Nashville-based lettering artist and designer Cymone Wilder shares how she found her creative voice through texture, experimentation, and honesty. In this episode of Art School Graduate, we explore graphic design, typography, and the creative process behind developing a unique style as a designer.

If you are trying to find your style, improve your design skills, or understand how identity shapes creative work, this conversation offers real insight into building a creative career in today’s design industry.

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Growing up in a predominantly white town, Cymone opens up about discovering her identity as a Black woman later in life and how that journey shaped both her perspective and her work. She talks about finding inspiration through music, social justice, everyday language, and cultural references, and explains how accidents, limitations, and resourcefulness became a powerful part of her creative process.

We also go deep on how to find your creative voice, why imperfection matters in typography, how to stop perfectionism in design, and how to protect your style while working with clients. Cymone shares practical insight for designers, students, and creatives looking to grow, stand out, and create work that feels honest and personal.

💡 If you are a graphic designer, lettering artist, or creative trying to find your style, this conversation is for you.

🎯 This episode is for you if:

You are trying to find your style as a designer

You want to learn how to find your creative voice

You struggle with perfectionism in graphic design

You want better design inspiration and creative direction

You are learning how to build a creative career

You want to create more expressive and textured typography

You are interested in identity, culture, and diversity in design

You are a student or beginner looking for real design advice

🕐 Timestamps:
00:00 Cold open
00:36 Welcome and intro
01:08 Cymone introduces herself as a lettering artist
02:13 Early influences and discovering lettering
04:34 Finding her voice through lettering
06:05 Where her words and phrases come from
08:03 Why she embraces imperfection and texture
09:22 The moment her style started to shift
11:34 Letting accidents shape your process
13:25 Finding your style over time
14:21 Chasing perfection vs chasing your voice
15:15 Cultural influences and identity in her work
17:35 Discovering her identity as a Black woman
19:10 How identity shaped her creative voice
20:40 Self-acceptance and separating validation
22:06 Using art as a mirror for personal growth
23:47 Creating with limited resources
26:41 When her work started to carry emotional weight
28:13 Knowing when a piece is finished
30:26 Creating alone vs collaborating
34:20 Working with clients and setting boundaries
37:17 Clients who want your voice vs your style
39:17 Protecting your voice in commercial work
42:23 When to walk away from a project
44:20 Being authentic and navigating opportunities
46:10 Quickfire round
48:20 What she’s learning in this season
50:29 Advice to her younger self
51:18 Redefining success
52:18 What she’s still trying to say through her work
54:47 Legacy and what she hopes her work stands for

🌐 Connect with Cymone Wilder:
Website: cymonewilder.com
Instagram / Threads / Pinterest: @simonandmoose

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Instagram: @artschoolgraduate_podcast

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