events. They share memorable moments...2025-04-1944 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold006: Mike Joosse, AIGA Director of Chapter DevelopmentIn this Cheers & Tiers conversation, Mike Joosse shares his extensive journey with AIGA, highlighting the pivotal role it played in his career and personal growth. He discusses with hosts Erik Cargill and Rachel Elnar his experiences at AIGA leadership retreats, the importance of community building in design, and how he applies the lessons learned from AIGA chapter to national leadership, to his current role at VML. The conversation emphasizes the significance of networking, the value of in-person connections, and the ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive creative community.Key TakeawaysAIGA has been instrumental in Mike's...2025-04-1240 min
Making a Masterpiece with Norbert Elnar051 | "Why I Shut Down My Million-Dollar Business to Follow God"Send us a textShe Shut Down Her Million-Dollar Business for God | Rachel Ngom on Radical ObedienceWhat would you do if God told you to shut down your thriving, high-profit business?In this jaw-dropping episode of Making a Masterpiece, Rachel Ngom—a Pinterest strategist, entrepreneur, and coach who built a multiple 6-figure business—shares how God called her to lay it all down.At the peak of success, with a streamlined team, passive income, and global reach, God told her: “I’m...2025-04-1124 min
Making a Masterpiece with Norbert Elnar051 | "Why I Shut Down My Million-Dollar Business to Follow God"Send us a textShe Shut Down Her Million-Dollar Business for God | Rachel Ngom on Radical ObedienceWhat would you do if God told you to shut down your thriving, high-profit business?In this jaw-dropping episode of Making a Masterpiece, Rachel Ngom—a Pinterest strategist, entrepreneur, and coach who built a multiple 6-figure business—shares how God called her to lay it all down.At the peak of success, with a streamlined team, passive income, and global reach, God told her: “I’m...2025-04-1024 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold005: David Jon Walker of AIGA NashvilleIn this Cheers & Tiers conversation, David John Walker, a prominent art director and type designer, shares his journey through the design world, his involvement with AIGA and the Nashville chapter, and the evolution of design education. He discusses the importance of networking, community building, and the role of design in social change, particularly in light of recent events. David also reflects on his personal projects, the power of lettering, and the need for continued activism in the design community.Key TakeawaysNetworking events are crucial for connecting with design leaders.Academia plays a vital role in...2025-04-0533 min
She's Making an Impact | Christian Entrepreneur | Faith in Business | Family First BusinessChristian Entrepreneurs: This Is How You Stand Out (with Norbert Elnar) - Episode 525In this episode, I sat down with branding expert Norbert Elnar to talk all things Kingdom branding. From landing his dream job in the advertising world to walking away from it all to pursue his God-given purpose, Norbert shares his powerful story of choosing faith over flashy success. We dive into how Christian entrepreneurs can align their brands with their values, stand out in the marketplace with integrity, and truly make an impact for the Kingdom—without watering down their message or compromising on excellence. If you're ready to build a brand that reflects Jesus and serves wel...2025-03-3124 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold004: Paul Mendoza of AIGA Los AngelesIn this episode of Cheers & Tiers, hosts Erik Cargill and Rachel Elnar talk with Paul Mendoza around his journey with AIGA Los Angeles, his experiences at AIGA leadership retreats, and how those experiences shaped his career path leading to his current role producing Amazon’s in-house design conference, Conflux. Paul shares stories about karaoke nights, after-parties (including the informal GayIGA gatherings), and the famous 6AM Club where designers would stay up all night talking about their lives and careers. Paul talks about his formative experiences at AIGA leadership retreats, particularly his first in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2015, and recounts hi...2025-03-2934 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold003: Christine Sheller of AIGA PhiladelphiaIn this episode of Cheers & Tiers, hosts Erik Cargill and Rachel Elnar catch up with design powerhouse Christine Sheller. From leading UX teams to shaping AIGA Philly, Christine has done it all—and she’s got the wild leadership retreat stories to prove it! We chat about her journey in design, the magic of community, and how a chance encounter at a conference led to big career moves. Plus, we talk about her adventures in LA, teaching at ArtCenter, and even a hilarious run-in with Flavor Flav. Key TakeawaysChristine Scheller is a powerhouse in design and...2025-03-2239 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold002: Josh Silverman of AIGA Rhode IslandIn this episode of Cheers & Tiers, hosts Erik Cargill and Rachel Elnar sit down with design veteran Josh Silverman to discuss his 30-year career spanning entrepreneurship, education, and community leadership. Josh reflects on how volunteering with AIGA Boston early in his career transformed his professional journey. What started as a simple act of "raising his hand" led to meaningful leadership roles, forging connections with collaborators, mentors, and lifelong friends.Together, Erik, Rachel, and Josh explore how community participation creates a virtuous cycle: the more you give, the more unexpected opportunities arise. They share practical advice for designers...2025-03-1539 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold001: Amanda Hovest of AIGA Los AngelesIn this episode of Cheers and Tiers, hosts Erik Cargill and Rachel Elnar welcome Amanda Hovest, a seasoned graphic designer with over 18 years of experience. The conversation explores Amanda's journey in design leadership, her impactful role at AIGA Los Angeles, and the importance of networking and mentorship in the design community. They discuss the challenges and rewards of leadership roles, the significance of connections made through AIGA, and Amanda's recent move to Pittsburgh, where she continues to foster community and creativity. The episode highlights the lessons learned from leadership retreats and the collaborative spirit that defines the design community...2025-03-0129 min
Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold000: Grab Your Name Tag and Join Us For Cheers & TiersMeet Erik and Rachel as they introduce the Cheers & Tiers podcast, where AIGA chapter leadership stories come alive. Discover how design community bonds formed at leadership retreats shaped careers and created lasting friendships. Pour yourself something nice and join us for these tales of triumph, growth, and occasional shenanigans. What’s in this previewIntroduction to hosts Erik Cargill (AIGA Seattle) and Rachel Elnar (AIGA Los Angeles)Origin story of Cheers & TiersWhat to expect from future episodesWTF happened during the human pyramid in Denver?Support the show: subscribe, rate, and review Cheers & Tiers wherever you get your po...2025-02-2502 min
Design TogetherRachel Elnar, David Carr-Berry, Elysia SyriacJoin us for a chat with Rachel Elnar, David Carr-Berry, and Elysia Syriac, the team behind Adobe Creative Jams. A typical Jam includes training bootcamps, keynote speakers, a design challenge, and judging and feedback. Producing a Creative Jam is a ton of work, but this team makes it look easy. Find out what is in their secret sauce (hint: it's out of this world). 2022-03-011h 00
Typography Dojo011. Steven Bonner: Typography of WhiskyHaving built a career as a design every man, Steven Bonner nurtures a flexible approach that works across all creative disciplines. He takes a blank canvas approach to each brief that has helped him develop a varied skillset over years, leading to a portfolio with a unique mix of design, illustration, and lettering. This versatility has allowed him to work across advertising, editorial, publishing, and packaging – earning a reputation for high-quality work and reliability along the way. Steven is a graphic designer, illustrator, and typographer based in Glasgow whose work has been recognized by a number of bod...2017-10-2947 min
Typography DojoMartina Flor: WondermakingThis original interview with Martina was recorded on June 8, 2016. Martina Flor combines her talents as both a designer and an illustrator in the drawing of beautiful letters. Based in Berlin, she has worked in the creative industry for over 12 years with an emphasis on type design, lettering, and illustration. Working by hand as well as digitally, she has developed a wonderfully elegant style with a love for detail and flourishes. Martina combines her talents as designer and illustrator in the drawing of letters. Based in Berlin, she runs studio specializing in lettering and custom typography f...2017-08-171h 04
Typography Dojo009. Chank Diesel: Fun FontsThe original interview was recorded on May 26, 2017. Font designer Chank Diesel was born Charles Anderson, but neighbors called him "Chanky," after Spanky from the Little Rascals. He has been running his Minneapolis-based type house and art studio, Chank Fonts since 1992. Clients who have used Chank’s custom font services include Ben & Jerry's, Cartoon Network, Indian Motorcycle, PBS Kids, Scholastic Books, Simon & Schuster, Target, Walt Disney, and much more. In this podcast episode, we talk to Chank about his font-making process in original experimental free fonts and affordable trendsetting commercial fonts. In the typography conve...2017-07-0157 min
Typography Dojo008. Angela Southern: Bespoke LetteringAngela Southern is a bespoke lettering artist and illustrator who learned her craft on the job as a sign artist at Trader Joe’s from other professional lettering artists at the company. She became good at cranking out lots of artwork under deadline and is now doing work for Time Out, Cooking Light Magazine, Chicago Magazine, Hudson Valley Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and more.In the typography talk segment I ask Aspacia Kusulas about calligraphy; why it's so important to learn for a typographer, lettering artist or type designer. In the typography talk segment I ask Asp...2017-06-1742 min
Typography Dojo007. Terrance Weinzierl: Adventures In Kerning & CuriosityIn this episode, Terrance reveals how he came to specialize in type, and show some development milestones along the way. Besides type design, he touches on calligraphy, lettering, and real-world applications like food packaging. He talks about some of his greatest hits like the custom font family for Domino’s, Joanna Sans Nova, and Kairos. I met Terrance at TypeCon in Washington D.C. and enjoyed his talk that he gave about observations in food packaging, and have been watching his work ever since. In the typography talk segment with Michael Stinson, I changed it up...2017-06-0652 min
Typography Dojo006. Paul Mendoza: The Hollywood FontPaul was a former script coordinator in network TV for close to a decade before shifting to the world of design. Select credits include Friday Night Lights (NBC), Switched at Birth (ABC Family/Freeform), and Mercy (NBC). Paul and I chat about Courier as the linchpin behind the scenes of Los Angeles typography. As the standard face for all motion picture and television screenplays, Courier's monospaced letterforms built the City of Angels into the entertainment capital of the world. While other businesses evolve their communication design past the hallmarks of the typewriter era, the movie & TV industries re...2017-05-3053 min
Typography Dojo005. Gemma O’Brien: The Future Of Typography Is HumanWhat is the future of typography, as our lives are becoming more digital? Gemma O'Brien is on the show from her studio in Sydney, Australia, and she will explore this question while we have a conversation about her philosophy behind the trend of authenticity in design and why she thinks the future of typography is human. In this discussion, Gemma and I invited the live audience to contribute with ideas about the future of typography and where they feel it’s going. Michael’s typography lesson is about three things to keep in mind when choo...2017-05-2139 min
Typography Dojo004. Steve Rachwal: Phototypesetting & Cold TypeIn this episode, I chat with designer Steve Rachwal who used to work as a typesetter at EllaType on Sunset Boulevard from 1985 to 1988 on the Berthold phototypesetting computer system. EllaType was strictly a Berthold shop, which featured the best cut fonts in the world. Steve helped to typeset nearly the entire Motown music collection as they converted the LPs to CDs, including lots of liner notes and song lists. He also did a lot of typesetting work for Los Angeles-area design greats Sussman/Prejza and Burson-Marsteller. He recounts the typesetting process pre-computer and walks us th...2017-05-1440 min
Typography Dojo003. Rod Cavazos: Playful Perspectives on Type DesignIn this session we get a rare peek at some of the type projects and mindset Rod and his team work on in their San Francisco design office, PSY/OPS. Rod also serves as Adjunct Professor of Type Design at California College of the Arts; and Instructional Lead at (The) Alphabetic Order. His passion for type and teaching are boundless, and he can usually be found experimenting with letters in some form, on screen or off. Towards the end, Michael Stinson and I discuss why typography is so essential to logotype design and development. 2017-04-3032 min
Typography Dojo002. Nikki Villagomez: Culture + TypographyNikki Villagomez is Graphic Designer and Creative Studio Manager at Dixon Hughes Goodman. She is also an avid letterhunter and the author of Culture + Typography: How Culture Affects Typography. She’s been scouring the nation seeking clues that communicate the culture of a city through the typography of the city surroundings, evident in historical signage, ghost signs, manhole covers, and more. Nikki gathers images from the city’s designers, puts them together and gives the inhabitants back a vision of their culture as seen through a typographer’s eyes. Her book Culture + Typography is a culmination of historic...2017-04-2628 min
Typography Dojo001. Talking About TypeIn the dojo, we'll talk about aspects of visual design influenced by type and typography with a designer or two in every episode. In the first episode of Typography Dojo, Rachel Elnar gives you a sneak peek of what you can expect in our upcoming sessions. Previews of discussions are revealed with Australian mural lettering artist Gemma O'Brien, San Francisco-based hand letterer Joseph Alessio, Berlin-based type designer and letterer Martina Flor, PSY/OPS type designer Rod Cavazos from San Francisco, type designer Mark Jamra from JamraPatel from Portland, Maine, Minneapolis-based type design Chank Diesel, Altitude Design Office...2017-04-2518 min
Creatives IgniteType Ed // Type Lessons Make us StrongerTypeEd began out of necessity. While running their design studio, teaching, and jurying design competitions both Rachel Elnar and Michael Stinson noticed a “lack of sensitivity” towards typography in design from designers in the industry. Typographic subtleties communicate magnitudes towards the overall interpretation of the piece that is being designed.
In 2012 Rachel and Michael founded TypeEd, whose mission is “to educate designers, students and practitioners on the fundamental skills of typography. Graphic designers deserve a strong typographic foundation to practice typesetting, improve the quality of communication, and preserve the integrity of design.”2016-12-011h 25