235: Looking Past the Brush with Koy Suntichotinun
- Diana Varma
- Mar 21
- 2 min read
Welcome back!
This is the fifth and final episode in a 5-part guest lecture series, speaking with a diverse range of design and typography pros from across North America!
We have Koy Suntichotinun (@Koysun), a seasoned Thai American artist, whose decade-long journey through the realms of custom lettering and illustration has recently expanded into the vibrant territories of sign painting and mural work. His artistry is a tapestry of intriguing community stories, brought to life with a blend of hand-drawn charm and digital innovation. Koy's ethos of unyielding authenticity and dedication to traditional craftsmanship shines through his work, captivating an audience of over 7 million viewers on his highest-rated Instagram video. His work is a reflection of a relentless pursuit of improvement, a journey marked not by accolades, but by the indelible impact of his art on the vibrant canvas of human experience.
In this episode, you’ll hear Koy talk about his introduction to letterforms and using the painted medium to craft his work today. Koy speaks to why he believes people are drawn to hand painted signs and you’ll hear how and why sign painters think differently than traditional graphic designers. Finally, you’ll hear how Koy stays creatively inspired and why he focuses on authenticity over the algorithm.
This episode was recorded as part of a guest lecture series in GCM 806 - Advanced Typography in winter 2025 at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Let’s listen in…
About Our Guest:
Koy Suntichotinun (@Koysun) is a seasoned Thai American artist, whose decade-long journey through the realms of custom lettering and illustration has recently expanded into the vibrant territories of sign painting and mural work. His artistry is a tapestry of intriguing community stories, brought to life with a blend of hand-drawn charm and digital innovation. Koy's ethos of unyielding authenticity and dedication to traditional craftsmanship shines through his work, captivating an audience of over 7 million viewers on his highest-rated Instagram video.
Graduating from the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, Koy's artistic foundation is robust, enriched by ventures into photography, sculpture, and augmented reality. His competitive spirit, once channeled into Super Smash Bros. Melee tournaments, now finds expression in endurance sports, with a recent triumph in his first half marathon and a rekindled passion for rock climbing. Koy's ambition stretches beyond his online success; he aspires to transition fully into a content creator role, integrating interactive community engagements through workshops, exhibitions, and culinary pop-ups. His work resonates with those who embrace challenges and yearn for stories that aren't just heard but felt—a demographic that appreciates the raw, unfiltered essence of life's many facets. As he steps forward, Koy remains selective, only partnering with narratives that stir his interest and align with his values. His work is a reflection of a relentless pursuit of improvement, a journey marked not by accolades, but by the indelible impact of his art on the vibrant canvas of human experience.
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Music:
A Kwela Fella - John Bartmann licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License
Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music: Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle