Ep. 10 - Lettering, Design, & Building a Niche Career

Ep. 10 - Lettering, Design, & Building a Niche Career

OVERVIEW Jason Carne has been doing lettering professionally for two decades. His client list reads like a mashup of a record store, a sports bar, and a spirits cabinet — and that range isn't accidental. It's the result of staying a student of lettering long after most people would've gotten comfortable. In this conversation, Jason and Joe get into how that career actually gets built: the early days doing hardcore merch, the pivot toward packaging and branding, the Stanley Cup project that came in during COVID and somehow still landed, and the ongoing challenge of positioning yourself without losing what makes your work yours. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Jason started in design through the NJ hardcore and metal scene ( making flyers, album art, and MySpace layouts for friends' bands * The Stanley Cup project came through Fan Brandz (via a conference connection with Mike Sulik), got shelved when COVID hit, and was quietly approved once sports resumed * When he works with big names (Harley-Davidson, NHL, Wu-Tang ) he's rarely talking directly to them. There's always a layer between. Know what you're claiming and how. * Closer and Closer reps him; roughly 50% of his work comes through them, the rest direct * He's currently repositioning his site to focus on two things: high-end spirits packaging and logo/branding work * Carmel Type Co fonts (including Botanist, Railroad Company) * The Lettering Library to preserve lettering and design from the past. * His ideal art director gives some guardrails, then trusts the creative like the positive experience working with Joe Baron * When work slows down: focus on personal work, fill gaps with less glamorous jobs, and reach back out to clients you already have relationships with "Give me some guardrails, but trust me enough to do my thing." - Jason Carne 0:00 - Preview 0:04- Intro 1:19 - Influence of the Hardcore Scene on Design 2:34 - Tom was everyone's 1st friend 3:01 - Creative Challenges in High-Stake Projects 4:12 - The Stanley Cup Project 5:45 - Working with Smaller Agencies vs. Big Brands 7:50 - Navigating Client Relationships and Expectations 8:52 - Lettering is Easy 12:52 - Relationships in the Creative Industry 16:57 - Quality Work and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 19:45 - Client Needs vs. Personal Vision 22:19 - Marketing Yourself as a designer 25:10 - Art Representation 28:26 - Navigating NDAs 30:07 - Jason Carne's Type Foundry 33:08 - The Business of Fonts 35:57 - Preserving Design History with the Lettering Library 40:02 - Art Directors nailing it like Joe Baron 44:46 - Adapting to Slow Periods 45:18 - Rapid Fire Questions Connect with US https://markit2me.com/ [https://markit2me.com/] Jason Carne http://jasoncarne.com/ [http://jasoncarne.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasoncarne [https://www.instagram.com/jasoncarne] Behance: https://behance.net/jasoncarne [https://behance.net/jasoncarne] Joe Baron https://www.brandedbaron.com/ [https://www.brandedbaron.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandedbaron/ [https://www.instagram.com/brandedbaron/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/brandedbaron [https://www.youtube.com/brandedbaron]

Ep. 9 - This Brand Doesn’t Sell T-Shirts - It Sells an Experience

Anthony “Biggie” Bencomo — Owner and CSO (Chief Sandwich Officer) of Deli Fresh Threads — joins Mark It 2 Me to talk about building a concept-driven apparel brand rooted in nostalgia, packaging experience, and real-world community. From launching KnightMare Apparel at the University of Central Florida in 1997 to founding Deli Fresh Threads in 2013, Biggie shares lessons learned from nearly three decades of entrepreneurship. He breaks down how turning a sandwich into a brand universe led to restaurant partnerships, monthly SandwichEatUp events, and a loyal following built through connection — not just content. We dive into: • Why packaging is marketing • The power of community over paid ads • Hard lessons in production and inventory • Expanding beyond parody into sports-inspired designs • Transparency in small brand building • What it really means to measure success This episode isn’t about sandwiches, it’s about turning a product into a place. CONNECT WITH US Guest Info Anthony "Biggie" Bencomo Website: http://delifreshthreads.com/ [http://delifreshthreads.com/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/delifreshthreads/ [https://www.instagram.com/delifreshthreads/] Host Info Joe Baron Website: https://www.brandedbaron.com/ [https://www.brandedbaron.com/] Mark It 2 Me Website: http://markit2me.com/ [http://markit2me.com/] instagram -   / markit2me   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXJuVlZQblplWDRBeDhXa0hhVVpnZDFzMnk4QXxBQ3Jtc0trRzdDUzJVLThQR3daU2tBN29JRW9oZ1dpaHJURjlkNllnV1NMekI2bUcxaVBra0pyTzFSNlFnSW13Rjhsc0VoSWNXUmZ2U0MwcVNkUmFmdk1DVm90S1Q5S2F1QlpRU3JqNi1FTGozazhmYm5aRmFXcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Fmarkit2me&v=Me4NSJaj0vg]

Ep. 8 - The Logo Geek Strikes Back

In Part 2 of this conversation, Joe Baron continues his discussion with logo designer, author, and Logo Geek founder Ian Paget. The episode picks up as Ian shares the thinking behind his book, including an overlooked intermediate step in the logo design process that helps clients better understand creative decisions. From there, the conversation expands into self-publishing, his Kickstarter experience, and the realities of using Amazon KDP. Joe and Ian also discuss design awards, industry trends, and why designers should focus less on gatekeeping and more on helping the next generation grow. The conversation ends with some fun conversation on pop culture and history as Ian discusses his fandom for Star Wars and meeting Mark Hamill as well as Stan Lee and moon walking astronaut Buzz Aldrin. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN • The missing “intermediate step” in logo design • Why Ian wrote his book and what designers should take from it • Lessons from launching a Kickstarter campaign • Pros and cons of Amazon KDP and print-on-demand • Why community matters in creative careers • Thoughts on design awards and industry credibility • Easy hack to win design awards • The problem with “fixing” brand logos • Why sharing knowledge matters • Getting an autograph from Buzz Aldrin • What Mark Hamill is really like • What makes a good logo • Ian talks about his logos • Does it matter if you go to school for design 0:00 - Preview 0:10 - Intro 0:46 - New Book and Presenting Concepts 11:35 - Awards and how to win them 20:21 - What makes a good logo - Logo Reviews 32:42 - Ian talks about his logos 39:53 - Not going to University for Design 44:12 - 16 Year Old Me would learn AI Tools 50:07 - Running a Science T-shirt Company 52:31 - Moon Landings and Buzz Aldrin 56:16 - Star Wars Fan 59:31 - Meeting Stan Lee 1:01:58 - Leaving a Legacy CONNECT WITH IAN PAGET Website: https://logogeek.uk [https://logogeek.uk] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/logogeek [https://www.instagram.com/logogeek] CONNECT WITH JOE BARON / BRANDED BARON Website: https://www.brandedbaron.com [https://www.brandedbaron.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandedbaron [https://www.instagram.com/brandedbaron] CONNECT WITH MARK IT 2 ME PODCAST Website: https://www.markit2me.com [https://www.markit2me.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markit2me [https://www.instagram.com/brandedbaron] LISTEN TO PART 1 If you haven’t already, check out Part 1 of this conversation where we discuss: * Mental health in the creative industry * The reality behind “fixing” brand logos * Why creative block might not actually exist * The importance of community

Ep. 7 - A New Hope for Creatives: The Rise of Logo Geek

What does it actually take to build something meaningful as a creative without burning yourself out in the process? In this episode of Mark It 2 Me, I sit down with logo designer, educator, and founder of Logo Geek, Ian Paget, to break down the early stages of his journey to building a respected platform within the design community. We talk about how he got started in graphic design, the realities of freelancing, and what it takes to stay consistent long enough to see real progress. A major part of this conversation also focuses on mental health. the pressure creatives face, the importance of work-life balance, and why taking care of yourself is just as important as developing your skills. Ian shares insights on overcoming creative block, why it’s often more about mindset than ability, and how building a supportive community can change the trajectory of your career. This isn’t a conversation about shortcuts or overnight success. It’s about the long game, building something sustainable, staying grounded, and creating work that actually lasts. If you’re a designer, freelancer, or creative trying to find clarity in your path while protecting your mental well-being, this episode will resonate. CONNECT WITH US: Ian Paget Website: https://logogeek.uk/ [https://logogeek.uk/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/logogeek/ [https://www.instagram.com/logogeek/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpaget/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpaget/] Joe Baron Website: https://www.brandedbaron.com/ [https://www.brandedbaron.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandedbaron/ [https://www.instagram.com/brandedbaron/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/brandedbaron [https://www.youtube.com/brandedbaron] Mark It 2 Me Website: https://markit2me.com/ [https://markit2me.com/] Instagram: instagram.com/markit2me [http://instagram.com/markit2me] IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER: * Ian Paget’s journey into graphic design * From warehouse job to building Logo Geek * The realities of freelance design and early career growth * Mental health in the creative industry * Work-life balance and avoiding burnout * Creative block and why it’s often a mindset issue * The importance of community for designers * Staying consistent and building something over time ABOUT THE PODCAST Mark It 2 Me explores how working creatives turn their work into brands, careers, and creative communities.

Ep. 6 - Why Companies Fail at Marketing — Advice from a Marketing Agency Owner

In this episode of Mark It 2 Me, I sit down with Brianna Calero, founder of Pastel Creative and Fractional CMO, to unpack what real strategic marketing leadership actually looks like. We talk about the difference between visibility and authority, why most companies chase acquisition instead of retention, and how serving your “super fans” can build stronger revenue than chasing mass audiences. Brianna shares how she transitioned from wanting to be a pastry chef to becoming a growth engine for founders, how she approaches market intelligence before building strategy, and why she believes discernment is more profitable than hype. We also dive into marketing alignment, authenticity in business, and the mindset shift that separates sustainable growth from hustle culture. If you’re a founder, creative, or marketer trying to build authority instead of just traffic this conversation is for you. Guest Info Brianna Calero - https://pastelcreative.com/ [https://pastelcreative.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/pastel-creative/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/pastel-creative/] Host Info Joe Baron - https://www.brandedbaron.com/ [https://www.brandedbaron.com/] Mark It 2 Me instagram - https://instagram.com/markit2me [https://instagram.com/markit2me] https://www.linkedin.com/company/pastel-creative/