The Quickie - Conversations with Designers

Latest Episodes:

Episode 119 - Matthew Clark - Creative Director at Subplot, Vancouver BC Oct 02, 2019

Show notes

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!

Episode 118 - Alicja Colon, Paper Illustrator + Photographer at Thrice Studio, Savannah GA Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

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

Episode 117 - Dan Janssen, Creative Director at Lincoln Design Co, Portland OR Sep 30, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is Dan Janssen. He is the Creative Director at Lincoln Design Co in Portland Oregon. Prepare for knowledge bombs and a wicked story.
During this episode we talk about:
-the skate and music culture where Dan started really noticing design.
-his first job out of college at DC Shoes.
-the UK design studio that Dan is a fan of.
-how the studio he was part owner of before Lincoln fell apart and why.
-the next spot for studios and designers to start looking for business.
-the "Logo Mayhem" book he is working on that showcases 15 years of logos.
-a story about a project that went sideways because the client was in love with bad design.
-a project for Nike Football that he is proud to have been a part of, and how it came to be.
There is so much more than that in this episode and Dan was open to sharing the lessons he has learned through his career so far including stuff about how Lincoln runs their studio and keeps the great work coming. @lincolndesignco

Episode 116 - Josh Sullivan, Founder and Creative Director at Fried Design Co. in Springfield MO Sep 27, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is Josh Sullivan. He is the Founder and Creative Director at Friend Design Co. in Springfield MO.
During this episode we talk about:
-how he got into design in an effort to get into the music industry. However, music didn't look so hot at that time so he U-turned back and doubled down on Design.
-how it was gig posters, movie posters, and album art that really ramped up his love for design.
-the Austin Screen Printing Co-Op...sounds amazing!
-why he ended up spending 4 months with a laptop and an air mattress just creating and learning.
-a project he was a part of where after spending thousands on travel and photoshoots was ultimately rejected and forced to change direction.
-a tool he uses that has never been mentioned on the show before. 116 episodes in and it is finally mentioned!
Josh is a great guy and is really easy to talk to. He was so comfortable that he was drinking a beer during the interview. Unfortunately, I couldn't join him with that! He also asks a great "ask it forward question" for my next guest. @frieddesignco

Episode 115 - Mario Quezada, Creative Director / Designer in Honolulu HI. Sep 26, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is Mario Quezada. He is a Creative Director and Designer out of Honolulu HI. He is also a father and a super fit CrossFit dude.
During this episode we talk about:
-how he originally started post-secondary school to become an engineer.
-how he made the pivot into design.
-his first design job working for disney.com and was a big part of the first-ever commercial use of flash on their website.
-the agency job he had where they got to just create awesome stuff with the leftover budget from big projects. Think movies, new car launches and that kind of stuff.
-a print project he worked on at that agency where they created the "Gotham Times" paper as part of a promotion for one of the Batman movies.
-the recession of 2008 and how it drastically changed that agency and ultimately led to him moving to Hawaii.
-the most challenging time in his design career being NOW, and why that is.
Mario is a super nice guy and a real hustler. He is very easy to talk to and isn't afraid of sharing stories about the struggles he has faced in his career. He is also working on his own podcast so keep an eye out for that! @themarioquezada

Episode 114 - Part Two - Amy and Jen Hood from Hoodzpah in Southern CA. Sep 25, 2019

Show notes

Today's guests are Amy and Jen Hood from Hoodzpah in sunny Southern CA. Let's continue the story. But if you haven't listened to Part One, head back and do that first to hear the beginning of this story.
During Part Two of this interview we talk about:
-the early days of Hoodzpah where they were experimenting and building a portfolio by just creating the work they wanted to do and putting it out there.
-a project where they collaborated with a friend that ended up going sideways, why it went that way, and what was learned from it.
-how having great processes can save you from most potentially messy situations. Unfortunately, you need to go through a messy situation in order to create a process to avoid it in the future.
-an inside look at their client / brand discovery process.
-what they are struggling with and working on in their careers right now.
Amy and Jen are full of exciting energy and they aren't afraid to share the lessons they have learned with the design community. @hoodzpahdesign @amyhoodlum @thegoodhood

Episode 114 - Part One - Amy and Jen Hood from Hoodzpah in Southern CA. Sep 24, 2019

Show notes

Today's guests are Amy and Jen Hood from Hoodzpah in sunny Southern CA. Buckle up kids...this one's a hoot...
During Part One of this interview we talk about:
-their artsy and creative childhood where at age 7 or 8 they were able to paint a mural inside their house. Inside Walls. Parent approved.
-their time in junior high creating bedazzled shirts and other artwork that they could sell at school.
-where they first started noticing design before knowing what it was, and the poster that finally gave this art and creative a name: Graphic Design.
-the out of the blue opportunity that gave them the opportunity to learn design and apprentice at a coupon clipper magazine/print shop.
-the Hoodzpah startup story and the one project they landed in the early days that reassured them of their direction.
-the power of community.
-collaborating with clients on their logo and branding projects and how they do it.
-some clients that they would love to work with. Hint Hint. @levis @addidas @disney @netflix
This interview is loaded with great stories and fun. And this is only Part One!!! I really loved hearing about the early days of Hoodzpah and how they have given back and been an active member of an amazing design community. @hoodzpahdesign @amyhoodlum @thegoodhood

Episode 113 - Noelle Roth, Designer at Noelle Roth Studio in Los Angeles CA. Sep 23, 2019

Show notes

Today’s guest is Noelle Roth. Designer at Noelle Roth Studio in Los Angeles CA

During part two of this episode we talk about:

-her creative childhood and a figure she made out of an old french fry container. Sorry Noelle.

-how she originally was looking into being an architect.

-the moment it really clicked on what Graphic Design is and what caused that for her.

-the Pitchfork Review print magazine and the team experience working on that project.

-one of the agencies she worked at in NY and how that experience caused her to question her design direction.

-a mural she did in Chicago that she is really proud of, why she’s proud of it, and where you can find it.

Noelle is an open book and is so happy to share her experience. Nothing but smiles during this interview. She rocks! @nonorothco

Episode 112 - Charley Robinson, Owner and Designer at Iconoclast Design Co. in Long Island NY. Sep 20, 2019

Show notes

Today’s guest is Charley Robinson. He is the Owner and Designer at Iconoclast Design Co in Long Island NY.

During part two of this episode we talk about:

-how Charley had a full scholarship as a baseball pitcher and was heading toward pro baseball.

-the should injury that changed his life direction from baseball to design.

-his time in studio life and what it was like cutti the chord and going freelance.

-his favourite logo of all time and why.

-a project he was a part of for the UFC that didn’t end as he had hoped for.

-a project he worked on for the Brooklyn Bowl, how it came about, and what it has meant to him.

-the new VW logo and what we think.

I love how Charley is just an open book and doesn’t hold back sharing his experience and stories with us. Check out his IG too. @iconoclastdesignco

Episode 111 - Part Two - Bill Gardner, Founder of Logo Lounge, Owner of Gardner Design in Wichita KS. Sep 19, 2019

Show notes

Today’s guest is Bill Gardner. He is the Founder of Logo Lounge and the Owner of Gardner Design in Wichita KS.

During part two of this episode we talk about:

-how design-centric companies grow and become more valuable faster!

-the entrepreneurial community and helping them understand the importance of design.

-a project he was a part of where he accidentally designs “tombstones”.

-a designers little dirty secret...

-a project he is really proud of and why.

-the early days and beginning of LogoLounge.

Bill is a great story teller and I loved hearing about the proud highlights, but also the challenges he has faced in his career. Plus, he called me a genuine guy! Thanks for the compliment Bill! @gardnerdesignusa @logolounge

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