The Quickie - Conversations with Designers

Latest Episodes:

Episode 092 - Chad Michael, Designer for products of indulgence in Dallas TX Aug 23, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is Chad Michael. He is the owner and designer at Chad Michael Studio in Dallas TX. Chad is a designer for products of indulgence. Spirits, Beer, Wine, Tobacco, Cannabis, and playing cards. His work is incredibly detailed and his instagram is madness! @chadmichaelstudio.
During this episode we get into:
-his story about being an eclectic art kid who ate his lunch in the art room most days.
-his time as creative director at a few places in NY, including a freelance creative director role.
-his inspiration and the sort of designs and things that he is attracted to.
-his process, or lack of...
-a story about a project that he spent a significant amount of time on, and how it just died.
Chad is a great guy to talk to with stories to share! He had a classy cocktail during our interview and was wearing an awesome hat! The guy has design skills and a great fashion sense. You will enjoy this one!

Episode 091 - Jordan Wilson, Freelance Designer and Co-host of the Creative Course Podcast Aug 22, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is Jordan Wilson. He is a freelance designer under Jordan Wilson Designs, as well as a co-host of the Creative Course Podcast.
During this episode we talk about:
-his go-to karaoke song
-how he moved to Portland for music as part of a band
-how designing merch and album covers for the band was his gateway to design
-the struggles and challenges of figuring out freelance; accounting, on boarding, proposals, etc.
-he shares some painful stories where he learned some lessons in freelance life
-a full brewery rebrand project that he is super proud of
Jordan is so much fun to talk to that we actually spoke for over 10 minutes before I hit record. Oh, and he will tell you he is 6' tall....he's not....he's 5'11. #truthhurts

Episode 090 - Derek Anton, Creative Director and Designer at Graphos in Edmonton AB Aug 21, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is Derek Anton, Creative Director, Designer, and fellow Canadian at Graphos in Edmonton AB. During this episode, we talk about how even at a young age, Derek would not only see great design but would wonder about the purpose behind certain decisions made. Derek also shares how he digs deeper and keeps creating and working even when he thinks he created a knockout winning design the first go around. He also shares with us a project that he is proud of where he was able to do some industrial design for a Bluetooth speaker product and what was involved with that.

Episode 089 - Steve Wahlin, Designer, Illustrator, Photographer, and Mixologist at Ultra Creative, Minneapolis MI Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is Steve Wahlin, he is a designer, illustrator, photographer and hobby mixologist at Ultra Creative in Minneapolis MI. Steve grew up loving music, drama, and all the arts. During this episode, he tells us how he always noticed and appreciated toy and cereal packaging. It was in college though he was really pointed in the direction of art and design. Steve shares with us the point earlier in his career where he was struggling with burnout and doubt in his creative career. We talk about what that was like and how he pulled himself out of it. He also tells us about a project where he was able to do the design for a product, but also to name the product and why that one is so special to him. Oh, and his ask-it-forward questions is legit! All I will say....or sing....is...."when a maaaannnn, loves a wooommmaaannn!"

Episode 088 - Scotty Russell from the Perspective Collective and Perspective Podcast Aug 18, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is Scotty Russell. He is the gentleman behind Perspective Collective and the host of the Perspective Podcast. During this episode, Scotty tells us about how he always had a notebook with him as a kid and he was always drawing and doing art. But because he was bullied through school and by his brothers, he never shared any of it. Until he did and his talent was out there in the world. We talk design, worrying about criticism, emotional intelligence, and the freelance side-hustle. Scotty is a very motivating person to talk to and this is a great interview that will make you want to bust through whatever is holding you back!

Episode 087 - Amy England, Sr. Designer at Elysian Brewing in Seattle WA Aug 17, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is Amy England who is the Sr. Designer at Elysian Brewing in Seattle WA. Elysian not only has amazing beer, but the labels and packaging are always amazing. Amy tells us about the book that really lit her passion for design and art on fire! We also talk about working in teams and how her awesome crew at Elysian work together to share and encourage each other. We also talk about naming and design for a beer and how that should be done. It could also be a fun exercise for any beer drinker to try. We get into talking about the pro's and con's of working in the agency setting vs. in house at a company, what Amy prefers and why.

Episode 086 - Jason Hildre, Sr. Designer at hendlin! in Minneapolis MN Aug 16, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is Jason Hildre, Sr. Designer at hendlin! in Minneapolis MN. Jason and I talk about Upper Deck cards and how baseball cards were where he first started noticing design. We also talk about 90's hip hop and TBT, you know it, Throwback Thursday. Jason tells us about a time in his career where he wasn't quite happy with what he was designing for his job, so he took it upon himself to create some fake brands and design for those brands in areas he wanted to be known for. It worked! We also talk about animation and how it is a skill that Jason is working on. He shares a story with us about an animation that he did for a large conference and how that went, and how it was received.

Episode 085 - Kiel Tillman, Owner, Designer, Illustrator, Mural Artist at Tillman Creative Co. Aug 14, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is Kiel Tillman. He is the owner, designer, illustrator, and mural artist at Tillman Creative Co. on the Gold Coast in AUS. During this episode, we talk about how surf culture, skate culture, and playing with laser cutters all contributed to Kiel's creative path. Kiel tells us about a recent speaking gig he had at the Typism conference and what that was like. We talk about how he was able to get the attention of the WuTang Clan on a tour they were doing in AUS and how he ended up designing stuff for them. He also tells us a couple of stories where things didn't go smooth. One involves a "tax" punch in the gut after his best year ( I see you freelancers ), and the other involves a live painting project he was working on for a Jägermeister event....live...

Episode 084 - Jordan Coon, Partner and Designer at Brethren Design Co. Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is Jordan Coon, Partner and Designer at Brethren Design Co. in Tulsa OK. The other partner for Brethren is his brother Jeremy who lives in St. Louis MI. During this episode we talk about the remote working partnership and how they handle that. Jordan also gives us his intro to design story through punk bands and skate culture. Jordan also shares a story with us about a web design project that went sideways at an agency he used to be a part of and I can feel the nerves from his experience. We chat about finding your place in the design world, Pepperoni Porter, Déjà Vu Lunch, and the Bang Bang...

Episode 083 - John Stiff, Sr. Designer and Illustrator at Ultra Creative in Minneapolis MN Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

Today's guest is John Stiff, a Sr. Designer and Illustrator at Ultra Creative in Minneapolis MN. John has done it all...seasonal home decor design, design for Hallmark, mylar balloon design, in-store display design, screenprint design, food packaging, and illustration. He grew up in a sports family but by the time he was 10 or 12yrs old, he was designing logos and patches. John and I talk about art history and how it was the place that he really connected with design. John also shares with us the struggles he had when changing from seasonal design to the rush and hustle that can sometimes come with agency or studio life.

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