Spotlight Sessions

Building a Creative Studio in the Age of AI with Tammy Lovin Jun 5, 2026 01:14:08 Multidisciplinary artist and creative director Tammy Lovin shares how she blends 3D, CGI/VFX, and AI-driven visual production to create high-impact work for global brands and stand out in a rapidly evolving creative industry.----Visit Tammy's ⁠website⁠, connect with her on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, or follow her on Instagram and Behance.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Virtual Spaces and the Future of Creativity with Bay Backner May 1, 2026 01:06:46 Bay Backner, Head of Live Experiences for Decentraland and Assistant Professor of Emerging Technologies at Berklee College of Music's European campus, shares insights on virtual worlds, creative community, and her role as a leading voice in web3 gaming.----Visit Bay's website, connect with her on LinkedIn, or follow her on X (Twitter). ----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Comic Book Illustration with David Nakayama Apr 1, 2026 01:07:18 Comic book illustrator, concept artist, and art director David Nakayama shares insights from his work on Marvel and DC titles like X-Men, Spider-Man, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn, along with his journey from video games to becoming one of today's most recognizable cover artists.----Visit ⁠David's website, check out his work on ArtStation⁠, and connect with him on ⁠Instagram.⁠----Connect with

Creative Mornings, Long Nights, and Lasting Careers with Brian Thompson Feb 27, 2026 01:03:31 Brian Thompson, writer, creative director, and Content Manager at CreativeMornings, shares lessons on craft, collaboration, navigating fear and failure, and sustaining meaningful work over time.----Visit Brian's website, connect on LinkedIn, or follow him on ⁠Instagram⁠. And go hang out with him at the next CreativeMornings Austin event!----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Creative Tools for Planetary Awareness with Gabriela Iancu Feb 12, 2026 01:10:33 Multidisciplinary artist and Senior Visual Designer at Adobe, Gabriela Iancu shares how her work, screened on NASA TV and aboard the International Space Station, blends art, design, AI, and storytelling to explore our relationship with Earth and the cosmos.----Visit Gabriela's website and follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

From Corporate to Collage with Julia Walck Jan 30, 2026 01:12:31 LA-based collage artist and designer Julia Walck shares her transition from working with companies like Ticketmaster, Output, and Yami to building a full-time creative business with work published and sold internationally.----Connect with Julia on LinkedIn, Instagram, and over at her website.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or

Intentional Branding in Sports with Steven Overturf Jan 16, 2026 01:18:04 Artist and designer Steven Overturf shares lessons from building large-scale creative work with the Houston Texans and LA Galaxy, and what it takes to build a career rooted in people and purpose.---Visit Steven's creative practice, Overturf Design Studio, or connect with him on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and X.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Designing a Business that Works for You with Chelsie Tamms Jan 9, 2026 01:01:43 Lettering artist and brand designer, Chelsie Tamms, shares an honest look at running a small business, including wholesale, passion projects, navigating chronic illness, and filtering out advice that doesn’t actually serve you.----**Note: Due to a connection issue during recording, you may notice brief audio quality fluctuations at various points in this episode. Thanks for your understanding.**--

Creative Leadership and the AIGA with Joseph Soto Jan 2, 2026 01:04:25 Joseph Soto, the Director of Art and Brand at Nickerson and President-Elect of the AIGA Los Angeles, discusses creative leadership, the power of mentorship, and navigating the business side of design.----Connect with Joseph on both LinkedIn and Instagram, and be sure to get involved with the AIGA Los Angeles.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Designing for the Big Stage with Tara McCormack Dec 19, 2025 01:11:19 Senior designer Tara McCormack shares what it's like designing for entertainment and live sports, from NBCUniversal to FIFA World Cup 2026, while reflecting on community, mentorship, and finding inspiration beyond the screen.----Visit Tara's website or connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Building a Seriously Playful Career with Barry Darnell Dec 12, 2025 01:24:04 Founder and Executive Creative Director of Analogue, Barry Darnell shares how he built a studio by taking risks early, creating his own opportunities, mentoring new talent, and empowering young creatives to drive their own destiny.----Check out Barry's company Analogue or connect with him on ⁠LinkedIn⁠.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Paving a Creative Path with Julia Heatherly Dec 5, 2025 01:13:57 Designer and Adobe Creative Apprentice Julia Heatherly traces her journey from indie game development to attending ArtCenter to now working at Rhythm Agency, revealing how curiosity, experimentation, and her signature "What if?" mindset fueled the creative path she’s carving today.----Visit Julia's website⁠, or connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.----Connect with Justin Bamfor

The Art of Teaching Visual Storytelling with Christopher Kern Nov 28, 2025 01:13:38 CBU professor, commercial photographer, and agency partner Christopher Kern explores how education, mentorship, and collaboration equip the next generation of visual storytellers to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.----Check out Christopher's photography program at CBU, ⁠his studio agency Compelle, or connect with him on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his

From Aerospace to Art Direction with Tanya Gupta Nov 21, 2025 01:22:28 Former NASA engineer turned multimedia artist Tanya Gupta shares how she left a career in space for the creative world, blending technology, fashion, and imagination to build a uniquely vibrant creative practice.----Visit Tanya's website, or connect with her on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, Instagram, and TikTok.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Distractions, Discipline, and Drive with Brady Patterson Nov 14, 2025 01:05:09 Designer and strategist Brady Patterson shares how he went from designing for the San Francisco 49ers, USC Athletics, Hulu, and Fox Sports to launching his own studio after a layoff, building a creative career fueled by discipline, resilience, and the mindset of an athlete.----Visit Brady's website, ⁠his agency Distract Studio, or connect with him on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, Instagram, and TikTok.----Connect w

Advocating for Freelancers with Rafael Espinal Oct 24, 2025 01:01:32 Rafael Espinal, President and Executive Director of the Freelancers Union, shares how he’s working to protect, support, and empower independent workers in today’s ever-evolving economy.----Connect with Rafael on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, or his website.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.----Check ou

Balancing Tech and Passion with Jason Vaughan Oct 15, 2025 01:11:40 Developer and designer Jason Vaughan shares his unique career path, from coding for GEICO to developing for DARPA within the Department of Defense, and how running his lawn-care business, The Turf Nerd, helps him stay grounded.----Connect with Jason on LinkedIn, Instagram, or his website, The Turf Nerd.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Evolving as a UX Designer with Timothy Schmidt Oct 10, 2025 01:09:07 Returning guest Timothy Schmidt shares how his career has developed, what it takes to break into UX design, and insights from his work as Director of Design Operations at Mastercard.----Connect with Tim on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.----Check out the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adobe Creative Apprent

Creative Journeys and Apprenticeships with Rhea Rendon Sep 26, 2025 01:02:36 Community creator and designer Rhea Rendon (aka Romi) shares lessons from her creative journey and what it took to join the Adobe Creative Apprenticeship program.----Visit Rhea's ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ or connect with them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.----Check out the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adobe Creative

Channeling Creativity with Sneha Shanker Sep 10, 2025 00:56:43 Illustrator and designer Sneha Shanker, whose clients include Vans, HarperCollins, Lush, The Guardian, and the BBC, shares insights into her creative process and reveals what life is really like for a creative, beyond the clichés.----Visit Sneha's ⁠⁠website⁠⁠, Instagram, YouTube, or connect with her on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Human-Centered Design with Shruthi Andru Sep 4, 2025 01:01:20 Adobe user experience designer Shruthi Andru talks about the messy middle of design, what she’s learned from her career in UX, and how her wide-ranging projects have helped her better understand the creative process.----Visit Shruthi's ⁠website⁠ or connect with her on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Directing Stories with Galen Summer Aug 21, 2025 01:18:25 Filmmaker Galen Summer talks about directing documentaries, editing for film and TV, and his Emmy-nominated journey in the entertainment industry.----Visit Galen's website, ⁠his company Public Record, or connect with him on ⁠LinkedIn⁠.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.----Check out the brand new ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adobe Creative

Adding Value with Sean Bamforth Aug 15, 2025 01:20:08 From financial clients to big tech and AI, Microsoft's Sean Bamforth reveals how to create impact and add value to any organization and your own career.----Connect with Sean Bamforth on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.----Check out the brand new ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adobe Creative Apprenticeship⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ program and jo

Landing the Dream Job with Curtis Ying Aug 8, 2025 00:56:43 Creative entrepreneur Curtis Ying opens up about his long and determined journey to land a role at Adobe, sharing what it took to stay motivated, stand out, and ultimately get hired as a UX designer on the Adobe Express team. ----Check out Curtis Ying's ⁠⁠website⁠⁠, his clothing company, or connect with him over on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Humanitarian Photography with Winish Chedi Jul 30, 2025 00:54:17 Netherlands-based photographer Winish Chedi shares his journey of reporting on diverse aspects of the human experience, capturing the essence of people and their stories through his camera lens.----Check out Winish's work on his ⁠website⁠, his Instagram, or connect with him over on ⁠LinkedIn.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Comic Book Illustrating with Alba Ceide Jul 18, 2025 00:58:58 Alba Ceide, comic book artist, illustrator, and instructor at the Royal College of Art, shares the creative process behind her stories and what it takes to get published.----Check out Alba's work on her website or connect with her on LinkedIn.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.----Check out the brand new ⁠⁠⁠Adobe Creative Apprent

Bringing Magic to Movie Posters with Dennis Dunbar Jul 11, 2025 00:59:34 Digital artist and image retoucher, Dennis Dunbar, shares his process for creating compelling images for the advertising and entertainment industries.----Check out Dennis's work on his website or connect with him on social media.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.----Check out the brand new ⁠⁠Adobe Creative Apprenticeship⁠⁠ program a

Freelance Graphic Design Tips with Jamie Victor Jul 4, 2025 01:19:03 Branding consultant, art director, and graphic designer Jamie Victor shares what it takes to be successful in the field and how to make freelancing a full-time career.----Connect with Jamie on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ or his website. And be sure to listen to his music with Alright Junior and Fossils from the Future!----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Mastering Design Operations with Timothy Schmidt Jun 11, 2025 01:17:16 Timothy Schmidt, Director of Design Operations at Mastercard, shares insights into his creative process, UX design, and his career with Mastercard and PayPal.----Connect with Tim on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠.----Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.----Check out the brand new Adobe Creative Apprenticeship program and join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adobe Creative Career Discord

3D Design with Kyle Jamison Apr 29, 2025 00:58:33 3D generalist, Adobe Community Expert, and Adobe Creative Career mentor Kyle Jamison discusses the crossroads of creativity and technology in 3D design. ----**Note: Due to a connection issue during recording, you may notice brief audio quality fluctuations at the beginning of this episode. Thanks for your understanding.**----At the time we recorded the episode, Kyle was working for Tate Inc., but

Designing for The White House with Meena Yi Feb 26, 2025 01:03:05 Former Creative Director at The White House, Meena Yi, talks about designing for President Joe Biden and behind-the-scenes life when the United States of America is your number one "client."----See some of the work Meena created for the now archived Instagram accounts for the White House and President Joe Biden.----Visit Meena's Instagram, or connect with her on ⁠LinkedIn⁠.----Connec

Igniting the Creative Mind with Sean Brown Jan 22, 2025 01:20:42 Senior Manager of Marketing Strategy at Disney, Sean Brown, reveals how to spark and sustain the creative mindset. ---- Visit Sean's website, Ignite the Mind, check out his inspiration report, Brainstorm in a Box, or connect with him on LinkedIn. ---- Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, or Discord (jbam). ---- Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adobe Creative Career Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to c

Katrina Torrijos | Digital Creator Dec 30, 2024 00:52:54 California-based digital creator Katrina Torrijos talks about her life as an Adobe Express evangelist and her journey as a content creator on YouTube and Instagram. ---- Visit Katrina Torrijos' ⁠website⁠. ---- Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, or Discord (jbam). ---- Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Adobe Creative Career Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠ to connect with a great community and be part of the

Bartosz Kosowski | Illustrator Oct 15, 2024 00:53:18 Poland-based illustrator and poster artist Bartosz Kosowski talks about creating artwork for clients like Disney, Lucasfilm, Legendary Pictures, Apple, Netflix, HBO, Electronic Arts, The New Yorker, Entertainment Weekly, and yes, even the king, LeBron James. ---- Visit Bartosz Kosowski's website. ---- Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠⁠website⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, or Discord (jbam). ---- Join the ⁠

Sasha Vinogradova | Digital Artist Aug 20, 2024 00:54:52 Emmy-nominated art director, digital artist, and illustrator Sasha Vinogradova (a.k.a Melaamory) talks about her career working on productions like Game of Thrones and True Detective and for companies like Apple and The Mill. ---- Visit Sasha's website or follow her on Instagram. ---- Connect with Justin Bamforth on his ⁠website⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, or Discord (jbam). ---- Join the ⁠⁠Adobe Creative C

Richard Irving | Creative Director Jul 29, 2024 01:00:26 Creative director and Adobe mentor Richard Irving talks about his career in graphic design, which has included work on brands like Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Old Navy. ---- Visit Richard Irving's website or message him on Discord (richardirvingmentor). ---- Connect with Justin Bamforth on his website, LinkedIn, or Discord (jbam). ---- Join the ⁠Adobe Creative Career Discord⁠ to co

Preview Jul 27, 2024 00:00:52 Spotlight Sessions is a podcast offering exclusive insights into the creative industry through conversations with top professionals. Join host Justin Bamforth for personal stories, practical tips, and inspiration, all recorded live in the Adobe Creative Career Discord. ---- Join the Adobe Creative Career Discord to listen and participate in the conversation!

Episodes

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