Let's talk branding

SHOW NOTESIn this episode I talk with Mackey Saturday, he created some iconic visual identities such as Instagram, Oculus and Luxe. We talk about how he creates visual identities with his studio, what he learned from working with design legends Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv and much more.Bio:Mackey Saturday (born 1985) is an American designer and typographer whose work includes logos for Instagram, Oculus and Luxe. He runs his own design firm and was formerly a principal at New York City design firm Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv.We talk about:Mackey’s love of designHow he stays creative even in the middle of a long work dayWhat made Mackey decide to take the leap and start his own studioHow Mackey became the expert in what he doesMakcey’s process and workflowThe changes that clients want, and why those changes might not be for the betterBeing cautious around changes clients wantThe important things to keep in mind first and foremostHow Mackey makes sure that each project is unique and functionalDealing with the risksDeciding on what to keep and what to evolveThe right questions you should be askingHow many options you should give clientsPreparing the client for your workHow much does a logo cost?The differences in working for large and small brandsWhat is changing in the world of branding, both for the good and the badHolding yourself accountable for the work you doImportant Quotes:“You don’t have to be a starving artist.”“I took a risk, and it’s worked so far.”“There are core parts of the process that rings true all the time.”“Pride i"s a huge piece of identity design.”“Don’t just give them what they want, give them what they need.”“It needs to be good. Period.”“Do no harm.”“Show them good work.”“There are only certain parts of the situation you can control.”“Don’t let your pride get in the way.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

In this episode I talk with Fredrik Öst, founder of Snask, one of my favorite branding agencies. We talk about creating brands that make enemies and gain fans.Bio:"Freddie" was adopted to Sweden after being found outside a police station where he lived for 6 months. In the army they found out his heart is twisted backwards and an EKG will read it as if he’s dead. His love for design began with a job he took on creating posters and cover art for a local record label. After being told that they needed 10 years of experience him and his co-founders started up Snask with zero years of experience. The Snask team still see the “old conservative world” as their biggest enemy.We talk about:The story behind SnaskBuilding bold brandsHow they create a brand strategy for brandsHow Snask creates a culture of trust and creativityHow to go beyond the 'BS' in client meetingsThe Shower beer project This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

In this episode I answer some of the questions I receive weekly. I talk about the value of design, how to facilitate and build authority with your design clients.Thank you Jeffrey, Ruben and Juliane for the great questions!What is the value of design without strategy?How can you facilitate a workshop with your clients.How can you do a workshop with a company of one.How to translate attributes to design.How you can use moodboarding to define a common language with your clientHow can you build authoritiy in a client relationship?Thanks a lot for the great questions. If you want your questions answered in the next Q&A episode, just visit speakpipe.com/letstalbrandingI would appreciate it if you could rate the podcast on Itunes, it will help in spreading the word about the podcast. Or you can subscribe to the newsletter on letstalkbranding.be to get weekly insights. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

In this episode I talk with one of my branding heroes, Michael Johnson, founder of Johnson Banks, author of Branding in five and a half steps and thought leader on brand strategy and design. We take a deep dive into brand strategy, design and how to bridge that gap.Michael's latest book: Now try something weirder is coming out by the end of may but you can get a chance to win an exclusive hand-signed copy before it releases. Join the give-away here.We talk about:Michael's agency: Johnson BanksThe Shelter rebrandMichael's book: Branding in 5 and a half stepsHow to move beyond jargon and talk about strategyThe difference between being a strategist and being a designerHow to inspire creative directionsHow design can affect the strategyMichael's new book: Now try something weirder. You can pre-order it here or join the give-away here to get a chance at winning an early copy.Where do idea's come from?A german stage and a series of penis pictures by Erik KesselsMichael's talk at typo BerlinWhy you need to try something weirderHow you can present design optionsWhy you need to learn how to writeTone of voice and messaging This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

I talk about:Business language and how it is used to 'fake' expertiseLearning the fundamentals of brand strategy before you can break the rulesHow I started using my designer skills in the strategy phaseHow we are different from business strategistsIf you have any questions about strategy, branding or design, feel free to answer your question here. I will try to answer all your questions in the monthly Q&A episode. Looking forward to hearing your voices! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

If you would like to get a chance at winning the book, join the give-away on letstalkbranding.be/douglas In this episode, we talk about:Douglas his story, working at multiple advertising agenciesThe end of the DOT.com bubbleDouglas plays the role as my therapist, where we talk about my dilemma being a designer that becomes more and more of a strategistFeatures, benefits, insightsThe article Douglas mentions: https://www.adweek.com/agencies/design-experts-weigh-in-on-ddbs-and-joans-new-visual-identities/What makes a good briefOvercoming the fear and doing the workAs always, if you would like to stay up to date, subscribe to the podcast and give me a rating. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

If you are interested in learning more about the business of expertise, I'm giving away a free copy of the book, signed by David. You can visit letstalkbranding.be/davidWe talk about:Positioning your creative businessThe 2bobs podcast PricingEntrepreneurshipStrategy vs executionTaking risksDavid's book: the business of expertise (affiliate link)David also recommended 4 sources on positioning:Blair Enns: https://www.winwithoutpitching.com/about/David C. Baker website Philip MorganTim Williams of Ignition consultingAs always I would appreciate a rating on Itunes and subscribe if you want to keep getting weekly updates and interviews. If you want to get more insights on brand strategy and design, subscribe to the newsletter on letstalkbranding.be This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

We talk about:Eli's studio: a hundred monkeysNaming mistakesThe importance of naming for logo designHow to protect your name, legallyHow to work with clients on namingEli's book : Don't call it thatIf you are interested in winning a free copy of the book, signed by Eli, visit letstalkbranding.be/eli This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

Some of the topics we discuss:A purpose is not a messageThe difference between marketing and brandingTwentyfirstcenturybrandCustomer researchThe competitive value of branding in Neil's whitepaperI would really appreciate it if your rate the show on Itunes. If you are looking for more weekly insights on brand strategy, please subscribe to the newsletter here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

We talk about:storytellingbranding and marketinginternal brandingrepeating the same message, over and over againlistening to your customershow to be innovativefinding your whythe role of designersidentity designYou can check out Wim's brand, Balls & Glory, here. If you wish to reach out to Wim, you can find him on LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com