How Tré Seals Is Diversifying Design Through Protest and Typography

New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:📌 @artschoolgradpodcastTré Seals is a multi-disciplinary designer, typographer, and the founder of Vocal Type—a mission-driven type foundry dedicated to diversifying design by telling untold stories through letterforms. In this inspiring episode, Tré walks us through how surviving two childhood brain tumors shaped his identity, how a single article by Cheryl D. Miller shifted his career forever, and how he’s using typography to amplify culture, protest, and inclusion.We explore his creative journey—from graffitiing names on index cards in elementary school to creating fonts used by Spike Lee, Nike, and countless grassroots movements. Tré shares his deep passion for research, cultural storytelling, and the power of design to preserve and honor the past while shaping a more inclusive future.This episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes design is more than aesthetics—it’s activism, identity, and voice.✔️ You want to turn your personal story into purpose✔️ You’re curious about typography, protest art, or cultural preservation✔️ You’re ready to diversify the visual language of your work✔️ You’re looking for career inspiration from a Black creative leader✔️ You believe type and design can drive social changeIntro — Who is Tré Seals?Childhood illness and art as therapySelling graffiti-style name cards in 5th gradeDiscovering design through struggle and storyLaunching Vocal Type and honoring protest movementsCreating Martin, the typeface inspired by MLK and MemphisThe role of Cheryl D. Miller’s “Missing in Action” articleWhy type design is cultural storytellingCreative process and research behind each typefaceBuilding Studio Seals on family landHow he landed collaborations with Spike Lee and NikeAdvice for young designers who feel unseenThe difference between diversity and inclusionQuickfire: Fonts, protest signs, and design heroesWhat’s next for Vocal Type🌐 Website: https://www.treseals.com🔤 Vocal Type: https://vocaltype.co📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/vocaltype.co🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/tresealsMore Podcast Episodes:🎧 https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcastResources Mentioned:– Cheryl D. Miller’s “Black Designers: Missing in Action”– Vocal Type Foundry– Studio Seals– Fontself & Glyphs– Protest Design Archives#TreSeals #VocalType #BlackTypographer #TypographyDesign #DesignForChange #CreativeStorytelling #DesignActivism #DesignWithPurpose #StudioSeals #BlackDesigners #FontDesign #TypeFoundry #ProtestFonts #ArtSchoolGradPodcast #DiversityInDesignThis episode is for you if: In This Episode: Connect with Tré Seals: More Podcast Episodes: Resources Mentioned: