What happens when design becomes a tool for preserving culture instead of simply making things look beautiful?

In this episode of the Art School Graduate Podcast, Justin Robinson sits down with Zimbabwean designer, typographer, and art director Osmond Tshuma.

From designing visual systems for the Obama Foundation to developing entirely new African writing systems, Osmond shares how African visual language can reshape modern design.

Topics include:

• African typography
• Graphic design history
• RISD experience
• Branding with cultural meaning
• Research-driven design
• Identity systems
• Creative process
• Design education
• Visual storytelling
• Preserving culture through design

If you’re a graphic designer, creative director, typography enthusiast, branding professional, educator, or design student, this conversation will completely change how you think about visual communication.

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Every book begins with a story—but readers see the cover first.

In this episode of the Art School Graduate Podcast, Justin Robinson sits down with Dominique Jones, Senior Designer at Penguin Random House and founder of Blk + Brwn Book Designers, to explore the hidden craft behind book cover design.

Dominique shares how she entered publishing, what goes into creating covers that connect emotionally, working with bestselling authors, balancing creativity with client feedback, and why increasing diversity in publishing design matters more than ever.

Whether you’re a designer, illustrator, creative professional, student, or simply someone who loves books, this conversation offers an inside look at one of the most overlooked creative careers.

Topics include:

• Book cover design process
• Graphic design careers
• Penguin Random House
• Publishing industry
• Typography and visual storytelling
• Creativity and design thinking
• Blk + Brwn Book Designers
• Diversity in publishing
• Graphic design education
• Building a creative career

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How does someone go from social work to designing footwear at Vans?

In this episode of the Art School Graduate Podcast, Justin Robinson sits down with Shawn Williams, a footwear designer at Vans whose journey into the design industry was anything but traditional. After spending years helping people find employment as an employment specialist, Shawn rediscovered his passion for drawing during COVID, leading him to the Pensole Design Academy, a VF Corporation apprenticeship, and ultimately a career designing footwear for one of the most iconic sneaker brands in the world.

Shawn shares his experience overcoming imposter syndrome, entering the design industry without a formal design degree, learning footwear design, building confidence in creative spaces, and using design as a tool for community impact. The conversation explores mentorship, representation in design, Black creatives in the footwear industry, and why exposure matters for the next generation of designers.

Topics Covered:
• How Shawn Williams became a footwear designer at Vans
• Career changes and transitioning into design
• Pensole Design Academy experience
• Sneaker and footwear design process
• Overcoming imposter syndrome in creative careers
• Representation and diversity in design
• Mentorship and creative leadership
• Building a career in product design
• Using design to create community impact

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