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What if your subtitles could whisper or shout, just like the person speaking? That’s exactly what Frederik Merkel (aka Freddi) is building. We met Freddi at South by Southwest and were instantly blown away by his startup, Phont, which is developing expressive caption technology that analyzes audio and translates it into dynamic, emotionally-expressive subtitles. Think kinetic type but automated, accessible, and built for real content.

In this episode, we dig into the full story: how Freddi went from finishing a master’s thesis in type design to co-founding a startup with no business experience and what it really takes to go from concept to product. We also get deep into the neuroscience side of things: synesthesia, aphantasia, the Ira Glass gap, and how understanding different brains perceive the world shaped Freddi’s research from the very beginning.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• How Freddi’s master’s thesis became a startup idea
• What expressive captions are and why they matter
• The transition from type designer to co-founder
• How Phont navigated public funding in Germany
• Building demos without a parametric font (yet)
• The Phont Adobe plugin that’s coming soon
• Synesthesia research and how it shaped the font design process
• How to support or pilot Phont right now

Connect with Frederik Merkel

Phont: https://phont.ai/

Phont on IG: https://www.instagram.com/phont.official/

Freddi on IG: https://www.instagram.com/freddimerkuri/

Freddi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederik-merkel-design/

Mentioned in this episode:

• Phont: https://phont.ai/
• Michael Havakamp - Synesthetic Design
• Melanie Scheer - Aphantasia
• OHno Type Company

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

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She’s been a fine art major, a print designer, a Barbie packaging designer at Mattel, a surface pattern designer, an art licensing exhibitor, and, for the past 10 years, an artist coach.

In this episode, we sit with Jeanetta Gonzales, Ilana’s first art licensing mentor, for a conversation that goes way beyond business strategy. We’re talking about the long, winding road of building a creative career, what it was actually like to exhibit at art licensing trade shows, and why the seeds you plant at a show might not sprout for years.

Jeanetta also shares all about her brand new book series, Free Pass, four illustrated coupon books published with Chronicle that are essentially permission slips for creatives, workers, resters, and parents. The creativity book was born directly out of her coaching work after she noticed that the moment she gave an artist the green light, everything changed.

If you’ve felt stuck in a creative funk, wondered if your winding career path was “wrong,” or needed someone to just give you permission to rest, this one’s for you.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• How Jeanetta went from UCLA fine art major to Barbie packaging designer at Mattel
• Stumbling into art licensing and what Surtex was (and why it mattered)
• Whether art licensing trade shows are still worth it, and what the long game really looks like
• What it’s actually like to design and work on a trade show booth
• The story behind her new book series, Free Pass
• How she illustrated 72 pieces in the middle of a cross-country move
• Working with ADHD: procrastination, pressure, and finally getting it done
• Why your environment has more impact on your creativity than you think
• Being honest about being in a creative funk, and not rushing to fix it
• Her plans to rebrand for the first time in 10 years

Connect with Jeanetta Gonzales
Website: https://www.jeanettagonzales.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nettdesigns
Free Pass Book Series: https://www.jeanettagonzales.com/freepasscoupons

Jeanetta select client work: NY Times, Pantone, Target, Michaels, Edible Arrangements, and Brumate.

Mentioned in this episode:
Free Pass, Jeanetta’s 4-book series
Surtex (art licensing trade show)
National Stationery Show
Las Vegas Trade Show
Upper Limit Challenge (concept from The Big Leap)

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

We wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it!

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

Learn from Katie and Ilana

Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

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What does it actually look like to build a creative business that works for you, not the other way around?

In this episode, we’re joined by the incredible Liz Kohler Brown, a surface designer, letterer, and mentor for creatives who want to sell their work and find their style. Liz has built a business that looks like it’s all her, but the secret is a thoughtfully built team that handles everything so she can focus on what she loves most: making art.

We talk about the real strategy behind print on demand, how to hire people you actually like working with, and why front-loading the investment in training pays off in ways you can’t imagine. We also get into the AI conversation, how Liz thinks about it with a level head and why she’s not worried about it replacing her.

If you ever felt like you’re doing all the things but can’t find the time to just make? This episode is for you.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• Liz’s journey from ceramics to print on demand and why the iPad changed everything
• Why print on demand platforms aren’t saturated (but certain search terms are)
• How to use SEO to plan what art you make (before you make it)
• The Venn diagram method for finding your profitable niche
• The real cost of not hiring and the books that will change your mind
• Why you should hire for personality first and train the skills
• The membership breakdown: trend reports, live critiques, and real-time creation sessions
• Liz’s dream greenhouse studio

Connect with Liz Kohler Brown

LizKohlerBrown.com

https://instagram.com/lizkohlerbrown

Sell Your Stuff Guide: https://www.lizkohlerbrown.com/sell-your-stuff-field-guide/

Mentioned in this episode:

• Spoonflower
• Etsy
• Minted
• Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
• Who Not How by Dan Sullivan
• Insight Timer (free meditation app)
• 10% Happier
• Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics by Dan Harris

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

We wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it!

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

Learn from Katie and Ilana

Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!