The Quickie - Conversations with Designers

Today's guest is Ken Barber. He is a type designer, letterer, author, and instructor with House Industries out of Wilmington DE. During this episode we talk about: -his first adventures in design and creative while drawing huge trains as a kid. -MAD Magazine and other early design influences to him. -the most challenging time in his career that he experienced when a co-founder of House Industries passed away and how things changed because of that. -the new book "Lettering Manual" by Ken and House Industries. -the magazine project he was a part of in the late 90's and how they quickly discovered that publishing a magazine is way more difficult than they had expected. Ken is so much fun to talk to and the guy is MEGA talented. Just check out his IG and you will see what I'm saying! @typelettering

Today's guest is Paul Sahre. He is a graphic designer at his studio OOPS - Office of Paul Sahre. He is also the art director for the band They Might be Giants and an Author of the book Two Dimensional Man. During this episode we talk about: -his unique path to starting OOPS Studio. -how he was always creative as a kid but it wasn't until his dad handed him a certain book that pointed him to graphic design. -the workshop he was at in Switzerland that was really influential to him and why. -what he misses about his days of creating lots of print design. -the wide variety of tangible design stuff he creates for the band, including a giant pink cardboard monster truck. -the struggles he faced right after finishing school. -projects where he was really excited to show his ideas to the client but they were not as excited. I really enjoyed chatting with Paul and I love the print-related ask-it-forward question that he has in the end. @psahre

Today's guest is Syd Danger. Danger is her middle name. She is the Creative Director and Co-Publisher of SAD Magazine. She is also the Art Director at Good Fortune Collective out of Vancouver BC.During this episode we talk about:-how she niched down into print design early in her career.-her time at Beetroot Magazine and AdBusters.-the career test that she took and where it pointed her. -Donald Trump with a barcode moustache.-@davidcarson and @raygunmagazine get the ol' shout outs. -what it was like taking over the creative for a publication that is for artists, designers, and creatives...talk about intimidating. -struggling with imposter syndrome. -an amazing 'yo mama' joke that Syd throws down.-how she struggled with direction after university and how she took steps to find out where her spot was in this design world. -the print project that ended up with a surprise huge typo. -the FUTURE issue of SAD Magazine and why she is so proud of it. It was so awesome chatting with someone who loves print as much as me. Syd is also a riot to talk to! Enjoy this one. @syd_danger @sadmagazine

Today's guest is Jay Collins. He is a Designer, Mentor, and Educator based out of Columbus OH. During this episode we talk about:-early creative storytelling with action figures. -the start of his design career which involved design in corporate America, being caught in the commoditization of design, the 2008 crash, a bunch of volunteer work and starting to build his brand. -his first computer and how it changed the game for him. -the two-week design training he does with inner-city kids and what they are able to create after. -how being unemployed for the better part of 4 years was a very tough time in his career but it allowed him to work on finding what part of the design world really lights him up. -the pie chart gone wrong. -how talking at Creative South was a big moment for him, what it was like, and why he is so proud of it. You can really hear Jay's passion for teaching and helping others with the skills he has. It was also exciting to hear what he is working on now with this quarantine situation. @jayworking

Today's guest is Chris Zawada. He is a Partner and Head of Creative at FULL PUNCH out of Vancouver BC.During this episode we talk about: -the kick start of his career in Toronto.-his time in Venezuela working on a beer brand. -the job that turned out to be the worst he has ever had. -the conversation he had with a guidance councillor that pointed him in the direction of graphic design. -the company rebrand that he was recently wowed by and why. -@mbierut gets a shout out. -the early days of his career in packaging design. Also, the troll on a chocolate wave. -the times in his career where he questioned if he really wanted to be doing design or creative. -the box project he was a part of for a golf ball brand where he learned a lesson, lucky not too costly of one, but a good lesson. -the packaging project he was a part of that is the most proud of and why. Go check out FULL PUNCH and see the awesome creative they are putting together. Such an awesome team there. @wearefullpunch

Get your FREE ticket to the Design Summit here: summit.davetalksprint.comThe Summit takes place March 23rd to March 27th. There are 30+ design industry experts to help you create a simple and profitable design business. Today on this bonus episode of the show I have three speakers from the Simply Profitable Design Summit. Morgan Rapp who is the owner at morganrapp.com. Her summit talk is called "Show your value & book high paying clients." @morganrappJason Resnick who is at rezzz.com and also the founder of nurturekit.co. His summit talk is called "How to spot a bad client and position yourself to be respected." @rezzz20There are so many more amazing speakers at this online summit event you do not want to miss it. Go get your FREE ticket at summit.davetalksprint.com. @heykristarae

Get your FREE ticket to the Design Summit here: summit.davetalksprint.comThe Summit takes place March 23rd to March 27th. There are 30+ design industry experts to help you create a simple and profitable design business. Today on this bonus episode of the show I have three speakers from the Simply Profitable Design Summit. Michelle Martello who is the boss at Minima Designs. Her summit talk is called "Surefire ways to retain premium clients you adore". @minimadesignsGiselle Field who is the owner at Wander Design Co. and Co-host of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast. Her summit talk is called "Crafting strategic and attractive brand identities for ultimate impact". @wanderdesign.co @betterpodcastLindsay Tramel-Jones who is the owner at Organized Chaos Design Co. Her summit talk is called "From side hustle to profitable passion". @organizedchaos.designcoThere are so many more amazing speakers at this online summit event you do not want to miss it. Go get your FREE ticket at summit.davetalksprint.com. @heykristarae

Today's guests are Kaylan and Curtis. They are designers and partners in Lunch Design Co out of North Carolina. What a fun name...During this episode we talk about: -Kaylan's 2nd-grade art award that kicked off her creative path. -how Curtis didn't really consider design until it looked cool as a next step. As soon as he checked it out he was hooked. -the moment Curtis started noticing that design is everywhere and what he started seeing. -where the business name came from. -some of the products, brands, and designers that they look up to and are inspired by. @joncontino-how an amazing in house job and experience turned demoralizing for Curtis and left him in a funk wondering what was next, and what that time led to. -how Kaylan is struggling to find her personal style and how she is taking steps to find it. -why Curtis is the most proud of the work that he really didn't get any dollars for. This crew is awesome and super easy to chat with. Great stories and I'm excited for you to hear about their journey. @lunchdesignco

Today's guest is Becca Reitz. She is a designer, illustrator, and creative director working as Rebecca Reitz Design out of Denver CO. During this episode we talk about:-her move to full-time freelance in late 2018.-how she used to draw her dolls when she was younger and how it ties into how she does a lot of illustrating of the female figure now. -how she was a bit intimidated by the fine art pursuit in college and how she discovered what really resonated with her. -the IG account that influenced her early on in her career. @cocorrina.studio @corinanika-a few recent print projects she was a part of and why print is so damn great. -the project she worked really hard on, invoiced, then never received a dime for, why, and what she learned.-the WellCare studio work she does and why she is so proud of it. Becca is creative in so many different ways and shares all kinds of stories with us we can learn from. @becca_reitz @rebeccareitzdesigns

Hey All, I did something a little different for episode 200. I went through my past 199 episodes, pulled clips from 23 episodes. These are clips from the part of the show where we ask the guest to share the project they have been a part of that they are the most proud of, the one that makes their heart sing. Hearing all these different stories of designers and creatives helping businesses, helping other designers, and using their talents to put good stuff back in the world is just awesome!Guest list...Episode 009 - Ben Hubbard - @ben_busyEpisode 021 - Nick Longo - @longodesignsEpisode 049 - Candy Brophy - @candybrophycreativeEpisode 050 - Leland Maschmeyer - @underthelidEpisode 058 - Matt Dawson - @staygrayponyboyEpisode 068 - Jordan Sondler - @jordansondlerEpisode 069 - Lauren Griffin - @typogriffEpisode 074 - Jason Craig - @jasonthe29thEpisode 084 - Jordan Coon - @jordandudemanEpisode 087 - Amy England - @amylynneenglandEpisode 099 - Rebecca Cohen - @co_projectsEpisode 105 - Tara Victoria - @taravictorialEpisode 110 - Kendrick Kidd - @kendrickkiddEpisode 123 - Hank Washington - @iam_hankEpisode 127 - Rahul Bhogal - @rahulbhogalEpisode 132 - Austin Dunbar - @durhambrandcoEpisode 147 - Lindsay Stripling - @lindsayvictorialeeEpisode 153 - George F. Baker III - @gfb3Episode 154 - Andrew Hochradel - @hochdotcoEpisode 178 - Tracie Ching - @traciechingEpisode 186 - Meena Khalili - @meenakhaliliEpisode 188 - Joshua Ariza - @joshua_arizaEpisode 190 - Kenny Morgan - @counselcreative