Fonz Morris, a ‘deadass SMART effing product designer,’ stopped by to chat during the HOW Design Live in Boston this year.
We talk about his journey to becoming a Lead Product Designer at Netflix; giving back through launching a mentorship program that creates a ux/ui pathway for those enrolled at historically black Colleges and Universities; building an inclusive product; and more.
Enjoy.
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So much happened during HOW Design Live in Boston this year, that I barely left the convention center at all. On the middle day though, I did make my way the three blocks to Johnny Cupcakes, and then across the street to a Harry Potter store. It was there that I ran into The Reflex Blue Show co-founder Nate Voss, and we decided to take the time to record a show together (First time in-person, since…checking…2013? Surely that can’t be…). As circumstances would dictate, when we were figuring out the logistics, Stefan Mumaw was setting up his talk in room 210, and we just put the microphone next to where he was and started recording.
We talk about Stephanie Voss’ presentation the next day, Star Wars, Street Fighter II, Mumaw’s talks on how to manage chaos and rapid ideation, what goes into a presentation, how many props Mumaw kept setting up, bail money, and more.
Enjoy.
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Karen Torok gave the closing day keynote at AAF Nebraska’s Meet the Pros—a student event that I wish all markets had something similar to. AAF Nebraska does an amazing job on this event (disclosure: I served on the committee this year, but have been promoting this event ever since I went while in college, and so would be telling you how great it was regardless).
Karen talks about leaving design to the world of illustration; working for clients like Barbie; and, most important, the world of doing illustrations of bears in yoga poses for Real Cookies.
Enjoy.
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Nikki Villagomez stopped through Omaha, Nebraska to give the opening day keynote at AAF Nebraska’s Meet the Pros—a fantastic student event that’s been going on for quite a while (like, well over 60 years now). She does a great talk about how culture affects the typography of a city—a talk that is adjusted to each market she’s given it in. We also talk about Manhole Cover Designs, and more.
Enjoy.
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Omaha designer and illustrator Amanda Walla stopped by The Reflex Blue Show to talk about what got her into lettering, and the 100 day challenge she did. Well, we do talk about this at first, but the real reason she stopped by was to talk about Star Wars. Amanda is part of the Duel of the Ranks podcast that, well, ranks all of the Star Wars media against itself. With The Book of Boba Fett halfway through airing, it’s obviously the right time to discuss all things Fett. Sure, waiting until the series is over makes more sense, but why would we want to let that get in the way of talking first and thinking second?
This does make me feel a bit old though…I have seen every live-action Star Wars movie in the theater, and in its original run. On the first though, I was too young to remember that viewing, but I do remember my Grandma taking me again when it was re-released before Empire, which is the best of them all, or at least in my rankings. Out of all of the original Star Wars toys I had (and by that, I mean 1977-1984ish), Boba Fett and Yoda are the only ones I never parted with. Not sure why Yoda made the cut, maybe he was too small and slipped through a purge? Boba Fett I kept, well, because he was cooler than all of the other figures combined.
Also, thanks goes out to Connor Strange, a soon to be graduating graphic designer from Lincoln, Nebraska for co-hosting this episode.
Enjoy.
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