Lex Talk Design

In this episode of Lex Talk Design, Renée sits down with Krista Shearer from Bespoke Careers for a wide-ranging conversation about design, recruitment, career pivots, workplace culture, and the shifting needs of the architecture and interiors industry.

Krista began her career as an architect before making the leap into recruitment - a move that eventually led her to launch the Sydney office of Bespoke Careers in 2009. Since then, she has helped connect talent with some of the biggest names in architecture and design, while building a deep understanding of what both candidates and businesses really need from one another.

Renée and Krista discuss the realities of moving from creative practice into a more people-focused role, the importance of backing yourself when a new opportunity appears, and why looking after your team is one of the strongest foundations any business can have.

They also explore what’s happening in the design employment market right now, including the rise of contract roles, shifting expectations around flexibility, the challenges of attracting and retaining talent, and how AI is beginning to influence the future of design work.

Warm, insightful, and full of practical industry perspective, this conversation is a fascinating look at the people behind the projects - and the evolving landscape of design careers.

In this episode, Renée and Krista discuss:

- Krista’s journey from architecture into recruitment
- The early growth of Bespoke Careers in Sydney and internationally
- Why career pivots often require boldness, timing, and a little bit of useful naivety
- What architecture and recruitment can learn from each other
- The importance of people-first business culture
- Current hiring trends across architecture and design
- The rise of contract and freelance roles in the industry
- What candidates and employers are looking for now
- How AI may shape the future of design careers
- Why relationships, integrity, and good timing still matter

Connect with Krista and Bespoke Careers:

Bespoke Careers website: https://www.bespokecareers.com/ 
Bespoke Careers events: https://www.bespokecareers.com/whats-on/ 
Bespoke Careers podcast: https://www.bespokecareers.com/podcasts/ 
Krista Shearer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristashearer 

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe, follow, visit: 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lex-talk-design/id1797431854
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SrN9hpHzI6cUjmDj2eRIK?si=64d95dca6e3c4401
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/

In this episode of Lex Talk Design, Renee sits down with Daniel Chan, CEO and founder of JoJo Ventures, a Hong Kong-based next-generation AI creative studio working across film, television, commercial content, marketing and advertising.

Daniel shares his journey into generative AI, from the early excitement of tools like Midjourney and ChatGPT through to building a creative studio focused on helping businesses create high-quality visual content faster, more efficiently and at a lower cost.

Together, Renee and Daniel explore the democratisation of technology, the speed at which AI is transforming the creative industries, and what still separates professional creatives from everyday users now that powerful tools are available to almost everyone.

They also discuss the human side of AI: why AI can feel so agreeable, the risks of trusting it without verification, the importance of domain expertise, and why the future of creative work may depend less on simply using AI and more on taste, judgement, workflow and the ability to refine that final 5%.

From AI-generated films and marketing campaigns to the emotional and social implications of increasingly human-like technology, this conversation offers a grounded, thoughtful and surprisingly human look at where AI and design may be heading next.

https://jojo.ventures/

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe, follow, visit: 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lex-talk-design/id1797431854
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SrN9hpHzI6cUjmDj2eRIK?si=64d95dca6e3c4401
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/

In this episode of Lex Talk Design, we’re joined by Avalana Simpson, British artist, wallpaper designer, and founder of Avalana Design - a luxury homeware brand known for bold, colourful wallpapers, fabrics, and immersive interior murals.

Avalana shares her journey from working in textile and surface pattern design to building her own global creative business. Starting with hand-painted watercolour artwork, her designs evolve into large-scale wallpapers and interiors used in residential and commercial spaces worldwide.

We dive into the realities of building a design brand - from navigating creative freedom without client briefs to developing a signature style that stands out in a trend-driven industry. Avalana also discusses how travel, nature, and storytelling influence her work, including how a trip to Costa Rica inspired her early collections.

This episode is packed with insights for interior designers, creatives, and small business owners, covering everything from colour theory in interiors to building a personal brand as a designer.

https://www.avalanadesign.co.uk/

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe, follow, visit: 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lex-talk-design/id1797431854
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SrN9hpHzI6cUjmDj2eRIK?si=64d95dca6e3c4401
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/

This week on Lex Talk Design, Renee is joined by Kyle Hughes-Odgers - an acclaimed Australian artist whose work spans painting, illustration, publishing, and large-scale public murals across the globe. Based in Perth, Kyle has built a distinctive visual language that explores the relationship between people, nature, and place through bold geometric forms and stylised figurative imagery.

Since his first solo exhibition in 2009, Kyle’s work has travelled far beyond Australia, with exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles, the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore and Berlin. Alongside his gallery practice, he has created more than 50 public commission works worldwide, bringing art into everyday spaces on an impressive scale.

In this episode, Renee and Kyle talk about building a creative career over time, the realities behind making art professionally, balancing studio practice with large public projects, and how to keep evolving while staying true to your style.

A thoughtful and inspiring conversation for creatives, founders, designers, and anyone curious about what it really takes to make a life in the arts.

In this episode:

• Kyle’s path from early exhibitions to international recognition
• Developing a signature artistic style
• The crossover between art, design, and public space
• Balancing commercial opportunities with creative integrity
  The discipline behind a long-term creative career
• Bringing large-scale ideas to life

#LexTalkDesign #KyleHughesOdgers #AustralianArt #CreativeCareer #DesignPodcast #PublicArt #ContemporaryArt #LexTalk

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe, follow, visit: 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lex-talk-design/id1797431854
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SrN9hpHzI6cUjmDj2eRIK?si=64d95dca6e3c4401
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/

In this episode of Let’s Talk Design, we sit down with Melbourne-based artist and interior designer Danielle Brustman - a creative force known for her bold use of colour, playful forms, and deeply emotive spaces.

Danielle’s work spans residential, retail, and hospitality design, alongside striking art installations exhibited both locally and internationally, including at the National Gallery of Victoria and Milan’s Salone del Mobile. Her distinctive style blends dreamlike palettes with a sense of joy and accessibility - spaces that don’t just look beautiful, but feel something.

In this conversation, Danielle shares her unconventional journey into interior design - from taking nearly a decade to complete her degree, to finding her creative footing in theatre set design, and eventually returning to interiors with a renewed sense of confidence and clarity.

We explore the tension between creative freedom and commercial reality, the importance of curiosity in young designers, and why sometimes the best ideas come when you temporarily ignore constraints altogether.

Danielle also dives into her deep relationship with colour - how it shapes her emotional response to spaces, influences her process, and ultimately defines her work. Drawing inspiration from the expressive design eras of the 1960s and 70s, she reflects on the loss of boldness in modern design and why it might be time to bring it back.

This episode is a must-listen for designers, creatives, and anyone interested in building a career that balances artistic instinct with real-world application.

Connect with Danielle:

https://www.daniellebrustman.com/

https://designweek.melbourne/event/superhot-shop/

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe, follow, visit: 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lex-talk-design/id1797431854
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SrN9hpHzI6cUjmDj2eRIK?si=64d95dca6e3c4401
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/

In this episode of Let’s Talk Design, Renée sits down with writer, historian, and publisher John Harms to unpack the delicate balance between creative expression and the commercial realities of writing for a living.

From navigating inconsistent freelance income to working under tight deadlines, John shares an honest and insightful look at what it really means to sustain a career in writing. The conversation explores how structure, discipline, and creative curiosity coexist - often in tension - within the world of commercial writing.

They also dive into the evolution of publishing in the digital age, the democratisation of writing through online platforms, and how building your own ecosystem can offer both creative freedom and financial resilience.

John Harms is a writer, historian, and publisher with a career spanning decades. He has written for major publications including The Age, The Canberra Times, and The Australian, and is the founder of the Footy Almanac - a platform that has published thousands of pieces from a diverse community of writers.

The Footy Almanac

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe, follow, visit: 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lex-talk-design/id1797431854
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SrN9hpHzI6cUjmDj2eRIK?si=64d95dca6e3c4401
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/

In this episode of Lex Talk Design, Renee sits down with designer Daniel Spat to explore what it really means to design in today’s digital world.

With over 17 years of experience spanning print, multimedia, UI and UX, Daniel shares how his career evolved from traditional graphic design into the complex, ever-changing world of digital experience. What started with posters, packaging and visual merchandising has grown into designing seamless user journeys across government, corporate and digital platforms.

At the heart of the conversation is a powerful idea: great design should feel effortless.

Daniel breaks down how UX designers shape the “path of least resistance” - helping users intuitively navigate websites, complete actions, and ultimately achieve what they came to do. From accessibility standards and government guidelines to the psychology behind navigation, automation and user behaviour, this episode reveals just how much thought goes into the experiences we often take for granted. 

Renee and Daniel also reflect on:

•  The shift from print to digital - and why adaptability is key 
•  The importance of accessibility and inclusive design (WCAG standards) 
•  How user expectations shape modern digital experiences 
•  The hidden complexity behind “simple” websites 
•  Why understanding the brief (and the brief behind the brief) matters 
•  Designing for real-world behaviour - from abandoned carts to automation flows 

They also touch on Daniel’s involvement with the Design Institute of Australia, mentoring emerging designers and helping shape the next generation of creative thinkers.

Whether you’re a designer, business owner, or simply curious about how digital experiences are built, this episode offers a thoughtful look into the systems, strategy and human behaviour behind great design.

Connect with Dan:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-spat/

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe, follow, visit: 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lex-talk-design/id1797431854
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SrN9hpHzI6cUjmDj2eRIK?si=64d95dca6e3c4401
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/

In this episode of Lex Talk Design, we sit down with Brisbane-based photographer Dee Van Der Merwe - founder of Pixel Punk and a visual storyteller with over 16 years of experience capturing everything from weddings and families to global brand campaigns.

Dee’s work goes far beyond aesthetics. Known for her editorial, emotive style, she has a rare ability to capture not just how a moment looks… but how it feels.

Together, we explore the reality of working behind the lens - from the psychology of working with people, to the physical demands of the job, to the creative tension between trends and authenticity.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why great photography is far more about people than cameras
• How to make clients feel comfortable (even when they hate being photographed)
• The pressure of shooting in high-stakes, fast-paced environments
• The surprising physical demands of commercial photography
• How social media is shaping (and sometimes diluting) creative trends
• The balance between following trends vs. staying true to your style
• Using AI tools to streamline editing and stay competitive
• The reality of imposter syndrome in creative industries
• Why humility, curiosity, and adaptability are key to long-term success

Key Takeaways

• The best photographers aren’t just technical - they’re deeply empathetic
• Creativity often comes down to trust: “Just trust me, it’ll look good”
• Trends come and go - authenticity is what actually lasts
• You don’t need permission to start… you just need to start
• Confidence grows through action, not before it

Dee’s Advice for Creatives

“You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Do you want to be a photographer… or just wonder what it would be like?”

About Dee Van Der Merwe

With over 16 years behind the lens, Dee is a trusted visual storyteller for couples, families, brands, and entrepreneurs seeking imagery that is powerful, emotive, and full of energy.

Her signature style is editorial, heartfelt, and atmospheric - creating work that becomes a lasting legacy. In the branding space, she’s known for producing bold, engaging content that connects deeply with audiences and reflects the true essence of a business.

Connect with Dee

Pixel Punk: https://www.pixelpunk.me/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pixelpunkpictures 

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe, follow, visit: 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lex-talk-design/id1797431854
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SrN9hpHzI6cUjmDj2eRIK?si=64d95dca6e3c4401
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/

In this episode of Lex Talk Design, Renée sits down with Damian Hinks, a long-time figure in the Australian design industry and founder of The Commercial Creative.

With more than two decades of experience spanning print production, music management, agency leadership, and consultancy, Damian has spent the past nine years helping creative professionals transform their studios into sustainable, profitable businesses.

Together, Renée and Damian explore the complex relationship between creativity, entrepreneurship, and business leadership - and why many designers struggle with the commercial side of running a studio.

They discuss how the creative identity often sits in tension with the responsibilities of business ownership, why talking about money still feels uncomfortable in many creative circles, and how studios can build systems that allow them to grow without sacrificing their creative vision.

The conversation also looks at how the design industry has shifted in recent years, particularly following COVID-19, with many studios moving away from the traditional “bigger agency” model toward smaller, more specialised teams doing high-impact work.

Damian shares practical insights from his work advising creative businesses, including the importance of clear systems, healthy financial awareness, and surrounding yourself with the right people to support growth.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at what it means to be both a creative and a business owner - and how designers can build careers that are not only creatively fulfilling, but also commercially sustainable.

In this episode:

• Why many creatives struggle with the business side of design
• The difference between entrepreneurial thinking and business management
• How COVID reshaped the way design studios approach growth
• The rise of small, highly specialised creative teams
• Why systems, structure, and financial awareness are essential for sustainable studios
• How creatives can build businesses that support - rather than limit - their creativity

Connect with Damian Hinks

Learn more about Damian’s work and The Commercial Creative:

• Damian’s website: https://damianhinks.com/
• The Commercial Creative: https://www.thecommercialcreative.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianhinks/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommercialcreative
  
  

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe, follow, visit: 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lex-talk-design/id1797431854
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SrN9hpHzI6cUjmDj2eRIK?si=64d95dca6e3c4401
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/

Lex Talk Design is back for season 2 and we're chatting with all the talented creatives and creators around the world, about the business of design.

My favourite part of doing season 1 was talking to all sorts of design people, and hearing their unique point of view, on their specific industry. 

This season, we’ll head down that path again. I’m chatting to everyone from graphic designers, artists, photographers, business strategists and design leaders, and I’m asking them all about their career journeys, how they got here and what advice would they give their younger selves? 

We’re also talking about their creative process, their corner of the design and their creative process, and then on to the big picture, what they think their industry needs more of to make it stronger. 

The first episode is out tomorrow, available on all the usual channels, subscribe now.

Lex Talk Design Season 2 starts tomorrow. See you soon!

Thanks for listening!

Subscribe, follow, visit: 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexDesignAgency
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/lex-talk-design/id1797431854
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SrN9hpHzI6cUjmDj2eRIK?si=64d95dca6e3c4401
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexdesignagency/