On the final episode of the first season we come full circle to talk about the designer's perspective when it comes to consumers. Ankur and Mike tackle tough questions like how to get the brand to give you credit on social media, how do you change the public perception of graphic designers, and most importantly what shoutouts mean to graphic designers!  

WHAT DESIGNERS EXPECT FROM CONSUMERS  

Graphic designers expect consumers to show appreciation for their work and show awareness of the design industry. A graphic designer's passion, vision and hard work should be appreciated; a simple shoutout or thank you goes a long way! Consumers should also show awareness of current trends and topics in the design world to ensure they are making informed decisions when working with a graphic designer. Being aware of industry standards and practices ensures that both parties are equally committed to creating an outstanding product. So show some love to your local graphic designer and show some respect for the artistry involved in creating amazing visuals! It will be worth it!   

By showing appreciation and being aware of current trends, consumers can create an effective collaboration with their graphic designers and make sure all parties involved are happy with the results.  It's a win-win situation! So show some appreciation, show awareness and get ready to be blown away by your graphic designer's artistic vision!    Your favorite brands will thank you for it.  🤩😃👍🏼✨👌🏼  

CONNECT WITH ANKUR: https://bio.link/ankurkgarg

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We saved one of the best topics for last... [INSERT EPIC DRINKING GAME HERE] Yeah go ahead and take a drink every time you hear us talk about paying on time. Ankur and Mike also touch on what goes into trusting your designer, how to sent digital assets, and how to handle feedback from friends/family vs actual professional feedback.  

HOW TO BE A GOOD CLIENT  

Being a good client for a graphic designer is not hard – it just requires you to pay attention to the details. Paying on time is essential – being late with payments can be an extremely disheartening experience for any creative, so aim to stay ahead of deadlines and try to avoid unexpected delays. Trust your designer’s expertise and don’t be too controlling; after all, they know what they’re doing! Also, remember that feedback can go a long way in improving the end result. Make sure to provide constructive suggestions and clearly explain what you do or don't like about a design before asking for revisions. Doing this will ensure the final product meets all expectations. In conclusion, being a good client means being understanding, communicative, and reliable. Pay on time, trust your designer's judgment, and provide useful feedback to get the best results!  

CONNECT WITH ANKUR: https://bio.link/ankurkgarg

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Ankur and Mike are back and ready to talk about the infamous Proposition 65 warning that clients ask us to put on product labels without fully understanding how it works... The guys also touch on important topics like tax nexus, branding in Canada and Europe, and how to handle Amazon/Walmart when it comes to Proposition 65!  

Unofficial Website: http://prop65warning.com/ 

DESIGNERS HATE PROP(OSITION) 65  

Proposition 65 is the bane of Graphic Designers everywhere. The Proposition, which requires California to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm and mandate label warnings on products containing those chemicals, can make packaging design a nightmare. Every product with Proposition 65-related ingredients must have an intricate warning label stuck somewhere on the package – taking up precious design space that could be used in more creative ways. And while this requirement seems straightforward enough, Proposition 65 has proven to be anything but simple for graphic designers tasked with creating visually appealing packaging designs despite congested warning labels. What a drag! But hey, at least we don't live in California…right? (Wink.)   

These days, it's of the utmost importance for graphic designers to have a firm grasp on Proposition 65 before embarking on packaging design projects. They should be well-versed in all of Proposition 65's requirements, as well as any updates to its regulations and list of chemicals, so they can create appropriate warnings that comply with Proposition 65 without sacrificing too much space or detracting from the overall design. With this knowledge in hand, designers can craft attractive packaging designs that are both compliant and eye-catching – no Proposition 65 nightmares necessary!   

Despite its headaches, Proposition 65 is an important measure that helps protect consumers' health, which is why it's essential for graphic designers to understand and comply with these regulations fully when working on product packaging designs. It may not be the most exciting part of the job, but it sure beats the consequences of non-compliance. As they say: it's better to be safe than sorry!   

The bottom line? Proposition 65 is a necessary evil that graphic designers must learn to accept – and comply with – in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises down the road. Time to put on your label-designing hats and get to work! Proposition 65 won't go away anytime soon, so let's make the best of it.   

CONNECT WITH ANKUR: https://bio.link/ankurkgarg

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This is one of the nostalgic episodes where Ankur and Mike share stories about their wild trade show experiences, the process of designing basic 10x10 booths to designing massive 'super-booths,' and lastly how it all works when it comes to cost analysis and clientele management.  

TRADE SHOW BOOTH DESIGNS  

Designing a great booth for a trade show is no easy feat - but it can be rewarding. Expo booths are usually the first thing attendees see when they enter the event, and if done well, will be remembered long after the show is over. To create an eye-catching and memorable expo booth, consider adding attention-grabbing banners, interactive activations, and useful information about your company or product. Banners don’t have to be boring - think outside of the box and use bright colors to draw people in.   

Interactive activations are also important for engaging with potential customers at the event; this could include demos of products or services as well as games that require participants to use their knowledge about what you offer. Finally, display useful information about your company or product that attendees can take away with them. Doing these three things will help you create a booth that stands out and sticks in people’s minds - so get creative and have some fun!   

CONNECT WITH ANKUR: https://bio.link/ankurkgarg

CONNECT WITH MIKE: https://bio.link/mikecreative 

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Ankur & Mike breakdown some of the most common misconceptions when it comes to packaging design and managing clientele expectations. You'll definitely hear about copycats in the industry, what it takes to disrupt an industry, and the impact designers have for new brands.  

HOW MOQS AFFECT DESIGNER'S OPTIONS  

When it comes to impact, minimum order quantities (MOQs) are a big deal in the supply chain. MOQs impact everything from cost to packaging options available. If you don’t meet the MOQ of your supplier, you may not be able to get your product packaged how you want – leaving you stuck with generic packaging or no packaging at all! So if you’re looking for something more than the bare minimum in terms of packaging and presentation, make sure to factor MOQs into your decision-making process. Otherwise, you could end up with a less-than-ideal outcome that fails to properly showcase your product!   

In short: when it comes to impactful packaging options, MOQs matter. Make sure to do your research and consider MOQs when planning for packaging that will really make a statement!   

CONNECT WITH ANKUR: https://bio.link/ankurkgarg

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Did we leave you hanging? Well here is the much anticipated second part of the "Worst Client Stories" from Ankur & Mike...  

WORST CLIENT STORIES - PART 2  

Dealing with clients can be a nightmare for graphic designers. Nothing sucks more than lack of payment, argumentative conversations and ultimately feeling like you’re wasting your time. It's essential to protect yourself from any potential hiccups that could come about during the client-designer relationship. Here are some helpful tips to help you navigate this tricky terrain:   

Following these suggestions can help protect you from any potential pitfalls that can arise during client-designer relationships. Just remember: stay organized, communicate regularly, and always back everything up! Good luck!   

CONNECT WITH ANKUR: https://bio.link/ankurkgarg

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Uhh, yeah its time to talk about some of the worst client experiences in Ankur & Mike's careers.  

WORST CLIENT STORIES - PART 1  

Graphic designers have horror stories that could make your skin crawl. They've faced clients who lack courtesy, understanding, and worst of all, payment! While horror stories are the extreme cases, dealing with unprofessional clients is something many graphic designers face. 

The key to avoiding such horror stories? Contracts! A contract will ensure both parties understand their responsibilities and expectations clearly. When drafting a contract, always include services provided by you as a graphic designer, deliverables, deadlines and of course how much you'll be paid for your work. Negotiate where necessary but don't accept less than what your work is worth - remember that you're providing a service to this client so it's important to get compensated accordingly.   

CONNECT WITH ANKUR: https://bio.link/ankurkgarg

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Ankur & Mike are about to spill the beans and tell you their secret sauce when it comes to decision making on how much to invest in product packaging... Clients don't always realize how much power a graphic designer has in their hands when it comes to the success of a product, but the boys will share some of their experiences with you on how to navigate the waters!  

WHAT'S TOO MUCH TO PAY FOR PACKAGING?

Packaging design is a critical element of brand strategy. But what’s too much to pay for custom molds, custom designs, and disruption? It depends on the scope of your project. Before committing to any packaging design expenditure, consider the size of your company, its target market, and how you plan to use custom packaging.

No one wants to overpay for custom molds and custom designs that are going nowhere. But if you invest in innovation and disruption, your custom packaging can become an integral part of your brand's identity. After all, a sleek product design can help capture attention and turn heads when it comes time for customers to make their purchases.

So don't be afraid to spend money on custom molds and custom designs when necessary. Just be sure to calculate the cost and make sure it is within your budget before committing. Know that custom packaging can be a great investment if done right, but also realize that too much could end up backfiring down the line. In other words, don't break the bank on custom molds and custom designs without doing your research first.

In summary, know what you need in terms of custom packaging design before committing to any expense associated with it. It may seem expensive up front, but the return on investment can be huge if done correctly! With careful planning and research, custom molds and custom designs can help take your brand strategy to the next level.   

CONNECT WITH ANKUR: https://bio.link/ankurkgarg

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The duo of Ankur & Mike tackle educating everyone on what statistically is the most important part of a product package for consumers across all global communities. They also touch on who should hold the final decision on packaging, clean labels, FDA requirements, and share plenty of their own personal stories!  

WHAT ARE CONSUMERS LOOKING FOR ON PRODUCT LABELS IN 2023?

It's 2023 and consumers want to know exactly what is in their products before they buy them. Branding on the packaging is no longer enough, as consumers are more conscious of how ingredients can affect their health and well-being. Therefore, most product labels now feature detailed nutrition information on retail shelves. Consumers will also look for transparency from brands regarding sources of ingredients, sustainability efforts, and ethical manufacturing processes.   

Companies that provide this type of information will be favored by today's informed shoppers who demand an authentic connection with the product in question and its makers. The landscape has changed drastically since 2020, but one thing remains clear: Consumers value quality over quantity when it comes to knowing what's inside the products they purchase!  

CONNECT WITH ANKUR: https://bio.link/ankurkgarg

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Welcome to the first episode of a new podcast hosted by two of the best graphic designers currently at the peak of their careers. In this episode Mike and Ankur cover what its like screening designers in interviews, building up new talent, and shoutout several colleagues who are running multi-million dollar empires...  

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A (GRAPHIC) DESIGNER IS GREAT? 

If you're looking to hire a Graphic Designer, there are some things you need to consider before making a decision. One of the most important factors is experience — did they attend design school or have they been working in this field for years? But experience alone doesn't make them great — here's how to really tell if a Graphic Designer is top-notch:

When it comes down to it, hiring a top-notch Graphic Designer can make all the difference when it comes to producing quality work. Follow these tips and you'll be sure to find someone who meets your expectations!  

CONNECT WITH ANKUR: https://bio.link/ankurkgarg

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