15. Dan Christofferson’s Journey from BeeTeeth to Young Jerks

Dan Christofferson is an illustrator and designer from Salt Lake City, currently based in Philadelphia. He’s a partner and creative director at Young Jerks—an independent brand and packaging studio. Growing up out West, Dan’s work has been informed by the religious heritage of his upbringing and the DIY ethos of Utah’s straight-edge hardcore scene. 

On this week’s episode, he explains why illustrators and designers should know their worth and acknowledge the value they’re adding to a client’s product. Dan also gives crucial advice on how artists should run their online shops in 2023. He recounts his journey from working at Big Cartel to having his own successful online shop and ultimately moving to the East Coast to start a studio with his friend Dan Cassaro. 

Dan talks about how he’s been working his way back to finding a more impulsive, less refined and—as he calls it—“dumber” way to draw. He’s been un-training himself to draw things out of proportion, trying not to balance everything and allowing his kids to influence more of his work. 

Such a fun and informative conversation with one of the greatest! Go tell all your friends about it. Then make some shirts about how good this episode was and wear ‘em around town. It’s so easy! 

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FOLLOW DAN & YOUNG JERKS: 

Instagram (Dan): @beeteeth
Website (Dan): beeteeth.com
Instagram (YJ): @youngjerks
Website (YJ): youngjerks.com

HIRE DAN: [email protected]

BUY “SNAKES OF WRATH”: snakesofwrath.com
BUY YOUNG JERKS MERCH: jerkstore.biz
Non-alcoholic agave spirits: drinkparch.com

Also, check out Arizona artist Joe Sorren’s work.
Dan’s nephew Nathan’s streetwear brand: embodystreetwear.com

And follow the other moms & dads at YJ: Dan Cassaro, Kelly Thorn, Brett Stenson 

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If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review.
And follow Paid 2 Draw on Instagram and TikTok. 

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Hosted by Viktoria Cichoń and David Leutert.
Music by Amanda Deff.