This episode is a special takeover! I first met Matt Tjokro and Finn Evans, two incredibly talented young designers, at an Adobe Creative Retreat earlier this year. These two made such an impression on me that I had to hand them the mic to share their journey. In this fun and insightful episode, Matt and Finn dive into their creative paths, life in art school, and how they’re moving forward in their design careers.

From defining what professionalism really means to finding and seizing creative opportunities, they’ll share their take on making it in the design world. Expect lots of laughs, fresh perspectives, and some seriously inspiring advice for anyone on a creative journey! Don’t miss Matt and Finn’s unique look at what it means to build a career as a young designer today.

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In this episode, I sit down with award-winning illustrator and lettering artist Jess Goldsmith to talk about building a career that celebrates experimentation, authenticity, and community. Jess shares her journey from working with major brands to founding Women of Type, a global community for women and non-binary creatives, all while embracing the mantra that “you can be whoever you want and still be successful.” We dive into the power of storytelling in design, how to navigate trends without losing authenticity, and what it really means to be a creative in a constantly evolving industry.

Tune in as Jess and I discuss her belief that you don’t have to fit into one box as a designer, and explore how embracing different paths can fuel both personal and professional growth. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to break new ground in your creative journey, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration!

Find out more about Jess Here!

In this episode, Cezar and I reflect on our experience reviewing over a hundred portfolios at an Adobe Creative retreat, where we were inspired by the next generation of young designers. After seeing their work and hearing their questions, we decided to dive into three major topics that kept coming up: whether formal education matters, the power of storytelling in design, and how to navigate trends while creating timeless work. Join us as we share insights, personal stories, and practical advice for budding creatives and seasoned pros alike!

Cezar on Instagram

Links

On Episode 6 of The Next Level I chat with Drew Ordway from Impossibly Awesome Design Co. about the untraditional route to a career in design. We discuss the importance of embracing the unknown and leaning on your community for support. 

IG:

https://www.instagram.com/impossiblyawesomedesign/

Website:

https://www.impossiblyawesome.design/

Bristol Brewing Project:

https://www.impossiblyawesome.design/work/world-peace-death-ray

The War of Art:

https://a.co/d/2IUKiXl

The Freelance Manifesto: https://a.co/d/9ZFYXiv

In today’s episode, I’m hanging out with my new buddy Tyler Pate, an awesome designer and illustrator I met through Adobe Live and Create Now events. Tyler’s a master at balancing a full-time gig as an art director with running his own design side hustle, "The Creative Pain." We’re chatting all about personal branding, marketing yourself as a creative, and how putting yourself out there can lead to some pretty cool opportunities. It’s a laid-back convo filled with insights and advice for anyone looking to grow their creative career!

https://www.instagram.com/thecreativepain/

Join us for an exciting episode where we dive into the branding journey of a truly charming project! In this episode, I’m joined by my cohost Mikelle as we explore the creative process behind crafting a nostalgic and inviting restaurant brand. From initial concepts to final designs, we’ll share insights, challenges, and the magic that went into bringing this unique vision to life. Tune in to hear how we transformed an idea into a memorable brand experience and discover the key elements that made this project special.

Join me as I sit down with the visionary James Martin in this electrifying episode focused on revolutionizing the design education industry. As a design educator myself, I wanted to chat with James about his bold plans to transform how young designers are trained and equipped for the job market. We dive into what’s broken in the current system and explore his innovative solutions to address these critical gaps.

In this inspiring conversation, James and I compare notes on the challenges budding designers face today. We discuss personal experiences that ignited our passions for change and the creative strategies we believe will help young designers thrive. From hands-on learning to real-world applications, James outlines a new path forward that promises to reshape the future of graphic design education.

Tune in for an honest conversation about the current state of the industry, packed with valuable insights and actionable advice. Whether you’re a student, educator, or design professional, this episode will leave you motivated and ready to support this revolutionary movement. Don’t miss out on this exciting discussion with James Martin!

Website

Instagram

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of logo design with the renowned Bill Gardner, owner and president of Gardner Design, and founder of LogoLounge.com. Bill has been at the forefront of logo trend analysis for over 15 years, meticulously researching thousands of logos from designers worldwide to produce the highly anticipated annual Logo Trend Report. Join us as we explore the latest trends from the 2024 report and gain insights into the evolving landscape of logo design.

Bill shares his expertise on how the role of logos is shifting within brand ecosystems, moving from centerpieces to complementary elements within a broader visual strategy. We discuss the rise of inventive wordmarks, the impact of digital media on logo design, and the increasing influence of AI in creating dynamic, multi-dimensional logos. From gradients and animations to the playful adoption of human characteristics in logos, Bill provides a comprehensive overview of the trends that are shaping the future of branding.

Trend Report

Join us for an inspiring episode as we chat with Jeff LoPilato, co-founder of Planet People Studio! 🌿 Jeff and his team are passionate about creating innovative design solutions that make a positive impact on both people and the planet. We'll dive into the world of sustainable graphic and packaging design, exploring how creativity and eco-friendly practices can go hand in hand.

Discover the unique approach Planet People Studio takes in their projects, the challenges they overcome, and the amazing successes they've achieved in promoting sustainability. Jeff also shares valuable insights on how to effectively share your work on social media and build an authentic following.

Whether you're a designer, business owner, or just someone interested in sustainability, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice. Tune in and learn how design can be both fun and functional while making the world a better place! 🌍✨

Planet People Studio on Instagram

Get ready for an epic collaboration as "The DGDC" and "The Angry Designer Podcast" finally come together to chat, rant, and laugh about the world of graphic design! In this special crossover episode, we're joining forces to bring you an unfiltered and hilarious discussion on everything from industry trends to career advice.

Join us as we:

• Share our podcast origin stories and what keeps us passionate about design.
• Swap tales of the wildest moments we've encountered in the design world.

• Highlight the best advice and feedback we've received from our loyal listeners.
• Forecast the future of graphic design and how to stay ahead of the curve.

Don't miss this fun and insightful collaboration—hit play and join the conversation with two of your favorite design podcasts!

Check them out here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAVnxcg2CYzRr5_A1xVo9oA

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-angry-designer/id1531777489

Join us on this visually stimulating episode of The DGDC as we dive into the world of Sketchnote artistry with Alejo Porras, a master of making content unforgettable through Live Event Graphic Recording and Live Illustration. Alejo shares his journey from his initial sketches to becoming a renowned visual note-taker and facilitator at major events. Whether you're a graphic designer, a creative professional, or just someone looking to take better notes at conferences and meetings, this episode offers valuable insights. Alejo will discuss techniques for effective visual note-taking, the importance of community and networking in the creative industry, and practical tips for promoting your work on social media. Listen in to discover how to turn information into art and make your notes not only more enjoyable but also more impactful.

Website: http://www.alejoporrasart.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejoporras/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alejoporrasart

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@alejoporras-visualnotes

Fresh Ideas (newsletter): https://www.alejoporrasart.com/newslettersubscribe