Revision Path

We're closing out the month out with a conversation with Facebook product designer Jacklyn Laryea. Jacklyn's relatively new at Facebook, but her background includes work at PBS, The Atlantic, and AOL. Although we started off talking about what Jacklyn does at Facebook, we ended up discussing a lot of different topics, including how Jacklyn's Ghanaian roots influence her work, what she wants to see from the design community, and her advice for up and coming designers. But the interview's not all serious -- we end up having a few laughs too! Jacklyn Laryea's Website Jacklyn Laryea on Facebook I am forever grateful to Facebook for inviting me out to their headquarters in Menlo Park for these interviews! Thanks to Kristy Tillman, Tory Hargro, Jon Lax, Caroline Rana, Cindy Doan, Michelle Morrison, and everyone who helped make this all possible! Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and tote bags to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store 15% off ev

John Angelo is a product design lead for Facebook News. He uses his specialty with emotive psychology and interaction design to make sure users are not just easily using the service, but that they're happy while doing it. John started off telling me about his passion for news and about how growing up all over the world left an impression on him as a designer. We also talked about the ins and outs of interaction design, how he approaches new projects, and some of the highlights of his career. John's had a really interesting career, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he'll bring to Facebook! John Angelo's Website John Angelo on Twitter John Angelo on Instagram John Angelo on Facebook Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and tote bags to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store 15% off everything + FREE SHIPPING from November 24 - 28! Come join the Revision Path community on Slack! http://revisionpath.com/slack We're on iTunes and Stitcher

We've got a special bonus episode for you this week! I had the opportunity to talk with Maya Patterson, a product designer for Trunk Club in Chicago, Illinois. After a few chats in our Slack community about diversity and the state of design media, I thought she would me a fantastic guest. Our conversation began with a look into a typical day for her at Trunk Club, and she shared how she got into product design, as well as the challenges she's faced being a Black woman in this field. We recorded our talk last week, so we also spend time unpacking our post-election feelings and looking at ways designers can get involved with using their talents to make social change. Hopefully you'll come away from this episode with some food for thought! Maya Patterson on Twitter Maya Patterson on Medium Maya Patterson's Website Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and tote bags to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store Buy 2 items and get FREE SHIPPING! Use

I first heard about Karla Cole through a past guest -- Allan Cole (no relation). As one of Facebook's newest product designers, Karla works on one the composer unit, one of Facebook's most vital features that asks "what's on your mind" when you want to make a Facebook post. Karla and I touched on a lot of topics, including design curriculum, how she approaches new projects, some of her dream projects, and her journey as a designer from North Carolina to Virginia to NYC to Facebook. Karla has some big goals for the future, and the combination of her enthusiasm and talent make her a force to be reckoned with in the design industry! Karla Cole on Twitter Karla Cole on Instagram City Park Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and tote bags to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store Buy 2 items and get FREE SHIPPING! Use offer code 2GIFT -- offer ends November 20! Come join the Revision Path community on Slack! http://revisionpath.com/sl

Last month, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity -- visiting Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, CA! I recorded some interviews while I was there that will air this month, and I spoke as part of Facebook's Design Lecture Series. First up, I'm talking with UX research manager Reggie Murphy. We started off by going into what UX research is and why it's important for designers, and Reggie shared how studying radio websites in the mid-90s turned into the career he has today. Reggie also gave some great advice and resources for those of you interested in UX research and how it's used to make design decisions at Facebook on a regular basis. Thanks to Facebook for helping make this month's interviews happen! Reggie Murphy's Website Reggie Murphy on LinkedIn Reggie Murphy on Twitter Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and tote bags to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store 15% off t-shirts from November 8 - 11! Use promo code TSHIRTFUN at checko

You're really in for a great conversation this week! Sela Lewis described herself to me as "a designer who writes", but I think it's better to describe her as a designer who thinks. Whether she's expressing herself through her blog or taking on lofty design projects, Sela is always figuring out how her design skills can exist in multiple spaces to make the best impact on the world. We started off with her current work at Education Trust, and from there dove into a number of topics: Black women and creativity, NYC design culture vs. DC design culture, how travel has shaped her design thinking, and a lot more. We even talk a little about the current season of network and cable television! Sela says that designers should always make themselves a part of the deeper conversation, and I think this episode is a great example of that. Inherent Design by Sela Lewis Sela Lewis on Twitter Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and tote bags to help support th

If you're not inspired after hearing Jonathan Key talk about design, you might need to check your pulse! Jonathan's design work is all about representation, whether it's through his creative collective Codify Art or by taking a stand against state-sponsored violence by the police via Artists Against Police Violence. And he's still doing more! We started our conversation by discussing why it's important for artists and designers to be involved with social issues, and from there talked about his time at Brown University and RISD and how those experiences shaped his current work. He also mentioned the design work he's doing in the black LGBT community and talked about the artists and designers who influence his work. Overall, it's a great interview with someone who takes design and its power in our society very seriously. I hope you get inspired! Jonathan Key's Website Jonathan Key on Twitter Jonathan Key on Instagram Codify Art Artists Against Police Violence

Larrie King has a really interesting vantage point in the design community. As an assistant professor of design at Kent State University, he teaches the next generation of designers to take on the challenges of our ever-changing world. And as creative director of Glyphix Studio, he oversees projects and keeps clients happy. It's the best of both worlds! We spent a good bit of our conversation talking about design education and how he manages both of his roles at KSU. We also spoke on diversity in the design industry, his design influences, and his current work with Lifewater International. Larrie's message of inclusion is really important for designers everywhere, and I'm glad to speak to someone that's really doing the work and paving the way for the future! Larrie King's Website Larrie King on Facebook Larrie King at Kent State University's School of Visual Communication Design Glyphix Studio Glyphix Studio on Facebook Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, mugs, and butto

Have I mentioned lately that I love our Slack community? There are so many talented and amazing people there, including this week's guest -- Lyn Muldrow! Lyn is a front-end developer, as well as the technical manager for Oakland-based nonprofit organization Hack the Hood. We talked about how she got interested in technology at an early age, her experiences in Silicon Valley (and how that led her to where she is now), and we touch on the double consciousness around "being yourself" in an industry that expects you to conform to culture fit. Lyn also recently attended the White House for their LGBTQ Tech and Innovation Summit, so keep an eye out for her -- she's on the rise! Lyn Muldrow's Website Lyn Muldrow on Facebook Lyn Muldrow on Twitter Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, mugs, and buttons to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store Come join the Revision Path community on Slack! http://revisionpath.com/slack We're on iTunes and Stitcher as w

I first met Paul Edoho-Eket earlier this year at HOW Design Live here in Atlanta. Paul is a design educator that's currently pulling double duty in Nashville, TN at Nossi College of Art and Fisk University. Talk about dedication! Since our interview was an extra from HBCU Month, we did spend a good bit of time comparing and contrasting his teaching experiences at Nossi and Fisk. Paul is a Fisk alumnus, and he talked about his time at Fisk, as well as what drives him to give back through education. Paul had a lot to say and the conversation definitely went pretty deep in a few places, so make sure you listen through it all. Thank you Paul for sharing your story! Paul Edoho-Eket's Website Paul Edoho-Eket on Facebook Paul Edoho-Eket on LinkedIn Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, mugs, and buttons to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store Come join the Revision Path community on Slack and learn how you can win free tickets to Revolve Conference 2016! http:/

We're ending out HBCU Month on Revision Path by talking with KeVon Ticer, a UX designer for the University of California. KeVon's journey has a designer has taken him from coast to coast! We spent a good bit of time talking about HBCUs -- Howard University in particular, KeVon's alma mater -- and whether they're preparing the next generation of designers. KeVon also shared his experiences at Carnegie Mellon and BitTorrent, and told me what it means to him to be a designer today. Thanks to KeVon for sharing his story! KeVon Ticer's Website KeVon Ticer on Twitter KeVon Ticer on Instagram Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, mugs, and buttons to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store Come join the Revision Path community on Slack and learn how you can win free tickets to Revolve Conference 2016! http://revisionpath.com/slack Enter here to win a copy of "Rip The Resume" by top recruiter and diversity strategist Torin Ellis! We're on iTunes and Sti

Tamala Huntley has been requested by a lot of former guests of the show, and now I see why! Her unbridled enthusiasm for what she does and how she lives her life is a breath of fresh air. You've gotta hear her story! We began by looking at her current work as a digital marketing strategist and she talked about some of the tools she uses to run her business. From there, we took a journey through her career, starting with her early days at FAMU, starting her own Christian bookstore, and how she transitioned from that into design and now marketing. Tamala teaches people how to be okay with being yourself in your business, and she is a living testament to defining success on your own terms. Learn more about Tamala in this week's interview! Tamala Huntley's Website Tamala Huntley on Facebook Tamala Huntley on Twitter Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, mugs, and buttons to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store Come join the Revision Path community on Slack a

One thing I love about what Nakita M. Pope does is that she takes complex concepts and makes them simple and easy for anyone to understand. As a designer, brand strategist, and Chief Chick of her own studio Branding Chicks, Nakita has helped transform the lives of her clients for over 15 years! We started off by looking at how she started her boutique branding studio, talked about her work as a design educator at The Creative Circus, and touched on her educational journey from Hampton University to The Portfolio Center to now. Nakita also shared some great resources for any designer looking to get more into design strategy. For Nakita, creativity is more than just business -- it's a way of life! Branding Chicks Branding Chicks on Facebook Branding Chicks on Twitter Branding Resources Mentioned by Nakita: Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits by Debbie Millman Archetypes in Branding by Margaret Hartwell and Joshua C. Chen Brand Aid: A Quick Reference Guide to Solving Your Branding Problem and Streng

I've known about Douglas Davis for years because of his work with HOW Design University. I finally met him in person this year at HOW Design Live, and was delighted to have him come on the show! Douglas stays busy — he’s a former professor at NYU and a current adjunct professor at City College's Branding and Integrated Communications graduate program, as well as a designer and creative strategist with his own firm called The Davis Group. Now he can add another title to his resume -- author! His new book, Creative Strategy and the Business of Design, is a must-have for any designer out there looking to level up their skills. We started off talking about how he started his creative strategy firm, the inspiration behind writing his book, and what he's learned from his students over the years. And because this is HBCU Month, we also talked about Hampton University and how they prepared him for furthering his journey and education as a designer. Thank you Douglas for being such an inspiration to us all! Douglas

We're ending out our month of legacies by checking in with Andrea Williams, an art director and self-professed budding calligrapher in Detroit. Speaking of Motor City, that's where our conversation began. We talked about what it's like working for a global ad agency, and then moved into an exploration of the Detroit design scene. From here, Andrea discussed how she got started with hand lettering, her time at Wayne State University, and what it's like for her being a Black woman in the advertising industry. Thanks for the insightful words Andrea! Andrea Williams' 2013 Interview Andrea Williams' Website Paisley Paper Co. on Instagram 15% off all t-shirts in the Revision Path store when you use offer code SUPERSHIRT at checkout! Offer expires on August 30! http://revisionpath.com/store Come join the Revision Path community on Slack! http://revisionpath.com/slack We're on iTunes and Stitcher as well! Visit http://revisionpath.com/iTunes or http://revisionpath.com/stitcher, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star

Fredric Mitchell and I go way back in these Internet streets, so when I started Revision Path back in 2013, I was glad he was one of the first people to agree to an interview. Currently, Fredric is the VP of Engineering at Better Weekdays, a startup in St. Louis, MO that helps students find jobs. We started off by talking about his current work at Better Weekdays, and then we explored what he feels developers need to know in the current market. Fredric also gave some great insight on why side hustles are important, how to start as a public speaker, and he shared the biggest compromise he's made to be where he is now. Fredric has a really unique perspective to work and life, and I'm glad he was able to come and share that with all of you. Enjoy! Fredric Mitchell's 2013 Interview Google search for "Fredric Mitchell Fredric Mitchell on Twitter Better Weekdays THIS WEEK ONLY! 15% off all t-shirts in the Revision Path store when you use offer code SUPERSHIRT at checkout! http://revisionpath.com/store Come

I had the pleasure of first interviewing Kronda for the site back in 2013, and it has been amazing to see her progress over the years. As the founder of Karvel Digital, Kronda develops WordPress websites and gives business owners the training they need to own and manage their digital presence. We spent a lot of time talking about how Kronda built her business, including what she's learned over the years and how she's taken that knowledge and distilled it into her latest project: Websites That Work. We also had a pretty candid conversation about diversity in both the technology and information marketing spaces. Kronda is a force to be reckoned with, and I'm eager to see what she's going to do next! Kronda Adair's 2013 Interview Karvel Digital Get Started with Karvel Digital Karvel Digital on Twitter Karvel Digital on Facebook Kronda Adair's Website Kronda Adair on Twitter Kronda Adair on Instagram "How I Learned to Run a Successful Web Business" "Seven Leadership Lessons for Minorities (And Everyone

Senongo Akpem is a brilliant art director and illustrator currently in New York City. What I love about Senongo's work is how he mixes futurism along with his Nigerian culture to create really fantastically creative projects. We started off by discussing two of his most well-known projects -- Pixel Fable and Holo Halo. From there, Senongo walked me through his early career, explained how his time in Japan helped shaped him as a designer, and gave some really sharp critiques on the current design community. Senongo is one of the very first designers I reached out to back in Revision Path's early days, so our interview today feels like a real full circle moment. I think you'll really get a lot out of this episode. Enjoy! Senongo Akpem's 2013 Interview Senongo Akpem's Website Senongo Akpem on Twitter Pixel Fable Holo Halo Check out the Revision Path Store, and buy specially branded t-shirts, mugs, and buttons to help support the show! http://revisionpath.com/store Save 15% off everything in the store by

After 150 episodes, I thought it would be a great idea to look back at some of the designers we've profiled from the early days of Revision Path. What are they up to now? What has changed since our first interview? I'm curious to know! Dewon Hall was first featured on the site back in August 2013, and he's currently the webmaster for Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS. Before his work at MVSU, he worked for the past decade at Shamoon Advertising and Marketing creating award-winning campaigns. Dewon walked me through a typical day working at MVSU, and from there we went into pros and cons of being a designer in a rural area -- something I'm all too familiar with! He also talked about the work he's doing with art students in the Mississippi Delta area through a program called A.R.T. | Acknowledging Real Talent According to Dewon, it's important for him to be exactly where he is so he can help foster the next generation of designers. Powerful words from a great designer. Keep up the awesome wor

July has been such an amazing month, and I'm so excited to celebrate our 150th episode with a conversation with the incomparable Ashleigh Axios. She's an international speaker, a strategic creative, a member of the national board of directors for AIGA, president emeritus for AIGA DC, and is the former creative director for the White House under President Obama's administration. Whoa! We talked about the work Ashleigh's done during her tenure at the White House, and she shared which project challenged her the most as well as what it's like actually working in such close proximity with some of the nation's top officials. Ashleigh also gave her thoughts on whether the administration's current focus on tech and design would continue into the future, and we went into her current work with AIGA. Ashleigh is a huge advocate for design's ability to break barriers and create positive social change, and I think we will definitely see more from her in the future! Here's to 150 episodes! Ashleigh Axios' Website Ashlei