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James Barnard didn’t start out in design. He originally wanted to work in the music industry. But after a detour through web development and publishing design in London, he found his true calling: logo and identity design.

In this episode, Kirk and Andy talk with James about his path from learning Photoshop at a data entry job to designing for major UK newspapers and building his own studio in Australia. They dive into how James refined his creative process, how he manages client expectations, and why sharing design tutorials on social media became his most powerful business driver.

They also discuss:

• How to build a clean logo design process clients understand
• Using “brand nouns” to align early and avoid wasted work
• The importance of giving clients time to process designs
• How one viral TikTok post unlocked a steady stream of client leads

James also shares how he balances teaching with client work, why he prioritizes clarity over perfection, and how community sharing has improved both his practice and the industry at large.

If you want to sharpen your logo design workflow or learn how to attract clients by teaching what you know, this one’s packed with ideas you can apply.

Follow James at barnard.co and @barnardco on Instagram

Connect with James on LinkedIn

Follow Kirk at mindthefont.com.

Follow Andy at buttermilkcreative.com.

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About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.

Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics

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Kirk and Andy sit down with Anna Sison — a Brooklyn-born creative force helping CPG brands grow through sharp, strategic packaging and brand design. With over 20 years in the industry, Anna brings big-agency experience with a nimble studio mindset, combining her deep cultural perspective with a sharp eye for design that works on shelf and connects with consumers.

In this episode, Anna shares her creative origin story, the challenges of being a double minority in the design world, and how she’s rewriting the rules of branding with cultural integrity and bold simplicity. She talks candidly about breaking out of agency life, founding her own studio, and why she’s manifesting collaborations with legacy Asian brands looking to expand into the U.S. market.

Expect real talk about:

• Growing up as a first-gen creative and finding identity through design
• Navigating agency life as a woman of color
• The difference between good design and good delivery
• Why “ugly” packaging can still sell — and what makes it work
• Her favorite recent project helping modernize traditional Chinese medicine

This one’s packed with insight, honesty, and a whole lot of laughter. Don’t miss it.

Connect with Anna here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaisonconsultant/

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About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.

Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics

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Design isn’t just about how something looks — it’s about how it feels. In this second conversation with brand designer and icon genius Selma Qui, Kirk and Andy go deep on how her approach to branding has evolved from crafting precise, geometric visuals to building experiences that leave a lasting emotional mark.

Selma opens up about her creative process, the shift from designer to experience-maker, and why she now chooses to work only with brands and people who align with her values. We talk about imposter syndrome, client trust, and how art, photography, and personal memory all shape her distinctive visual language.

It’s a thoughtful and inspiring conversation with one of the most intuitive and intentional brand designers working today. If you’ve ever felt stuck pushing pixels, Selma’s journey might be exactly what you need to hear.

🎧 Episode highlights:

• Why Selma prioritizes experience over aesthetics
• How a deep discovery process shapes her creative direction
• The role of trust and energy in working with founders
• Her battle with imposter syndrome — and how she talks herself through it
• Why personal values matter more than ever in design partnerships

Check out Selma's work here:

https://selmamakui.com/

Support the show

About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.

Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics

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Mike Perry has had a wild ride through the world of design. From cropping football players at NBC Sports to launching award-winning liquor brands with his agency, Tavern, Mike brings real craft, deep industry knowledge, and an obsession with the details that most people ignore.

In this episode, Kirk and Andy dig into the intersection of creativity, commerce, and booze—specifically how alcohol packaging isn’t just design, it’s storytelling, strategy, and sculpture in one.

Mike shares his journey from designing promos for MLS and NHL to building branding for Budweiser, Guinness, Pabst, and Smirnoff. He breaks down the thinking behind the recent Old Grand-Dad 16 redesign, how to work with (not against) label regulations, and why the back-of-pack matters just as much as the front.

You’ll hear about:

• The unglamorous start at NBC Sports—and what you can learn from cropping out athletes

• The power of legacy marks and why Tavern’s “modern heritage” philosophy works

• What designers get wrong about spirits packaging

• Building client trust on brand revivals like Old Crow and Old Grand-Dad

• Why design teams should always go through the archives

• How bottle structure influences perceived value (and pricing psychology)

• When you shouldn’t follow hierarchy—and how to know when to break the rules

If you’ve ever wanted to get into spirits branding, or if you’re a packaging nerd who can’t stop redesigning your bourbon shelf in your head, this episode will hit.

Mike also talks about the highs and heartbreaks of launching new brands, working with master distillers, and the weird joy of seeing your beer can design in a trash pile after a party—because it means someone loved it.

We’ll definitely have him back for a full deep dive into beer design. This is part one. You’ve been warned.

Follow Mike’s work at tavernbranding.com and see the Old Grand-Dad 16 case study for yourself.

Connect with Mike here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikelperry/

Support the show

About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.

Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics

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In this episode, we sit down with Dan Forster, an award-winning lettering artist and designer with over 25 years of experience. Dan has crafted stunning custom lettering for brands, agencies, and clients worldwide, but his journey into the world of type wasn’t a straight path—it was shaped by frustration, perseverance, and an unexpected return to his roots.

Dan shares the story of his late father, a renowned lettering artist, and how clearing out his dad’s studio after his passing led to a creative revelation. We talk about his early struggles with drawing letters, his detour into graphic design, and the moment he realized that lettering was his true calling.

We also dive into:

✔️ The painstaking process behind mastering letterforms (and why drawing a single Helvetica “a” for hours was a turning point).

✔️ His time at top agencies like Elmwood and the leap into freelancing.

✔️ The evolution of lettering in branding and why some iconic wordmarks, like Kahlúa, needed a refresh.

✔️ How he approaches complex lettering projects—including a 30-day masterpiece that landed in Communication Arts.

✔️ The importance of showing process work to clients and why observing letterforms is just as crucial as drawing them.

✔️ The push-and-pull between modern digital tools and the lost art of hand-lettering.

We wrap things up with a discussion on the blandification of branding (looking at you, Johnson & Johnson) and the challenge of preserving craft in a world moving toward simplicity. Plus, Dan shares why he thinks it’s never too late to change career paths and go all-in on what you love.

If you’re into typography, branding, or just love hearing about the obsessive world of letterforms, this episode is a must-listen.

More about Dan Forster: www.danforster.com

Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danforster/

Support the show

About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.

Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics

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In this episode, we sit down with Lindsay Meredith, a brand and visual designer specializing in custom-crafted design through lettering and illustration. Lindsay’s work has been featured in Logo Lounge and includes collaborations with major names like Hasbro, Nickelodeon, LeapFrog, Disney, and professional and collegiate sports organizations.

From growing up watching her father pinstripe cars to becoming an expert in brand identity, Lindsay shares how her early exposure to lettering and design shaped her career. She walks us through her journey—from starting in screen printing to navigating the challenges of freelancing and ultimately honing her niche in sports branding and custom typography.

We dive into:

✅ The impact of early artistic influences and how Lindsay’s dad’s craft set the foundation for her career

✅ The evolution of her work, from offset printing to digital illustration and custom lettering

✅ How she balances branding, illustration, and lettering to create unique, memorable logos

✅ The power of self-initiated projects and why personal work can attract dream clients

✅ Lessons learned from building a sustainable freelance business

✅ Why animation and 3D design are next on her creative radar

Lindsay also shares insights into her design process, how she captures the essence of a brand, and the importance of presenting work in context to help clients see the bigger picture. Plus, we geek out over the Omaha Supernovas, her sports branding projects, and what it’s like to see Jason Derulo rocking one of her designs.

If you’re a designer looking to carve out your niche, embrace creative exploration, or break into sports branding, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

🔗 Learn more about Lindsay Meredith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseykm/

View her work here: https://www.lindseykm.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a fellow creative!

Support the show

About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.

Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics

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The Rainmaker is back! In this powerhouse episode, Jake Karls, co-founder of Mid-Day Squares, joins Kirk and Andy for an unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, burnout, and the journey back to balance.

Jake’s infectious energy and passion have fueled Mid-Day Squares’ rise from a startup to a $47 million business. But with success came immense pressure, a relentless pursuit of “winning”, and ultimately, a wake-up call that forced him to reassess everything. He shares his personal struggle with burnout, the mental and physical toll of constant hustle, and how he rebuilt himself—one small step at a time.

🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ The cost of chasing external validation and redefining success.

✔️ Jake’s breaking point at Expo West—and why it changed everything.

✔️ How hypnotherapy helped him regain control and mental clarity.

✔️ The power of showing up, making real connections, and being present.

✔️ Why authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a competitive advantage.

From family business dynamics to building an emotional brand that resonates, this episode is packed with raw insights, hard-earned lessons, and straight-up real talk. Whether you’re a founder, creative, or just someone grinding toward their goals, Jake’s story is a must-listen.

💡 Final Thought: “All that matters is where your two feet are.” – Jake Karls

👉 Tune in now and let it rain! 🎧🔥

📍Get your Mid-Day Squares fix: mid-daysquares.com

📍Connect with Jake here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-karls-653106ba/

🎙️ Don’t forget to rate, review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

Support the show

About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.

Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics

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What makes a bagel legendary? Is it the texture, the crust, the chew, or the history behind it? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the story of Emily Winston, the founder of Boichik Bagels, a Bay Area sensation bringing old-school New York flavor to the West Coast.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Emily went from being a mechanical engineer at GM, working on car doors, to a full-fledged bagel artisan.

• The emotional connection behind recreating her taste memory of the legendary H&H Bagels from NYC.

• The challenges of scaling from a small passion project to multiple locations and a frozen bagel empire.

• The historic significance of Boychick’s flagship location, which was the original home of Noah’s Bagels, and how she got the founder’s blessing to continue the tradition.

• How Boychick stands out, not just for its bagels, but for its bold social justice stance and commitment to inclusivity.

Why listen?

Whether you’re a bagel purist, a food entrepreneur, or a branding enthusiast, Emily’s story is an inspiration. It’s a masterclass in following your passion, perfecting your craft, and building a business that resonates deeply with people.

Key takeaways:

• Great branding meets great product. How the Boichik aesthetic became a symbol of quality and authenticity.

• The bagel battle is real. Why Emily believes we’re entering a new wave of bagel wars and how she plans to win.

• Managing rapid growth while keeping company culture intact. Insights into leadership, trust, and empowering a team.

Don’t just take our word for it—get yourself a Boichik Bagel (especially the frozen ones if you’re not in the Bay Area).

Follow and subscribe to the Kirk and Kurtts Design Podcast for more deep dives into creativity, business, and the stories behind the brands we love.

Connect with Emily here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-winston-8392672/

Support the show

About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.

Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics

Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee:
Support the show