Better: The Brand Designer Podcast
Jen Davis
Better: The Brand Designer Podcast, founded by Giselle Field of Wander Design Co. and Jen Davis, was founded on the belief that designers need community. We find that the branding world often feels secretive, competitive, and sometimes just plain old confusing. When we realized that our honest, soul-chat-level convos could potentially help other designers, we realized a podcast was only natural! Better: The Brand Designer Podcast was officially born.Giselle passed away during a climbing trip in Peru in summer of 2020. We encourage all listeners of our podcast to listen to our two Celebrating Giselle episodes. Giselle's adventurous, kind, funny, and supportive presence is missed every day—each and every episode that we record is dedicated to her legacy and her vision for this podcast. It is our honor to continue recording episodes in Giselle's memory and we know that she is with us every time we sit down to record.In winter of 2022, we welcomed Esther Knox-Dekoning from Sereth Design as a new co-host. Esther brought an incredible and fresh perspective to the pod—her transition from agency to design studio as well as her love for web design, sustainability, and world change brought new guests, ideas, and amazing episodes to our listeners. She departed the pod in spring 2023 to dedicate more time to her studio's growth, and will be greatly missed!Now, Jen runs the podcast solo and is beyond excited to continue interviewing guests, having interesting conversations, and sharing the behind-the-scenes of running her design studio.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 14, 2022 • 1h 5min
S5 E22: Esther and Jen’s 6-Month Business Updates
6 months has FLOWN by! In this episode we wanted to share with you some updates on our own businesses — our project statuses, how we’ve changed as business owners, what’s stayed the same, what we’re learning, and oh so much more! Tune in to hear our real-time goings on, the good the bad and everything in-between.Links Mentioned:The Shopify Codex - The Shopify Codex is a first-of-its-kind course by Arq Design Studio that helps designers offer Shopify websites that go beyond the restrictions of premade themes. Better: The Brand Designer Podcast listeners get an exclusive discount! Get $300 off the course when you use code BETTER at checkout.Superhi: Intro to User Experience CourseInbox Question:“How do I organize my clients time to be able to schedule them for current and future months?” — Mayra Padilla RosasSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast
Jun 7, 2022 • 40min
S5 E21: 2-Year Update on Motherhood & Business with Jen
Jen gives an update on what the second year of her life as a mom and business owner looks like compared to the first, and the lessons she learned along the way. This is less of an advice episode (all parents, babies, and families are different) and more of a place for Jen to chat openly about the beauty and the struggles of being a mom and running a business full time. Jen hopes that this episode is relatable, insightful, and interesting to listen to for both people who are and aren’t parents.Links Mentioned:The Shopify Codex - The Shopify Codex is a first-of-its-kind course by Arq Design Studio that helps designers offer Shopify websites that go beyond the restrictions of premade themes. Better: The Brand Designer Podcast listeners get an exclusive discount! Get $300 off the course when you use code BETTER at checkout.Special thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast
May 31, 2022 • 1h 4min
S5 E20: Connecting and Selling in an Organic Way on Social Media with Ashleigh Henry
If you’ve ever felt like marketing yourself on social media (or elsewhere) felt uncomfortable or you’re worried about coming off “salesy,” then this is the episode for you! Ashleigh Henry of The Cheetah Company is a marketing consultant who focuses on educating powerful women to show up and serve in their digital spaces with intentional storytelling and a whole lot of joy. She chats with us in this episode about breaking the “burn and churn” cycle of content creation and marketing, how to organically make lasting connections that provide conversion or collaboration, and what mistakes she sees brand designers specifically making in their content marketing on social media.Guest Information:Guest Name: Ashleigh HenryGuest Business Name: The Cheetah CompanyGuest Website: thecheetahcompany.comGuest Instagram: @thecheetahcompanyLinks Mentioned:http://thecheetahcompany.com/Inbox Question:“I'm always looking for different methods to acquire clients and share my work more efficiently online. What do you do?” — Nakia ChironSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast
May 24, 2022 • 21min
S5 E19: Bridging Culture + Design with Esther
Bridging culture and design is a topic that is near and dear to Esther’s heart, especially as she is mixed Chinese-American, and has spent time meeting and connecting with people of all cultures. In this episode she talked about what to do and what not to do when working on a project that has cultural nodes. The big idea here: Being curious, thoughtful, and intentional when bringing culture and storytelling into design allows you to better connect with audiences, make them feel seen, and stand out in a sea of “borrowed” cultures.Links Mentioned:Sereth DesignKutoa Project by Sereth DesignContinue the conversation with Esther on InstagramSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast
May 17, 2022 • 1h 12min
S5 E18: How to Use Fonts Legally and Confidently for Client Projects with John Giardiniere from Fontspring
In this episode, we chat about ALL things font license with John Giardiniere, the custom licensing specialist at Fontspring. John breaks down what font licenses are, the different types of licenses are, and how to use them. This episode will give you confidence in understanding the legalities around the fonts you use and love.Guest Information:Guest Name: John GiardiniereGuest Business Name: FontspringGuest Website: www.fontspring.comLinks Mentioned:www.fontspring.com/worry-freewww.fontspring.com/matcheratorEmail john@fontspring.com for questions!Special thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast
May 10, 2022 • 50min
S5 E17: How to Plan Your Work Schedule for True Rest + Vacation
Do you ever feel like you can’t take a TRUE vacation? Maybe your fears are that your clients will be mad, you don’t have enough funds to pay for the time away, or you feel like you have TOO much to do that taking time away doesn’t make sense. We’ve been there. In this episode we talk about:The things we do to prepare for vacationBattling mindset when taking time awayHow we plan for vacation ahead of timeHow time-off impacts our business and our own mental health?How to build rest into our schedules more regularlyAnd much more!Inbox Question:“How do you make the most use of a junior designer/intern?” — Indy GriffithsConnect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast
May 3, 2022 • 1h 1min
S5 E16: Traveling Full Time while Running a Design Studio with Natalia Agostinelli
Natalia is a brand designer and the Owner behind By Nat Studio. She's been designing since 2015 as a side hustle and in 2020 she shifted to working on her business full time. She is based out of South Florida but she's often traveling with her husband embracing the 'digital-nomad' lifestyle. In this episode we chat with Nat on how her business changed and evolved during this time, how she stayed focused and productive, and her big learnings of living that life.Guest Information:Guest Name: Natalia AgostinelliGuest Business Name: By Nat StudioGuest Website: bynatstudio.comGuest Instagram: @by_natLinks Mentioned:By Nat Studio Template Shop | 25% off template shop with code BETTER**Hey Whipple, Squeeze This: The Classic Guide to Creating Great Advertising — by Luke Sullivan and Anselmo RamosDrop Dead Designer with By Ariel CoDesign Biz Mastery with Morgan RappInbox Question:“What was the greatest resource you used to help you learn how to design a brand?” — Kiana NicoleSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast
Apr 26, 2022 • 58min
S5 E15: Advice to Our Younger Selves
Today’s convo is inspired by an inbox question we received: “If you could travel back in time to any point in your career and give yourself a single piece of advice, when would you go back to and what advice would you give yourself?” — Meher KaurIn this episode, we chat about:What the beginning was likeSome of the limiting beliefs we hadThings that were really tough to work throughHow we’ve evolved over timeWe also read short letters to ourselves!Special thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast
Apr 18, 2022 • 1h 6min
S5 E14: Iterating on the One-Concept Method
A lot has changed for us since we started using the One Concept Method. (Don’t know what we’re referring to? Check out Season 1 Episode 7 for an overview!) We chat today all about where we started, what we updated, our brand strategy & creative direction process, and how to talk with clients about the One Concept Method (educating them on the benefits, feedback, refinements, and more). All of the updates we’ve made to our processes are in service of minimizing refinements and having a smooth and easy concept development and presentation phase of your projects.Links Mentioned:Elby Creative’s Notion Dashboard WorkshopBranding with BreStudio SeasideInbox Question:“What’s a must when adding a project to your portfolio? What do you think truly helps tell the client’s story and showcase their new brand/your talents the best way possible?” — Amanda DeWoodySpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast
Apr 12, 2022 • 53min
S5 E13: Using Conceptual Projects to Attract Clients with The Brief Collective
This week Jen chats with the ladies from The Brief Collective - Kenzi Green, Marisa Burgett, and Sammi Reese - all about using creative briefs (or conceptual projects) to attract new leads, flex your creative muscles, and practice creating on a deadline. Our convo covers everything from how to create a conceptual project, to how long you can/should spend on them, the benefits both for new and seasoned designers, and how being creative for yourself strengthens your unique style and creative capabilities!Guest Information:Guest Names: Kenzi Green, Marisa Burgett, and Sammi ReeseGuest Business Name: The Brief CollectiveGuest Website: thebriefcollective.comGuest Instagram: @thebriefcollectiveLinks Mentioned:https://sharpen.design/Inbox Question:"How do you make room for your own creations?” - Angela DavisSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast
