Ken Jacobsen is a illustrator based in Tempe, Arizona, specializing in woodcut and line engraving techniques. In this episode, Nathan and Ken discuss how he got into illustration, a bit of art history, and his experience in navigating the hype cycles of new technologies over the course of his 40 year career. Learn more about Ken Jacobsen and his work:Dribbble: dribbble.com/kenjacobsenWebsite: penart.com/Learn more about Yondr Studio:Podcast page: yondrstudio.com/podcastOnline store: store.yondrstudio.comInstagram: instagram.com/nathanyoder/Info on working with Yondr Studio: yondrstudio.com/processTheme music by Jordan Egstad

Jordan is an award-winning South African creative director and artist with a focus on thoughtful, story-driven identity design and experimental custom lettering and typography. In this episode, Nathan and Jordan’s discuss his journey from hand lettering and branding to his recent focus on wood carving. They reflect on the impact of social media, the value of working offline, and the tension between creative authenticity and online trends. The episode concludes with a thoughtful exchange on the importance of process over product and the need for both individual and collective responsibility in the face of rapid technological change. Learn more about Jordan Metcalf and his work:Instagram: instagram.com/jordan_metcalfWebsite: jordan-metcalf.com Learn more about Yondr Studio:Podcast page: yondrstudio.com/podcastOnline store: store.yondrstudio.comInstagram: instagram.com/nathanyoder/Info on working with Yondr Studio: yondrstudio.com/process Theme music by Jordan EgstadLearn more about Yondr Studio:Podcast page: yondrstudio.com/podcastOnline store: store.yondrstudio.comInstagram: instagram.com/nathanyoder/Info on working with Yondr Studio: yondrstudio.com/processTheme music by Jordan Egstad

Brayden Heath is a commercial photographer based out of Denver, Colorado. In this episode, Nathan and Brayden discuss his path to being a freelance photographer, the AI question, and the value of struggle in cultivating gratitude and contributing meaning to our lives and work. Learn more about Brayden Heath and his work:instagram.com/braydenheath/braydenheath.com/ Learn more about Yondr Studio:Podcast page: yondrstudio.com/podcastOnline store: store.yondrstudio.comInstagram: instagram.com/nathanyoder/Info on working with Yondr Studio: yondrstudio.com/process Theme music by Jordan EgstadLearn more about Yondr Studio:Podcast page: yondrstudio.com/podcastOnline store: store.yondrstudio.comInstagram: instagram.com/nathanyoder/Info on working with Yondr Studio: yondrstudio.com/processTheme music by Jordan Egstad

(00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:24) Abraham's Background (00:09:05) The Evolution of Hand Lettering (00:17:31) The Value of Mentorship and Community (00:32:07) The Impact of Technology on Art and Design (00:45:16) Building Trust & Finding Like-minded Clients (00:55:26) Digital Mediation of Relationships (01:08:31) Conclusion Abraham is a lettering artist and multidisciplinary designer based in New York City. In this episode, Nathan and Abraham discuss his background in design, the importance of finding mentors and like minded clients, and the need to meaningfully connect our work to those around us. Learn more about Abraham Lule and his work:Instagram.com/abrahamlule/workbylule.com/ Learn more about Yondr Studio:Podcast page: yondrstudio.com/podcastOnline store: store.yondrstudio.com Instagram: instagram.com/nathanyoder/Info on working with Yondr Studio: yondrstudio.com/process Theme music by Jordan Egstad Learn more about Yondr Studio:Podcast page: yondrstudio.com/podcastOnline store: store.yondrstudio.comInstagram: instagram.com/nathanyoder/Info on working with Yondr Studio: yondrstudio.com/processTheme music by Jordan Egstad

(00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:57) Gaspar's Background (00:06:42) Gaspar's beginning in freelance illustration (00:31:56) Creative Process & Client Work (00:34:02) Traditional vs. Digital Illustration (00:51:32) AI and Technology in Illustration (01:07:48) Marketing, Outreach, and Building a Career (01:28:16) Conclusion  Gaspar Costa, is a Portugal based illustrator working in traditional line engraving techniques and hand lettering. In this episode, Nathan and Gaspar Costa discuss Gaspar’s beginnings in illustration, the ways in which he has adapted his process over time and, the importance of maintaining personal connections in our digital age.Free Vectorizor Mentioned in the podcast: DragPotrace Graphic interface, by Akira Sato. Vectorizor engine by Peter Selinger, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Dalhousie University.Learn more about Gaspar Costa and his work:nstagram.com/thegasparcosta/x.com/GasparArtetiktok.com/@thegasparcostathegasparcosta.com/ Learn more about Yondr Studio:Podcast page: yondrstudio.com/podcastOnline store: store.yondrstudio.comInstagram: instagram.com/nathanyoder/Info on working with Yondr Studio: yondrstudio.com/process Theme music by Jordan EgstadLearn more about Yondr Studio:Podcast page: yondrstudio.com/podcastOnline store: store.yondrstudio.comInstagram: instagram.com/nathanyoder/Info on working with Yondr Studio: yondrstudio.com/processTheme music by Jordan Egstad

In this episode, Katherine shares her essay, Tolkien, Technology, and Totalizing Forces: The unsettling resemblance between the One Ring and Artificial IntelligenceRead Katherine's essay on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-168343007We want to hear from you! If this essay resonated with you or if you have objections, please write to us at [email protected] more about Yondr Studio:Podcast page: yondrstudio.com/podcastOnline store: store.yondrstudio.comInstagram: instagram.com/nathanyoder/Info on working with Yondr Studio: yondrstudio.com/process

Joe Swec is an artist, hand letterer, and muralist based in Austin, Texas.In this episode, Nathan and Joe discuss how he stumbled into hand lettering after leaving a career in engineering, the ethic behind his work, and the merits of spontaneity.Learn more about Joe Swec and his work:instagram.com/jswechttps://jswec.myshopify.com/Learn more about Yondr Studio:Podcast page: yondrstudio.com/podcastOnline store: store.yondrstudio.comInstagram: instagram.com/nathanyoder/Info on working with Yondr Studio: yondrstudio.com/process

Michael Halbert is an illustrator with 40years experience in scratchboard illustration.In this episode, Nathan and Michael discuss Michael's background, their shared experiences in working with scratchboard, and what the transition from traditional to digital illustration can teach illustrators confronting generative AI today.Learn more about Michael Halber and his work:instagram.com/michaelhalbertinkart.comLearn more about Nathan Yoder Yondr Studio:yondrstudio.com/podcastinstagram.com/nathanyoder/

Peter Leadberg is a graphic designer and sign painter based in Tokyo.In this episode, Nathan and Peter discuss Peter's background, the merits of physical media, and what the historic clash between sign painting and vinyl signage can teach illustrators and designers confronting generative AI today.Learn more about Peter Leadberg and his work:instagram.com/letter_boyletter-boy.comLearn more about Nathan Yoder Yondr Studio:yondrstudio.com/podcastinstagram.com/nathanyoder/

Joshua Ariza is a graphic designer, illustrator, and founder of Chomp, a clothing brand based in Costa Mesa, California. In this episode, Nathan and Joshua discuss Joshua's background, the development of Chomp, and the importance of advocating for your work. Learn more about Joshua and his work:JoshuaAriza.comChompbrand.cominstagram.com/joshua_arizax.com/joshua_arizayondrstudio.com/podcastinstagram.com/nathanyoder/