Welcome, today is an exciting day we are kicking off a new series here called 2x4 where I ask 2 different designers the same 4 questions so we can dive into one specific topic, today we dive into the world of branding and illustration and how they can be used together. So let's meet our guests: Adam Danielson is the founder of Ducktail, a branding & design studio based in Portland Maine. Ducktail specializes in creating playful branding, elevated strategy, and packaging design with character. They're shamelessly kind and craft-obsessed, making things feel more human in a world being overtaken by robots. Peter Laxalt, is a designer, educator, artist, and creative technologist who specializes in the intersection of branding and technology. Peter is a seasoned design leader with over 15 years of experience working with companies in all stages from inception, growth, acquisition, and maturity. Buckle up, as we explore the world of branding & illustration in this very first episode of 2x4, let's get into it.

What does it take to make exceptional digital products? How can one product leave us feeling content and keep us on it for hours while others drive us away in just a few clicks? This week on Low-Key Legends we will learn from product veterans Zeke Shore and Ian Lord co-founders of TypeCode. TypeCode designs and builds digital products and experiences, collaborating with ambitious clients like A24, Google, MoMA, Scholastic, Disney, and MIT to bring powerful ideas to life. Finding clever solutions to hard problems while making things beautiful, intuitive, functional, and effective

Mike Smith and Chara Smith, co-founders of the design and branding company Smith & Diction, share their unique approach to creativity and collaboration. They explore the importance of authenticity in branding and how their personal relationship enhances their work. Discussion includes navigating the complexities of work-life integration, the impact of AI on creativity, and the significance of compelling narratives in messaging. They advocate for a blend of traditional and modern tools to foster emotional connection in branding, while encouraging playful experimentation to overcome creative blocks.

In this episode of Low-Key Legends, I interview Nathan Riley, the design director at Unseen Studio to learn how he got started in design and built Unseen Studio with his co-founders. We discuss the early years of the studio, the significance of self-expression and passion projects, and the influence of sharing on Dribbble. We explore Nathan's journey into 3D design and the agency's shift in 2018 towards creating immersive web experiences. Nathan on Social: Unseen Website Nathan's Instagram Nathan's Twitter / X LinkedIn

Today we're going to be taking a look back at some of my favorite lessons so far from Season 02 of Low-Key Legends; looking at tactics on turning our weaknesses into strengths with Kirk Wallace, lessons on leadership from Emmet Shine, ways power of transparency in our businesses with Self Aware Studio. practical tips on cultivating an audience from Dan Mall This is your audio buffet to sample and try out episodes and hear from guests you may not have known about before. Chapters: 0:50:15 Your weakness is your super-power 0:31:18 Creative Leadership 0:38:19 Transparency in Business 0:54:01 Building an Audience

In this episode of Low-Key Legends, I sit down with Alex, Matt, and Jeremy the founders of Study Hall, a collective of curious creatives ready to tinker with norms to build impactful high-craft work for all walks of life, from Fortune 500 companies like Airbnb to small start-ups. We explore how branding has evolved, looking at what elements are timeless and what we can push and explore more of in 2025 and beyond. Our conversation hovers around the business of branding and how it intersects with today's tools and tomorrow's technologies. We cover how AI is impacting our industry and our team's productivity and what might be next in the world of branding ditching screens and moving into the future of interfaces. Study Hall on Social: Website Instagram LinkedIn Threads

In this episode of Low-Key Legends, I interview my friend Kirk Wallace to discuss the changing landscape in the creative community. They explore how sharing work in 2024 has evolved and how it has impacted how audiences and clients discover their work. Kirk shares his journey from being an engineer to becoming an illustrator and designer, and how he has grown his audience and built a successful career. We get into the importance of authenticity, the need to adapt to new formats and platforms, and the balance between B2B and B2C audiences. We discuss the importance of sharing the process and telling a compelling story to emotionally connect with an audience; finding the balance between being a business person and an artist. Kirk on Social: Skill Share Courses Website Instagram YouTube

Today on Low-Key Legends, I am joined by Jenny Heintz and Mike Wagz, the founders of Self Aware, a design and technology studio based in Philly and established in 2018. Partners in life and business Jenny and Mike focus their synergistic skills on bringing brands to life online, creating fun and dynamic solutions that are both beautiful and performant. They have worked with a variety of organizations and institutions, big and small—from local businesses like Middle Child to major institutions such as the Institute of Design and MIT, as well as Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's production company, Artists Equity. Jenny and Mike share how and why they decided to publish the Notion Doc "Every Project We Have Ever Charged For" shedding a light on how they price creative work. We explore the idea of transparency and business and how it breeds the conditions for open conversation, trust, and a healthier industry. Jenny discusses the importance of being systematic and organized in their design studio, Self Aware. They share how they use processes and systems to guide their clients and ensure they stay on track. They also talk about the benefits of transparency in the industry, including sharing their project budgets and prices. We discuss the challenges of pricing services and the importance of valuing your work. Notion Doc: Every Project We've Ever Charged For Social: Website Twitter Instagram

On this episode of Low-Key Legends Dan Mall shares his journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges he faced in building and closing his agency, SuperFriendly. He emphasizes the importance of culture, margin, and taking care of people in building a successful business. Dan discusses the factors that led him to shut down his agency after 10 years, including the desire to spend more time with his family, the lack of a clear goal for the agency, and the changing industry landscape. We dive deep into the importance of mindset and the skills needed for success in the design industry. Dan shares a contrarian view that not everyone should be paid for their work, especially if the work is not valuable. He believes that compensation should be tied to the value of the work being done. He also emphasizes the importance of learning and teaching as forms of compensation. Britt and Dan discuss the challenges of running a freelancer-based business and the need for transparency and empathy in the industry. Find Dan on Social: → Dan's Site → Design Systems University → Newsletter → Twitter → Linkedin

On this episode of Low-Key Legends, Britt sits down with Tim Evans the Co-founder of Malvah Studio to discuss Tim's wild adventure of getting into design and stumbling into starting Malvah with his business partner Ty. Tim discusses the entrepreneurial journey of starting Malvah Studio and the challenges of running a business in South Africa. He shares how the economic and political climate in the country has shaped his role as an entrepreneur. Tim also talks about the importance of building strong relationships with clients and the importance of sharing your work to attract the right clients and establish trust. Malvah Website Twitter / X LinkedIn Instagram