Michael Flarup is a designer, creative entrepreneur, and co-founder of Northplay. His career spans icon design, self-published books, and independent game development, shaped by curiosity rather than a fixed plan.

In this conversation, we talk about growing up not fitting into traditional systems, discovering creativity through making, and building long-term projects that take years to mature. Michael shares insights into self-publishing the App Icon books, designing games, and why trusting long timelines became a defining part of his approach to work.

We also discuss switching between different creative disciplines, avoiding burnout, and how following what feels genuinely fun often leads to more meaningful and sustainable creative work. Michael opens up about fatherhood, balance, self-doubt, and the idea of healthy self-delusion as a creative strategy.

This is an honest conversation about patience, curiosity, and designing a creative life that lasts.

Kieron Anthony Lewis is an editorial designer, speaker, educator, and Adobe Live host whose work is deeply rooted in culture, community, and meaning. In this conversation, we go far beyond design portfolios and talk about the life experiences that shaped how he works and why he creates.

We discuss the monumental Lagos publication, designing books as cultural artifacts, and how Kieron’s love for magazines and editorial structure began long before he knew design was a career. He shares his journey through agencies, freelancing during COVID, and the unexpected chain of events that led to working with Adobe and major publishers.

The episode opens up into fatherhood, grief, identity, and perspective. Kieron reflects on becoming one of the Design for Planet Trailblazers on the same day he lost his grandfather, and how that moment reshaped his understanding of success, ambition, and what truly matters.

This is an honest, thoughtful conversation about creative purpose, humility, and building a life that aligns with your values, not just your output.

🎧 Real creatives. Real stories. Real lessons.

Welcome to CAPTN OffScript.

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🔗 Full show notes and episode transcript:

https://captnoffscript.com/s02-e11-james-barnard-on-creativity-speed-and-designing-a-life-you-love

🎧 Listen on:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/captn-offscript/id1837469433

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7nJ5dKTP2dQN5OwICKjTY5

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@captnoffscript

📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/captnoffscript

✨ Subscribe for new episodes every week, where bold creatives share real stories, honest lessons, and unexpected paths to success.

James Barnard is one of the most recognizable logo designers working today, but this conversation goes far beyond logos. We talk about how he entered design at 25, why he left agency life, and how freelancing became the turning point that gave him freedom and clarity in his work.

James shares how a single TikTok changed everything, why he only presents one concept to clients, and how he built a process that now gets projects signed off with no amends. We get into speed, systems, taste, experience, and how his Illustrator mastery became a core part of his career. He also explains how Allan Peters’ brand noun method helped him rebuild his entire approach to discovery and direction.

We talk about momentum, visibility, imposter feelings, and the pressure creators feel to always keep up. James opens up about burnout, family life in Australia, raising kids, wildlife encounters, and the real tradeoffs behind the lifestyle he intentionally (and unintentionally) designed.

There are stories from Adobe Max, embarrassing Allan Peters on stage, building the Designers Community, and how teaching, connection, and sharing knowledge became a huge part of why he shows up online.

If you’re a designer, freelancer, or creative navigating uncertainty, growth, or overwhelm, this episode offers clear, grounded insight into building a career that feels good and actually works.

🎧 Real creatives. Real stories. Real lessons.

Welcome to CAPTN OffScript.

—

🔗 Full show notes and episode transcript:

https://captnoffscript.com/s02-e11-james-barnard-on-creativity-speed-and-designing-a-life-you-love

🎧 Listen on:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/captn-offscript/id1837469433

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7nJ5dKTP2dQN5OwICKjTY5

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@captnoffscript

📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/captnoffscript

✨ Subscribe for new episodes every week, where bold creatives share real stories, honest lessons, and unexpected paths to success.