Graphic Support Group Podcast

• Ep. 45 - Different logics, slaying dragons and the Modernist Project w/ Nontsikelelo Mutiti

  We’re back with another episode of Graphic Support Group and we’re filled with joy to share this one. Our guest Nontsikelelo Mutiti “is a Zimbabwean born designer, visual artist, and educator whose conceptual approach to design spans the mediums of print, moving-image, web design, fine art, and community engagement.” That introduction doesn’t even begin to capture the breadth of wisdom that Nontsi shared with us. As the spring semester came to an end this past May (she is the current Chair of Director of Graduate Studies in Graphic Design at Yale University) the multidisciplinary designer spent a gracious couple of hours with us. Her words moved us through the many worlds and spaces she occupies in her life. The conversation helped Drew and I to re-think some ideas about Modernism, community and representation that admittedly had us in knots over the years. Sometimes the complexity of the world has a simpler, more honest solution. We’re so happy to share this generous episode and hope it’ll bring some joy to the beginning of the fall. We hope you all will find some joy in the episode and maybe consider becoming a dragon slayer.We R Here 4 U. Get full access to Graphic Support Group Podcast at graphicsupportgroup.substack.com/subscribe

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• Ep. 44 - Unhinged precision, respectful relationships and boundless roots w/ PORTO ROCHA

  The work of branding and strategy agency PORTO ROCHA needs little introduction. Founded by Leo Porto and Felipe Rocha after meeting and collaborating together in New York City, the studio has quickly grown and set a high standard for quality work. Drew and I have long wanted to have them on the podcast, but for many reasons we were hesitant to reach out. Even after being linked in the agency’s fantastic “annual report” Design Threads, we were still too shy to approach Leo and Felipe. But finally, this past spring, we sent an email and were honored to have them on as guests.The two designers have managed to balance many parts of their lives and selves through their partnership. They were candid about the struggles, but spoke with a frank optimism about striving forward and respecting resources. We really appreciated their honesty, care and general openness about their experience. A lot of wisdom was shared, along with some tough questions about competition and perceptions that come with growing a business and studio culture. It was especially touching to hear about a recent project they completed for the Kunsthalle Basel in Switzerland. For Leo, Felipe and the PORTO ROCHA team it was a beautiful full-circle project. As to why it was, you’ll just have to listen to the episode.As always, thanks for listening.We R here 4 U. Get full access to Graphic Support Group Podcast at graphicsupportgroup.substack.com/subscribe

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• Ep. 43 - self starting, accepting failures and choosing gratitude w/ Able Parris

  Warning: this episode speaks about autism and mental health. We remind listeners that the Graphic Support Group hosts are not medical professionals. Please listen with care and understanding.I met Able during my junior year as a passionate and painfully green design student. What I remember was that he was a tall, older guy who was simultaneously disarming for his height and earnestness. For a chronically detached art student, it was a breath of fresh air that I didn’t know how to take in. Him and I only attended school together for one semester, but he’s taken that education and gone very, very far. He’s currently a Group Creative Director at Thought Matter in New York and previously worked at Noom, been a Creative Director at Deustch NY and LA, member of the AIGA NY board and taught at SVA. Over the years, Able and I have been in sporadic touch through past projects and social media. From a afar, he’s defined persistence for me and I’m so glad we got to spend some time together on the podcast. Able bares all about the many obstacles he’s overcome including a life threatening illness, financial precarity and mental health struggles. Through it all he’s remained hopeful and grateful to be who he is. Able is a truly creative human being and I’m very fortunate to know him. I hope that his story can be of support for anyone. For me, it was yet another reminder of how much good there can be in the work we do and to not be tied up in the implications we can’t always control. Check out some of the projects he’s mentioned in the episode: his music as Kamuter, his partner Julia Parris’ creative studio Analog is Heavy, his own work at WTF Studio and some of his collage works. Choose gratitude friends. Get full access to Graphic Support Group Podcast at graphicsupportgroup.substack.com/subscribe

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• Ep. 42 - Growth and collaboration, accepting confrontation and lasting friendships w/ Thick Press (Julie Cho and Erin Segal)

  Note: The first part of this episode has some clicks because of a connection issue. We tried to clean the sound up as best as we could. Bare with it because we really think it’s worth listening to! This one’s a long one, but one of our most amazing conversations. Drew and I spoke with Julie Cho and Erin Segal about their collaborative publishing project Thick Press. The two friends who met when they were 15 have been working together as graphic designer and social worker, asking hard questions about the value of work, juggling life and professions and sticking with relationships. We recorded this episode on November 8, 2024, two days after the US Presidential election. Despite the disappointment of the time, Julie and Erin showed up for our conversation in a way that can only be described as generous and present. Drew and I always joke that the podcast is “our therapy” and this episode couldn’t be more validating of our motivations. We got to share about how we’ve struggled to keep Graphic Support Group going, the evolution of our friendship and admit to each other that we’re still here and making the project happen. Julie and Erin took such care to hear us and opened up their stories for us to learn and reflect together. We are so appreciative of their time and words.Thick Press officially published “An Encyclopedia of Radical Healing” shortly after we recorded. They share the details about the massive project in the episode, so please check out their Instagram for more information and support their work with an order. They’ve also been super busy since we spoke! Here is a listing of some of their upcoming activities and recent publications:* Thick Press will be at the LA Printed Matter Art Book Fair at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena on May 15-18.* They have published Change the World: A Research Book for Children and Adults by Sibylle Peters, is based on 20 years of performance-based research at the Fundus Theatre in Hamburg.* The second, may we dream and design felt futures: where our creative being and practice can feel the sensations of care, intimacy, and liberation, by Denise Shanté Brown, is both a memoir and a guide to creative social practices.* The third, It’s Too Late. Do It Anyway! A Book about Being a Cultural Worker in the Apocalypse + a Hologram Starter Kit edited by Cassie Thornton and Magdalena Jadwiga Härtelova, is about a mutual aid protocol called The Hologram.Growth and collaboration! Get full access to Graphic Support Group Podcast at graphicsupportgroup.substack.com/subscribe

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• Ep. 41 - Tattoo memories, drawing heritage and being Chindo w/ Gentle Oriental

  Warning: this episode contains some foul language. If you are sensitive to this or are listening around young children please use your own discretion before you tune in.James here :) I was able to sit down with Gabrielle Widjaja, who works under the name Gentle Oriental, and asked her about how she navigates the highs and lows of her creative practice. Gabby began her career as a graphic designer and over the years went through many hurdles to be able to tattoo full-time today. She shared her journey with me, and the two of us compared our different, but connected Asian American lineages.Gabby would like to shout out a Gentle Pokes, Studio Bumi and Ricky Wang! Check ‘em out! —We’re really excited to be sharing this episode with the GSG family. Thank you always for the support. If you appreciate this platform for creativity and care, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. We’re planning many things for the GSG community, so stay tuned. We R Here 4 U. Get full access to Graphic Support Group Podcast at graphicsupportgroup.substack.com/subscribe

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