All summer long, on Wednesdays, you can hear Brickey and the Circle of Trust break down an episode-wide topic of a problem and listen to members of the Circle of Trust share what their situation may be, whether it's professional, personal, or just for fun.

In today's episode, Brickey asks everyone about career traps. Inspired by Jason Edmiston's episode AID1384, Jason spoke about being trapped in a project where he dreams of it going away every day. Today's guests talk about their career traps like not navigating interoffice politics successfully and learning how to say no. Being more selective of the projects you take on and realizing that freelance itself was the trap, so it was time to take that full-time job.

All Circle of Trust members are welcome to join the recording session every Tuesday to share the problems and solutions. Join today at the AID.network

Mike Brevik from Cyberdogz has found a new way to give back to his favorite artists. An inspirational tale and a new perspective on donating your creative time.

Today's call in question is what's your weakness? How has it held you back? And how have you learned to overcome it? 

Jason Edmiston shares how he has once again gotten stuck inside a project he can't get out of, and Brickey offers advice on how Jason should take more control of his project schedule.

Today In The Circle of Trust
The guys share what they see to be the actual value of social media.

Don't forget Growcase Big Book of Inspiration Special Edition LOGOS, EMBLEMS & CRESTS is available for download today at GarmCompany.com. Use the code AID to save 20%.

Old friend of the show Connie Collingsworth stops by the show to talk about the current state of the music industry and country music. 

WYFP (What's Your Fucking Problem)

All summer long, on Wednesdays, you can hear Brickey and the Circle of Trust break down an episode-wide topic of a problem and listen to members of the Circle of Trust share what their situation may be, whether it's professional, personal, or just for fun. 

In today's episode, Brickey asks everyone, "What's The Best Thing You Lost, And The Best Thing You Gained From Surviving The 2020 Global Pandemic" and helps a Circle of Trust member understand how to work with their partner to make the full-time freelance leap of faith, stay busy wile mending a broken heart, and a social experiment that went wrong. 

All Circle of Trust members are welcome to join the recording session every Tuesday to share the problems and solutions. Join today at the AID.network 

We kick off the summer season but first, look back at the global branding and marketing disaster that was the global pause demic and the projects that both Emir and Brickey launched over the forced downtime of last year. Emir shares how Procreate has helped him get back into being more of a traditional illustrator and how each of us has a unique set of tools that help us solve our creative problems.

To Hear Part Two Of Today's Episode And Our Archive Of 1350+ Podcast Episodes, Please Visit: https://aid.network/

Today In The Circle of Trust
The importance of routine and getting out of the office.
Emir hopes to grow the inspiration books from Garm Company.
Brickey shares how his design projects always started with research and a collage of ideas.
Do tattoo artists have the most challenging illustration job that exists?
The balance of creating side hustles and which way do the guys want their careers to grow.

Don't forget Growcase Big Book of Inspiration Special Edition LOGOS, EMBLEMS & CRESTS is available for download today at GarmCompany.com. Use the code AID to save 20%.

In today's episode, the guys' hang out and talk about how better marketing, branding, and, yes, design could have changed how America navigated the pandemic. We break down new artwork for Cliff Bar and discuss the music industry back for designers. Circle of Trust, make sure to listen to the end where the guys announce something fun coming only for members at AID.network.

Jeremy Slagle is skillful at graphic design, typography, branding, and illustration but what he may have over every other person in his career is communication with prospective clients. Today's conversation is about the conversation of getting new clients to understand your creative process. Even though Jeremy can hang with anyone on design skills, this is where he's clearly in the first place.

To Hear Part Two Of Today's Episode And Our Archive Of 1350+ Podcast Episodes, Please Visit: https://aid.network/

Balancing their art career, making fine art, prints, murals, working in the film industry, and now with the Family- Atlas and their wife adopted three kids in 2013 from LA - has its rewards and challenges. Atlas made life-altering moves over the last year, and even though your actions may not be as big as theirs, so much inspiration to be gained from someone who made the worst of times, the best possible way to make the rest of their life, the life they want to live.

To Hear Part Two Of Today's Episode And Our Archive Of 1350+ Podcast Episodes, Please Visit: https://aid.network/

Wayne Li is not only an first class designer and draftsman, but he’s an exceptional design thinker and today he shares with us the idea of problem framing. Wayne helps explain the fundamentals for successful commercial design and shares with us all how empathy is the new trend in design and how he hopes it’s here to stay.

Circle of Trust

Great design leadership, can it be taught? And exploring how the automotive industry has many examples of successful problem framing.

Our good friend Biggie of Good Fight Entertainment has decided to call it quits at 41 years young. Today's story is about setting your goals, crushing your expectations but then learning to listen to the voice inside your heart that tells you what matters the most.

Bad Design is podcast series with Dan Stiles and Mark Brickey focusing on where good ideas go wrong with bad design.

Today's Unlucky Topics:

• Tesla Yoke Steering Wheel
• De Branding
• Empathy In Design
• Face Masks
• NFTs
• Amazon Ap
• Pandemic Pre Tipping
• American Library 

For More Information About Today's Episode Please Visit: https://aid.network/

For More Information About Dan Stiles: https://www.danstiles.com/ 

Scott Henderson is an industrial designer located in DUMBO, Brooklyn, expressing innovative function, deeper meaning, and soul. Scott is considered one of the top industrial designers working in the U.S. today. 

To Hear Part Two Of Today's Episode And Our Archive Of 1350+ Podcast Episodes, Please Visit: https://aid.network/

Mark asks Mark Lewman after thirty-three years in the design and advertising industry how does he feel about the future of his profession and what can we all learn from his veteran insight. 

The DKNG duo is deep into NDA Land. Because of that journey, we enjoy a conversation between friends on how to appropriately Act As If and not in a way where you lie to everyone about how you feel, but in a way where you project your happiness to where you want to be. The gang also listens to a NEW Nirvana song that artificial intelligence wrote.

Today in the Circle of Trust, we discuss NDA Land and how DKNG sees the freelance market growing again after the 2020 off-year. To finish today's show, we discover a proven mathematical theory that predicted Covid 19 and where society is heading next.

Brian Slagel followed passion his entire life, and that passion was his love of Heavy Metal Music. Brian found Iron Maiden and then saw the path he would pursue the rest of his life. Enjoy an episode that celebrates following what you love and letting the rest of life fall into place.

Website: https://www.metalblade.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianslagel/

To hear the full version of today's episode become a member of the Circle of Trust: http://aid.network/

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

Sean Mort and Mark Brickey are not normal people, and this is not a normal review of a Disney+ Marvel series. So we brought on Charlie to help give Steve in Canada some real Marvel nerd shit.

Comment Below is a weekly pop culture podcast hosted by Mark Brickey and Sean Mort every Monday as a Circle of Trust exclusive series.

Attack Peter shares his path from punk rock to printmaking and makes a pit stop between them to pursue teaching. A fun conversation showcasing we may not always know where life's destination is taking us, but hard work and persistence often lead to success. Attack Peter nows finds himself creating relief prints for Mondo, Sideshow Collectables, and dropping his first toy for Mighty Jaxx. Peter has also landed the visual artist equivalent to a record deal through Skybound Entertainment.

Tommy Maddox-Upshaw ASC shares his journey that started assisting his older sister working on mid-nineties hip hip videos on the east coast to being a cinematographer on the west coast for FX's hit anti-hero drama Snowfall.

Jermaine Rogers is an artist and designer who first achieved wide notoriety in modern ‘rock art’, also known as ‘gigposter’ art, as well as serigraph and fine art production. His work is viewed as influential in the modern resurgence of the ‘gigposter’ art form, continuously crafting images that push boundaries, whether social, cultural, or aesthetic.

Today Jermaine shares his outlook on the social strife of 2020, how to manage the ups and downs of an art career and what it means to make your father proud. 

Visit https://aid.network/ for our archive of over 1300 podcast episodes.

To Celebrate GarmCompany.com New Intaglio Photoshop Engraving Effect Kit Emir Pulled This Adventures In Design Episode From The Circle of Trust Archives At AID.Network

Kendrick Kidd is such a nice and talented guy, we will do this again when we're not riding in cars and waiting for planes. Go Balls Deeep Today for a COT Surprise. I'm Loving It!

Ben and Miranda of Snake Oil Provisions join us to share how they made it out in 2020. They give us all the details of the NEW NASHVILLE LOCATION. Some PeePaw social media tips and for members of the Circle of Trust the benefits of using long-format videos to talk to your customers and the hiring and firing principles of SOP.

Snake Oil Provisions is a specialized menswear shop in Long Beach, California, and Nashville, Tennessee.

Aaron Sechrist returns for his final conversation in 2020 and shows up ready to chat it out. Cleveland is rebranding their baseball team, what we have learned socially this year and why The Rock remains the people's champion.

Dan Stiles is back to catch us all up with how he's been surviving 2020 and a big announcement for Dan and Adventures In Design's future.

Today’s Topics

Sector 9 x DKNG Artist Series Skateboards

Collaboration with Sector 9 - boards are available now on the sector 9 website while supplies last.

Almanac Beer Co. Fruit Cobbler in a Can

First time this beer has been packaged in cans.

L.A. Lakers NBA Champions Poster

DKNG was hired by the Lakers to create this poster - unfortunately Covid scrapped the plans for an in-stadium release.

Limited Edition VOTE! Enamel Pin

DKNG $2,500 for the ACLU from the sale of their Vote pins.

To support Adventures In Design and to hear every episode and every episode bonus content join the Circle of Trust at http://aid.network.

Mitch Putnam is a founding team member of Mondo and has help curate and create hundreds of posters by the world's best illustrators and designers.

Long-time Adventures In Design regular cohost Mitch Putnam returns to update the state of the design and entertainment industry. A heart to heart with cohost Mark Brickey displaying the friendship gets us to the good times but, most importantly, through the bad times.

Emir Ayouni returns with a brand new project called GARM (Graphic Artist Resource Merchant) and he’s here to share how he pulled off this project he had been dreaming about starting for years but it took the pause-demic to get him to finally bring it to life with his creative friends.

https://garmcompany.com/ Discount Code AID - 20% Off Site Wide

Illustrator painter Jason Edmiston joins us for a conversation about thriving professionally through the pandemic. And how that success can create guilt and discomfort in knowing you’re doing well when others are suffering. Host Mark Brickey tries to help Jason and the audience sort through how we can have empathy for others but yet still be entitled to some personal satisfaction. Another 2020 episode tackling professional and personal hurdles created living through a pandemic.

Designer, Illustrator & Typographer Lauren Griffin is having a breakout year in her young career. Lauren quickly has hit a stride that many dream of where the work is coming in faster than you can do it, and all the clients are requesting more work in your signature style. Listen to Lauren and Mark, break down how she found this stride, and the best way to keep this career going and growing.

Lincoln Design Co. HOW TO CREATE The Dew Tour Extreme Sports Branding Guide & Illustrations

Lincoln Design Co. joins Mark Brickey of Adventures In Design podcast to have another epic design conversation. Together, they break down the design tips and design tricks that create groundbreaking graphic design and illustrations.

Lincoln Design Co. shares details on the extreme sports campaign they created for The Dew Tour. Hear how Lincoln Design Co works with their clients to create the best work possible while managing their expectations. Not only do we break down tips on the design process but also successful methods for freelancers to manage their clients.

Talking Points You’ll Hear On Episode 244

- There’s more to learn from something you don’t understand.

- Letting the kid inside of you steer your career and receiving a present from your past self.

- Learning to be a good listener, to be a good speaker.

- Committing to a personal style.

- Posting photos of your cat online and letting down the walls of skulls an horror.

- Publishing a book of your work. 

In The Circle Of Trust (Paid Subscriber Content)

- The decision to create digital work.

- Fear of blogging and being rolled by the trolls versus being free to speak your mind on the podcast.

- Batman through the eyes of Godmachine.

- Not worrying about retiring when you hope to work till you die.

- No apologies for being successful. 

Sometimes you have to be willing to work twice as hard as the next person to get to where you want to go. Jon Contino has never been afraid of hard work, believing in his ideas or standing up for the little guy. This conversation is the perfect episode for anyone working on their self-confidence as a creative, and it's scary to be in first place, but you have to take that chance that puts you in the lead.

Benny Gold has been an inspiration to designers and the design community for over a decade. It was an honor to spend three days inside the mind of Benny. What was it like the day he announced shutting down his streetwear brand, what was it like the day after he closed the doors and how did that first day of his new career in the advertising agency feel? A great episode for anyone being tried by 2020 that feels they may have a big decision on the way.

Catch Mark live streaming on Twitch every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 AM-12 PM. Let me Mark, and fellow streamers keep you company during the workday. https://www.twitch.tv/AIDnetwork

For more information about today's episode visit: http://www.aid.network

Old Friends Come Home Week on Adventures In Design brings back old friends to the show we haven't heard from for a while. Derrick Castle has been a reoccurring character on AID for 20 episodes over the last five years. But we haven't heard from him since July of 2018. What has had our hillbilly buddy too busy for his friends in the Circle of Trust?

Derrick shares his professional struggles with his day job at an in-house design agency and explains how that has affected his spirit and damaged his freelance productivity. In the Circle of Trust, Castle explains the details on two freelance projects that he couldn't afford to say no to, and Mark seeks advice from his old friend.

FOR MORE INFO VISIT: AID.NETWORK

Alex Pardee brings by his friend Rocom of RocomToys.com to announce their Halloween Treat FutureMeToy.com!

Win a free Future Me Toy by sharing any episode from Creep Week using the #cottilldeath

To hear part two of today's episode please become a member of the Circle of Trust at https://aid.network/ 

Creep Week 2019 is the 6th annual Halloween podcast festival on Adventures In Design. To listen to previous episodes become a member of the Circle of Trust and unlock the Creep Week Archives: https://aid.network/creep

The third installment of LIVE AID shows brings us back to Chicago at Schubas. Where a near sold out studio audience was treated to the rowdiest, raunchiest and most sincere podcast yet to be recorded LIVE by Adventures In Design. This episode truly is an ADVENTURE for the ears with the best interview of the year by Lanland, a honest and funny chit chat with the Letterform and interesting behind the scenes look at Renegade Craft Fair through the words of co-owner Mat Daly. The show kicks off with some very rowdy nonsense by Mark & Billy and bookends nicely with a very heartfelt Shop Talk featuring James Flames, where for a minute you forget that the boys are sitting on a stage, in a very crowded room, because quite honestly it starts to sound like three great friends discussing their careers along with hopes and dreams for the new year. Sit back in enjoy the BEST episode yet of Adventures In Design! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays To All! 

For More About This Episode Visit AIDpodcast.com

Mark McDevitt and Robert Lee of Methane Studios stop by for a inspiring interview and fun shop talk. For two guys that are known to be the funniest guys in design world we get them to actually get deep before they give us some of the best punchlines in the industry. Mark, Billy and James share a bucket of popcorn, have on air staff meeting and decide the fate of Adventures In Design’s future. In this podcasting choose your own adventure, what Adventure In Design will you choose? 

Ohio born Graham Erwin joins the Circle of Trust for a interview like no other Adventures In Design has hosted yet. Join Graham while he's cross examined by Mark, Billy and James. Also on this episode Adventures In Design goes to war with a rival gang, the boys debate big payday versus big opportunity and play who has too much paper.

Summer insanity has reached and all time high on our schedules, so this week we're recording AID43 live on YouTube for anyone to watch and to participate along with. Mark, Billy, James and very special guest Sean Mort will do a show where we take listener questions live on air with us and let the audience vote in real time who wins the "wit off" between Billy & Sean.

(This podcast can be watched in it's entirety on demand via our YouTube channel)

On episode 42 our first ever art gallery owner Gary Booth of the Phone Booth Gallery stops by to talk about successfully opening up a gallery, doing mobile shows and discusses the overall business model of art galleries. In a friendly exchange Mark brings up all of the negative things he’s ever had to say about art galleries and Gary offers back some similar views, but also a couple of new perspectives on artists and galleries working together. Dan Kuhlken of DKNG stops by Shop Talk, where the guys talk about time management, hidden traps in flash sales and always striving to make Pinkerton.

Hear the episode described by founder Billy Baumann as the most important 30 minutes in the entire history of Adventures In Design. Illustrator Jeral Tidwell, also known as Human Tree, stops by and tells the gang about the fine art of copyrighting your own artwork and how doing this properly has resulted in six figure pay days. That’s right I said six figures. All of this legal advice and so much more is waiting for you on this Adventure In Design. 

Design legend Charles S. Anderson founder of CSA Images stops by and talks about his love of collecting the collectors, space pod monkeys and how the industry has changed over the last 40 years. Old friend and AID alumni Dan Stiles sits in for a informative Shop Talk that focuses on cease and desist letters, knowing your value in negotiating, plus advice on the career long dilemma of budgeting your time. All of this and so much more is waiting for you on episode 40 of Adventures In Design.

Classic AID is back on the podcasting airwaves featuring old favorites like “Hire, Fire or Retire”, “Dog Stories” and the instant classic “Billy Time”. Plus the filmmakers Faythe Levine & Sam Macon stop by to talk to the Circle of Trust about their new documentary “Sign Painters”. This episode was made possible by Jakprints.com.

Adventures In Design sails the high seas of Austin, Texas during the 2014 media gathering known as SXSW. This episode features a wide range of AID’s friends, as well as one on one recorded phone calls to wrap up all of the good times of this year’s annual migration to the countries largest festival. This episode was sponsored by jakprints.com.

The Adventures In Design saga continues with part II of our trilogy with an episode dedicated to the other end of the independent printmaking world during our visit to Austin’s SXSW media festival the collectable limited edition sensation known as Mondo. Listen as we document the fanatic world of poster collecting through the eyes and hearts of the artists, the company and the passionate fans.

AID37 Cast & Credits

Special Thanks - To all of our friends at Flatstock that allowed us to record their thoughts and good times.

Hero Design Studio - Mark Brickey;  hosting, editing and packaging the show.

Delicious Design League - Billy Baumann; co-hosting and graphics.

James Flames - James Flames; on air producer, mastering and mixing the episode.

Jakprints - The official official printer of The Circle of Trust. Use our coupon code and save today.

Printed-Matters - Andy Rench for creating this website.

Mondo - Thanks for helping us capture their bizarre world with a private gallery viewing and for setting up interviews.

Expresso Beans - Stop by and check out the world of print collecting.

OMG Posters - Mitch Putnam for his time, helping setup this episode and over all support of AID.

Martin Ansin - Our favorite illustrator / graphic designer from South America.

Kevin Tong - A Poster Man and regular friend to the show.

Soundtrack  - Is available on Spotify.

Epiosde I of the Podumentary Triolgy is string of random converstaions and recordings on March 13-14, 2014. Showcasing the fun of Frienship and Flatstock. Where as the epiosde may be light on industry insight, it's heavy on good times. Pull out your latest project, put the headphones on and let the friends of Adventures In Design keep you company for the next two plus hours.

This low-fi episode will be available for a limited time only. We hope you enjoy this temporary format while our new recording studio is being built.

The second Christmas installment of Adventures In Design brings us sentimental Christmas stories of the past, Mark's top 5 poster designers of 2013 and the story of Christmas as read by British designer Sean Mort. Enjoy this soon to be holiday classic with someone you love! 

Billy Baumann has disappeared and the boys from DKNG stop by to help James Flames and Mark "Hollywood" Brickey deal with the grief of not being able to find their lovable little mascot. So all aboard the Billy Train for the thirty third voyage of Adventures In Design… Just don't let Mr Kuhlken drive and we'll all make it to the next episode.

It's time to give thanks during our 32^nd episode of Adventures in Design, “Gleaming The Cubism".  We've whipped up a delectable episode for your eardrums to feast upon this Thanksgiving.  James, Billy, and Mark share what they are thankful for this year, making everyone feel good from top to bottom. 

Mark gets nostalgic over missing out on Dairy Queen Blizzards this year, and he reveals that he has an ongoing issue with sprinkles.  (It's a lifestyle choice, really.) He can, however, get into the sport of arguing.  James and Billy try to convince Mark that it's okay to watch TV show previews, but he's just not that interested in what they have to say.  Rather, our outspoken host bluntly reveals his stance on bullying, and how it helped shape him into becoming the World's Best Podcaster as he is known today.

Our guest is the prolific artist known for his legendary body of skateboard graphics, Don Pendleton.  Don began skateboarding in the mid eighties at the age of 14, and has been a part of skateboarding culture for over 20 years, 15 of which have been dedicated to producing skateboard art.  Mark and Don talk about the culture of action sports and the connection between art and skateboarding.  The Do-It-Yourself approach was a homemade outlet for creativity, offering up fresh opportunities to develop new tricks, to make music in bands, and more.

As you prepare to gather around your family this Thanksgiving, pull up a chair next to your uncle Buck, put on your headphones, and share your holiday with us instead.  Our shop talk will get you into the spirit of Thanksgiving as Mark tells a story about committing food adultery. And as many of you get a few days off work, the work for us hardly ever ends.  James discusses what its like working on the weekends, and how there's solidarity in numbers.  Plus, we've got a grand announcement at the end of the show that you won't wanna miss!  May the future be with you...

AID 31 is so full of industry insiders and design related discussions, it's nearly overwhelming, but before we dive in, Mark shares with us his relationship issues with Monday Night Football. Billy reveals his great idea for a new and improved team name for St. Louis, including his perspectives on  crappy logo designs.  One thing we know for certain, whoever dresses up as Tom Brady this Halloween is getting slapped in the face.  Billy tells a spooky story filled with death and mystery to get us into the spirit, while James plans to become a neighborhood favorite for trick-or-treaters, giving away full-sized candy bars this year.

Everyone's excited for our extensive interview with the one and only Daniel Danger.  He reveals his “Sting Method” for maintaining stamina while creating his signature, heavily-illustrated prints.  We talk limited editions, timed-editions, dropping out of school, Cowboys and Aliens, and we don't stop there. Just what makes Daniel so Dangerous, anyway?  We're bringing you a colossal, 31^st episode of Adventures in Design,  loaded with design and illustration info and a man-sized appetite for full-sized Snickers.  

AID XXX is cumming your way!  This is our filthiest, raunchiest episode yet.  We talk about jerkin' it, discuss porn preferences, and visualize those wide-angle money-shots in our thirtieth episode of Adventures in Design.  This invasive and provocatively bold episode is like none like we've ever had before.  We promise that it will get your creative juices flowing (though, we make no apologies for any other juices). Billy shares his experiences with accidental porn at work, and we discover Mark's pavlovian reaction to sexually explicit materials.  Is James Flames wearing pants?  (We'll never tell.) 


From across the pond, we are so pleased to welcome our friend, Matt Taylor, feather hat and all.  We talk design, clients, and the WWF. (You know, wrestling. The real stuff. Not some animal bullshit.)
We're so excited to be back in the studio that we just don't want this episode to ever end.  The musk is seeping through the airwaves. Join us for an extended listen of our “dirty thirty” episode.   Have your tissues on standby, AID XXX is going to blow you...away. 


Are you hungry for design? Mark “Babyface” Brickey has a cobra-like appetite for countin' burgers and estimating dead cats in our 29^th, succulent episode of Adventures in Design. Join us as our three favorite “Big Cheeseburgers”, Mark, Billy, and James, get a hearty education in the arts at Minot State University.  Discover Mark's love/hate relationship with poetry, find out what you can learn from the elegant piece of cinema known as 8 Mile, and encounter travel lessons regarding the proper use of double beds in your hotel room.  We'll be web-slingin' from topic to topic, from the Death Star to Jurassic Park.  Plus, great music is woven throughout this lively episode by local, Folk/Americana band, Wild Hands.

We've gotta admit, North Dakota has some of the nicest people in the real, 48 states, but where are all the fucking buildings here?  Is it just us, or is there such a thing as too much space?  I'm afraid we're experiencing early symptoms of 'Spaceophobia'.  The only cure?  Surrounding our artsy-fartsy, city hearts with some truly, down-home guests for a casual chat about design culture here in the “Magic City”.

We begin with Bill Harbort and Laurie Geller, co-founders and “Fathers” of Notstock, an entertaining, multi-day, arts event hosted by Minot State University.  Laurie discusses the mission of Notstock and how area schools and the community are becoming engaged in the arts, while we ask Bill to talk with us about his passion for American muscle cars and the direct influence these majestic pieces of machinery have on his work.

Next, Dan Sharbono and Alyssa Weyrauch Sharbono, creative team of 62 Doors Gallery and Studios discuss the adaptability of artists, how environmental setbacks and the growing oil industry are swiftly shaping the landscape for artists seeking space in Minot, and more.  

Shop Talk is bigger and better than ever, jam-packed with essential design resources. The boys unlock the secrets behind Delicious Design League's registration process and add expert advice on film placement when burning your screens.  The boys keep you informed about issues developing in the printmaking arena as the process gain popularity in the craft fair circuit. Billy gives James art direction on his horrible, gig poster concepts, and finally, we welcome our friend Takuma to the couch to discuss Japanese culture and refrigerators with us.  Join us for maniacal laughs down at the student union, The Beaverchomp, the almost certainly fictional name for what we imagine colleges like name these sorts of things, for an indispensable 29th edition of Adventures in Design. 

We're coming at you Live from the Weapons of Mass Creation Fest in Cleveland as your host, Mark Brickey takes the wheel in this inspirational, 28^th episode of Adventures in Design.  Jason Teegarden-Downs, Adam Garcia, and Jeff Finley join us for a chat about their humble beginnings, and the boys discuss the advantages/disadvantages of wooden versus metal silkscreen frames, vacuum suction, and dull squeegees.  Mark participates in a mini Spelling Bee, and the crowd goes crazy when he brings out the clippers. James talks about the happiness he finds through the success of others, and Billy addresses a key flaw in the 'living each day like it's your last' mentality.  There's singing. There's hair.  And we don't care.  Join us for another exciting episode of Adventures in Design. 

Adventures in Design goes off the rails as the boys prepare for their journey to the Weapons of Mass Creation Fest in Cleveland.  No subject is too off-topic.  The boys talk food, from chicken sandwiches to Pop Tarts, and everyone learns an important lesson about washing your mustache after a fresh fish taco.  Stay tuned for an exciting announcement regarding the Billy Bowl, learn successful business strategies for designers, including an authentic look at how important attachment is to your original key imagery.  We say “yes” to having too much fun.  All this and more on the Road to WMCFest, AID Episode 27.

Adventures In Design returns to Chicago for the 3rd live recording in the city that would probably be considered the home for AID. This time around broadcasting from a very warm and sweaty Galerie F on the eve of Flatstock 40, Pitchfork Music Festival and the galley's opening for their one year anniversary show featuring all European poster artists making prints inspired by the works of British novelist Roald Dahl. As self appointed ambassadors of freedom, the AID crew welcomes on the show UK poster designer illustrator Sean Mort, Galerie F owner Zissou Tasseff-Elenkoff and Chicago poster legend Dan MacAdam of Crosshair. A fun rowdy adventure pleasurable for adult children of all ages. 

Just a year and half ago, the first episode of Adventures in Design was released. One of the first things ever heard on the show was "Worst Podcast Ever". Fast forward to today and the show starts of boasting "World's Greatest Design Podcast", but don't worry soon there after the conversation shifts to being the best at podcasting is close to being useless (even while celebrating great success the boys can still keep it humble). Switching over to their famous random chit chat the guys all marvel at how manly Billy is for building a staircase on the back of his house, Mark talks about accidentally stumbling into a Sea Festival, talking to podcast listeners in the wild, what they each look for in picking a guests for the show and of course they guys all rally around the future fun of their August appearance in Cleveland for Weapons of Mass Creation. 

Illustrator Tom Whalen stops by the show to let everyone know that his career is just as fun as it seems on French paper. Tom goes into his origin story and explains how stumbled upon his minimalistic design style while in art school. Mark explains to Tom that Steamboat Willy was the first ever Mickey Mouse cartoon as the team discusses Southern California's love for Disneyland and they all talk about the scene at comic shows. A good discussion breaks out on is taking the higher moral road the best way to "kickstart" a career or do short cuts pay off professionally. 

During the world famous Shop Talk segment the topics range from the rich getting richer, is Obey a cool brand or not, taking your eye off the career ball and losing momentum quickly, Mark offers relationship advice and where to go to meet women when you're a designer, the ongoing discussion of timed edition prints and collect ability, a open hate session on Will Smith, the pleasure in making customers happy versus clients, Eagles football, how to explain pricing models to your clients, always asking for a deposit upfront, how getting paid upfront sucks for motivation and lastly a nice thank you to everyone for helping the show reach 100,000 downloads! All of this and a couple of surprises are awaiting you on your next Adventure In Design. 

Episode 24 starts of with a big announcement that will change the sound of the show, for the first time EVER we find our Adventure In Design starting of with not just 2 voices but 3, that's right the  announcement that James Flames will be joining the show as a full time on air personality/producer. This is great news for all the Team James Flames people out there in podcast land. Not only do the boys introduce a new full time me member to the show but they also introduce a new design game that will certainly sweep the design community by storm Hire, Retire & Fire. Watch your ass could you easily be the next person to get fired by the maniacs at Adventures in Design. Speaking of getting hired, the guys talk about their upcoming live shows at Gallery F in Chicago this July and their headlining appearance in August at Weapons of Mass Creation Festival in Cleveland, Ohio. You can hear the excitement building as the AID summer tour season is quickly approaching, make sure you check out one of this summer's LIVE show recordings or invite the podcast to come out to your city for a design experience like none other on planet earth. If you really want a unique listener experience you can always go out to eat with Mark, in episode 24 Billy and James talk about some of their favorite times out on the road breaking bread and coeds with Mark. However, sharing a dinner out on the town isn't the only way to enjoy some time with Mr. Brickey, you can always instead just ask him to spell words for you, which can be hours on entertainment. Lastly, what wouldn't an episode of the show be without some good ol fashioned complaining about shitty Kickstarter campaigns.

Next up Dan Ibarra, from Aesthetic Apparatus, makes his third appearance on the show to introduce the Circle of Trust to Schoolha.us the new group-mentorship program by AA. Dan quickly informs everyone to the new way of thinking going on over at camp AA and Dan also defines that 3 or more people are needed to have a crew. Explaining what they feel is wrong with the current design education process Dan gives a glimpse into the different methods of learning and team building that they hope to create with Schoolha.us. Having a goal and wanting to learn is the key dynamic to being a successful part of the Schoolha.us program, simply put you learn what you want to learn and when you feel you're done, you're done… No more "force feeding" style of studio education. Learn more by visiting their new website here: http://schoolha.us As with all things Adventures In Design, eventually the guys debate on the long term effects that Schoolha.us may have on Aesthetic Apparatus. So even if you're a well seasoned pro, you can hopefully relate to the delicate balance of being selfless/selfish with your career, doing what you love and what you have to do, to make a honest living. 

Keeping with the educational theme of Schoolha.us during Shop Talk the crew all discuss what they do and don't want to see in student portfolios and their expectations in conversation during the interview process. Moving over to their own work, more specifically showing new work to clients, the guys all discuss managing early client expectations and trying to not let folks leap to ridiculous conclusions on early rounds of work. Also, a lengthy discussion occurs when Mark shares his frustration with clients simply changing their minds and really the scope of projects in the middle of a ongoing job and how this can really effect the designer's bottom line if they don't take up for themselves. Comparing clients to 3 year olds, double taking your way out of jam and standing up for good design are just a few of the bullet points in possibly the longest ever AID discussion on dealing with those that hire you to do what you do… and to hopefully do it well.

Every now and again the show even talks about the art of design… Billy initiates a very interesting conversation on a recent Man of Steel poster curated by Mondo. Everyone takes a turn talking about designer influence and paying tribute while still leaving your own fingerprints on your work. See attached graphic below to visually see the conversation about his print and it's rich history and ever richer future. 

Episode 23 gets to the point pretty damn fast, the episode is all about the interview with Australian illustrator designer Ken Taylor. Ken is known for having a strong body of poster work for the movie, music and art gallery world. He's a regular listener to the show, and president of the Australian Circle of Trust, making him fit right into the conversation with Mark and Billy. Over the span of a 100 minutes the boys cover: How Ken Taylor got his start in Australia and eventually became a well known name in the US poster scene, debate the difference between designing music, movie and art posters, Ken talks about his process and getting lost in the details while working, the amount of time he spends making these pieces, properly pricing jobs, negotiating with clients and Ken even talks about buying and trading posters at Flatstock in Austin, Texas and lastly what posters he has hanging on his own walls at home.

British designer/animator Fraser Davidson swings by the show to talk about how "magic" makes the budget go up and his exploration of love for sports design and branding. James Flames joins the boys in Shop Talk where Mark puts Billy and James against one another to take on rounds of betting on the Info Graphic of Trust, a listener survey conducted earlier this year by Tom Booth. All of this and more is waiting for you on the 22nd voyage of the Adventures In Design rocket ship!!

Mark & Billy are back from their personal hiatus and have a lot to catch up on! Joined in the studio with Brooklyn based pals Doug & Jason from Morning Breath, the gang cruises through the history of Think Skateboards, how Thrasher Magazine owns everything and try to figure out why LL Cool J doesn't have a Chapstick endorsement? Album cover art, hating contracts, working to pay the bills, hat lessons, healthy girls and so many more topics are waiting for you on Episode 21 of Adventures In Design!! 

Episode 20 "A Tale of Two Brickeys"  - Recorded in two parts. Act one of Mark and Billy's latest adventure was recorded on the eve of Mark's cross country flight to find a new home in Southern California. The show starts with a lengthy, super late, Super Bowl commercial critique where Mark & Billy rate their favorite billion dollars ads and then rant on all those that they hated during America's largest annual Television event. The show then takes a turn where Mark shed's insight into his nervousness and fears for what lies ahead for him the next day. On the eve of a life long dream, to relocate to the Los Angeles area, Mark looks to Billy for insight into Billy's move to Chicago. In one of the more genuine segments of the show's history, Adventures In Design starts to sound much more like two great friends talking on the phone, rather than a recorded podcast for the public. 

Act two was recorded one week later where we find out the results of Mark's cross country dreams and find our host in a very different state of mind than we did in act one. Due to a couple of technical problems we find Mark and Billy joined by a surprise guest, non other than James Flames. The known AID trio sits back and have their usual Shop Talk rants and raves where they discuss being interviewed for books, finding an agent, managing supply and demand and whatever else pops into their heads. All while being joined by a very special guest, the talented Dan Kuhklen of DKNG Studios. 

Recorded in 5 different cities and edited while flying from coast to coast, the newest Adventure In Design is indeed the tale of two sides of the human mind… The fear of failure and the celebration of succeeding. If you have ever been scared to relocate for your path in life, may this episode be your companion. 

The 19th adventure takes off with Mark broadcasting "live" from his in-laws fiery warm basement in Cheektowaga, NY. Now that Mark is officially homeless, and has nothing but time on his hands, during a 4 month break from design, he and Billy catch up on what they have both been doing since we last found them at the end of November 2012. They also talk about the victory in launching their new show website AIDpodcast.com and how getting that project off of the ground has been a blessing. While discussing Mark's upcoming cross country road trip Billy comes up with the genius idea that they should gather design questions for Mark to ask of strangers along the way from New York  to California. After a heated discussion of standardized goalie masks in the NHL the boys need to cool their jets and take a music break before getting a James Flames hosted shop talk going. In the midst of the audio break, due to not currently having a phone line, Mark shares a classic telemarketer call where a accidental wrong number leads to one memorable email address. The call was made in 2003 long before Adventures In Design had hit the airwaves or Hero had ever even printed their first poster.

James Flames joins the show for his fourth show appearance and third time sitting in on Shop Talk. Out of the gate Mark complains about how shitty CG cartoons are these days, Billy offers some contemporary children's cartoons worthy of checking out and then the whole gang reminisces on watching TV after school back in the day. The gang also tries to figure out the exact label for what it is they all do for a living, which for the fist time in show history, leaves everyone speechless. Even though no one seems to know the exact label the guys share a discussion on how almost everyone's New Year's Design Resolutions where hitting the same themes, the boys debate whether one can ever truly have a proper life balance while owning their own business. Mark and Billy confess their South By Southwest secrets to James and he's not happy with what he hears. 

In a interactive media loop, the podcast comments on recent blog drama that has taken place on their website AIDpodcast.com where Calm The Ham and couple of internet tumbleweeds get called out in the discussion. Joking about their new self proclaimed stance as the "TMZ" or "60 Minutes" of the poster world, the discussion goes deep into exploring why some people may choose to be "inspired by" and why others just get greedy, and can't seem to exist in the gray areas of the law. In a weird twist of commentary Mark and Billy debate what their level of customer service should be to those that stop by the website or listen to the show. Then in a moment of loosing his mind Mark decides that designers should start sticking together in the same way that cops do! All of this and more is awaiting you through the brotherhood of design known as Adventures In Design Episode 19. 

Episode No.17 finds our Hero, Mark, being held hostage in a warehouse located in Philadelphia, PA where a squeegee biker gang called The Awesome Dudes have taken him and local shop owner Shawn Hileman as their prisoners. Can Billy use the power of the internet to disarm the threat before it reaches EPIC levels? Along with the help of Kevin Mercer, Billy races against time to free Mark from the Awesome Dudes deadly grip and save the Masthead Gallery.

Episode 16 finds Mark & Billy live in the great state of West Virginia where they attempt to entertain the WVU printmaking department in Morgantown. AID flips the script on episode 16 by having Mark & Billy sit on the hot seat as they're interviewed by the printmaking students at WVU. 

Mark and Billy triumphantly return live on stage from Schubas in Chicago. Joined by an all-star cast of Illustrator and poster design friends: Jay Ryan and Little Friends of Printmaking, as well as multimedia artist Shawn Smith of Shawnimals. As the guys navigate their way through their first live podcast you'll hear rousing tales of frustration and inspiration from the front lines of the design world, an audience participated Shop talk Q&A session, and the most unexpected few rounds of "The Newlywed Game" ever played. All this, and everything in between on this LIVE episode of Adventures in Design.  

“The Hum of Hate”…If shitting out nuggets of wisdom we’re a paid gig, Mark and Billy would be living the good life out in Beverly Hills with Will Smith and the guy who played Balki Bartakamous on Perfect Strangers.  Welcome back faithful listeners to adventure no.14 a.k.a. The Hum of Hate…Truer words have never been spoken about design, and about life really. But like they do every episode, the guys set out to examine the details surrounding this sentiment. 

At the top of the show we are treated to some select stories about Billy’s rapidly approaching wedding (congrats Billy, by the way), and Mark goes off on a rant about his contempt for those who wish to reduce the mustache to a mere novelty. While most men with handlebar mustaches look like they should be engaged in almost constant conversation about kazoos, I must side with Mark on this one (Mark was in my wedding and one of three handlebar mustachioed men including myself). Next up is a rousing edition of “Mark fucks with Telemarketers” in where a very willing salesman seems way too aroused at the prospect of being drawn by an “artist” over the phone. On to my favorite part of the show Shop Talk, this is where bullshit artists like me get the real scoop on what’s goes on in the world of graphic design. Joining the guys this week is none other than the inimitable Dan Ibarra of Aesthetic Apparatus. Fresh off a new Typeface release and knee deep in the middle of creating a line of gift-able items called “Haute Crap”, Dan helps weigh in on a few key issues. The guys answer some listener questions about the economy of using a 3^rd party printer from the standpoint of the struggling designer, and Dan makes some great points about the value of the passion that is required in order to have a successful business----that and making sure you don’t squander all your profits on cocaine. Things start to heat up when Billy reveals just how much he judges other poster artist’s ability…errrr…umm, inability to properly screen-print, causing what is sure to be an instant loss in newbie poster artist listenership. Bringing the topic back into the realm of Simplify vs. Detailed, the guys compare the work of two prominent poster artists, Jason Munn and Aaron Horkey. Through this debate, we are reminded of the benefits of both schools of design thought to the point where both artists’ work can be equally appreciated. Finally, the guys discuss the economy and the ethics of submitting your work to a Gallery show, is it worth your time and effort as an artist? Fuck if I know, I just write the copy. 

Don’t forget that the live show is September 26^th, 2012. If you are in the Chicago area and can make it out, your participation would be much appreciated. Ticket sales and other info after the jump. Adios for now.

Featuring famed poster designer & illustrator Kevin Tong. Mark & Billy try to get into Kevin's well protected ego to see if he thinks of himself as a success in the art scene. The boys pick their favorite ways to die, as well a shop talk that looks deeply into the fear of failure, projecting success but keeping it real at the same time and lastly a detailed suggestion of pricing out that next non prof gig that you get asked to do. All this and more awaits you on the this episode Adventures In Design.

Mark & Billy reveal who their first sponsor is. The second installment  of guys only. The boys reminisce about the old days of professional wrestling, not being able to sing and being open minded on partying with people that are different than you.  No interview on this episode just a mega long Shop Talk, with the first ever sit in guest, the talented James Flames. This episode of Shop Talk covers design topics like carpal tunnel syndrome, "inspired by" art prints and art shows.

Episode 11 kicks off with the normal nonsense that has started to define the start of the show… The design podcast that takes at least 10-15 minutes before they actually even start talking about design. In the chitter chatter of non design related topics you'll hear about rescuing dogs and the first ever guy's only segment featuring "Uncle Brickey's Recipe For Perfect Summer Balls". This time around the Circle of Trust goes north of the border to Montreal, Quebec to interview Raymond Biesinger a international man of editorial illustration. Raymond, a regular listener of the show, fits in well as the third wheel and openly talks about how he got into making editorial illustration his main design discipline and at times being the in the sweet spot of turning down 2-3 jobs for every one job that he agrees to. Raymond also shines a little light on to getting clients to "Auction for your time" and about how important it is for him to make sure that his client projects provide enough finical security so that he can afford to get involved in his own passion projects that normally have little to no money attached to them. A great honest and modest interview that intelligently explains the difference between illustration and design careers, his love of history and 101 things you probably didn't know about Canada. During the world famous "shop talk" segment, the show covers the topics of how the creative process works for Mark & Billy individually, advice on when to price a project and how to react to unsettling feedback from your clients. Plus, where to sell your prints online, thoughts on the poster collector website Expresso Beans, advice on picking a good art festival, all of these topics and many more are waiting for you on this episode of Adventures In Design.

A I D E-XTREME! The most E-XTREME Adventures In Design yet!!! Mark & Billy, as always, go over a wide range of non-design related topics, but somehow find themselves ranting and raging on how they may have picked the worst industry in the world to be a part of. The boys are joined in the studio by long time friend John Solimine from Spike Press. John is a Brooklyn-based designer who recently just finished his first iOS app titled Dragon Brush. The interview that follows is a very honest and realistic depiction of what it takes for illustrators to create long-term projects with little to no money attached, thus creating a true labor of love.

Mark and Billy are back with their ninth episode and this time around they have Mitch Putnam & Rob Jones in the studio with them. Mitch Putnam run's the popular poster blog omgposters.com and Rob Jones is a Grammy winning, seasoned poster veteran who is probably most known for his ongoing working relationship with Jack White and all of Jack's musical projects. Mitch & Rob are also 2/3 of the poster powerhouse Mondo, the company that releases some of the finest posters in our art movement. Mondo acts as the middle man between big movie studios and amazing DIY illustrator /designers around the globe. With these four highway men in the studio together, the conversation covers the past, present, and future of poster making, as well as what goes into creating original artwork for various medias, like movies, bands, etc. Aside from this fascinating look into one of the biggest names in today's poster world, episode 9 as always, covers a wide range of design, business and personal topics that Mark and Billy have encountered since the last time they sat down to have this conversation with you.

Episode No.8 covers, as always, a wide spectrum of topics ranging from Billy's new-found love of public transit and Mark's new-found love of Southern California. The Adventures In Design boys discuss 5 brands that make magic, debate the differences between freelance & agency work, give advice on getting started at the local level in the gig poster world, the first ever on air art critique of poster designer Lance Lester and talk about making a contract out of your mistakes. All of this and more on Episode No.8 of Adventures In Design is waiting for you on your favorite podcasting device!

Mark & Billy are joined by illustrator James Flames, Allison Glancey and Craig Seder known as Strawberryluna and Mike King from Crash America. Portions were recorded during Flatstock at SXSW in Austin, Texas. This is a podcast about the people who have let good design and bad dreams destroy their lives. Enjoy!!! 

Designer Mark Brickey, member of Hero Design Studio, meets Delicious Design League's Billy Baumann when he asks him to be his podcast cohost for five minutes. Along the way they learn about Print Mafia, John Vogl of The Bungaloo, life, death and they even learn something about themselves. It's a cross country road trip they'll never forget! Filmed on location during SXSW (South By Southwest) in Austin, Texas.

Three best friends Mark, Billy and Dan Stiles hatch a plan to stay connected with one another as their lives start off in different directions: they pass around a secondhand poster that fits each of their design styles perfectly.

Mark and Billy make a new friend Aaron Draplin and he teaches them the true meaning of snowboarding… antics ensue. 

Mark's feeling down about the lack of podcasting popularity, Billy tries to cheer him up by inviting Dan & Michael from Aesthetic Apparatus to join them on a skiing trip... antics ensue.

Mark & Billy get invited into the Sonnenzimmer with their new friends Nick & Nadine... Somehow Billy gets locked out, antics ensue.

"Pilot" Mark and Billy stumble upon the idea of making a podcast about design... only to find out that they're not very good at it.