Able Heads

In this conversation, Anika Aggarwal and Kaya Marriott discuss the evolution of content creation, focusing on platforms like Pinterest and YouTube.

Kaya shares her journey from blogging to becoming a content creator, emphasizing the importance of leveraging different platforms for traffic and engagement. They explore strategies for creating engaging content, understanding ROI on Pinterest, and the balance between evergreen and trend-based content.

Check out Kaya's YouTube:  ⁨@CreatingwithKaya⁩ 

Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/anikaagg⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3E0chBO

Anika Aggarwal and Carra Sykes explore the journey of creativity, the challenges of defining success, and the importance of personal branding in the design world. They discuss the impact of personal experiences on creative work, the significance of attracting the right clients, and the evolving nature of success in a fast-paced industry. Carra shares insights on dealing with imposter syndrome and offers valuable advice for aspiring designers, emphasizing the importance of kindness and self-acceptance in the creative process.

Carra's work: https://www.carrasykes.com/

Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/anikaagg⁠⁠

👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 Full show notes and more at⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com⁠⁠

🌍 Work with me: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

In this episode, Voodoo Val shares her journey as a creative professional, discussing the challenges and triumphs of navigating the art world.

From the role of AI in enhancing creativity to the importance of community support, Val emphasizes the need for personal projects to combat burnout and maintain passion.

We also talk about self-promotion from a PR standpoint, the impact of rejections, and the balance between financial stability and creative fulfillment.

Val's work: https://www.voodooval.com/

Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/anikaagg⁠

👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 Full show notes and more at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com⁠

🌍 Work with me: ⁠[email protected]⁠

This week I’m solo on Able Heads, pulling together the five shifts that actually helped me move my creative business forward, without burning out or chasing every shiny trend. Think of it as a tiny, evidence-backed playbook to hit your business goals: defining success beyond money, being seen on purpose, letting form follow a clear “why,” learning out loud with drafts and feedback, and building a brand that lasts through story.

I share the exact tools I use: a five-line purpose brief before I open Figma, a simple “risky ideas” folder I ship from each week, one “process share” post that invites real replies, and a small story bank I pull from so my work sounds like me. Stuff you can try today.

Join the community: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/anikaagg

👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 Full show notes and more at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com

🌍 Work with me: [email protected]

Links to research:

https://hbr.org/2023/07/what-makes-work-meaningful

https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx

https://www.edelman.com/trust/2024/trust-barometer/special-report-brand/gen-z-embracing-intention-values-brand-success

https://investors.sproutsocial.com/news/news-details/2023/New-Research-Indicates-a-Shift-in-What-Consumers-Find-Memorable-on-Social-Media/default.aspx

https://simonsinek.com/golden-circle/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34697180-dieter-rams

https://hci.stanford.edu/publications/2010/parallel-prototyping/ParallelPrototyping2010-submitted.pdf

https://www.thinkbox.tv/research/thinkbox-research/the-long-and-the-short-of-it

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Troy Leinster has spent years in the world of type design. From working at Hoefler & Co. (now Monotype) in New York to now running his own studio, Leinster Type. In this episode of Able Heads, we talk about building a career in type, how to pitch your work to foundries like Adobe Fonts and Sandoll Cloud, and making it sustainable through teaching and licensing, and learning to step up when opportunity knocks.

We also get into how inspiration shows up in everyday places and the ups and downs of freelancing.

Check out Leinster Type: ⁠https://www.leinstertype.com/

👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 Full show notes and more at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com

Should every creative act like an influencer to stay relevant? Flyn Tracy thinks not. In this Able Heads episode, we talk about authentic storytelling, why repurposed TikToks aren’t the answer, and how to get discovered for events like Adobe MAX.

We also cover portfolio pitfalls, building trust with audiences, and the fine line between content strategy and chasing trends.

Check out Flyn's work: https://www.flyntracy.com/

👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 Full show notes and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com

In this conversation, Fiorella Granda shares her journey from being an architecture student to becoming a successful freelance illustrator and designer, focusing on sports and community engagement.

She discusses the challenges and triumphs of freelancing, the importance of social media in her career, and how cultural influences shape her design perspective.

Fiorella emphasizes the significance of authenticity, vulnerability, and intentionality in her work, while also providing insights into client relationships, pitching strategies, and the evolving definition of success.

Check out Fiorella's work: https://www.instagram.com/fiorelladoodles/

👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 Full show notes and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com

Join me in conversation with Nick Longo, design professor and podcast host, as we explore the future of design education and redefining success in creative fields.

Nick Longo is the founder of Longo Designs, a studio specializing in bold branding and packaging for food, beverage, and restaurant brands. Nick is a design instructor at California State University, Northridge, and co-hosts the Deeply Graphic Designcast and Adobe Office Hours. Through education and industry experience, Nick empowers designers and brands to push creative boundaries and lead with purpose.

• Nick shares his perspective on why true success includes happiness and passion, not just financial gain.

• We talk about AI’s role in enhancing creativity, the crucial importance of mentorship, and why soft skills matter more than ever.
• Perfect for creatives looking to thrive and find fulfillment in their careers.

Check out Nick's work: https://www.longodesigns.com/

👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 Full show notes and more at ⁠⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com

In this conversation, Anika and Mateusz explore the intersection of design and mental health, discussing the journey of running a creative studio, the challenges of freelancing, and the importance of self-care.

Mateusz shares insights on how his Polish and Canadian identities influence his work, the impact of motion design on his illustrations, and the significance of journaling and reflection in maintaining mental well-being. They also delve into the stigma surrounding mental health in the creative industry, the role of AI in art, and the evolving definition of success in a creative practice.

Mateusz Napieralski is a Polish-Canadian illustrator, designer and animator currently based in Toronto, Canada. After graduating from a Motion Design degree and working for a number of design and animation studios in London, UK, Mateusz established his practice Gust of Wind Studio.Mateusz loves working with clients who’s values align with his. Some of the topics he’s passionate about include LGBTQ rights, community building, creative education and mental health.

Check out Mat's work: https://gustofwindstudio.com/

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In this conversation, Adam the Illustrator shares his journey from being laid off to becoming a successful content creator and illustrator.

We discuss the importance of storytelling in your work, the challenges of maintaining mental health while navigating social media, and the significance of authenticity in a crowded digital landscape.

Adam emphasizes the importance of creative freedom and shares his future goals, including the launch of a plushie project and an art show.

Check out Adam's work: https://www.instagram.com/adam_theillustrator/

👉 Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 Full show notes and more at ⁠⁠podcast.ablehead.com