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Graphic design for film might be one of the coolest creative jobs you’ve never heard of, and today’s guest, Gina Alessi, is here to break it down. From making Civil War-era bedspreads to designing posters in under two hours, Gina shares what it’s really like to work behind the scenes of film and TV production as a graphic designer.

We dive into the surprisingly misunderstood world of design in the art department, the lightning-fast timelines of production work, and why a poster you made today might be filmed (or cut!) tomorrow. Gina also opens up about discovering her dream job through Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel, what it took to break into the industry, and why she now teaches others how to do it, too.

Plus, we get honest about the myth of the perfect job, surviving unpredictable cycles of the entertainment industry, and why it’s okay if your dream role comes with tough days.

Whether you’re a design student, a film fan, or just curious about hidden creative careers, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• What a graphic designer actually does on a film or TV set
• Why design for the screen is so misunderstood (even inside the industry)
• The Grand Budapest Hotel moment that changed everything
• How Gina reverse-engineered a career that didn’t exist on Google
• The role of props, branding, and graphic storytelling in production
• Why historical research and print methods still matter for digital designs
• The dream job myth: what happens when your dream is still hard
• Tips for dipping your toe into film graphics even without industry contacts

Connect with our guest:

Gina Alessi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginamadethis

Website: https://www.ginamadethis.com/

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7722613/

Mentioned in this episode:

• Try Flodesk for FREE! https://flodesk.com/c/GOODTYPE
• A Graphic Designer Made That (Gina’s Course) https://agdmadethat.com/
• Manhunt (Apple TV)
• Annie Atkins https://www.annieatkins.com/
• Grand Budapest Hotel
• Camtasia https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

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

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Learn from Katie and Ilana

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

Send us a text

What actually goes on behind the scenes of a 1-million-follower art account?

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like for us to manage one of the biggest creative communities on Instagram. Joining us this episode is our teammate Emily (who wears many hats, from social media management to content strategist and Notion organization wizard), We’re digging into the strategy, challenges, and surprises that come with running an account of this size.

From our early days building an audience as Loomier to taking over the reins of Goodtype, we’re sharing how our approach to content, community, and connection has evolved. We talk about what’s working on Instagram now, the weird stuff we didn’t expect, and how we’re navigating it all as a team.

Whether you’re running a small account or dreaming bigger, this episode is packed with real talk and practical takeaways for any creative trying to grow online, without losing their mind. Thank you, Flodesk for sponsoring this episode!

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• How our team grew from Loomier to Goodtype
• The real behind-the-scenes of managing a 1M+ follower account
• The systems, strategies, and struggles we face as a small team behind a big platform
• What we’ve learned about engagement, content performance, and audience shifts
• Why reposting became risky–and how we’re adjusting to new platform rules
• What kinds of posts are resonating most in 2025
• How we stay grounded and avoid the vanity metrics trap
• A team perspective on creative burnout, boundaries, and showing up online
• Lessons from our 30-day challenge and why going viral isn’t the goal

Connect with our guest:

Emily Lynn Caulfield

Instagram: https://instagram.com/emilynncaulfield

Website: https://emilynncaulfield.com

Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/emilynncaulfield

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/emilynncaulfield

Mentioned in this episode:

• Try Flodesk for FREE! https://flodesk.com/c/GOODTYPE
• Loomier (our biz before we became Goodtype)
• Notion Template for Graphic Designers https://goodtype.us/notion-template-for-graphic-designers
• Goodtype Studio https://goodtype.us/studio
• Price with Purpose

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

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!

Send us a text

We’re getting real in this episode, talking openly about what it means to be a creative with mental health struggles, from panic attacks and perfectionism to ADHD and burnout. Whether you’ve felt overwhelmed by your to-do list, stuck chasing an impossible standard, or just totally unmotivated and scattered, you’re not alone. And you’re not broken.

In this heart-to-heart episode, we’re sharing how our own brains work (and sometimes how they work against us), how we’ve found ways to collaborate with compassion, and what tools help us keep going when the mental health stuff hits hard. It’s been a journey of learning, unlearning, and showing up as our whole selves.

We also reflect on the ups and downs of working together while navigating different work styles, energy levels, and expectations. This one’s for anyone who’s felt like they’re “too much” or “not enough”–we see you.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• What perfectionism and ADHD really look like when collaborating
• How we collaborate without losing our minds (or friendship)
• The toll that anxiety and panic attacks can take, and what helped us
• Why finishing creative projects is sometimes the most challenging part
• Tools we use to manage time, prioritize, and avoid burnout
• Creative identity and letting go of “productivity = self-worth”
• How different brains process time, feedback, and focus
• Amy Poehler (and Leslie Knope) as our collective creative spirit guide

Mentioned in this episode:

• Creative South Conference
• Crop Austin Conference
• How to Be an Imperfectionist by Stephen Guise
• Made by James
• Eisenhower Matrix
• Calm App

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

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!