Stay ConnectedConversations with the biggest names and best-kept secrets of the creative world, spanning across industries. Learn about their origin stories and how they keep going when things get tough.
New episodes drop every 2 weeks.
Hosted by Rick Kitagawa and Digital Noir Studios.
Copyright: © DesignerCon
Are you in love with Mondo’s toy releases as much as we are? Come check out what Mondo will be bringing to DesignerCon 2024 from the men who make it all happen, Hector Arce and Peter Santa-Maria aka ATTACKPETER.
Hector Arce is the Senior Creative Director of Collectibles and Design at Mondo who basically makes all the toys come to reality. Often taking part in the design, sculpting, and painting of the collectables himself, Hector brings his years of industry experience (like at Legendary Pictures and Gentle Giant, LTD) and his deep passion for the craft into every release.
Peter Santa-Maria is an artist and Senior Creative Director at Mondo. Known for his block prints, Peter features not only pop culture icons but brings his own original IP of kaiju-sized monsters to life both in print and in collectable form. He not only oversees the Art Department at Mondo, but he also co-hosts Mondo’s Toy Talk and has gained a dedicated fan following through his unique designs and work with brands across games, comics, and more.
In this special episode, Hector and Peter not only share their origin stories and the ups and downs of their careers, but also give advice to anyone looking to collaborate with the brand and offers up a look into what they’re bringing to DCON this year.
PS - They’re also sponsoring the mixer event on Thursday, November 14 from 6:30-9:30pm at Flanker LV at Mandalay Bay. You won’t want to miss out - no RSVP necessary and there will be a super rare..oh wait, you need to listen to the episode to find out what they’re bringing to the mixer. See you there! Hector and Peter's Links:
Hector's Instagram: @harcesculpture
Peter's Instagram: @attackpeter
Mondo's shop: mondoshop.com
Mondo's blog: https://mondoshop.com/blogs/news
The goal for many fine artists is to do it full time, but what might be the argument for having a day job as well? Fine artist, video game art director, and animator, Sean Keeton explores the benefits of keeping the day job while making incredibly personal work.
A Los-Angeles based gallery artist at night and a video game art director and animator during the day, Sean Keeton regularly displays his paintings in galleries across LA and has been featured on multiple iconic billboards in Times Square.
In this conversation, Sean shares his seemingly meteoric rise from art school, the powers of introversion, and the way having a day job allows him more creative freedom in his personal work. He shares his thoughts on balancing between the two roles, finding the joy in corporate work, and the importance of being emotionally truthful in one’s work.
Sean’s links:
Website: seankeeton.com
Instagram: @seankeetonart
Facebook: @seankeetonart
Twitter/X: @seankeetonart
Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: dconpodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney
For more Rick: rickkitagawa.com
For more Chris: digitalnoirstudio.com
For more DesignerCon: designercon.com
Origins theme song: Noel Beltran
Instagram: @noelbeltran_
FaceBook: @noelbeltran_
TikTok: @noelbeltran
Youtube: @noelbeltran
Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston
Instagram: @father.bankston
Tiktok: @father_bankston
Youtube: @nathanbankston
Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio
Instagram: @milfs.kitchen
With the sea of social media hype, the pressures of capitalism, and unprocessed trauma, it’s difficult to not only find your authentic voice, but also make a living doing so. Skinner is a visual artist, writer, filmmaker, installation and muralist, and all-around super monster artist.
With work featured on Adult Swim, murals and paintings in galleries across the world, and music videos for bands like Mastodon and High on Fire, Skinner is a full-time creative force of mayhem and madness - and is also a wildly funny, vulnerable, and thoughtful artist.
In this conversation, get a deep dive into Skinner’s creative origin from drawing as a child in an OB-GYN office to features in Juxtapoz magazine to pitching HBO animated shows to building board games. Not only does Skinner share his rollercoaster trajectory of a career, but also talks about the need for mental health support, the power of human connection, and what it means to be yourself.
Skinner’s Links:
Instagram: @theartofskinner
YouTube: @theartofskinner
Realm Runners on BackerKit
Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: dconpodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney
For more Rick: rickkitagawa.com
For more Chris: digitalnoirstudio.com
For more DesignerCon: designercon.com
Origins theme song: Noel Beltran
Instagram: @noelbeltran_
FaceBook: @noelbeltran_
TikTok: @noelbeltran
Youtube: @noelbeltran
Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston
Instagram: @father.bankston
Tiktok: @father_bankston
Youtube: @nathanbankston
Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio
Instagram: @milfs.kitchen
Ever thought about starting your own creative business? Ever consider the ups and down and personal discipline needed? Elliot Garnett is the mastermind behind Centerpoint Studios, a full-time custom miniature and diorama studio.
Always a showstopper at various conventions around the country with large-scale, table-sized dioramas like Dex’s Diner, Elliot and Centerpoint is known for recreating your favorite sets and characters from a galaxy far, far away.
In this conversation, Elliot shares his journey from drawing on toys with Sharpie to the highly-detailed, intricate figures he sells full-time. Elliot shares a lot of the entrepreneurial journey and the power of a dedicated fan base, and the difference between working in your own shop versus a studio.
Elliot’s Links
Instagram: @centerpointstudios
Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: dconpodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney
For more Rick: rickkitagawa.com
For more Chris: digitalnoirstudio.com
For more DesignerCon: designercon.com
Origins theme song: Noel Beltran
Instagram: @noelbeltran_
FaceBook: @noelbeltran_
TikTok: @noelbeltran
Youtube: @noelbeltran
Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston
Instagram: @father.bankston
Tiktok: @father_bankston
Youtube: @nathanbankston
Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio
Instagram: @milfs.kitchen
Ever wonder how DesignerCon grew into what it is today? Come meet Kevin Cao, the co-founder of DesignerCon and collector extraordinaire.
In this special episode, Kevin shares his origin story as a collector and entrepreneur, as well as the lowdown on what to expect for this year's DesignerCon for it's first year in Vegas.
From vendors to look out for, the Be@rbrick artist 5-pack making a return, as well as all the good stuff attendees should be aware of in terms of DCON's partnerships with EQL, Trampt, and eVend. Oh yeah, and if you want to know what 100% you'll be getting with your VIP pass, make sure you listen to the end.
Kevin's & DCON's links:
DCON's official Discord server
Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: dconpodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney
For more Rick: rickkitagawa.com
For more Chris: digitalnoirstudio.com
For more DesignerCon: designercon.com
Origins theme song: Noel Beltran
Instagram: @noelbeltran_
FaceBook: @noelbeltran_
TikTok: @noelbeltran
Youtube: @noelbeltran
Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston
Instagram: @father.bankston
Tiktok: @father_bankston
Youtube: @nathanbankston
Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio
Instagram: @milfs.kitchen
Have you ever thought what it would be like to make art of all your worst moments and hidden traumas? Kria Lindquist got started making art as a means to exorcize her demons, and eventually led her to the path of being a full-time fine artist.
As a visual artist who is a staple at dark art markets across the United States, Kria specializes in dark surrealist figurative illustrations and paintings. Their work is an exploration of the human condition, drawing inspiration from dreams, liminal spaces, gender identity and sexuality, esotericism, and various elements from their own self-cultivated lexicon.
In this fascinating conversation, Kria takes us on their journey from using art to process trauma to selling in goth clubs to embracing her identity as an artist.
We also asked Kria about their inspirations, and they wanted us to share this list with all of you:
• Suehiro Maruo
• Takato Yamamoto
• Zdzisław Beksiński
• Akiya Kageichi
• Yoshitaka Amano
• Bernini
• Caravaggio
• H.R. Giger
Kria’s links
Website: krialindquist.net
Instagram: kria_lindquist
Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: dconpodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney
For more Rick: rickkitagawa.com
For more Chris: digitalnoirstudio.com
For more DesignerCon: designercon.com
Origins theme song: Noel Beltran
Instagram: @noelbeltran_
FaceBook: @noelbeltran_
TikTok: @noelbeltran
Youtube: @noelbeltran
Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston
Instagram: @father.bankston
Tiktok: @father_bankston
Youtube: @nathanbankston
Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio
Instagram: @milfs.kitchen
Do you dream of having millions of people wear something you designed? Or working on some of the top anime of all time? What if it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be? The dynamic duo of Asako Sauz and Paul Evangelista have huge credits to their name, but are also setting out on their own to carve their own creative mark on the world.
From designing Xbox controllers to designing footwear for Target, there’s a very likely chance you have seen or own something Asako has helped design. From One Piece to Naruto to Bleach, Paul has worked on some of the largest anime franchises and also proudly has worked on the worst CG film of all time.
In our first two-person interview, Asako and Paul share their journey and experience of working as a corporate creative as well as how they navigate working as creative collaborators.
Asako and Paul’s Links
Website: CriticalBuildz.com
Instagram: @criticalbuilz
Asako’s IG: @asauzart
Paul’s IG: @pixelpusherpaul
Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: dconpodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney
For more Rick: rickkitagawa.com
For more Chris: digitalnoirstudio.com
For more DesignerCon: designercon.com
Origins theme song: Noel Beltran
Instagram: @noelbeltran_
FaceBook: @noelbeltran_
TikTok: @noelbeltran
Youtube: @noelbeltran
Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston
Instagram: @father.bankston
Tiktok: @father_bankston
Youtube: @nathanbankston
Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio
Instagram: @milfs.kitchen
What does it mean to build a sustainable fine art career? Mark Dean Veca has done just that over the past few decades, working with brands like Nike and The Hundreds as well as legendary rock bands like Pearl Jam, Primus, and Ween.
With a career spanning back to the 90’s, Mark’s recognizable style and killer brush work has been exhibited world-wide. From public art to illustration to fine art, Mark’s origin story is full of evolutionary leaps.
In this conversation, Mark walks us through his career from art school to public art to candle making to furniture to rock posters, and all the evolutions of his style and steps and turns along the way.
Mark’s Links
Website: markdeanveca.com
Instagram: @markdeanveca
Facebook: markdeanveca
Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: dconpodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney
For more Rick: rickkitagawa.com
For more Chris: digitalnoirstudio.com
For more DesignerCon: designercon.com
Origins theme song: Noel Beltran
Instagram: @noelbeltran_
FaceBook: @noelbeltran_
TikTok: @noelbeltran
Youtube: @noelbeltran
Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston
Instagram: @father.bankston
Tiktok: @father_bankston
Youtube: @nathanbankston
Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio
Instagram: @milfs.kitchen
Do you have what it takes to leave your job or change professions? Michael Lewarne is an architect, coach, and installation artist who understands fear, decision making, and how to choose himself.
With a 30-year career in architecture, Michael has pivoted from designing buildings to helping other architects be better leaders through his company, unmeasured. He’s also supported leaders and creatives of all stripes through his coaching at the altMBA.
In this conversation, Michael shares the ups and the downs and pivots of his lengthy career, what it means to take calculated risks, and of course, what choosing yourself looks like and how you can do it better. Listen now!
Michael’s Links:
Website: https://unmeasu.red
LinkedIn: Michael Lewarne
Michael also wanted to share the original blog post by Tim Ferriss on Fear Setting
DesignerCon tickets are now on sale!
Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: dconpodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney
For more Rick: rickkitagawa.com
For more Chris: digitalnoirstudio.com
For more DesignerCon: designercon.com
Origins theme song: Noel Beltran
Instagram: @noelbeltran_
FaceBook: @noelbeltran_
TikTok: @noelbeltran
Youtube: @noelbeltran
Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston
Instagram: @father.bankston
Tiktok: @father_bankston
Youtube: @nathanbankston
Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio
Instagram: @milfs.kitchen
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it takes to start your own apparel / t-shirt company, this is the episode to listen to. In this episode, we talk with Alex Louie of Story Spark, a graphic designer who built a career as a web designer and since pivoted to co-founding Story Spark.
Alex has a storied background in chemistry, graphic design, and enterprise web design, and has taken bits of all of that to create designs that celebrate the connection between technology and humans.
In this conversation, Alex shares how he got Story Spark off the ground, how he’s been able to produce work that resonates with his audience, and how he deals with all the uncertainty of creative entrepreneurship. Listen now!
Alex’s Links:
Website: storyspark.com
Instagram: @storyspark
Get in touch with Rick or Chris at: dconpodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @originsacreativejourney
For more Rick: rickkitagawa.com
For more Chris: digitalnoirstudio.com
For more DesignerCon: designercon.com
Origins theme song: Noel Beltran
Instagram: @noelbeltran_
FaceBook: @noelbeltran_
TikTok: @noelbeltran
Youtube: @noelbeltran
Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Bankston
Instagram: @father.bankston
Tiktok: @father_bankston
Youtube: @nathanbankston
Milf’s Kitchen Recording Studio
Instagram: @milfs.kitchen
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
