Better: The Brand Designer Podcast

Wrapping up season 11 with a fun one! I’m answering your questions straight from the inbox. Questions:5:03: I’m a branding designer currently and I was wondering if you had an episode on pricing brand projects with and without websites? 6:55: How do you professionally incorporate Ai into your process? 12:05: If client "A" offers 10K for a project but you're a little iffy about some portion of the project vs client "B" offers 8K for approximately the same amount of time, which do you choose?16:39: Creative directing is a role I thought I was ready for this spring and realized quickly that I was not. Can I ask where you get your leads from? 19:39: How do you stay creative when you have multiple projects?21:44: How can you market yourself as a Brand Designer when you’re too working on your own brand and figuring out how to establish yourself?22:49: Best places to learn and stay up to date with trends and best practices?27:16: What must haves should a brand designer have in their contract?28:20: How do you look for inspiration without comparing yourself to others and making yourself feel small?29:54: How to help your client keep an open mind during the creative process.32:00: How to say no when clients ask extra work?33:35: Does it ever get easy?35:24: How do we demonstrate our value as designers in an increasingly DIY landscape?36:47: How people deal with direct competitors to their current client reaching out for branding help in a small market?Episodes Mentioned:S10 E7:What Should You Charge? Pricing Survey ResultsS1 E10: How to Identify Good Clients and Avoid Red Flag ClientsS10 E1: Our Red Flag List(Avoid These Clients!) with Lauren BraierS11 E19: 5 Year Update on Motherhood & BusinessS10 E5: Why, When, and How to Start an Internship ProgramS8 E17: Rethinking Social Media Marketing with Xanthe AppleyardS8 E 18: How to Launch Your Services with Kelsey McCormickS6 E19: Turning Your Services Page into a Sales Page with Kelsey McCormickS5 E2: Finding Creative InspirationS11 E11: Branding Bestie Chit Chat: Designing a Life You Love with LaurenLinks:The Design Minimind • Sign up to be notified - Applications open Nov 1st, 2025Connect: Facebook Community | Website | Podcast Insta | Hello June Creative Insta | The Design Minimind | The Creative Diaries

In this solo episode, I’m talking about the tools and shortcuts I use every day in Adobe Illustrator (my favorite Adobe software!) while designing for my clients. Plus, I’m sharing exactly where to find them in Illustrator and how I use them. Follow along in more detail over on the blog post while you listen! - hellojunecreative.co/blog.00:00: Intro03:52: Pattern Brush Tool05:31: Duplicate Shortcut06:27: Smooth Tool07:39 Pattern Tool09:21: Width Tool10:42: Join Tool11:47: Pathfinder Tool12:55: Puppet Warp Tool14:53: Recolor Artwork Tool15:56: Outline Stroke ToolHead over to hellojunecreative.co/blog for more tools that I didn’t talk about on the podcast in the blog post! Or go comment on my instagram post over on @hellojunecreate if you know of a tool/shortcut that you use and love that I didn't talk about!Links:The Design Minimind• Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**These are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

In this solo episode, I'm getting real about what five years of motherhood and business ownership looks like—and spoiler alert, it's nothing like I expected when my son was born back in 2020.With baby two now in the mix, I'm diving into how being a mom has completely shifted alongside my career. We're talking daily schedules (chaos included), managing client expectations, and Dylan (my husband) now being home full-time with the kids. Plus the financial pressures of variable income and my ongoing feelings of mom guilt.00:45 Motherhood & Business Q&A02:15 Daily Schedule & Family Dynamics07:15 Managing Client Expectations & Project Timelines09:32 Financial & Growth Considerations12:22 Personal Development & Mindset20:33 Client Work & Creativity24:20 Practical Day-to-Day Management27:52 Long-Term Vision & LegacyEpisodes Mentioned:Bonus Episode: Navigating Maternity Leave and Scaling a Business with a NewbornS5 E21: 2-Year Update on Motherhood and BusinessS7 E22: 3-Year Update on Motherhood and BusinessS10 E6: 4-Year Update on Motherhood and BusinessS9 E3: Steal My Web Design ProcessS11 E7: What Happens After You Design a Website?S11 E2: How to Take(Paid!) Extended Time Away from Your Business S11 E5: Making “The Leap” from Agency to Studio (and Balancing Mom Life) with Katie HigginbothamS5 E14: Iterating on the One-Concept MethodS9E10: Entering a New Era of Brand Strategy with Marion TanS4 E3: All About Brand Strategy with Melinda LivseyLinks:The Design Minimind / Get notified - Applications opens Nov '2530% off of your HoneyBook subscription1 month Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with GustoGet 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.(Some are affiliate links)Connect With Us: Our Free Facebook Community | Our Website | Podcast Instagram | Hello June Creative Instagram | The Design Minimind | Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

I’m back with another solo episode where I’m breaking down the complete Hello June offer suite and sharing why having flexible packages has been a total game-changer for the studio.I discuss my four main package tiers, from full service brand and web combos down to essential branding offerings, plus all the add-ons that support them and how I customize each to fit the client. Plus, I'm sharing how to get valuable feedback from leads (even the ones who don't book) and why your offer suite should always be evolving.Whether you're just starting out or ready to refine what you've got, this episode is for you.Links Mentioned:S11E17: How to Leverage Semi-Custom Web Design with Alex McGinnessS10 E10: How to Run a Successful (and Profitable) Design Intensive with Jenna JohnsonS7 E4: How to Structure, Price, Market, and Sell Design IntensivesThe Design Minimind    • Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscriptionConnect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindTags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

In this episode, Alex of Arcoiris Design Studio is back on the pod to talk all things semi-custom websites, and why it might just be the best thing for small boutique studios looking to scale without the stress.They talk through how starting with a solid template can still lead to a high-end, unique result for clients, why not every business needs (or benefits from) a custom build, and how setting boundaries around scope and timelines can protect your time and profitability. This episode is full of helpful tips on creative direction, client communication, and finding smart ways to grow sustainably.Whether you’re considering building a template shop, white-label web development offers, or simply want to streamline your process, this convo is full with honest insights and actionable takeaways.Guest Information:Guest Name: Alex McGinnessGuest Business Name: Arcoiris Design StudioGuest Website: arcoiris.designGuest Instagram: @arcoiris.design.studioLinks Mentioned:S5 E23: Using Intuition in Your Design Process with Alex McGinnessConnect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramThe Design MinimindTags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

In this solo episode, Jen’s chatting all about how she’s refined and streamlined her brand and web design process to better serve both her clients and her business. She emphasizes customizing workflows to fit different client needs, cutting unnecessary steps, and focusing on high-value tasks. Key changes include reducing client calls, minimizing lengthy brand strategy, and relying on simple, effective communication tools with her clients. Jen also shares practical tips such as live refinement sessions, unlimited revisions within a set time frame, and delivering social-media-ready assets upon off-boarding. These process shifts have saved time, allowed her to take on more projects, all while maintaining a high-quality client experience.Links Mentioned:S9E3: Steal My Web Design ProcessS5E14: Iterating on the One-Concept MethodConnect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramThe Design MinimindTags:  designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design, processes, brand and web design

In this episode, I’m chatting with Katie Higginbotham, previous minimind student of mine, designer, studio owner, creative director, and mom of three. We talk all about what it really looked like to make the leap from her established agency job to running her own studio.With Mother’s Day just behind us, this convo feels especially timely. Katie shares how she knew it was time for a change, how she prepped for the transition, and what it’s been like balancing client work, a part-time role, and mom life all at once. We also dive into the honest truths, like mom guilt, chaotic schedules, and learning to protect the time that matters most.Guest Information:Guest Name: Katie HigginbothamGuest Business Name: Katie Higginbotham DesignGuest Website: katie-higginbotham.comGuest Instagram: @katie_higg_designConnect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramThe Design MinimindTags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

Branding Bestie Chit Chat is back and in this episode Lauren and Jen share honest examples of when things didn’t go quite as planned in their client projects from unclear direction to challenging feedback and how they navigated those moments. It’s a candid supportive conversation full of lessons learned growth moments and a few laughs as well.Guest Information:Guest Name: Lauren BraierGuest Business Name: Elby CreativeGuest Website: elbycreative.comGuest Instagram: @elbycreativeConnect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramTags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

In this episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast, we sit down with Joy Warren, the creative force behind Joy Warren Creative — a full-service brand and web design studio known for its playful simplicity, vibrant use of color, and custom illustrations. Based just outside Raleigh, NC, Joy shares how she launched her business after relocating from Indiana and built a studio that celebrates and supports small, female-owned businesses.We kick things off with a quick story time about how Joy’s business began, and then dive into a foundational concept for any designer: the offer suite. What is it, and why does it matter? Joy walks us through how her own suite of services has evolved — including a major shift away from her once-popular Mini Brands offer. She opens up about the mindset behind pivoting, how to stay responsive to your audience’s needs, and why flexibility in your offers is key to long-term success in the design industry.Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, Joy’s thoughtful approach to building and refining your offers will leave you feeling inspired and ready to adapt.Have you re-evaluated your own offer suite lately?Guest Information:Guest Name: Joy WarrenGuest Business Name: Joy Warren CreativeGuest Website: joy-warren.comGuest Instagram: @joywarrencreativeLinks Mentioned:Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramTags:designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

In this powerful and inspiring episode, we're joined by brand designer Alouette Marsh, whose journey is anything but ordinary. From facing the debilitating effects of endometriosis to rising above it and building a thriving design studio, Alouette shares her deeply personal story of resilience, creativity, and purpose.We talk about the darkest moments of her health battle, the mindset shifts that helped her through, and the unexpected lessons she now carries into her business every day. Whether you're navigating your own challenges or simply need a reminder that growth is possible—even in the hardest seasons—this conversation is for you.Guest Info:Lark Brand StudioConnect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast Instagram