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…

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 …

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…

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 Bre…

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 creat…

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 bri…

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 …

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 …

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 …

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…

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.…

On this episode of The Next Level, I sit down with Greg Dubin, a product designer from Chicago. We talk about the process of designing and creating your own products, and the challenges that come along with it. Greg gives us some insight and lessons learned from his work experience and highlights his most recent passion project On A Wire, a modern …

Our buddy Wes is back to fill us all in on what he's been up to, since leaving the DGDC in 2020! Enjoy the mini-reunion!

Listen up, fellow creatives! It's time to shatter the chains of self-doubt, break free from the constraints of conventional wisdom, and unleash the unstoppable force of your creativity. In this no-holds-barred conversation, we're going all-in to challenge every limiting belief, defy every expectation, and ignite a revolution in mindset. So buckle u…

In the second episode of our "Anchor Show" series on the DGDC Podcast, hosts Nick and Mikelle delve into a common dilemma faced by graphic designers: the undervaluation of their craft by clients. With insights drawn from their extensive experience in the industry, Nick and Mikelle unpack the reasons behind this undervaluation and share practical st…

Mikelle is united with Chelsea Trosper, owner and designer of Birch & Lime (not to mention DGDC loyal listener!) to share perks, disadvantages, and lessons learned running your own remote design business just like us. Landing that sweet, steady bread-and-butter client, a little mom-talk, referral stories, counting lucky stars, and post-pandemic hin…

In this episode, we're joined by Dave Hopkins, the founder of the Print Design Summit, to explore the ins and outs of this exciting online event. Dave shares his inspiration behind creating the Summit and highlights the valuable insights and opportunities it offers for designers. From key sessions to success stories, we dive into what makes the Pri…

To help kick off the new DGDC, Tom and Nick sit down and have a chat about our goals for the new year!

We're back with our new Anchor Show! Listen as always, or check out our new video feature as well. Creative Market Trend Report

In our latest podcast episode, you're in for a delightful surprise as we venture far off the intended course, taking an unscripted detour into the world of spontaneous conversation. Join Nick and Mikelle as they engage in an organically developed discussion that weaves through the diverse tapestry of today's ever-changing world. What began as a wel…

In our latest episode, "Must-Have Killer Apps," get ready for a deep dive into the graphic design world's best-kept secrets. Join our hosts, Nick, Jordan, and Mikelle, as they unveil their favorite apps that have become indispensable in their creative arsenals. Discover the tools that save them precious time, streamline their design processes, and …

We're opening the doors to our graphic design world, sharing the secrets of our trade. Join us as we delve into the tools that keep our creative engines running and our agency humming. From gadgets that revolutionize our design process to the software that brings our visions to life, we'll be unveiling the hardware, software, accessories, and onlin…

Episode 3 of The Next Level features Cincinnati’s own Jason Snell. This time around Jason and I discuss hometown pride and the major influence it’s had on his career. Jason Snell links: https://dribbble.com/SnellBeast https://www.instagram.com/jasonsnell/?hl=en https://www.snellbeast.com

Dive into the heart of the graphic design industry with our latest podcast episode! 🎨🎧 Join us as we explore some of the most thought-provoking and controversial questions, curated by the powerful AI language model, ChatGPT. 🤖💬 Discover the delicate balance between artistic expression and commercial viability, the impact of minimalism on creativity…

For Episode 2 of The Next Level, I sat down with Marcus Nuccio, a graphic designer and touring musician out of the Chicago Area, to chat about work-life balance. In a world where juggling one career seems hard enough, Marcus shares his unique perspective on balancing two careers and still making time for his personal life. It was great to catch up …

We continue our discussion on AI and how it’s affecting the creative industry. It’s only been a few weeks since our last episode, but so much has changed and there is more to talk about and consider! Also, Nick talks about his recent visit to Crop Con in Austin. Plus, look out for a Breaking News report about another special design conference comin…

Welcome our newest member of the DGDC, Tom Lauro. Tom created this new series called "The Next Level." This series will discuss the journeys and life lessons of mid-level creative professionals. The goal is to provide relatable dialogue for people in the industry in similar positions and give them fuel to push further into their careers. In Episode…

In this episode of "How to Wow Your Client," our hosts will explore ways to go above and beyond in the world of design and client service. They will share examples of how to exceed expectations through exceptional customer service, effective project management, and innovative design solutions. Tune in to discover how to leave a lasting impression o…

In this episode of our podcast, we discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the graphic design industry. In Part 1 of the series, we delve into the ways in which AI is changing the way designers work, both in terms of efficiency and creativity, and explore some of the ethical considerations around the use of these technologies. We shar…

In this episode of the DGDC podcast, our hosts reflect on their careers and offer valuable advice to aspiring designers. From learning how to work with others or not taking things so personally, they share the tips and tricks they wish they knew when they were starting out. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next…

Our annual tradition continues! Out best gift recommendations for designers and creatives! We also have a Video Companion to this episode on YouTube. All the links are listed there! Happy Holidays from Nick, Mikelle, and Jordan.

We are back from Adobe Max, 2022! After a 2 year break, the in-person Adobe Max returned, and the gang is sharing some of the best news, features, insights, and offerings. We start by going over everything that debuted and what all this means for designers like us! Then, Nick gives his quick recap on the last day, sharing all sorts of observations …

Every great project needs the right blueprint to succeed. The creative brief is the primary document for outlining the creative scope of the project. In this episode, the team discusses their proven methods for asking all the right questions. We talk about: Why are we doing this? Who is the Target audience? What is the Objective? Project’s “Single …

Friends, it's that time of the year again, and we couldn't be more excited to partner with Adobe for this year's Adobe Max. Paul Trani, Adobe Evangelist, joins us for a sneak preview of this year's BIG event. For the first time, Max will be a hybrid of Virtual and In-Person, and the Virtual Pass is still absolutely FREE! Join Adobe Max to spark you…

Just because everything is going smoothly in your design business doesn't mean there ain't room for improvement. In this episode, the team discusses how you can level up so many different facets of your business, ensuring success and growth.

Bill Gardner of Logo Lounge and Gardner Designs is back again for his intensive Logo Trends Report, 2022! You can follow along with Bill's Report here. Or, you can watch the Video version on YouTube here.

Rethinking Your Meetings! Did you know workers lose nearly three hours per week to UNNECESSARY meetings! This results in FRAGMENTED schedules and video fatigue. Meetings are one of the biggest time sinks in organizations today. They consistently sabotage employees' productivity--especially in our new era of hybrid work. Why? They've become the caus…

We thought it was time for an honest-to-goodness, no holds bar, Hot Takes Episode. And there was no shortage of fun topics to debate! We definitely had a lot of fun recording this one!

Are you juggling multiple clients, falling behind on projects, and can’t figure out how to escape? Feels like we are all in the same boat lately, continually in the heat of the moment, catching up on emails, project changes, and never-ending zoom meetings. It’s time to get a grip, the DGDC team is here to help! We discuss organization tools and tip…

Here it is! Our predictions for Design Trends of 2022! We even prepared a Companion PDF to follow along with! Download our Companion PDF Here!

Our annual review of great gifts for designers! Nick, Mikelle, and Jordan go over their wishlists for the holidays! To make things super festive and easy this year, we have two useful tools to make this a joyous holiday experience! One, Download Our Companion Guide including all the links! Second, you can WATCH the Video Companion on our YouTube ch…

As a designer in a fast-paced and demanding position, it can be tempting to let your mental health take a back seat during stressful periods. However, those are the moments when it becomes even more important to exercise proper discipline. Mike, Rubaie, Steven, and Narek discuss how stress and work affect their mental health, as well as their proce…

The job market is hot right now, making this a perfect time to advance your career. Employers are struggling to find and hire great talent—and as a result, they are offering increasing pay, perks, and opportunities. In this episode, the gang reveals their best tips to increase your odds of landing that new job, helping you take advantage of the tig…

We've all been there before. A frantic call, late in the day, from a client in desperate need of a rush job. Don't panic, we've got you covered. NIck, Mikelle, and Jordan discuss some tactical maneuvers to help you navigate these rough seas! We go over setting better expectations upfront, avoiding knee-jerk reactions, and even "homework" you can gi…

In this episode, the gang chats with designer Jason Craig, all about working autonomously in the design industry. It's a round-table discussion about working on your own as a solo entrepreneur. We compare notes on keeping the momentum going, initiating new business and endeavors, plus some fun questions we can all participate in. Jason specifically…

In this episode, we are joined by Jim Morris, author of "BADVERTISING: An Exposé of Insipid, Insufferable, Ineffective Advertising." We discuss the ongoing struggles of Designers and Content Strategists, trying to work together in both agencies and design firms. Jim shares his 20+ years of experience, highlighting everything from common failures to…

"Extra time equals extra opportunities" - David Jon Walker. In this episode, we are joined by David Jon Walker. A talented designer and Associate Professor of Art in Graphic Design. We chat about his experience over the last year and how he took advantage of 2020 to set new Creative and Personal Goals. We talk about how he set new goals, including:…

After a difficult year in quarantine, The Test Pilots kick off with a new 2 part episode series on Mental Health in the Design Community and interview industry professionals Meg Lewis and Kate O’Connell. Tune in for the first episode of the series—filled with personal stories, helpful tips, and more! This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. To take…

Our longest-running tradition here at the DGDC, Bill Gardner returns for the 2021 Logo Trends Report. Bill and the Logo Lounge team report what they have found by thoroughly scrutinizing the more than 35,000 logos submitted to LogoLounge since last year’s report. As always, this report comes with a disclaimer, "It is an observation of the trajector…

"Most people comment on logo rebrands as if they're judging a diving competition when they should be judging a swimming competition. It's not what kind of splash you make when you hit the water. It's how long you can keep your head above the water." Michael Bierut said it best. We should review logo rebrands differently. Logos need to have a long l…