Orlando Arocena.

What happens when you approach vector illustration with the energy of graffiti, painted denim jackets, and a lifelong obsession with movies? Orlando Arocena—better known as Mexifunk—joins Howard for a conversation about the experiences behind his unmistakable work.

Orlando traces his path from a multicultural childhood in the Bronx to Pratt, museum visits, and an early job at Troma Entertainment. A request for a three-story-tall Toxie forced him to learn Illustrator on a deadline. What began as a practical challenge became a way to stand out, experiment, and push vectors beyond what people expected them to do.

They get into the making of Venus Revisited, his 2014 Illustrator splash-screen artwork, and the process behind his layered, expressive illustrations. Orlando explains why he values personality over a perfectly polished image, how curiosity drives his technique, and what being a fan brings to projects for entertainment brands.

The conversation also goes behind the business of the artwork: asking better questions before a project starts, collaborating with studios, handling rejected concepts, and understanding the rights attached to a commission. Orlando shares why agency experience can be an education in pricing, licensing, and the realities of working independently.

To close, Orlando and Howard discuss generative AI, the value of human craft, and the importance of supporting other creatives. Through it all, Orlando returns to a simple idea: keep learning, stay curious, and help other artists take their next step.