The Quickie - Conversations with Designers

Latest Episodes:

Episode 201 - Becca Reitz - Designer - Illustrator - Creative Director - Rebecca Reitz Design - Denver CO. Mar 18, 2020

Show notes

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

Episode 200 - The Feel Good Episode - "Tell me about a project that makes your heart sing" Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

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_busy
Episode 021 - Nick Longo - @longodesigns
Episode 049 - Candy Brophy - @candybrophycreative
Episode 050 - Leland Maschmeyer - @underthelid
Episode 058 - Matt Dawson - @staygrayponyboy
Episode 068 - Jordan Sondler - @jordansondler
Episode 069 - Lauren Griffin - @typogriff
Episode 074 - Jason Craig - @jasonthe29th
Episode 084 - Jordan Coon - @jordandudeman
Episode 087 - Amy England - @amylynneengland
Episode 099 - Rebecca Cohen - @co_projects
Episode 105 - Tara Victoria - @taravictorial
Episode 110 - Kendrick Kidd - @kendrickkidd
Episode 123 - Hank Washington - @iam_hank
Episode 127 - Rahul Bhogal - @rahulbhogal
Episode 132 - Austin Dunbar - @durhambrandco
Episode 147 - Lindsay Stripling - @lindsayvictorialee
Episode 153 - George F. Baker III - @gfb3
Episode 154 - Andrew Hochradel - @hochdotco
Episode 178 - Tracie Ching - @tracieching
Episode 186 - Meena Khalili - @meenakhalili
Episode 188 - Joshua Ariza - @joshua_ariza
Episode 190 - Kenny Morgan - @counselcreative

Simply Profitable Designer Summit - BONUS EPISODE 1 - Melanie Lea - Alex Cottles - Brandi Bernoskie. Mar 14, 2020

Show notes

Get your FREE ticket to the Design Summit here: summit.davetalksprint.com
The 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.
Melanie Lea from MyBillieDesigns and Powerhouse Web Design. Her summit talk is called "How to make getting clients as easy + natural as breathing". @mybilliedesigns
Alex Cottles from The Routine Creative and founder of the Brand Mentor Community. His summit talk is called "Stop living client-to-client". @theroutinecreative
Brandi Bernoskie from Alchemy + Aim and her summit talk is called "Building and Running an agency: Set yourself up for success". @alchemyandaim
There 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

Episode 199 - Timba Smits - Graphic Artist - Illustrator - Curator - London EN. Mar 13, 2020

Show notes

Today's guest is Timba Smits. He is a Graphic Artist, Illustrator, and Curator out of London England. Full disclosure, this is a quickie-ish. One hour...so buckle up cause it's a damn good ride. Timba and I get into the stories...this episode is like a blockbuster movie. We should be charging for this gem, but we won't.
During this episode we talk about:
-how he wanted to be a fine artist and opened up his own gallery - the Timba Gallery.
-the magazine he started with a friend that grew and carried on for over 6 years.
-the contest that he won that allowed him to get a taste of London.
-what moving to London soon after did for his career and what travel can do for yours.
-the canvas competition he won on "borrowed" canvas that flicked the design switch for him.
-how the first 10 years of his career went amazing and grew and came to a sudden stop one life-changing night.
-the years of struggle and self doubt that he needed to battle through.
-the art event that was highly successful that started out as a way to distract him and a friend from a tough time in their lives.
-the magazine he was a part of while still struggling with a bit of doubt that ended up being just the thing he needed.
-the turnaround moment that got him back on track and out of the funk.
Timba is a great guy and we could have kept talking for hours. Maybe we did? Would you know? This interview is packed with incredible stories and lessons. Enjoy. @timbasmits

Episode 198 - Santosh Chawla - Senior Designer - Affinity Creative Group - Oakland CA. Mar 11, 2020

Show notes

Today's guest is Santosh Chawla. He is a Senior Designer at Affinity Creative Group out of Oakland CA.
During this episode we talk about:
-how he got into the wine and spirits packaging design world.
-HeMan toys and old toy packaging.
-growing up and in India and growing his creative skills there.
-his first trip to North America and how that all came about.
-the album cover artwork he saw and what about it stuck with him.
-the watch brand that he looks up to because of their design and minimalism.
-using unique print techniques to help wine and spirits stand out and how one of them was inspired by his honeymoon in Italy.
-the struggle to find balance between digital and real-world inspirations.
-a press check that went sideways.
-the design that he created that was launched at the Detroit Auto Show.
With Santosh being a print guy and with 16+ years in the game, we had LOTS to talk about! Enjoy! @affinitycreative

Episode 197 - Jess Goldsmith - Designer - Illustrator - Chick of all trade - Brooklyn, NY. Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

Today's guest is Jess Goldsmith. She is a designer and illustrator working as Chick of all trade out of Brooklyn NY.
During this episode we talk about:
-how she is inspired by nostalgic design and styles.
-her unique path to being a graphic designer.
-how her creativity started with magazine collages in her room.
-why she got into design.
-the art event in Miami that she attended that was very influential to her.
-how the path to filling her freelance schedule has been the toughest time in her career.
-how and why she uses fakeclients.com.
-the bazaar job she had at an IT business that had a Laser Spa in the front, why it was weird, and how it didn't end great.
-her @popsnaxx IG account, what it is, why she started it, and why she is so proud of it.
I had a lot of fun talking with Jess and hearing her path to design. Also the 90's nostalgia talk was pretty rad...or dope...it was dope. @chickofalltrade @popsnaxx

REPLAY - Episode 100 - Part Two - Aaron Draplin - DDC - Portland OR Mar 04, 2020

Show notes

Part Two: Today's guest is Aaron Draplin. He is the Designer at Draplin Design Co and part of the Field Notes Brand from in Portland OR.
During this part of the interview we talk about:
-print design and how it is still a relevant medium for communication.
-a couple of projects that did not work out and got away from him.
-how it feels for him when clients move things around and adjusts his work.
-what Aaron is struggling with in his career right now.
-a few projects that Aaron is really proud to have been a part of.
-stamp design and how it is functional art and within reach for every person.
-some of the design and life tools that he uses regularly in his career.
Aaron also answers four ask-it-forward questions from past guests and one from Rebecca in Episode 099. More great stories here in part two of my interview with Aaron Draplin. @draplin

REPLAY - Episode 100 - Part One - Aaron Draplin - DDC - Portland OR Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

Part One: Today's guest is Aaron Draplin. He is the Designer at Draplin Design Co and part of the Field Notes Brand in Portland OR.
During part one of this interview we talk about:
-his creative childhood that included junking and going to garage sales with his dad.
-why he originally moved out to the west coast from Northern Michigan.
-the first design job he had even before doing design for snowboard magazines.
-the typeface and packaging design that he first noticed as a kid and why it has stuck with him.
-how design is oftentimes better when it is kept simple and just functions.
-the tough spot he was put in when his client goes into his designs and starts moving things around and changing the DNA of the piece and how he handles that.
-building the portfolio you want by just making stuff, real paid projects or not.
Aaron is full of great stories to share and he does not hold back in telling them. The story he shares about his very first design job is also one that he doesn't often share but he brought it out for the listeners on the Quickie Podcast. Lots of good stuff in this one. @draplin

Episode 196 - Cara Hibbs - Illustrator + Printmaker - Oh, Little Rabbit - Portland OR. Feb 26, 2020

Show notes

Today's guest is Cara Hibbs. She is an illustrator and printmaker at her studio called Oh, Little Rabbit near Portland OR.
During this episode we talk about:
-the block printing her and her husband started and launched on Etsy that turned into a surprise success.
-the teacher that really supported her decision to pursue design, but also the reason she decided to leave art school early.
-the two art pieces that really influenced her.
-the illustration pieces of her work that are her favourite, and why.
-the challenge of becoming a parent and balancing a child while running the business.
-the request she had that boosted her confidence and opened up the full potential of her business.
-her surprise first wholesale order and who it came from.
I really enjoyed hearing about Cara's journey to printmaking and her stories around growing the business. Go check out her awesome apparel and home decor products at Ohlittlerabbit.com. @ohlittlerabbit

Episode 195 - Thomas J. Stevens - Independent Designer - TJS Creates - Birmingham UK. Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

Today's guest is Thomas J. Stevens. He is an independent designer based just outside of Birmingham UK.
During this episode we talk about:
-how he was always into drawing and creating and actually sold homemade comic books to his class.
-his excitement for film design work and representing it using different mediums.
-his self initiated design work Gary Vee and movies that gets noticed.
-the leap that he took that led to the most challenging time in his career.
-what he did to start testing and preparing himself before he took that leap.
-the full business rebrand project he was a part of and why he is so proud of it.
Go check out @tjscreates on IG to see his work, it's pretty damn awesome!

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