The Honest Designers Show

Episode 211: What Have We Learned Along the Journey?

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode of this season, we are looking back and sharing what we learned along the journey. Going from struggling beginners to relative su...

Episode 210: Creatives Are The New Superheroes!

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are creatives the new superheroes? Today we are discussing how there hasn't been a better time to be a creative. We discuss all the options and opport...

Episode 209: A Journey to Success with Lisa Congdon

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we welcome Lisa Congdon. Lisa is an internationally known fine artist, illustrator, and writer. She has built a brand around her n...

Episode 208: Is Our Industry Under Threat?

21 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial intelligence, competition, platforms that provide access to very cheap design labor... What does the future hold for design? Is our industr...

Episode 207: Ambitious Creatives with Jessica Hische

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, we welcome Jessica Hische. She is a hand-letterer, author, illustrator, entrepreneur, and type designer. She has built a power...

Episode 206: Getting on the Right Path (Zooming Out)

07 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk about how to find the right creative path to ensure career success and personal fulfillment. How do you choose the right path...

Episode 205: Should We Think About Creativity Differently? with Austin Kleon

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we have a very special guest: Austin Kleon. Austin is a New York Times bestselling author of five books including the highly influ...

Episode 204: Empathy, The Secret Sauce

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we talk about empathy and how becoming more empathetic towards your customers, clients and co-workers can profoundly help your cre...

Episode 203: Social Justice, Going Viral and Positive Impact Through Art with Danielle Coke

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, we welcome a very special guest: Danielle Coke. She is a very talented illustrator, speaker, and entrepreneur. Her work around...

Episode 202: Spinning Plates, Overwhelm and Prioritisation

09 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, we have our most honest, raw, and emotionally heavy episode to date. We reflect on the past year and how it has impacted each ...

Episode 201: The Rollercoaster of Running a Successful Creative Agency with Mike Janda

02 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we have a very special guest: Mike Janda. Mike has worked with clients such as Disney, Google, Pixar, and many more. Over the year...

Episode 200: Design Cliques, Comparison and Insecurities

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are back with a new season! In today's episode we are talking all about design cliques, feeling left out, comparison and insecurities, we've all fe...

Episode 199: The Importance of Pausing and Planning

10 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, our hosts are talking all about the importance of pausing, taking a stop and planning for the year ahead. So without further ado.....

Episode 198: Branding Yourself as a Creative

02 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are talking all about how to brand and position yourself as a designer or creative... So without further ado, let's get into the...

Episode 197: The World of Lettering

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are diving into the wonderful world of lettering while we pick Ian's big brain! So without further ado... let's get into the sho...

Episode 196: Geeking Out About Illustration

18 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are geeking out about illustration. We are digging into it and talking all about how to get into illustration, what makes it gre...

Episode 195: Why Should Someone Hire Us?

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are talking about this big and important question, and we are going to break down how to come up with a good answer for it... So...

Episode 194: How to Charge 10 Times More Than Your Current Rate?

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, our host Dustin Lee shares with us this program from a marketing seminar he's taking and showing us how can you charge ten times m...

Episode 193: Being Ambitious

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are talking all about ambition with some tough love wrapped around it... So without further ado, let's get into the show!

Episode 192: Are you always tired?

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Are you tired? Exhausted? Knackered? Generally fatigued? We are talking all about it in today's episode, so without further ado, let's get into the sh...

Episode 191: Logo Designing with James Martin

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we have a very special guest: James Martin. James is an incredibly talented logo designer that has overcome many things to be the s...

Episode 190: Wearing all the Hats in a Creative Business

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, our hosts are talking all about spinning all the plates in your creative business... So without further ado, let's get into the sh...

Episode 189: How to Learn Graphic Design in 10 days!

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, our hosts will teach you how to be a graphic designer in 10 days!... Not really! But they will discuss different ways to accelerat...

Episode 188: Creating Work That is Different and Stands Out

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are talking about creating work that stands out from the crowd and how to put a signature on it that will distinguish you from t...

Episode 187: How to Choose Your Clients

16 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode our hosts are answering a question from our lovely listener Carolyn Sehgal. She is not quite sure how to go about deciding which cl...

Episode 186: How to Succeed as a Surface Pattern Designer

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are chatting with our lovely guest, Elizabeth Silver. She is a very successful surface pattern designer, based in North Carolina...

Episode 185: Speed

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are talking all about speed. That's all we are going to say, we are going to leave it with a bit of aura of mystery... So withou...

Episode 184: Getting Your Projects Over the Finish Line

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are talking about how to get your projects over the finish line. Every creative knows that the final sprint at the end can be like pullin...

Episode 183: How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Your Peers

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are discussing how to avoid comparing yourself to other creatives... Comparison syndrome can be toxic and it can be pretty commo...

Episode 182: The Most Profitable Ways to Earn Money as a Creative

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are talking about different ways to make a profit as a creative. Some businesses bring more value to the consumer and therefore ...

Episode 181: Is Social Media Really Necessary?

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are discussing whether social media is really necessary. Would our businesses crumble down without those platforms? Do we really...

Episode 180: Making it as a Designer with Hank Washington

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we have a very special guest: Cornelius 'Hank' Washington. Hank is an art director, designer and illustrator born and raised in Mis...

Episode 179: File Organisation

22 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode our new hosts Emilia Clarke, TJ Miller,Michael Fassbender and Dane Cook are talking all about a very fun subject: File Organisation...

Episode 178: How to Connect More with Potential Customers?

15 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are answering a question from our lovely listener Ria. She wants to know how do we connect more with potential customers as she ...

Episode 177: Questions from Dustin

08 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are taking some unknown questions from Dustin. We are playing a bizarre card game that our host Dustin brought and while we are ...

Episode 176: How to Build a Good Reputation as a Designer

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are talking all about building a good reputation as a designer...This is so essential and we are going to dig into exactly why... So with...

Episode 175: Designing for the Love of It

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we talk about designing just for the love of it... We are going to dive into the passion behind our work as creatives.... So withou...

Episode 174: Social Media Strategies for Creatives

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are talking all about social media strategies whilst being a creative... It doesn't have to be all about algorithms, it can be more socia...

Episode 173: How to Create Better Work

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we talk about a subject brought to the table by our host Ian Barnard, after he saw a video online talking about tips on how to prod...

Episode 172: How to Build Income Predictability

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we talk about creating a steady income and not being caught up in the cycle of financial uncertainty whilst being a  freelancer or...

Episode 171: Defining Our Ideal Client

27 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we define our ideal client, that special unicorn like person that you just wanna seek and we know is out there... So without furthe...

Episode 170: How to Hit That Sweet Flow State

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we talk about how to hit that sweet flow state and how to feel inspired during your creative work... So without further ado, let's ...

Episode 169: Our Honest Life Hacks

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we share with you dear listeners our honest life hacks... things that help us with our creativity and our businesses... So without fur...

Episode 168: Answering Questions From Each Other!

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are trying a bit of a different format with our Q&A. Not with what you give us but with each other. Each of us has a co-host and we'll ge...

Episode 167: Focusing On Your Work

29 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are talking all about focus! How to focus, why do we sometimes struggle focusing and how focus can help us... Also how a lack of it can h...

Episode 166: Having to Put your Creative Work Aside with Alyssa Nutile

22 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we talking to our listener Alyssa Nutile. She sent us a question last week about having to put her creative work aside for her family... We ...

Episode 165: Putting your creative work in the back burner

15 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we received a heartfelt question from a listener, asking what would be our advice for creatives who had to put their creative work in the ba...

Episode 164: Answering Questions from our Listeners, Part 2

08 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hey lovely listeners, welcome back to Part 2 of our round of Q&A's. We've been getting so many good ones and we hope you find our answers useful...  ...

Episode 163: Answering Questions from our Listeners

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We've been receiving a lot of questions so this week we're opening our inbox and taking them from our lovely listeners! We can't wait to answer as man...

Episode 162: Tips for Designers in a Coronavirus World

26 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are back, broadcasting from Coronavirus world, and have the full gang in session. This episode is a continuation of our discussion from a...

Episode 161: Catching Up and Talking all Things Coronavirus

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we managed to squeeze this episode in with a lot of stuff going on in the world. We also touched base on the repercussions the Coronavirus w...

Episode 160: Second Round of Listeners' Questions!

11 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're opening our inbox for the second time this year we are taking questions again from our lovely listeners! Hopefully you guys will find ...

Episode 159: Teaching Calligraphy with Loveleigh Loops

04 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're joined by the lovely twin sisters Jillian & Jordan from Loveleigh Loops, they are calligraphers and teachers who are dedicated to hel...

Episode 158: Listeners' Questions

26 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're opening our inbox and taking questions from our lovely listeners! Hopefully you guys will find our answers helpful... So without furth...

Episode 157: The Power of Brand

19 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're talking about how brand can be one of the biggest assets for your business. It can make you stand out and it can help people remember ...

Episode 156: How to Launch Courses as a Creative with Teela Cunningham

12 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we welcome back Teela Cunningham from Every Tuesday. Teela is one of our absolute favorite creative entrepreneurs, she has educated millions...

Episode 155: How to Attract Better Clients

05 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're talking about how to attract better clients. We are very experienced doing quite the opposite, but we have also had quite good ones, s...

Episode 154: Work-life Balance

29 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are talking about keeping a balance between your work and your personal life. This is something that our hosts are not that good at but k...

Episode 153: Branding with Henry Kaminski Jr.

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're joined by Henry Kaminski, aka "The Brand Doctor". Henry has run a 7 figure agency and now serves  pro athletes with strategic design...

Episode 152: Scarcity Mindset Vs. Abundance Mindset

15 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're talking about scarcity mindset versus abundance mindset, and while the first one doesn't sound very fun, the second one sounds quite l...

Episode 151: Design Trends for 2020

08 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're talking about the upcoming design trends for 2020. Hopefully we get some insight where in a year's time the four hosts will look like ...

Episode 150: How to Pivot with Melinda Livsey

01 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're joined by the lovely and wonderfully talented Melinda Livsey. She runs Marks and Maker, a brand strategy agency. She successfully piv...

Episode 149: Working well with clients

25 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're talking about how to stop hating on clients. Clients are not the enemy, but there is an awful lot of negativity floating around in the...

Episode 148: Making Your Work Stand Out

18 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are talking about how to make your work stand out. The world has never been a busier place, so it's essential to be different in order to...

Episode 147: Going Full-Time Independent Creative

11 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're talking about quitting your job to go full-time independent creative. So without further ado, let's get into the show!

Episode 146: How to Get Faster in Your Work

04 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're talking about perfectionism and speed. This is such a common sticking point for so many designers out there, so we're going to look at...

Episode 145: Dealing with Creative Fatigue

27 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're talking about creative fatigue. It's something we all go through at some point, even if we love what we do. It can get boring, it can...

Episode 144: Feeling Empowered to Create with Peggy Dean

20 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're joined by the lovely and wonderfully talented Peggy Dean from The Pigeon Letters. Peggy is an incredible illustrator, calligrapher, a...

Episode 143: Golden Nuggets and Knowledge Bombs

13 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're hosting a special, quick-fire episode and the theme is going to be golden nuggets and knowledge bombs. This is going to be a sum up o...

Episode 142: Making it as a Young Creative With Mark Hirons

06 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're talking with Mark Hirons, an inspiring young creative entrepreneur from the UK. Mark is known for his podcast, Creative Waffle, but also...

Episode 141: Finding Your Calling With Andy J. Pizza Part 2

30 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Hey lovely listeners, welcome back to Part 2 of our chat with Andy J. Pizza! This is honestly an incredible end to our chat. We go deep into some grea...

Episode 140: Finding Your Calling With Andy J. Pizza

23 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're talking with the one and only Andy J. Pizza. Andy is a prolific illustrator who's worked with some of the most respected brands in the...

Episode 139: Pushing Past Your Fears With Teela Cunningham

16 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are chatting with Teela Cunningham. Teela is one of our absolute favorite creatives. She has educated millions of other designers through...

Episode 138: Niching Down to Scale Up with Phil Howell

09 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are chatting with Phil from HECreative. HECreative is a fantastic creative agency and punk rock publishing house. We know what you're thi...

Episode 137: Blogging Your Way to Success with Jacob Cass

02 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the ridiculously talented brand designer Jacob Cass joined us. Jacob is a friend and one of the most respected designers and content creat...

Episode 136: Thriving as a Retro Designer with Bob Ewing

25 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're joined by the ridiculously talented Bob Ewing. Bob is a multi-disciplined illustrator and letterer from Indiana. Ian and Dustin have ...

Episode 135: Mastering YouTube for Designers with Will Paterson

18 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're thrilled to welcome the super talented Will Paterson to the show. Will is a longtime designer, somewhat of a YouTube design rockstar,...

Episode 134: Working Smarter in Your Creative Business

11 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode is about getting more efficient in our creative businesses. We're looking at fixing processes, solving inefficiencies, and learnin...

Episode 133: Advice to our Younger Selves

04 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we are talking to our younger selves and giving those lovable little scamps some life advice. So without further ado, let's get into the show!

Episode 132: Building your Business Blueprint with Catherine Kay

28 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we are so excited to welcome Catherine Kay to the show! Catherine runs Katnipp, a fantastic illustration studio in the North-East of Englan...

Episode 131: You Are the People You Surround Yourself With

21 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we talk about how you are the sum of the 5 people you surround yourself with. We look at the impact this can have on your creative ...

Episode 130: Persevering Through the Early Days

14 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we talk about paying your dues and persevering through the early days when you're seeing little to no results. Without further ado,...

Episode 129: Increasing your Earnings as a Designer

07 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we talk about one of the best way to increase your earnings by an order of magnitude. How can you go from being perceived as a dis...

Episode 128 - Labels in the Design Industry

31 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we talk about labels in our industry. What's your label? What impact does your label have upon your work and your mindset. And what...

Episode 127 - Failure as a Creative

23 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we talk about failure as a creative. Is it always a bad thing thing to fail? And what lessons can we take away from failure? Witho...

Episode 126 - Benefits of Niching Part 2

17 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this weeks episode we continue last weeks discussion all about niching. There is so much to cover on this topic that we couldn't stop tearing into ...

Episode 125 - Benefits of Niching Part 1

10 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we talk all about niching down. What are the pros and cons of committing to one style and what are the possible ways in which one ...

Episode 124 - Mindset Part 2

02 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

As promised, this is the continuation of last week's episode on mindset. We hope you find it helpful! It's an uncharacteristically short episode for t...

Episode 123 - Mindset Part 1

26 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode we are talking all about mindset. So without further ado, let's get into the show!

Episode 122 - Spark your Creativity

19 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we play a little game called 'Spark Creativity: 50 Ways to Ignite Bright Ideas' and we're going to explain the rules in just a sec...

Episode 121 - Pushing Outside Your Comfort Zone

12 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Guys, it's a bit of a different intro this week; Tom and Ian are staying together in this weird looking hotel room while hosting a workshop at the Bir...

Episode 120 - Paranoia, Competition, and Needing Therapy

04 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we're talking about paranoia, competition, and needing therapy for your design work. So without further ado, let's get into the sh...

Episode 119 - Earning a Living From Lettering with Becca Courtice

29 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're joined by Becca Courtice from The Happy Ever Crafter. Becca teaches her highly engaged community the art of modern calligraphy and is...

Episode 118 - Mindset and Marketing with Chris Do

21 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're joined by Chris Do, who barely needs and introduction. He's the founder of the Futur, which is one of our favorite educational platfor...

Episode 117 - Lettering and the Creative Side Hustle with Scotty Russell

15 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're joined by one of our favourite people in the whole world, mister Scotty Russell. Scotty is an incredible illustrator and hand lettere...

Episode 116 - Hand Lettering Success With Stefan Kunz

08 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're joined by Stefan Kunz, an incredible hand letterer, educator, and one of our favourite creatives. Stefan has collaborated with brands...

Episode 115 - High on Lettering with Dina Rodriguez

01 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're joined by Dina Rodriguez from Letter Shoppe. Tom is especially excited to have her on the show as she is somewhat of a hero of his wh...

Episode 114 - Logo Design Masterclass with Ian Paget

24 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're talking with Ian Paget (AKA Logo Geek). Ian is one of the most established and talented logo designers in the field who has built an ...

Episode 113 - No One Knows What They're Doing Part 2

16 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Hey guys, we hope you enjoyed Part 1 of this conversation last week. This week, we're jumping straight back into that same conversation, talking about...

Episode 112 - No One Knows What They're Doing Part 1

10 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're talking about how no one really knows what they're doing. And on that bombshell, let's get into the show!