Meet the Creatives

Best of MTC: AM I A FAILURE!?

Best of MTC: Brian Collins x Chris Do Q&A Session – Recorded at COLLINS: in Brooklyn, New York

'Looking Back on the Early Days of The Handmaid's Tale' with Burton LeBlanc – Makeup Artist | Dept Head | Designer for The Handmaid's Tale

'How a Film Set Actually Works' with Colin Watkinson, Director of Photography on The Handmaid's Tale

'Shooting Some of The Handmaid's Tale's Most Iconic Scenes' with Colin Watkinson, Director of Photography on The Handmaid's Tale

'The Reality of Being First on Set for The Handmaid's Tale' with Burton LeBlanc – 3X Emmy | 4X Guild | MET Fashion Award Nominated Makeup Artist | Dept Head | Designer for The Handmaid's Tale

Hey everyone, welcome back to Meet the Creatives! I'm Rob, and after a bit of a break, we're back in action. Today, I'm keeping it real and breaking down five pieces of career advice for entry-level creatives—straight from ChatGPT. Some of it's solid, some of it's questionable, and some of it makes me wonder if AI is coming for our jobs (spoiler: it's not). Plus, I'm sharing personal stories, networking fails, and why deleting TikTok might've been a huge mistake. Let's get into it! What's in This Episode? Why networking is really just making friends (and why that's better). The right way (and the absolute wrong way) to slide into someone's DMs. Why hyping up others can help your career—but don't be that person. How showing up at creative events changed my career (and can change yours too). The importance of following up without being weird or pushy. Life updates—fatherhood, getting back into the creative scene, and the TikTok saga. Key Takeaways: ✅ Connections help, but if you're not good at your job, you'll get exposed. ✅ Never, ever say, "Can I pick your brain?"—trust me. ✅ Support other creatives and they'll support you back. ✅ Go to industry events, introduce yourself, and act like you belong. ✅ Follow up naturally—no pressure, no awkward sales pitches. Let's Connect! If you found this episode helpful, let me know! I always appreciate hearing from you. Subscribe & Follow:

In this solo episode from 2018, Rob Johnston—then 27 years old—reflects on the lessons he wishes he had learned in college. Looking back, he shares the skills and knowledge he overlooked, from networking to creative exploration, and what he would do differently if he could go back. Whether you're in school or years out, this candid take on personal growth and lifelong learning is one you won't want to miss.

On this episode of Meet the Creatives, Rob Johnston revisits his conversation with Unmesh Dinda, founder of PiXimperfect. Known for his approachable teaching style and expertise in Photoshop, Unmesh shares his journey to becoming a leader in digital artistry and building a global creative community. He offers practical advice for mastering Photoshop, fostering creativity, and overcoming challenges. This episode marks the official return of Meet the Creatives for a brand-new season, starting February 1, 2025. Tune in for fresh insights and inspiring conversations with industry leaders!

'From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be' Chase Jarvis, Artist, Entrepreneur, Bestselling Author + Podcast Host

Best of MTC: Tim Jacobus, the Illustrator Behind the Iconic 90's Goosebumps Covers

Best of MTC: Live AMA with Ben Crick, Apple Design Team , Former Partner & Creative Director at COLLINS  

'Meeting Olivia Rodrigo at The White House' Hannah Cecille, Creative Producer at Instagram Live from The Walker Hotel in Tribeca, New York

'The Importance of Maintaining Relationships' Ivy Ross, VP, Head of Design for All Hardware Products at Google

'Fame is a Spotlight, Mastery is the Sun' Brian Collins x Chris Do Q&A Session – Recorded at COLLINS: in Brooklyn, New York

Best of MTC: Pye Jirsa, Photographer, Educator, and Author

Unmesh Dinda, Founder, PiXimperfect

Sarah Rebar is an illustrator/writer based in sunny LA. She earned her BFA in illustration and design from Syracuse University. For nine years, she worked as an in-house artist for the kid's TV show, Sesame Street, drawing muppets and working on projects for TV, publishing, and digital. She collaborated to create new muppets for Ahlan Sim Sim, an international co-production for young Syrian refugees, funded by the MacArthur genius grant. Her all-time favorite characters are Bert and Ernie. She illustrates books — including four for Michelle Obama's kid's show on Netflix, Waffles + Mochi! Her children's book rep is a cool guy named Chad Beckerman. Most recently, she was an Art Director for Noggin, Nickelodeon's educational platform for kids, overseeing live-action + animated shows, as well as games and design for the Noggin app. Currently, she is freelance writing, drawing, and directing. Reach out! Clients Sesame Street, Nickelodeon, Callisto Media, Random House, Penguin Books, Netflix, TED-Ed, Pippi Skateboards, JibJab, Ethena, KT by Knix

'Honest Advice for Entry-Level Creatives' with Tad Carpenter, Designer, Illustrator & Partner at Carpenter Collective

Overcoming the Ego & Managing Feedback with Cy Wakeman

'How Mathieu Bitton Became Dave Chappelle's Photographer' with Mathieu Bitton, Grammy-Nominated Leica Ambassador, Photographer & Designer

TBT: The Walker Hotel Presents MTC Live with Rich Tu, Partner, Executive Creative Director, Educator

'Looking Back on the Early Days of The Handmaid's Tale' with Burton LeBlanc – Makeup Artist | Dept Head | Designer for The Handmaid's Tale

How to Create Your Own Work with Art Streiber, Photographer

'Dealing with Difficult Clients' Brian Collins x Chris Do Q&A Session – Recorded at COLLINS: in Brooklyn, New York

Best of MTC: Aaron I Butler, 2x Emmy Winning Editor for EUPHORIA

Best of MTC: Colin Watkinson, Director of Photography on The Handmaid's Tale

'Working with Martin Scorsese on Goodfellas and Having Dinner with His Parents' with Barry Wetcher, Motion-Picture Stills Photographer for Iconic Movies like I Am Legend, Sherlock Holmes, and More!

BEST OF MTC – 'Fear is a Friend Who's Misunderstood' 10 Ways in Which Fear is Stopping You from Unlocking your Creative Potential

'Color Theory & Shadows' with Malika Favre

'The Crooked Path' with Lisa Smith, Executive Creative Director at Jones Knowles Ritchie

'All About Adobe' with Scott Belsky, Chief Product Officer at Adobe, Executive Vice President - Creative Cloud

'The Songwriting Process' with Jeremiah Fraites, Co-Founder of The Lumineers

The Season 8 Premiere of Meet the Creatives with Michael Beirut, Partner at Pentagram. Michael Bierut studied graphic design at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, graduating summa cum laude in 1980. He worked for ten years at Vignelli Associates before joining Pentagram as a partner in 1990. His clients at Pentagram have included The New York Times, Saks Fifth Avenue, The Robin Hood Foundation, MIT Media Lab, Mastercard, Bobby Flay Bold Foods, Princeton University, the New York Jets, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Playwrights Horizons. As a volunteer to Hillary Clinton's communications team, he designed the H logo that was ubiquitous throughout her 2016 presidential campaign. Bierut served as president of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) from 1988 to 1990 and is president emeritus of AIGA National. He also serves on the boards of the Architectural League of New York and the Library of America. Bierut was elected to the Alliance Graphique Internationale in 1989, to the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame in 2003, and was awarded the profession's highest honor, the AIGA Medal, in 2006. He was winner in the Design Mind category at the 2008 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards. In 2016, he was the Henry Wolf Resident in Graphic Design at the American Academy in Rome. Bierut is a senior critic in graphic design at the Yale School of Art and a lecturer in the practice of design and management at the Yale School of Management. He is a cofounder of the website Design Observer and is the co-editor of the five-volume series Looking Closer: Critical Writings on Graphic Design published by Allworth Press. Michael's book 79 Short Essays on Design was published in 2007 by Princeton Architectural Press. A monograph on his work, How to use graphic design to sell things, explain things, make things look better, make people laugh, make people cry and (every once in a while) change the world was published in 2015 by Harper Collins. His collection of new essays, Now You See It, was published in fall 2017.

Josh Telles, Photographer

Best of MTC: Paula Scher, Partner at Pentagramwww.MeettheCreatives.org 

Best of MTC: 'Concept to Concert' with Sooner Routhier, Lighting Designer for Coldplay. Production Designer for Panic at the Disco, The Weeknd, KISS, Imagine Dragons, The Lumineers, Rhianna, Pentatonix, Jay-Z, Halsey and More.

'The Unlikely Success of The Goosebumps Series' with Illustrator Tim Jacobus

Vanessa Joy, Photographer

In a podcast episode, Rob Johnston emphasizes the importance of learning from existing creative portfolios to develop one's design skills. He suggests creating an inspiration board, using tools like Pinterest, to broaden one's visual vocabulary by exploring and remixing established designs. Rob underscores that drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources is crucial for innovation and personal growth in design.

In this episode of Meet the Creatives, Rob shares his personal journey of battling self-doubt, overcoming failure, and the constant need to prove himself. He highlights the importance of self-compassion and reflection, emphasizing that life can be both a letdown and surprisingly beautiful. Rob's key message revolves around humility, patience, and finding the silver lining in failures. He discusses his own experience with job rejections, leading him to pursue his passion for photography despite financial challenges. Rob offers a message of hope, encouraging listeners to trust in their own abilities and reminding them that success takes time. He also expresses gratitude for the support of Chris Do and commits to being more honest and open about his struggles on the show.

In this insightful episode with Photographer Valheria Rocha, the conversation not only explores the challenges of starting in photography but also delves into Valheria's remarkable journey that led her to photograph the album cover for Taylor Swift's 'Lover.' Valheria shares personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of embracing limitations, getting creative, and starting with whatever tools are available. The discussion highlights the significance of adapting to circumstances, learning from constraints, and staying true to one's craft.

In this Meet the Creatives Live episode from 2020, Rob and artist Gemma O'Brien share insights on overcoming setbacks and experimentation. They also introduce their cats, who may or may not be related.

Rob Johnston and Julie Zhuo, former VP of Design at Facebook discuss the challenges of building connections in large corporate environments like Facebook. They address the fear and assumptions that hinder individuals from seeking mentorship, emphasizing the importance of overcoming these barriers. Julie encourages proactive initiatives, stressing that many professionals are willing to help when approached with the right intent. The conversation highlights the significance of follow-ups and the positive outcomes of putting oneself out there for mentorship and learning.

In this clip from Meet the Creatives, Jean Batthany and Rob Johnston engage in a conversation about their personal journeys during the pandemic. They touch on themes of prioritizing family and making positive life changes. Both discuss their paths to sobriety and the impact it had on their lives. The conversation also delves into the importance of vulnerability, self-care, and authentic leadership in the creative industry. Jean shares her experiences with meditation, therapy, and the role of 12-step programs in her life.

In this clip with Jean Batthany, former VP of Global Creative at Walt Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products, the discussion centers around the intrinsic value of nostalgia in storytelling and creativity. Jean shares insights from her Disney experience, highlighting the need for a balance between left-brain and right-brain thinking, where creativity is not only an artistic pursuit but also a strategic driver for business results. She emphasizes the emotional connection in storytelling, how it engages people on a deep level and aids in better memory retention. The conversation extends to the challenges faced by legacy brands, with Jean shedding light on the importance of being a brand enthusiast while also envisioning future stories for evolving audience connections.

LIVE Q&A in Los Angeles Featuring Neri Rivas, VP of Creative Advertising at 20th Century Fox Neri Rivas is an award-winning Creative Director whose background includes work on global and domestic marketing campaigns for theatrical film and Hispanic advertising for brands such as NIKE, HONDA, Jack In The Box and the NBA. His passion for graphic design and the arts grew from his childhood love of movie posters.

'Networking and Not Being Afraid of No' Julie Zhuo, Former VP of Product Design at Facebook