502 - Tube 04: Derrick Castle

It wouldn't be everyone's favorite time of year without That Christmas Guy flying through Nashville and spreading a little redneck holiday cheer to every boy and girl! Derrick Castle helps us open up our 4th Tube Of Christmas and brings along some of his famous southern wisdom that also brings out the best in Mark. Derrick balances a full time design job and has Straw Castle as a side hustle that also hones his illustration talents and now helps develop his screenprinting chops as well. From cash flow to ink flow this episode is a great look into an established artist dipping his feet into the production side of the process to further his own craft. Derrick shares his struggles with staying fresh while keeping his audience, balancing perception and intent, and pumping the brakes to move forward.

Talking Points

The AID Straw Castle Snapback and Enamel Broach for COT members.
QVCing the whole episode, Chai Mantra Beer, and Barry White Trash.
Explaining beer to a straight edge kid.
Are craft shows hitting critical mass?
Keeping your products strong, finding your hurdle, and getting in front of new eyes.
Color sells your product.
A tip for keeping your white type crisp when you;re screenprinting.
Fudging color overlays and calling audibles when it doesn't work out.
Added value, start up capital, and structuring a sale.
Keeping the cash flow momentum.
Massaging the people who produce your products.
Toning, tinting, and shading.
A bucket of base to bootleg your way to better print.
From dark to light while walking a mile in Mark's squeegee.
Hypothetically slowing down and keeping things fresh.
What's wrong with designer?
The undercurrent of an AID interview.
Getting behind the brand to get the real struggle.
What won't Mark put out?
Knowing where you;re going before you open your mouth.
Pumping your brakes for the proper momentum on the big reveal.
Plans, flying by the seat of your pants, and making the most out of what you;ve got.
Working with photographers.
A Competitive Edge Call about Californian concerns.
Keeping up your public facing image.
Where is the moral line of right and wrong on sensitive subject matter?
Intent, perception, and communication.
The most redneck Christmas gifts.