Arts

The Logo Geek Podcast

Want to know what it takes to design logos and brand identities? In the Logo Geek podcast, award winning logo design expert Ian Paget finds out by interviewing successful graphic designers and entrepreneurs around the world so you can learn from their experiences. Topics include logo design tips, getting clients, how much to charge, coming up with ideas, choosing fonts, portfolio mistakes, branding, online marketing and so much more!

Latest Episodes:

How Brands Shift to Stay Relevant - An interview with Allen Adamson Feb 23, 2020

Show notes

Brands are all around us, but as the times change they need to adapt to keep relevant – if they don’t they’ll soon vanish from the high street. Kodak and Blackberry for example were once leaders in their field, but they failed to shift, becoming irrelevant in a fast changing world.

But how can brands prevent this from happening to them, and how can designers and agencies help their clients shift to avoid pending doom? On this weeks podcast Ian interviews branding expert, Allen Adamson to find out.

Allen is the author of the new book Shift Ahead, and co-founder and managing partner of brand strategy firm Metaforce. Prior to this Allen was Chairman of Landor Associates, a global branding firm, and he also worked in senior management positions at Ogilvy & Mather and DMB&B.

View the show notes and transcription here: https://logogeek.uk/how-brands-shift/

Books & Resources Mentioned

Allen Adamson on Linkedin | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Metaforce
Shift Ahead: How the best companies stay relevant in a fast-changing world – Buy on Amazon UK | Amazon US

Thank you to the sponsor, FreshBooks

I’m incredibly thankful to FreshBooks for sponsoring this episode of the Logo Geek Podcast! FreshBooks is an online accounting tool that makes it really easy to create and send invoices, track time and manage your money. You can try it out for yourself with a free 30 day trial.

Being a More Confident Designer - An interview with Col Gray Feb 16, 2020

Show notes

What does starting a design business, building a personal brand, and increasing your prices all have in common? Confidence.

In this weeks episode Ian interviews Col Gray, the founder of Dundee based graphic design studio Pixels Ink to discuss how confidence has played a pivotal role in developing his personal brand, and taking his design business to the next level.

Show notes and interview transcription: https://logogeek.uk/podcast/confident-designer-col-gray/

Books & Resources Mentioned

Pixels Ink
Col Gray on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
Scramble: How agile strategy can build epic brands in record time – Buy on Amazon US | Amazon UK
This is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn To See – Buy on Amazon US | Amazon UK

Thank you to the sponsor, FreshBooks

Calligraphy, Lettering & Growing with Instagram - An interview with Ian Barnard Feb 09, 2020

Show notes

Ian Barnard, started his career as a generalist graphic designer. But after learning calligraphy for fun, and documenting his progress on Instagram, he attracted big name clients allowing him to specialise as a hand lettering artist. The growth and success of his Instagram feed has also allowed him to develop digital products, courses and more to generate a passive income too, meaning he no longer needs to work with clients.

In this episode we discover how Ian got into calligraphy and hand lettering, the books he used to reference and self critique his lettering work. We also discuss how he used Instragram to grow his business, as well as tips and advice for posting on the platform to attract opportunities.

Books & Resources Mentioned

Ian Barnard – Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter
Ian Barnard Products on Design Cuts
Ian Barnard SkillShare Course: Level-Up Your Script Lettering
Calligraphy for Dummies – Buy on Amazon UK | Amazon US
Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy – Buy on Amazon UK | Amazon US

For show notes, and a full transcription of the interview head to: https://logogeek.uk/podcast/ian-barnard/

Thank you to the sponsor, FreshBooks

Designing Logos for Music & More - An interview with Paul Nicholson Feb 02, 2020

Show notes

Paul Nicholson designed the logo for one of the most celebrated and influential electronic artists, Aphex Twin, as well as a host of other musicians. But how has he been able to translate music into simple graphical forms? What does his design process look like?

In this episode Ian interviews Paul to discover how he works with clients, his approach to experimental idea generation, and how he ultimately ends with mathematically precise, flawless artwork.

Paul Nicholson is a London-based creative designer known for his inventive, bold graphics within the music, art and fashion industries.

Vide the show notes and episode transcription here: https://logogeek.uk/podcast/paul-nicholson/

Thank you to the sponsor, FreshBooks

How to Ask for Logo Design Feedback Jan 26, 2020

Show notes

As a designer you’ll need to ask for feedback on your work at some point. That could be a client who you’re hoping to approve the logo you’ve designed for them, or you could simply be asking a friend, colleague or a community of designers for their thoughts on your work.

But how can you avoid getting subjective, unhelpful feedback? In this weeks episode, Ian Paget shares his advice for presenting your work, and asking for feedback in order to get clear, focussed, objective feedback that will improve your design work.

View the show notes & transcription for this episode

Thank you to the sponsor, FreshBooks

A Life of Logos & Design - An Interview with Gerard Huerta Jan 19, 2020

Show notes

Gerard Huerta’s life as a designer has been incredible. After graduating he began his career at CBS Records, creating artwork and logos for numerous well-known musicians including Boston, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and many, many more.

He then went on to work for himself, where he’s designed the lettering for AC/DC’s High Voltage, and logos for Swiss Army Brands, HBO, Calvin Klein’s Eternity, Pepsi, People, Adweek… the list goes on and on (see more here). On top of this he’s also worked on magazine covers, movie posters, watch dials, fonts and more.

In this episode Ian Paget interviews Gerard Huerta to learn from his experience by discovering his design process when at CBS (which was pre-computers), his approach today, how he’s been able to work with big brands through his career, and more inspiring insights and advice.

Show notes and full transcription can be found here: https://logogeek.uk/podcast/gerard-huerta/

Thank you to the sponsor, FreshBooks

I’m incredibly thankful to FreshBooks for sponsoring season 6 of the Logo Geek Podcast! FreshBooks is an online accounting tool that makes it really easy to create and send invoices, track time and manage your money. You can try it out for yourself with a free 30 day trial.

Getting your first design job - An interview with Ram Castillo Jan 12, 2020

Show notes

When you’re a new graduate or newly self-taught designer, searching for your first job in the design industry can be tough. Applying for job after job with no immediate success can leave you feeling low, and wondering if you’ll ever make it in the industry.

But you’re not alone, and this weeks episode is designed to give you some much needed motivation. Ian Paget interviews Ram Castillo who shares some honest truths about the industry and advice for getting your first design job. We also discuss the most effective approach for finding and reaching out to mentors who can help you reach your professional goals.

Ram Castillo is an award winning Design Director based in Sydney Australia, and is best known for his podcast and blog, Giant Thinkers, where he shares expert advice for emerging designers to be employed.

Books & Resources Mentioned

Ram Castillio on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.
GiantThinkers.com – Expert advice for emerging designers to be employed
How to Get a Job as a Designer, Guaranteed – Amazon UK | Amazon US
How to Get a Mentor as a Designer, Guaranteed – Amazon UK | Amazon US

Show notes and interview transcription can be found here: https://logogeek.uk/podcast/first-design-job/

Thank you to the sponsor, FreshBooks

Developing a Belief System for Brands - An interview with Patrick Hanlon Jan 05, 2020

Show notes

According to this weeks guest, brands that thrive are those with the highest quality communities, and to attract members to that community companies should work to develop belief systems. But how can they do that?

In this episode Ian Paget interviews Patrick Hanlon, author of Primal Branding, and founder of the agency of the same name to discover the 7 key components that help to create, drive and sustain a belief system.

Show notes and interview transcription can be found here: https://logogeek.uk/podcast/brands-belief-system/

Books & Resources Mentioned

Patrick Hanlon – Website | Facebook | Twitter
Book: Primal Branding – Buy on Amazon US | Amazon UK
Talk: Patrick Hanlon Primal Branding TEDxElPaso Talk

Thank you to the sponsor, FreshBooks

Logo Geeks 2019 Summary + Plans for 2020 Dec 30, 2019

Show notes

In this episode Ian takes a look back at 2019, shares his plans for 2020 and provides advice for planning for the new year and beyond.

Thank you to the sponsor, FreshBooks

Creating a Colour Palette - An interview with Greg Gunn Dec 23, 2019

Show notes

How do you select the most appropriate colour for a logo? How about selecting the perfect supporting colour palette? What colour mode should you be working in?

In this weeks podcast Ian interviews Greg Gunn to answer these questions, and to discover more about his new training course, Colour for Creatives. Greg is a Los Angeles based Illustrator and Animator working as Creative Director for Blind, a brand strategy design consultancy.

Show notes and interview transcription can be found here: https://logogeek.uk/podcast/creating-colour-palette/

Colour Books & Resources Mentioned