The Quickie - Conversations with Designers

Today's guest is Rahul Bhogal. He is the Designer at Nothing based in Toronto ON. During this episode we talk about: -his early life being born in Bahrain in the Middle East and how he was always drawing and loved making things look good. -the one piece of architecture that has influenced his design thinking and stuck with him.-corporate design life and why he felt called to start his own studio. -the challenges he faced when he left corporate and went full-time freelance.-the Canada 150 poster he created in partnership with the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada that went viral and started a conversation. We also give some shoutouts to designers and illustrators who we love because they are 100% themselves. Rahul is great at sharing stories about his journey to the creative field and living in it. @rahulbhogal_ 

Today's guest is Ellen Bruss. She is the Creative Director and studio Owner at EBD in Denver CO. During this episode we talk about:-her rock n' roll days and intro to design.-where she finds her design inspiration.-an incredible lecture series that she had the opportunity to create the invitations for and how she made them incredibly memorable. -the talented creative that ran the lecture series and the unique creative perspective he would have attendees go through. -her love and passion for all things design. To the point where she actually owns a few hotels and branded them, did the design for them, and even helped with the interior design of them.Ellen is very talented, has a great team, and is very passionate about all things design. I love how open she was with sharing her story and what has her really excited right now. @ellenbrussdesign

Today's guest is Lisa Cain. She is a designer working as Lisa Cain Design in Chicago IL. During this episode we talk about:-how she has been designing for 22+ years and started before design software was a thing. -the one book that introduced her to creativity and lit a creative fire within her. -the career path change she made after starting work in a different direction. -the challenges she faced with the home life, family, work balance while trying to build her freelance design career.-workingnotworking.com and the awesome projects that came her way through that platform. -LinkedIn and how Lisa uses it to grow her business and network. Lisa does a lot of work for not for profits, associations, healthcare, medical, and educational fields. She was so kind and has so much experience to share. @lisacaindesign

Today's guest is Brendan Bayard. He is the Creative Director at Tilt in Baton Rouge LA. During this episode we talk about:-where he first started seeing design.-his first job in the design and print world.-how he got fired from his first design job and ended up a partner with the guy who fired him 15 years later.-the learning curve he faced when he first joined TILT. -a start to finish design and packaging success story that led to an acquisition. Starting something and building equity out of a brand with great design. Brendan shares more great stories with us in this one and throws down with the most interesting place he has found some inspiration. @brendan_tilt @tilt_this

Today's guest is Hank Washington. He is a designer and illustrator working as Hank Designs out of Birmingham AL. During this episode we talk about: -where he was first introduced to illustration and the website that really opened his eyes to graphic design and what design was. -sports design and the exciting football print project he got to cut his print design teeth on. -a project that he was a part of where he was able to help name the company, design all aspects of the logo and brand along with web and packaging design. -staying relevant in this ever-evolving tech world we live in. Hank is a genuine guy and I really enjoyed hearing his story. He also has a great "ask-it-forward" question for the next guest... @iam_hank

Today's guest is Ben Crick. He is the Creative Director at COLLINS in San Francisco CA. During this episode we talk about: -his move from Australia to NY and now to SF and why. There was also a little stint in Canada in there. -the moment that design clicked for him and what it caused him to look back on. -the SPOTIFY rebrand that he was a part of at COLLINS and why it was such an influential project is his career.-why Ben thinks that designers love print. -the challenging moment where he had to acknowledge a design door that had opened and how it caused him to have to let go of what he thought success was. -the huge opportunity that Ben sees for designers right now and moving forward. There is so much packed into this episode and Ben was really open and honest about his journey so far and what he has learned. @bencrick @thisiscollins 

Today's guest is Mark Hirons. He is the owner and designer at Blue Deer Design in Surrey UK. Mark is also the host of the Creative Waffle Podcast. With the podcast he is currently on a 2 month road trip all around the UK interviewing talented Designers and Creatives. During this episode we talk about: -growing up a huge sports fan, being involved in sports, and how that inspired his love for sports illustration and design. -the Cricket magazine that he created around the age of 14 using Microsoft Paint. He then printed it, and went out and sold it at Cricket matches. He tells us what he learned during that project.-how Football (soccer) programs have really influenced his career. -the influential Dave's in his life who he has become friends with and is Mentored by.-the design projec the was a part of for a local charity in his town and why he is so proud of that. Mark also has a dynamite ask-it-forward question related to Waffles. You know? Creative Waffle Podcast? I really enjoyed chatting with Mark and hearing about all the print and sports influences keeping him motivated and excited in his design practice. @bluedeerdesign @creativewaffle

Today's guest is Nick Miner. He is a Freelance Graphic Designer under Miner Design Co. out of Baton Rouge LA. During this episode we talk about:-his early love for building and creating things. Specifically with K'nex, but also halfpipes and skateboard jumps. -the logo that he loved that made him look closer and deeper into becoming a Graphic Designer.-the amazing custom box and product that he uses to market himself and introduce himself to new prospects and potential customers. Seriously, you have to see this thing on his IG. -building a business and being the face of it while also being an introvert.-a mural project that he did for the anniversary of the Moscow Mule and Smirnoff, how that project came to be, and what it meant for him. Nick is a really talented designer and I am not lying when I say that he knows how to present himself to new customers. You know I am a huge print and packaging guy and the way he presents himself to potential new customers is a winning one. Go to his IG to see this thing. @minerdesignco @nicholasgminer

Today's guest is Matthew Clark. He is the Founder and Creative Director at Subplot in Vancouver BC. *Full Disclosure, this episode is more of a Quickie-ish, but its soooo worth it*During this episode we talk about:-how design was not his original career path.-the one question he was asked that changed the course of his career and direction he was going in. -how he entered the design field with a really unique set of skills but still managed to get hired.-his love for print, packaging, and stamp design. -a story about a business that had great founders, great product, loads of PR right out the gate, but design can't save everything. -his struggle with the Creative Director / Designer balance and how it can be a tough change for talented designers to move into the CD role. There is so much more in this episode for you. Subplot design is an incredible studio with a wide variety of clients including Canada Post. They are behind the fairly recent Apollo11 stamp design too. Matthew is super open about his journey and the lessons he has learned. Loads of knowledge bombs and stories in this one! Enjoy!

Today's guest is Alicja Colon. She is a Paper Illustrator and Photographer at Thrice Studio in Savannah GA. During this episode we talk about:-how Alicja came from an Immigrant family and her time working at her dads vinyl sign shop cleaning up pixelated images and applying vinyl. -her first job out of art school and what area of design she niched down into.-her journey out of studio life and into freelance and having her own business.-what a paper illustrator is and the story of how she was first introduced to it. -struggles with imposter syndrome and how to change your own self-talk. -how some of her largest growth steps have come from conferences and why. We also got into talking about the purpose behind Thrice Studio and why Alicja is working so hard to bring to her community. I am so glad I was introduced to Alicja and her paper illustration talent! This was a really interesting and motivating interview for sure! @thricestudio