The Quickie - Conversations with Designers

Today's guest is Rob Johnston. He is a graphic designer, photographer, DJ, and host of Meet the Creatives Podcast. During this episode we talk about:-his very creative child hood. It involves an empty basement, Santa, Christmas Lights, Disneyland, and Nascar.-how he felt disconnected from design while trying to choose what career direction to go in and how he really questioned if he wanted to be a designer. -the logo that was influential to him while he was younger and how he got to later interview the designer that created it. -his time at Hershey, the lessons he learned, and why that was an influential time for him. -a funny poster he created in photoshop in school that ended up being a hit on campus.-his time working at AT&T where he spoke in a meeting and basically pitched his podcast and was fired the next day. -the importance of having mentors and how they have helped him. -the restaurant project he is really proud to have been a part of. Rob is a great guy to talk to and isn't afraid to share his stories. Also go check out Meet the Creatives podcast! Rob does a great job over there interviewing greats in creative fields. @meetthecreativesny

Today's guest is Steve Raboin. He is the Creative Director at Raboin Creative Co. in Hartford CN.During this episode we talk about: -his smalltown childhood where he admits he was not a great student but we always loved drawing. -his time in the Marine Corps and what that taught him. -the influential group and conferences that he has experienced and what they did for him. -what it's like to hold a printed piece in your hand that you have been designing on screen for months and how that feeling will never go away. -the challenges when you are right at the edge of your side hustle taking over your day job and the struggle to balance both.-the brewery project he did where he was able to design the cans, the brand guidelines, and everything else from the start and why it is so proud to have been a part of that project. Steve is such a fun guy to talk to and shared his story and journey with plenty of humor tossed in. @steveraboin

Today's guest is Laura Beauparlant. She is the Founder and Creative Director at Lab Creative, a Keynote Speaker, and the Author of the book Brand Chemistry.During this episode we talk about:-her time living overseas in Europe after graduation and how that inspired and influenced her career direction and business.-where her business started and where it is now.-the Lab Creative process.-the print design that she described as epic had her really excited.-the importance that she still puts on the business card and why.-her book publishing process and the little change she made that cost a little bit extra but delivered the unique style and impact she was going for. -the challenging pivots she has faced in her business and not burning bridges when client relationships don't work out. -the project and business she was a part of that support Canadian women entrepreneurs. Laura shared incredible stories and lays out her career path to get where she is now and the pivots along the way. Lots of experience shared here! @labcreativeinc

Today's guest is Austin Dunbar. He is the Janitor, HR, and Waterboy at Durham Branding Co. in Covington KY.During this episode we talk about:-growing up overseas in Japan.-his mom being a curator of a Japanese art gallery, hanging-out with artists and how that must have rubbed off on him. -his huge love for interior design and where he thinks he picked that up. -how and why print has such a big impact on him and his business and how print won't die as long as design is alive.-the challenges of balancing life with a family and goals and the stuff that me and Austin have shed some tears over.-how when a client / studio relationship turns bad it shows up in the work. Muddy water shows up in the work.-a beer can design project that finally ended after 87 versions. No typo there.-a client project that he is proud to be a part of due to the future impact of the product. I really enjoyed chatting with Austin. A real authentic cat and was happy to share the lessons he has learned and stories from the tough days. He has such a positive attitude too and it really comes through in this interview. @durhambrandco

Today's guest is Taylor Cashdan. He is a Principal Designer at Fidelity Investments, the cofounder of Black Soul Club with Tara Victoria(Episode 105), and a public speaker in Raleigh NC. During Part 2 of this interview we talk about: -the importance of leaning into your community to help you through challenges.-a story about being a very ambitious junior designer and a project he was super excited about, jumped all over, and then...-the Black Soul Club that he co-founded with Tara Victoria. That, and so much more in part two of this interview. Taylor is not afraid to share his story and the struggles he has had with stress addiction. He shares them so openly and honestly too!  @taylorcashdan

Today's guest is Taylor Cashdan. He is a Principal Designer at Fidelity Investments, the cofounder of Black Soul Club with Tara Victoria(Episode 105), and a public speaker in Raleigh NC. During Part 1 of this interview we talk about: -his childhood where his mom was a fashion designer and later owned a pottery store and how those brought creativity into their lives. -the school newspaper that he originally was told he couldn't be a part of but found a way to join the team. -how being told "no" was the catalyst to working harder in the directions he was excited to go in. -the moment his life and educational path changed by passing on a scholarship that was his for the taking, and why he turned it down. -his love for print and print design and why it is still special to him. Part Two launches tomorrow and that is the half where we get into the challenges he has faced in his career so far and the lessons he has learned from them. @taylorcashdan

Today's guest is Zach Newton. He is a Senior Graphic Designer at Hallmark Greeting Cards and also the HMFIC at Newton Design Co in Kansas City MO. During this episode we talk about:-how his journey to be a designer at Hallmark Greeting Cards started in Grade 4, what happened, and how he landed the job 15 years later. -the project where he brought Anthem Singing greeting cards back from the ashes.-how he is involved with print and print design everyday. -the struggle with burnout with a busy side hustle, family, and day job he enjoys. -where and how he finds his side hustle clients and work. -LinkedIn and I share some big time tips on how to find and land your dream client using it. -the project he was a part of where there was 2 red flags waving and he still went for it. What happened, and what he learned.-the stigma and trying to break that stigma around designers sharing their rates.Zach surprised me with is great stories! He was happy to share even when it got a wee bit uncomfortable when I was asking him about his rates and how he feels about them. Really great designer, and all around great guy! Plus...horse milk? @znewton

Today's guests are Lauren DiRusso and Larry White of Duo Design Partners in Fort Worth TX. During this episode we talk about:-Laurens 15+ years at Hornall Anderson in Seattle.-Larry's design career with studios but mostly as a freelance designer. -their recent move from Seattle to Fort Worth TX in an old VW Beattle with no AC. -the designs that have been really influential to them and why. -the excitement and importance of print and the press check. -the challenge of inspiring others and battling burnout that Lauren faced in the fast-paced agency life and the support of her coworkers.-the current struggles they are facing by having to build a client base for their studio. -the freelance design project that Larry is proud to have been a part of and why.-the Alaska Airlines rebrand and why Lauren is so proud to have been a part of it. Lauren and Larry have so much experience in different environments in the design world and they share that knowledge and those experiences with us. @duodesignpartners

Today's guest is Danielle Evans. She is a Dimensional Typographer at Marmalade Bleue in Columbus OH. She has worked with clients like Target, Kellogs, Disney, McDonalds, (RED), Cadillac and more.During this episode we talk about:-her experience politely pointing out to a fellow artist that she felt they were crossing the line from being inspired by Danielle's work, to copying, and how it turned into a really tough situation for her. -her writing for WorkingNotWorking Magazine.-a project she was a part of where the service of others was missed, the focus was only on making it look good, and what that caused.-the exhibit that sent her off on a personal project that involved a lot of R&D and testing to create, and the results of that. Hint, it involves Jello. There is so much in the episode. Danielle has a very unique career that comes with very unique challenges and she is open and honest about sharing them all. @marmaladebleue

Today's guest is Danielle Evans. She is a Dimensional Typographer at Marmalade Bleue in Columbus OH. She has worked with clients like Target, Kellogs, Disney, McDonalds, (RED), Cadillac and more.During this episode we talk about:-how she was raised in a non-privileged household with taught her to be creative and resourceful in finding things to be creative with. -her journey to find her designer identity and where she fit in the creative world.-some of the wild food and objects she has used to create typography.-a poster design contest she was a part of where some of the most memorable posters used print in a way that engaged other senses.There is so much in the episode. Danielle has a very unique career that comes with very unique challenges and she is open and honest about sharing them all. @marmaladebleue