On today’s episode, acclaimed artist and creative director George McCalman joins the show to discuss the creative crisis that transformed him from award-winning magazine designer to illustrator, journalist, and independent creative director. George doesn’t hold back in sharing his struggles, conflicts, and philosophies on what drives him creatively, making time to mentor (himself), and not caring what people think of his work as long as it speaks to him. Learn about George’s process, how he found his creative flow, and his epiphanies along the way on Making Ways podcast now.
About George
Raised in Brooklyn, artist and creative director George McCalman received his BFA in philosophy at St. Johns in Queens, NY, which informs his design principles to this day. He credits his Caribbean background for his unique ability to both embrace and rebel against traditional modes of design. After 14 years as an award-winning art director, working with highly respected national magazines like ReadyMade, Mother Jones, and Entertainment Weekly, George opened the doors to his design studio MCCALMAN.CO in 2011. Today he runs his studio practice and works as an artist and illustrator, penning the column “Observed” for San Francisco Chronicle.
Show Notes
- MCCALMAN.CO Official Website
- MCCALMAN.CO on Instagram
- MCCALMAN.CO on Twitter
- George McCalman on LinkedIn
- George’s San Francisco Chronicle Column “Observed”
- Curbed Feature on George’s Festive Dinner Parties
- Lisa Congdon Interviews George McCalman
- KQED Interview for George’s #IllustratedBlackHistory Series
- Interview for The Lonely Hour Podcast
- Bill Cunningham at The New York Times