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Oen Michael Hammonds is a distinguished design executive, educator, and creative mentor who has helped shape the culture of design at IBM. In this thought-provoking conversation, Oen reflects on his journey from traditional graphic designer to leading design enablement at a global tech company—all while championing inclusivity, mentorship, and problem-solving through empathy. We explore his transition from print to digital, his thoughts on cultivating future-ready creatives, and what it means to lead with heart in the design world.

This is your deep dive into leadership, transformation, and staying human in a tech-driven space.

This episode is for you if:

• You’re transitioning from traditional to digital design

• You want to become a more intentional and empathetic designer

• You’re building a career in UX, product, or service design

• You’re passionate about mentorship and design education

• You want to lead with inclusion, curiosity, and purpose

  
  

Connect with Oen Hammonds:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oenmichaelhammonds
Medium: https://medium.com/@oenmichaelhammonds
IBM Design Blog: https://medium.com/design-ibm

More Podcast Episodes:
https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast

Resources Mentioned:
– IBM Enterprise Design Thinking
– The Designer’s Dilemma (Medium Article)
– Mentorship Models in Creative Industries
– Service Design Toolkit

#OenHammonds #IBMDesign #DesignLeadership #MentorshipMatters #CreativeGrowth #EmpathyInDesign #DigitalDesign #DesignThinking #DesignPodcast #ArtSchoolGradPodcast #BlackDesigners #CreativeCareers #PortfolioTips #UXDesign #AIandDesign

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📺 /@artschoolgraduate_podcast

Judah “Tip” Middleton is a Senior Art Director in the sports industry, author of Free Game: How to Become a Designer in the Sports Industry, and a powerful voice for purpose-driven design. In this motivating episode, Judah shares how she went from designing for her local basketball league to building a creative career in professional sports—while mentoring others to do the same.

We explore her creative mindset, how she uses storytelling to amplify culture, and the strategies that helped her turn passion into a profession. From designing church flyers and AAU posters to leading creative for a major league team, Judah’s journey is proof that there’s no one way to make it—only your way.

Whether you're trying to break into sports design, grow your creative confidence, or build a brand with purpose, this episode is full of free game.

This episode is for you if:

• You want to break into the sports or entertainment design industry

• You’re building a personal brand as a creative

• You’re passionate about storytelling, identity, and representation

• You want real-world advice on networking and staying grounded

• You believe your creativity can open doors—if you stay consistent

Connect with Judah Middleton:🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judah-middleton-9213b9176/

More Podcast Episodes:

🎧 https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast

Resources Mentioned:

– Free Game by Judah Middleton
– MLS
– Branding & personal storytelling tips for creatives
– Tools like Canva & Adobe Illustrator
– Networking strategies for emerging designers

#JudahMiddleton #FreeGame #SportsDesign #CreativeStrategist #AtlantaUnitedFC #BlackCreatives #DesignCareerTips #BrandDesign #FaithAndDesign #PurposeDrivenDesign #ArtSchoolGradPodcast #CreativeJourney #ContentForCreators #DesignMentorship #DesignWithImpact

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📌 @artschoolgradpodcast

Tré Seals is a multi-disciplinary designer, typographer, and the founder of Vocal Type—a mission-driven type foundry dedicated to diversifying design by telling untold stories through letterforms. In this inspiring episode, Tré walks us through how surviving two childhood brain tumors shaped his identity, how a single article by Cheryl D. Miller shifted his career forever, and how he’s using typography to amplify culture, protest, and inclusion.

We explore his creative journey—from graffitiing names on index cards in elementary school to creating fonts used by Spike Lee, Nike, and countless grassroots movements. Tré shares his deep passion for research, cultural storytelling, and the power of design to preserve and honor the past while shaping a more inclusive future.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes design is more than aesthetics—it’s activism, identity, and voice.

✔️ You want to turn your personal story into purpose
✔️ You’re curious about typography, protest art, or cultural preservation
✔️ You’re ready to diversify the visual language of your work
✔️ You’re looking for career inspiration from a Black creative leader
✔️ You believe type and design can drive social change

Intro — Who is Tré Seals?
Childhood illness and art as therapy
Selling graffiti-style name cards in 5th grade
Discovering design through struggle and story
Launching Vocal Type and honoring protest movements
Creating Martin, the typeface inspired by MLK and Memphis
The role of Cheryl D. Miller’s “Missing in Action” article
Why type design is cultural storytelling
Creative process and research behind each typeface
Building Studio Seals on family land
How he landed collaborations with Spike Lee and Nike
Advice for young designers who feel unseen
The difference between diversity and inclusion
Quickfire: Fonts, protest signs, and design heroes

What’s next for Vocal Type

🌐 Website: https://www.treseals.com
🔤 Vocal Type: https://vocaltype.co
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/vocaltype.co
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/treseals

More Podcast Episodes:

🎧 https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast

Resources Mentioned:

– Cheryl D. Miller’s “Black Designers: Missing in Action”
– Vocal Type Foundry
– Studio Seals
– Fontself & Glyphs
– Protest Design Archives

#TreSeals #VocalType #BlackTypographer #TypographyDesign #DesignForChange #CreativeStorytelling #DesignActivism #DesignWithPurpose #StudioSeals #BlackDesigners #FontDesign #TypeFoundry #ProtestFonts #ArtSchoolGradPodcast #DiversityInDesign

This episode is for you if: In This Episode: Connect with Tré Seals: More Podcast Episodes: Resources Mentioned: