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From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type . Name: Georgia Release Date: 1996 Designer: Matthew Carter Classification: Transitional Scotch Roman style Owned By: Microsoft Corporation Claim to Fame: A font created and tailored for on-screen display, Georgia was designed to be highly legible at small sizes on low-resolution screens. Its distinctive serifs and generous spacing make it a popular choice for digital reading and web typography. This episode dives into the typeface Georgia, designed by Matthew Carter in 1996. Georgia is a transitional Scotch Roman typeface created specifically for on-screen legibility (Berry, 2023). With its larger x-height, generous spacing, and refined numerals, Georgia was optimized for low-resolution screens, addressing the challenges of digital display at the time (Microsoft, 2022). Unlike many traditional serif fonts, Georgia was crafted to enhance readability across varying screen resolutions, making it ideal for web typography (Hecks, 2019). Georgia was first released as part of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 4.0 supplemental font pack, quickly becoming a staple in digital publishing (Microsoft, 2022). Major outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Huffington Post adopted Georgia for its ability to maintain clarity in long-form articles. At the same time, blogs, online magazines, and recipe sites favoured it for its legibility on smaller screens. The typeface also works well in print, making it a popular choice for books, resumes, and professional documents (Hecks, 2019). Compared to other widely used typefaces, such as Times New Roman and Verdana, Georgia perfectly balances traditional elegance and digital optimization. While Times New Roman, designed for print, can appear cramped on screens, and Verdana, with its larger x-height and simplified sans-serif design, may lack the warmth of traditional typography, Georgia maintains a distinct personality while ensuring readability across both digital and print platforms. This versatility makes Georgia a great choice for designers (Boyarski et al., 1998; Bernard et al., 2002).  References Bernard, M., Lida, B., Riley, S., Hackler, T., & Janzen, K. (2002). A comparison of popular online fonts: Which size and type is best. Usability news, 4(1), 2002. Berry, J. D. (2023, August 6). Matthew Carter Collection . Type Network. Retrieved February 1, 2025, from https://typenetwork.com/articles/matthew-carter-collection# Boyarski, D., Neuwirth, C., Forlizzi, J., & Regli, S. H. (1998, January). A study of fonts designed for screen display. In Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems (pp. 87-94). Hecks, E. (2019, October 28). Chapter 4: Georgia (Updated 2024) | The Font Series . Designerly. Retrieved February 1, 2025, from https://designerly.com/georgia/ Microsoft. (2022, March 30). Georgia font family - Typography . Microsoft Learn. Retrieved February 1, 2025, from https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/typography/font-list/georgia About Our Guest: Born in Toronto in 2003, Darrab Qureshi developed a passion for art through painting in 2012, later exploring photography through Arts Etobicoke's after-school program. Her love for visual storytelling deepened in high school as she focused on Digital Arts and Photography. Now pursuing a degree in Graphic Communications Management at Toronto Metropolitan University, Darrab is expanding her knowledge in typography, design, and management. Her journey has been one of creative growth and discovery, blending her influences of family, identity, and nature. --- Music (public domain): TRG Banks - Above the Earth Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:  Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle Boat Origami Photo:  Boat Origami Photo by Alex  on Unsplash

Welcome back!  This is the fifth and final episode in a 5-part guest lecture series, speaking with a diverse range of design and typography pros from across North America!  We have Koy Suntichotinun ( @Koysun ), a seasoned Thai American artist, whose decade-long journey through the realms of custom lettering and illustration has recently expanded into the vibrant territories of sign painting and mural work. His artistry is a tapestry of intriguing community stories, brought to life with a blend of hand-drawn charm and digital innovation . Koy's ethos of unyielding authenticity and dedication to traditional craftsmanship shines through his work, captivating an audience of over 7 million viewers on his highest-rated Instagram video. His work is a reflection of a relentless pursuit of improvement, a journey marked not by accolades, but by the indelible impact of his art on the vibrant canvas of human experience. In this episode, you’ll hear Koy talk about his introduction to letterforms and using the painted medium to craft his work today. Koy speaks to why he believes people are drawn to hand painted signs and you’ll hear how and why sign painters think differently than traditional graphic designers. Finally, you’ll hear how Koy stays creatively inspired and why he focuses on authenticity over the algorithm. This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography  in winter 2025 at The Creative School  at Toronto Metropolitan University. Let’s listen in… About Our Guest: Koy Suntichotinun ( @Koysun ) is a seasoned Thai American artist, whose decade-long journey through the realms of custom lettering and illustration has recently expanded into the vibrant territories of sign painting and mural work. His artistry is a tapestry of intriguing community stories, brought to life with a blend of hand-drawn charm and digital innovation . Koy's ethos of unyielding authenticity and dedication to traditional craftsmanship shines through his work, captivating an audience of over 7 million viewers on his highest-rated Instagram video.  Graduating from the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, Koy's artistic foundation is robust, enriched by ventures into photography, sculpture, and augmented reality. His competitive spirit, once channeled into Super Smash Bros. Melee tournaments, now finds expression in endurance sports, with a recent triumph in his first half marathon and a rekindled passion for rock climbing. Koy's ambition stretches beyond his online success; he aspires to transition fully into a content creator role, integrating interactive community engagements through workshops, exhibitions, and culinary pop-ups. His work resonates with those who embrace challenges and yearn for stories that aren't just heard but felt—a demographic that appreciates the raw, unfiltered essence of life's many facets. As he steps forward, Koy remains selective, only partnering with narratives that stir his interest and align with his values. His work is a reflection of a relentless pursuit of improvement, a journey marked not by accolades, but by the indelible impact of his art on the vibrant canvas of human experience. --- Music: A Kwela Fella - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:  Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle Boat Origami Photo:  Boat Origami Photo by   Alex  on   Unsplash

Welcome back! This is the fourth episode in a 5-part guest lecture series, speaking with a diverse range of design and typography pros from across North America!  This episode features Jamie Chang, founder of Manic Type based in Toronto, Canada. Jamie is a type designer, letterer and educator. His foundry produces winning commercial and custom typefaces. Commissions and collaborations include: Apple, ABC Dinamo, Canada Type, The Northern Block, OCAD U, Type Electives, Publicis, Jacknife, Food Media, Toronto Design Directory, Atélier Next Door. Jamie is a graduate of the Type@Cooper Condensed Program and earned his MDes from Type and Media KABK. You can find his work on Adobe Fonts , Type Network , Future Fonts  and manictype.com . In this conversation, you’ll hear Jamie draw parallels between brand identity design and type design, you’ll better understand his process and hear about ways that designing a typeface can get out of hand (in a both a good way and bad way). You’ll hear how Jamie decides what kind of type to design next, demystifying the licensing of his fonts, and why he doesn’t use AI in his process. Finally you’ll hear why creativity shouldn’t always be the goal.  The thread that travels throughout the conversation is a brilliant analogy comparing the type design industry to the music industry. You’ll never look at a font (or a guitar!) the same way again.  This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography  in winter 2025 at The Creative School  at Toronto Metropolitan University. Let’s listen in… About Our Guest: Jamie Chang, founder of Manic Type based in Toronto, Canada. Jamie is a type designer, letterer and educator. His foundry produces winning commercial and custom typefaces. Commissions and collaborations include: Apple, ABC Dinamo, Canada Type, The Northern Block, OCAD U, Type Electives, Publicis, Jacknife, Food Media, Toronto Design Directory, Atélier Next Door. Jamie is a graduate of the Type@Cooper Condensed Program and earned his MDes from Type and Media KABK. You can find his work on Adobe Fonts , Type Network , Future Fonts  and manictype.com . --- Music: A Kwela Fella - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:  Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle Boat Origami Photo:  Boat Origami Photo by   Alex  on   Unsplash

Welcome back - I’m so glad you’re here. This is the third episode in a 5-part guest lecture series, speaking with a diverse range of design and typography pros from across North America!  This episode features the legendary, the one and only, Jessica Hische ! Jessica is a lettering artist and New York Times Best-selling author based in Oakland, California. She specializes in typographical work for logos, film, books, and other commercial applications. Her clients include Wes Anderson, The United States Postal Service, Target, Hallmark, and Penguin Books. She’s been named a Print Magazine New Visual Artist (20 under 30), one of Forbes 30 under 30 in Art and Design, an ADC Young Gun, a “Person to Watch” by GD USA, and an Adweek “Creative 100”. She is also the co-founder of Studioworks—business management software for creative studios.   In this conversation, you’ll hear Jessica’s origin story in graphic design and illustration, how she works with sources of inspiration and what her process looks like (yes, verbal brainstorming!). You’ll hear how and why technology has changed Jessica’s process and how she thinks about the topic on so many creatives’ minds: AI. Finally, Jessica shares that it’s a small world, after all, and that, in fact, is a really big deal. I’m also joined by Chris Rouleau , co-hosting this episode alongside me. You can find visuals and links discussed in the show notes at www.talkpaperscissors.info . This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography  in winter 2025 at The Creative School  at Toronto Metropolitan University. Let’s listen in… About Our Guest: Jessica Hische is a lettering artist and New York Times Best-selling author  based in Oakland, California. She specializes in typographical work for logos, film, books, and other commercial applications. Her clients include Wes Anderson, The United States Postal Service, Target, Hallmark, and Penguin Books. She’s been named a Print Magazine New Visual Artist (20 under 30), one of Forbes 30 under 30 in Art and Design, an ADC Young Gun, a “Person to Watch” by GD USA, and an Adweek “Creative 100”. She is also the co-founder of Studioworks—business management software for creative studios. --- Music: A Kwela Fella - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:  Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle Boat Origami Photo:  Boat Origami Photo by   Alex  on   Unsplash

Welcome back! This is the second episode in a 5-part guest lecture series, speaking with a diverse range of design and typography pros from across North America!  This episode features Chris Rouleau ; an independent graphic designer, sign painter and lettering artist in Toronto. Along with his full-time freelance work, he is also a public speaker, lettering instructor, and published author, and his work has been featured in Spacing Magazine, Uppercase Magazine & Flare Magazine. He attended the Alberta College of Art & Design, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary. He received a Communication Arts Award of Excellence in Typography in 2018. He is also an instructor for the online tutorial website, Domestika. When Christopher isn't working, you'll probably see him sipping double espressos, or riding his bike around Toronto. In this conversation, you’ll hear about Chris’ recent projects, the magic to be found in creative constraints, and helpful advice about where to find inspiration. You’ll hear about Chris’ typical process, his thoughts on how many is too many typefaces and advice for muralists looking to scale up and transfer designs onto a wall. Lastly, you’ll hear the role that failure plays in Chris’ process and what Chris is up to next. You can find visuals and links discussed in the show notes at www.talkpaperscissors.info . This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography  in winter 2025 at The Creative School  at Toronto Metropolitan University. Let’s listen in… About Our Guest: Christopher Rouleau an independent graphic designer, sign painter and lettering artist in Toronto. Along with his full-time freelance work, he is also a public speaker, lettering instructor, and published author, and his work has been featured in Spacing Magazine, Uppercase Magazine & Flare Magazine. He attended the Alberta College of Art & Design, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary. He received a Communication Arts Award of Excellence in Typography in 2018. He is also an instructor for the online tutorial website, Domestika. When Christopher isn't working, you'll probably see him sipping double espressos, or riding his bike around Toronto. --- Music: A Kwela Fella - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:  Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle Boat Origami Photo:  Boat Origami Photo by   Alex  on   Unsplash

This is the first episode in a 5-part guest lecture series, speaking with a diverse range of design and typography pros from across North America!  Welcome Fiorella Granda is a freelance designer, illustrator, and content creator from Lima, Peru. Her work spans from pioneering the design of Canada's first WNBA court , to creating impactful illustrations advocating for Women's sports. Fiorella studied architecture at the University of Toronto, where she also played Varsity Basketball for four years. Basketball has been a lifelong inspiration for Fiorella, instilled by her mother, who played professionally. Her enduring love for sports seamlessly intertwines with her creative endeavors. Currently, Fiorella resides in Toronto, Canada. Her journey as a designer, athlete and proud Latina her fueled her mission to push the boundaries of design for the greater good. In this conversation, you’ll hear Fiorella’s relatively recent shift to full-time illustration, her creative process and the way passion projects fuel her work with big brands (including details about her project in Toronto with the WNBA). You’ll also learn about Fiorella’s love/hate relationship with social media, tips for pricing and licensing your work, as well as the magic to be found in showcasing your heritage to others. You can find visuals and links discussed in the show notes at www.talkpaperscissors.info . This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography  in winter 2025 at The Creative School  at Toronto Metropolitan University. Let’s listen in… About Our Guest: Fiorella Granda  is a freelance designer, illustrator, and content creator from Lima, Peru. Her work spans from pioneering the design of Canada's first WNBA court , to creating impactful illustrations advocating for Women's sports. Fiorella studied architecture at the University of Toronto, where she also played Varsity Basketball for four years. Basketball has been a lifelong inspiration for Fiorella, instilled by her mother, who played professionally. Her enduring love for sports seamlessly intertwines with her creative endeavors. Currently, Fiorella resides in Toronto, Canada. Her journey as a designer, athlete and proud Latina her fueled her mission to push the boundaries of design for the greater good. --- Music: A Kwela Fella - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:  Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle Boat Origami Photo:  Boat Origami Photo by   Alex  on   Unsplash

Wow, wow, wow I have an exciting conversation for you today! A few months back, I found out that one of my high school drama pals was in Mirvish’s production of The Lion King in Toronto and on the heels of his debut as Mufasa on Friday, Oren Williamson is here to chat all things creativity, collaboration and comedy!  Oren is a Brampton-raised, Toronto-based actor and comedian. After graduating from the Theatre/Drama program at University of Toronto Mississauga and Sheridan College, Oren pursued an interest in modelling and stand-up comedy which led to travelling and hosting gigs in across Canada, United States, South Africa and the 2018 Olympics in Pyongyang, South Korea. After a 2-year stint as morning radio host in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Oren returned to Toronto to focus on acting. When not on set or stage, Oren can be found working at his restaurant or hanging with wife Ruth and his toddler Berlin. In this episode, you’ll hear Oren’s origin story moving through his non-linear creative journey. You’ll hear him explain the process to play a role in The Lion King’s production, as well as a moment-by-moment account of what was going on in his mind on stage as Mufasa for the first time. We talk all of my favourite topics: facing failure, combatting perfectionism, the necessity of vulnerability and the magic of curiosity.  You’ll also hear about the Wild West of theatre school, including crying day and naked day.  … And we certainly fact checked nothing.  Let’s listen in… About Our Guest: Oren is a Brampton-raised, Toronto-based actor and comedian. After graduating from the Theatre/Drama program at University of Toronto Mississauga and Sheridan College, Oren pursued an interest in modelling and stand-up comedy which led to travelling and hosting gigs in across Canada, United States, South Africa and the 2018 Olympics in Pyongyang, South Korea. After a 2-year stint as morning radio host in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Oren returned to Toronto to focus on acting. When not on set or stage, Oren can be found working at his restaurant or hanging with wife Ruth and his toddler Berlin. --- Music: A Kwela Fella - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:  Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle Boat Origami Photo:  Boat Origami Photo by   Alex  on   Unsplash

Have you ever found yourself straddling the world of art and the world of design, not sure if you should commit fully to one or the other? Will going all in on one feel like selling out your soul or having to fight for every dollar in your bank account?  Enter Zach Litoff , a multi-media artist AND designer whose work blends art and design to create visually compelling narratives. He’s here to chat about straddling both worlds and the benefits he’s found in living in multiple creative spaces.  With a background in fine art, illustration, and branding, he has collaborated with major brands like Nike, New Balance, and Apple while maintaining a strong independent practice. His projects often explore movement, culture, and storytelling through large-scale paintings, apparel designs, or mixed-media photography. Passionate about making running cool and accessible, Zach’s work pushes the boundaries between commercial design and personal artistic expression. In this conversation you’ll hear about Zach’s multi passionate interests in art, science and athletics. You’ll hear an interesting idea about the ways in which the historically significant painters were, in fact, designers. You’ll hear about the mind shift that’s helpful to blur the lines of commissioned design and artistic practice and Zach’s approach to different types of creative projects. Finally, you’ll hear about a few recent, meaningful projects Zach’s most proud of and Zach’s approach to failure. Let's listen in... About Our Guest: Zach Litoff is a multi-media artist and designer whose work blends art and design to create visually compelling narratives. With a background in fine art, illustration, and branding, he has collaborated with major brands like Nike, New Balance, and Apple while maintaining a strong independent practice. His projects often explore movement, culture, and storytelling through large-scale paintings, apparel designs, or mixed-media photography. Passionate about making running cool and accessible, Zach’s work pushes the boundaries between commercial design and personal artistic expression. --- Music: A Kwela Fella - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:  Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle Boat Origami Photo:  Boat Origami Photo by   Alex  on   Unsplash

I had the great pleasure of talking about branding trends and trending brands with the one and only Amelia Nash . Amelia is a Canadian-born designer, brand strategist, and creative director based in New York City. She currently works as the Brand & Marketing Manager for the School of Visual Arts Masters in Branding program . As a Senior Staff Writer for PRINT Magazine , Amelia explores the realms of branding and design, sharing her expertise with a broader audience. Amelia's work has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the prestigious Best in Show for Best Visual Appeal - Aesthetics at the 2024 w3 Awards . Her dedication to open, equitable design practices and her passion for collaboration drive her to uncover the extraordinary in every detail. In this conversation, you’ll hear about Amelia’s work in branding and marketing the Master in Branding program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.  You’ll hear about Amelia’s predictions in branding through 2025 related to strategy, design and emerging practices.She shares her excitement about typographic revival in brand identity design and sustainable practices in packaging.  You’ll hear about the way branding is an ecosystem, balancing trendiness with timelessness and the influence of local design on global brand strategy, and Amelia shares a range of examples throughout. We end the conversation with Amelia’s hope for the future of branding (which is her hope for humans everywhere!).  Link to the PRINT Magazine article that anchors this conversation -- Forecasting the Future: Brand & Design Predictions for 2025 Let’s listen in… About Our Guest: Amelia is a Canadian-born designer, brand strategist, and creative director based in New York City. She currently works as the Brand & Marketing Manager for the School of Visual Arts Masters in Branding program. As a Senior Staff Writer for PRINT Magazine, Amelia explores the realms of branding and design, sharing her expertise with a broader audience. Amelia's work has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the prestigious Best in Show for Best Visual Appeal - Aesthetics at the 2024 w3 Awards. Her dedication to open, equitable design practices and her passion for collaboration drive her to uncover the extraordinary in every detail. In this conversation, you’ll hear about Amelia’s work in branding and marketing the Master in Branding program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.  --- Music: A Kwela Fella - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:  Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle Boat Origami Photo:  Boat Origami Photo by   Alex  on   Unsplash

Let’s talk portfolios!  I’m often asked about portfolio creation, so joining us today to help us navigate building and maintaining a strong portfolio is Robert Smith , a seasoned creative leader, branding strategist, and published author with over 30 years of experience in the design and marketing industry. As the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Greenmelon , he has led innovative projects for a diverse range of high-profile clients, including Warner Brothers, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, DC Comics, and the Royal Canadian Mint. He is the architect/creative director of the beloved Farm Boy brand. With a reputation for blending creativity with business acumen, Robert has been recognized with more than 100 industry awards for excellence in design and branding. A former Vice-President and founding member of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (R.G.D.) , Robert has long been an advocate for professional development in the creative community. His deep understanding of the creative process and its impact on business is captured in his books, The Frankenstein Condition (2017) and Stop Looking for Zebras (2022), where he shares insights on self-awareness in the age of social media and practical strategies for creative professionals striving for success. With a passion for teaching, Robert also serves as an adjunct professor, mentoring the next generation of creatives. His thought leadership extends beyond the classroom, with a growing platform that includes public speaking engagements and a monthly newsletter, all aimed at empowering creatives to realize their full potential. Through his work, Robert continues to drive innovation, inspire excellence, and shape the future of design. In this conversation full of rich insights, you’ll hear why even bad internships are successful in developing self-awareness, excellent advice for portfolio creation, as well as advice on where to have digital presence as a designer. You’ll better understand why storytelling is so important in a portfolio and how to approach it, portfolio upkeep, and concrete Ideas for standing out in a competitive space. Finally, you’ll hear what you can learn from a box of Fruit Loops about promoting your work. Let’s listen in… About Our Guest: Robert Smith is a seasoned creative leader, branding strategist, and published author with over 30 years of experience in the design and marketing industry. As the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Greenmelon , he has led innovative projects for a diverse range of high-profile clients, including Warner Brothers, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, DC Comics, and the Royal Canadian Mint. He is the architect/creative director of the beloved Farm Boy brand. With a reputation for blending creativity with business acumen, Robert has been recognized with more than 100 industry awards for excellence in design and branding. A former Vice-President and founding member of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (R.G.D.) , Robert has long been an advocate for professional development in the creative community. His deep understanding of the creative process and its impact on business is captured in his books, The Frankenstein Condition  (2017) and Stop Looking for Zebras  (2022), where he shares insights on self-awareness in the age of social media and practical strategies for creative professionals striving for success. --- Music: A Kwela Fella - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:  Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle Boat Origami Photo:  Boat Origami Photo by   Alex  on   Unsplash

Today is a great day! You’ll meet one of my best friends, Eden Kim (or you might already know her… I’m convinced that she’s the most connected person on Earth!), who talks about her recent career break travelling around the world and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Eden Kim considers herself a global citizen, with home being wherever her heart happens to be visiting at any given time. Over the years, she’s transformed from a 21-year-old from South Korea who didn’t speak English to someone who moved to Canada alone, built a cross-border career, and became a fearless networker. Now, after an intense 1+ year of travel she’s recalibrating her life and stepping into a new journey—building something of her own. She finds joy in the simple things and she hopes to be someone who brings light into every room. Our conversation is anchored around an event, a lesson and a story Eden’s learned over the past 1+ year. You’ll hear small world stories and profound learnings. You can follow Eden’s journey on instagram at @edenkimfromkorea . Let’s listen in… About Our Guest: Eden Kim considers herself a global citizen, with home being wherever her heart happens to be visiting at any given time. Over the years, she’s transformed from a 21-year-old from South Korea who didn’t speak English to someone who moved to Canada alone, built a cross-border career, and became a fearless networker. Now, after an intense 1+ year of travel she’s recalibrating her life and stepping into a new journey—building something of her own. She finds joy in the simple things and she hopes to be someone who brings light into every room. --- Music: A Kwela Fella - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:  Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle Boat Origami Photo:  Boat Origami Photo by   Alex  on   Unsplash

Do you ever wonder what your life would be like at a 1:87 ratio of your current scale? I would stand 0.75” tall and my voice would probably sound like this. Today I am speaking with Mark Domanski, Director of Destinations, at Little Canada .  Mark oversees the build and expansion of the immersive miniature exhibits that bring Canada to life. As a student of civil engineering at Carleton University, his path brought him to Little Canada in its very earliest stages, when it was just a series of model miniatures and a dream in a Mississauga warehouse. Initially joining the project as a hired hand to help with construction and design, Mark quickly earned a reputation as the go-to guy for complex structures and building intricate models, including the iconic Toronto skyline you see in Little Canada today. Now in his 11th year with the company, you can find him putting his engineering degree to good use at Little Canada’s permanent home at Yonge & Dundas, leading the destinations team in the creation of Little Niagara, Little Toronto, Little Golden Horseshoe, Little Ottawa, Pétit Québec, Little East Coast and the newly launched Little West Coast, with Little North set to debut in 2025. In this conversation, you’ll hear about the design and creative collaboration within Little Canada, as well as the attraction’s origin story. You’ll learn about the interdisciplinary nature of the build team, and materials and techniques used to create the models. You’ll hear how storytelling happens in the space, including the incorporation of Indigenous voices, in consultation with Indigenous communities. Finally, Mark shares his ‘not to be missed’ list of what to see when you check out the space for yourself.  A quick note that this episode isn’t sponsored — as always I’m just a curious human trying to connect with interesting, creative projects out in the world.  Let’s listen in… About Our Guest: Mark Domanski oversees the build and expansion of the immersive miniature exhibits that bring Canada to life. As a student of civil engineering at Carleton University, his path brought him to Little Canada in its very earliest stages, when it was just a series of model miniatures and a dream in a Mississauga warehouse. Initially joining the project as a hired hand to help with construction and design, Mark quickly earned a reputation as the go-to guy for complex structures and building intricate models, including the iconic Toronto skyline you see in Little Canada today. Now in his 11th year with the company, you can find him putting his engineering degree to good use at Little Canada’s permanent home at Yonge & Dundas, leading the destinations team in the creation of Little Niagara, Little Toronto, Little Golden Horseshoe, Little Ottawa, Pétit Québec, Little East Coast and the newly launched Little West Coast, with Little North set to debut in 2025. --- Music: A Kwela Fella - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:  Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle Boat Origami Photo:  Boat Origami Photo by   Alex  on   Unsplash