Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elliot Strunk and Todd Coats. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Elliot and Todd, thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

We’re self-taught storytellers. Well, self-taught podcasters. We’re both graphic designers, so we have years of storytelling under our belts from producing things like posters, logos, brochures, annual reports, presentations, videos, ad campaigns, websites… You get the idea. We’ve made a lot of junk.

During Covid, we had a phone conversation about one of our favorite illustrators, Mort Drucker of MAD Magazine fame, passing away. Our love for him and his work sparked an idea. We knew other people loved the same pop culture touchpoints we do. Could we record these conversations and share them with others to inspire them?

We roughed out some notes for our first episode and made a recording. It was awful. Too long-winded. Inconsistent sound quality. We had some big learning curves in front of us. It took six (yes, six) attempts before, like a good home-brewed beer, we had something we felt was worth sharing.

We’ve been doing this for close to four years now. The learning never stops. We could use a nap.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Once we figured out a podcast was a great way to share some of our thinking, the trick was connecting listeners, whether they be artistic or not, to the bigger picture of artifacts we love.

We see as our throughline the idea of celebrating influence. We’re all shaped by the stuff we absorb every day. Think about the ads you see, the websites you visit, the music and TV shows you consume. Whatever it might be, someone had to make it and it influences how you think. It helps shape how you see the world. (Scary thought, right?)

And also that there are people—and stories—behind all this stuff. Sometimes the stories are just as interesting as the artifacts themselves. We’re always thinking about why we zeroed in on a certain thing, how it’s stood the test of time, and if other people like the things we like for the same reasons.

It’s also about uncovering untold stories. As a result of our research, we’ve found that the best creative always has a lawsuit or two surrounding it. We could probably do another podcast series on crazy people and creative lawsuits. By the way, no one likes a snitch, so if you see something we’re up to, don’t sue, okay?

And for those of us who make our living being creative, we want to remind you about why you do what you do and those moments of discovery that got you excited in the first place.

So jump in and listen all you want. We’ll keep making more episodes!

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Respect artists. What do we mean by this?

People who create for commercial gain aren’t sellouts. Respect them for sticking to deadlines and making a living using their talents. It ain’t easy.

Understand that AI is a tool to be used by people and not a replacement for them. Remember the story of John Henry? No one wants to be John Henry.

It also means that when you listen, please leave a review so that we can keep growing and getting better. And if you see us in a bar, recognize that we are creative geniuses and pick-up our tab. No need to ask or even introduce yourself.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The community that comes from creating and sharing your work.

We have been involved in the design community for decades — seventy years between the two of us. We’ve been lucky to have met some of our creative idols and have been able to provide guidance and mentorship to others.

Podcasting also has a very giving and open community. People are collaborative and supportive. They’re willing to share tips, resources and time. We’ve had a blast being guests on other podcasts and having them be guests on ours.

It’s also rewarding when friends buy us a round of drinks. Are you our friend?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com
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Image Credits

All images courtesy of Two Designers Walk Into a Bar