Typism Podcast: Wayne Thompson

Feb 02, 2021

EPISODE 4: How to avoid the comparison trap with typeface designer Wayne Thompson


Wayne Thompson is a typeface designer, and lettering artist who also tells terrible dad jokes and plays guitar in a band. Wayne is from Newcastle Australia, and just about every successful Australian lettering artist I talk to says it’s Wayne’s fault they got into lettering.

That’s exactly why we’ve asked him on to the Typism podcast, to talk about how we can avoid the comparison trap or imposter syndrome.

Wayne spoke at the very first Typism Conference on the Gold Coast in 2013 and his biggest claim to fame is that he designed ABC sans, which is the digital typeface for Australia’s national broadcaster. His second biggest claim to fame is that he wrote the first ever song about fonts. If you Google font song, you’ll find it on YouTube. 

 "Invest in the process, not the outcome"—Wayne Thompson

In today’s podcast episode, you will discover:

  • Why comparison is not always a bad thing
  • How to be aware of imposter syndrome
  • Why imposter syndrome never goes away
  • How to put your own voice into your work
  • Ways to find inspiration outside of social media.

Links mentioned in this episode

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