CAPTN OffScript

S02/E05 - Destination: Design – A Conversation with Adrien Piro, CEO of Creative Market

From art teacher to tech CEO, Adrien Piro has taken one of the most unconventional paths to the top of the design world — and she’s now leading one of the most recognized creative platforms on the planet: Creative Market.
In this episode of CAPTN OffScript, we talk about what it really takes to lead with purpose in an industry where growth is often prioritized over people. Adrien opens up about her creative beginnings, her time building games like Plants vs. Zombies 2, and how burnout pushed her to reevaluate everything — including the kind of leader she wanted to become.
Now, as CEO of Creative Market, she’s reimagining what a design platform can be. One that supports artists instead of overwhelming them. One that values transparency over metrics. One that still believes creativity is human at its core.
We talk about her vision for the platform, the tension between scale and soul, the challenge of being both a parent and a public figure, and how she’s navigating the rise of AI with a strong stance on artistic integrity.
This episode is honest, thoughtful, and full of quiet wisdom — the kind that stays with you long after the episode ends. Adrien doesn’t just talk about leadership — she lives it, and her perspective on creativity, business, and the future of design is something every creative should hear.
Whether you’re a seller, designer, agency owner, or just someone who wants to understand the people behind the platforms — this one is for you.
🎧 Real creatives. Real stories. Real lessons.
Welcome to CAPTN OffScript.
⸻
🔗 Full show notes & episode transcript: https://captnoffscript.com/s02-e05-destination-design-a-conversation-with-adrien-piro-ceo-of-creative-market
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@captnoffscript
📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/captnoffscript
✨ Subscribe for new episodes every week on CAPTN OffScript – where bold creatives share real stories, honest lessons, and unexpected paths to success.

S02/E04 - How SNASK Built a Creative Empire Without Playing by the Rules

From zero agency experience to global design legends, Erik and Freddie of SNASK have built one of the boldest, loudest, and most unforgettable creative studios in the world – and they did it all by breaking the rules.
In this episode of CAPTN OffScript, we head to Stockholm (via pink offices and sarcastic banter) to hear how SNASK became a creative cult favorite by rejecting the clean, gray minimalism Sweden is known for. From beer-fueled branding gigs to Grammy-winning music videos, they’ve proven that being loud, opinionated, and a little weird can take you a very long way.
We talk about what it really means to build a creative business with integrity: staying true to your voice even when clients want you to tone it down, handling the judgment and trend-chasing of the design world, and growing a studio that’s just as serious about fun as it is about professionalism.
This episode is filled with stories you won’t hear anywhere else – the origin of ShowerBeer, how they accidentally became video directors, why Erik only flies short distances, and how their talks turned into rock concerts. It’s a hilarious, unfiltered, and inspiring look into what happens when you build your brand around who you are instead of who the industry wants you to be.
Whether you’re a brand builder, creative misfit, or just someone who feels allergic to corporate blandness, this one is for you.
🎧 Real creatives. Real stories. Real lessons.Welcome to CAPTN OffScript.
⸻
🔗 Full show notes & episode transcript: https://captnoffscript.com/s02-e04-how-snask-built-a-creative-empire-without-playing-by-the-rules
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@captnoffscript
📸 Follow us on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/captnoffscript
✨ Subscribe for new episodes every week on CAPTN OffScript – where bold creatives share real stories, honest lessons, and unexpected paths to success.

S02/E03 – From Ponies to a 7-Figure Brand: Kristy Campbell’s Journey to Pink Pony Creative

From galloping around the backyard as a pony-obsessed kid to running a globally recognized creative studio, Kristy Campbell is living proof that embracing your weirdness can lead to wild success.
 
In this episode of CAPTN OffScript, Kristy shares how she turned a 100-day design challenge into Pink Pony Creative, a bold and playful brand that’s now a 7-figure business. We dive into what it really takes to grow a creative studio - balancing motherhood, managing a remote team, building strong systems, letting go of ego, and becoming a four-time Adobe MAX speaker.
 
This one’s for the designers, the founders, the late-night creators, and anyone ready to build something their 10-year-old self would be proud of.
 
🔗 Full show notes & episode transcript:https://captnoffscript.com/s02-e03-from-ponies-to-a-7-figure-brand-kristy-campbells-journey-to-pink-pony-creative
 
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube:https://youtube.com/@captnoffscript
 
📸 Follow us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/captnoffscript
 
✨ Subscribe for new episodes every week on CAPTN OffScript – where bold creatives share real stories, honest lessons, and unexpected paths to success.

S02/E02 - The Current State of Design - Part 2

In this episode of CAPTN OffScript, I continue the conversation with James Martin (Made By James), James Barnard, Angela Lyons, and Jennifer Taback to explore how AI is transforming the creative industry. We discuss the difference between generative and assistive AI, the ethics of AI-generated design, and how technology is changing creativity, sustainability, and workflow. Jennifer shares an Indigenous perspective on digital stewardship, Angela examines the environmental impact of AI, and we all reflect on why human taste, intuition, and authenticity will define the future of design. Honest, thought-provoking, and deeply relevant – this is the conversation every designer should hear.

S02/E01 - The Current State of Design - Part 1

In this Season 2 opener of CAPTN OffScript, I bring together four leading creatives from around the world to explore the current state of design. The industry has shifted dramatically over the past two decades – from the fall of print and the rise of digital platforms to the emergence of AI and the constant pressure of personal branding. This roundtable is all about pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to navigate the creative field today, with all its opportunities and challenges.
I’m joined by James Martin (Made By James), James Barnard, Angela Lyons, and Jennifer Taback as we talk about how careers evolve, why niching too early can be risky, and what it means to stay authentic in a world built on highlight reels. We dive into the struggles young designers face, the lessons learned over decades in the industry, and the mindsets that help us keep going. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation, with Part 2 releasing on October 8th – honest, unfiltered, and inspiring, it’s the kind of discussion every creative needs to hear.

50. Season Finale: Thank You, See You Soon

Fifty episodes. Countless lessons. One unforgettable season.
 
In this special finale of Season One, I look back on the wild, inspiring, and emotional journey that has been The Type Convo. From honest chats and surprising insights to creative breakthroughs and personal stories, this season has been so much more than I ever imagined.
 
I take a moment to thank every guest by name – from Liz Mosley and Alex Center to James Martin, Martina Flor, and so many more – each one left their mark and helped shape this space into something truly meaningful.
 
And while this is a goodbye-for-now, it’s also a promise: Season Two is coming, with deeper questions, new voices, and conversations that go way beyond the usual design talk.
 
Thank you for listening, sharing, and supporting this podcast. Whether you’ve been here from the start or just tuned in last week, I’m so grateful for you.
 
Take care, enjoy your summer – and see you soon.

49. The Monday Break(Through) 032 - Keep What Gives, Let Go of What Doesn’t

This Monday Break(Through) began with a simple late-night conversation that turned into a life philosophy: keep what gives you something back, and gently let go of what doesn’t.In this episode, I’m unpacking what that really means – how we often carry emotional weight out of guilt or habit, how to define what “gives” in your life, and why staying too long in draining spaces costs more than we think.You’ll hear about my own quiet process of letting go, how to rethink your emotional economy, and a practical exercise to take inventory of what fills you up versus what depletes you.This one is for anyone feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or stretched thin – a reminder that it’s not selfish to live a life that gives back. It’s necessary.

48. From Fear to Front Stage: A Real Life with Liz Mosley

What happens when a simple “no” becomes the launchpad for a whole new mindset? In this episode of The Type Convo, I talk to the brilliant Liz Mosley - designer, educator, podcast host, and Adobe Express Ambassador - about how she turned the fear of rejection into a superpower.We dive into the story behind her 100 Rejections Challenge, why your ‘no’ is often more powerful than your ‘yes,’ and how she balances big-stage keynotes with bathtime arguments at home.We also talk about saying no to the wrong clients, building confidence through discomfort, the surprising perks of making mistakes in public, and what kind of perfume Liz Mosley’s brand would be if it had a scent.This one’s raw, fun, honest, and packed with creative truths.🔗 Learn more about Liz at lizmosley.net🎧 Listen to her podcast Building Your Brand at buildingyourbrand.net

47. The Monday Break(Through) 031 - Work Like a Pro, Laugh Like a Kid

We often hear “work hard, play hard” – but what does that actually look like when you’re building a creative career? In this solo episode, I reflect on one simple but powerful idea shared by designer Alex Center: “Take the work seriously, not yourself.”It’s the kind of mindset that separates burnout from brilliance. In this talk, I dive into: • Why obsessing over excellence doesn’t mean losing your sense of humor • How to build a reputation without becoming rigid • The freedom that comes from leaving your ego at the door • And how joy, rest, and play are part of professional success – not distractions from itIf you’ve ever struggled with perfectionism, creative pressure, or just taking life too seriously – this one’s for you.

46. Take the Work Seriously, Not Yourself: Lessons from Alex Center

In this episode of The Type Convo, I chat with designer, brand builder, and CENTER studio founder Alex Center - whose career journey spans from shaping billion-dollar brands at Coca-Cola (hello, vitaminwater and smartwater) to launching one of today’s most culture-conscious design studios.We dive into what it really means to lead a creative life that’s sustainable, fulfilling, and fun. Alex opens up about mental and physical well-being, the emotional cost of doing meaningful work, and why leaving corporate life was the scariest decision he’s ever made. We also talk about:Why good branding is never the work of one geniusThe art of building a studio culture people actually want to be part ofHow packaging became CENTER’s superpowerWorking with startups vs celebritiesWhy minimalism isn’t about less - it’s about clarityAnd yes, the most famous person in his phone (spoiler: it’s Spider-Man)Whether you’re an independent creative, agency owner, or just figuring out your path, this conversation is packed with honest insight and hard-won wisdom.📍Check out Alex’s work at center.design📲 Follow him on Instagram: @thealexcenter