Our guest in this episode is Cory LaViska, the founder of Shoelace — a component library that makes it easy to build performant, mobile-friendly websites using CSS grids and custom elements APIs. Matt, Travis, and Cory discuss the partnership between Shoelace and Font Awesome, as well as their own experiences using different design systems and web components. Cory also touches on the benefits and challenges of modern web standards and the importance of keeping up with industry trends. Cory...

In this edition of the Nerd Show and Tell we chat with Ed Emanuel, Senior Developer at Font Awesome. Ed started programming at the age of 12 years old with a TSR 80, and hasn't looked back since. As part of Ed's  ongoing learning, he has been working on a new text-based game based on the Oregon Trail known as Space Awesome since last year. As Ed created Space Awesome, he also used it to learn Vue.JS, and the graphics are Font Awesome space-themed icons.  The discussion also includes a look at...

In this podcast, the Font Awesome team discuss the success of their 2017 Kickstarter for Font Awesome version 5. This was the most funded and most backed tech Kickstarter of all time. The team reflects on what contributed to the project's success, including the video, and the decision to add a paid, Pro version to Font Awesome. The team also discusses how they were invited to Y Combinator, a Silicon Valley tech accelerator, after making the decision to give Font Awesome a go as a viable...

In this episode of Nerd Show and Tell, host Matt Johnson interviews Alex Poiry, Head of Security at Font Awesome. After Alex gives a rundown of what he does in his job as Head of Security, things get really fun. Alex explains how he found his way to tech after getting degrees in history and German, and explains his love of early 2000s memes. He also talks about his interest in historic European martial arts and how it ties into virtual reality. Alex also mentions how he gave himself tennis...

Icon Designer Jory Raphael Discusses Design Highlights of Font Awesome 6 on Podcast Awesome Summary Host Matt Johnson and Font Awesome’s Co-founder Travis Chase chat with icon designer Jory Raphael about the highlights of Font Awesome 6, and what differentiates V6 from V5. As Jory explains, when he joined Font Awesome, they had the opportunity to refine the icon set holistically and set some rules to make it better than ever.  Jory also discusses how moving to Figma helped refine the Sharp...

Exploring Sharp Icon Design, Retro Gaming, and Visual Rhythm with Noah Jacobus In this inaugural episode of Nerd Show and Tell, host Matt Johnson interviews Font Awesome icon designer Noah Jacobus. They discuss Noah’s background in music education, how he became an icon design hobbyist, the monumental task of creating the Font Awesome Sharp family, and little bit about his love of handheld retro-styled games.  Noah also explains how music history helped him discover the similarities between...

Reuniting And Strengthening Remote Team Relationships: The Story Behind Font Awesome's Biannual Snuggle The Font Awesome Team has an event called the Snuggle, a biannual company Meetup. As the Font Awesome team lives in different locations and meets every other quarter, the name came about in an interesting way. Choosing a funny name was an attempt to lighten up the serious business of remote work. As a way to foster positive vibes and to keep the team connected, the Snuggle is based on the...

The first episode of Podcast Awesome features host Matt Johnson talking with Jory Raphael about what's coming up in 2023, and gives listeners a taste of what they can expect in the first season. Podcast Awesome will feature "Nerd Shows and Tells," in which members of Font Awesome's team discuss the work they've done in recent sprints (referred to as "splits" in FA speak), as well as the company culture that stems from their semiannual company meetup, affectionately known as "the...

In early 2023, the makers of Font Awesome are launching a brand new podcast unsurprisingly called — wait for it — Podcast Awesome!  In this podcast, we’ll be talking about icons, naturally. We’ll talk about how we think building healthy and sustainable workplaces is possible. We’ll also dive deep into the tech of how we build things. And, of course, we’ll nerd out along the way.  I’m your host, Matt Johnson, and on Podcast Awesome, we’ll be talking about icons, design, tech, business,...