Creative Voyage Podcast

This episode features Yeohee Kim—known artistically as machìna—a Korean artist based in Tokyo and Berlin. We cover her journey from K-pop to independent artistry, the creative mindset needed to sustain a career in music, the role of solitude in creativity, her approach to music-making, the financial realities of the industry and what it takes to be a thriving independent musician today. Yeohee Kim, known artistically as machìna, is a Korean artist based in Tokyo and Berlin. Her music is a fusion of personal introspection and collective energy, best experienced in the immersive setting of a nightclub dance floor. With a background that spans from K-pop training to experimental electronic improvisation, she blends jazz-inspired modular synthesis with commanding precise vocals. Her career has taken her from performing at MUTEK Montreal and Berghain’s Halle stage to being part of Richie Hawtin’s From Our Minds tour, playing her newly developed live techno set. Her independently released series Action gained traction in 2023 with tracks featured in campaigns for Miu Miu and Nike. Her ability to bridge music and fashion has led to collaborations with Prada, Red Bull Music and Vans among others. Full transcript and more at https://creative.voyage/

This episode features Perniclas Bedow, the founder and creative director behind Bedow, a Stockholm-based design and branding studio. We cover topics such as Bedow’s approach to crafting visual identities, their studio culture and growth, work routines and organization of the studio, career advice for young creatives, lessons that Perniclas got from the “Grafisk Design,” a podcast which he hosted, and much more. Perniclas Bedow is the founder and creative director behind Bedow, a Stockholm-based design and branding studio. Founded in 2005 and currently run by Perniclas and his partner Anders Bollman, Bedow transcends the stereotypical Scandinavian style, blending handcrafted elements with innovative design techniques. The British magazine “It’s Nice That” dubbed their work as “simple, thoughtful, practical design that’s easy to engage with and comfortable to have around.” Renowned for its progressive approach, Bedow’s portfolio boasts an impressive array of Swedish and international clients, including Aller Media, Coop, Neko Health, Unesco and Unicef. Their work has been featured in esteemed publications such as Fantastic Man, Monocle, and The Washington Post. And, over the years, they’ve also won many prestigious design awards from the Art Directors Club, Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, Type Directors Club and more. In addition to their design work, Bedow has also made a mark in the world of podcasting, with Perniclas hosting the acclaimed series Grafisk Design. During its run, Grafisk Design featured interviews with fifteen prominent designers in the Swedish graphic design community, further solidifying Bedow’s reputation as a leader in the field. Full transcript and more at https://creative.voyage/

This special insight-packed 30th episode is dedicated to episodes 14 to 29 highlights, featuring the best strategic, tactical and inspirational advice all 16 of the most recent guests gave at the end of their interviews. You can think of it as a perennial creative career advice resource that you can easily return to whenever you feel stuck, lack motivation or want to get inspired. If you are a creative professional in any industry and at any stage of your career, it will offer various guidance and wisdom to support you on your journey. Learn more at https://creative.voyage/

In this episode, I talk to Myesha Evon Gardner, a New York-based photographer and art director originally from Cleveland, Ohio. We cover topics such as Myesha’s approach to photography, including influences, gear, experimentation, shooting analog and working in the darkroom, her mindsets about growth and finances, lessons she learned from her father, who is a musician, the importance of patience and passion, risk-taking, her most essential rituals, and much more. Biography Myesha Evon...

In this episode, I talk to Colin King, an interior stylist, product designer and creative director. We cover topics such as his work/life balance, the source of his motivation, how he approaches interior styling, his work routines, his thoughts on professional growth and relevancy, the power of asking for help and of helping others, his challenges along the journey, including encounters with addiction and his path to sobriety, and much more. Biography As the go-to interiors stylist for the...

In this episode, I talk to Astrid Stavro, a creative director and graphic designer. We cover topics such as the importance of learning and continually being a student, Astrid’s work routines, advice for young designers, her experience as a Pentagram partner, what makes for a good piece of graphic design, how to orient ourselves during times of change, and much more. Biography Astrid Stavro is an internationally-renowned graphic designer with a reputation for strong concept-driven design...

In this episode, I talk to Chidy Wayne, an illustrator and an artist. We cover topics such as the importance of knowing ourselves, Chidy’s work routines, managing finances as a freelancer, the importance and challenges of personal growth in the face of modern distractions, advice for young creatives, his views on the craft of illustration, including style and trends, and much more. Biography Chidy Wayne is a Spanish Guinean illustrator and artist based in Barcelona. He works in various...

In this episode, I talk to Yuri Suzuki, a sound artist, designer, electronic musician, and partner at Pentagram. We cover topics such as the importance of business skills, the value of mentors and being open to asking for advice, career tips for designers in any field, the intersection of art and commerce, the importance and opportunities of sound design in the years to come, how he became a partner at Pentagram and much more. Biography Yuri Suzuki is a sound artist, designer and...

In this episode, I talk to Anja Charbonneau, a founder, editor-in-chief and creative director of Broccoli. We cover topics such as creative and art direction, how to start a successful magazine, the importance of professional relationships and the delicate art of providing feedback, her work routines and the way she leads Broccoli, challenges Anja encountered along the way, advice for young creatives, and much more. Biography Originally from British Columbia and currently based in...

In this episode, I talk to Mirko Borsche, a creative director, graphic designer, and founder of Bureau Borsche. We cover topics such as his work routines and his studio’s culture, challenges Mirko encountered along the way, advice for young designers, the importance of long-term thinking, art direction, and much more. Biography Mirko Borsche’s career has spanned between work in corporate advertising and progressive cultural design. One time art director for the Mini Group in BMW, he also...

In this episode, I talk to Jermaine Daley, a New York-based fashion stylist. We cover topics such as career tips for beginner stylists, perfectionism, challenges Jermaine encountered along the way, his approach to fashion styling, managing finances, sustainability in fashion, and much more. Biography Jermaine Daley is a New York-based fashion stylist. His work focuses on storytelling and creating characters through styling and editing. One of his signature strengths is the use of color,...

In this episode, I talk to Pauline Le Pape, a type designer and art director based in Amsterdam. We cover topics such as Pauline’s advice to young professionals, the importance of meditation and walks in her work routines, managing finances, including critical mindsets and budget negotiation tips, typography and type design, challenges she’s experiencing at the moment, and much more. Biography Pauline Le Pape is a type designer and art director that graduated in 2016 with an MA in type...

In this episode, I talk to Andreas Martin-Löf, an architect and a founder of Andreas Martin-Löf Arkitekter, an architectural practice based in Stockholm, Sweden. We cover topics such as Andreas’ approach to architecture, the advice he would give to young architects, challenges he encountered so far—including dealing with job burnout—the importance of embracing opportunities, his work routines, the value of beauty, and being brave, and much more. Biography Andreas Martin-Löf is one of...

In this episode, I talk to Tony Brook, the co-founder and creative director of a British design studio SPIN and an independent publishing venture Unit Editions. We cover topics such as independent publishing, lessons he learned early in his career, SPIN's organization as a design studio, their process for designing visual identity systems, and much more. Biography Tony Brook is the co-founder and creative director of a British design studio SPIN and an independent publishing venture Unit...

In this episode, I talk to Tin Kadoić, an experience designer. We cover topics such as his experience of working at Airbnb, different career paths in such organizations, the power of sharing your knowledge, professional lessons he learned so far, and much more. Biography Tin Kadoić is a design leader that’s been looking for meaningful ways to create communities, impact how we learn, stay healthy, and create belonging. Throughout his more than fifteen years long career, he’s worked as a...

In this episode, I talk to Pip Usher, a freelance writer. We cover topics such as advice for writers who are just starting, tips on how to improve our writing skills, what makes a good interview, challenges of being a freelance journalist, the influence of recent motherhood to her work, and much more. Biography Pip Usher is a journalist known for her cultural pieces and long-form profiles. She has written for titles that include The Financial Times, Vogue, Kinfolk, Departures, Wallpaper,...

In this episode, I talk to Jonathan Chmelensky, a professional dancer. We cover topics such as the importance of hard work, challenges of being a professional dancer working today, the ways to keep being engaged with our craft, how to tackle the hard moments on our professional path, and much more. Biography Jonathan Chmelensky is a Paris-born ballet dancer, currently based in Copenhagen. As a ballet student, Jonathan traveled around the world to compete and to perfect his skills, and that...

In this episode, I talk to Armin Tehrani, a photographer, art director, and entrepreneur. We cover topics such as navigating creativity and business, how he went about becoming a professional photographer, what motives him, the importance of giving and receiving honest feedback, and much more. Biography Armin Tehrani is a creative professional from Vancouver, Canada, currently based in Copenhagen. He’s exceptionally multifaceted but focuses mainly on art direction and photography, as well...

In this episode, I talk to Nina Bruun, a designer, trend-spotter, and consultant. We cover topics such as advice to young professionals who are just starting, working with a personal assistant, what is trend spotting and how Nina does it, ideas on how to continually grow and develop yourself, and much more. Biography As a designer went industry professional, Nina has carved out a niche on the Nordic design scene as a leading source on interior trends, color knowledge, and design...

In this episode, we are going to listen to the highlights of season 1 of the podcast. I've decided to take the best of the strategic, tactical, and inspirational advice all of the 12 guests gave at the end of each interview, and create this insight-packed special episode. You can think of it as a perennial creative career advice resource, that you can easily get back to whenever you feel stuck, lacking motivation, or just wanna get inspired. If you are a creative professional in any...