Susana Chen is the founder of the Asian Creative Foundation (ACF). ACF is a community organization that helps entry-level creatives find opportunities, navigate their career paths, and help make the creative industry a more inclusive place.
Roles get flipped in this episode. In this conversation, Susana interviews Chris for an ACF-hosted virtual event called Asian Creative Festival. And they cover a lot of ground. Like what inspired The Futur’s mission to teach 1 billion people, how Chris manages stress and the story of how Chris first learned about graphic design.
The two also discuss an important and divisive topic: design school. If you’re new to the creative industry (or considering joining it), then you’ll enjoy this conversation. And if you’re not so new to it all, don’t fret. Chris offers advice for you too.

Sponsored by
The Angry Designer Podcast
Gusto - https://gusto.com/futur
BetterHelp - https://betterhelp.com/futur
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198 - Navigating the Creative Industry — with Susana Chen

The Futur Podcast is a show that explores the interesting overlap between design, marketing, and business. Our host (and CEO of The Futur), Chris Do, hold candid conversations with inspirational people from the worlds of design, technology, marketing, business, philosophy and personal development. These conversations go deep. With the aim of understanding who these incredible people are, what drives them to do what they do, and what can we--the listener--learn from it all. Visit thefutur.com/podcast for show notes and additional information from each episode.

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

Marketing

Self-Improvement

It’s All About Embracing Your Authentic Self
In this episode, Chris Do is interviewed on Omar El-Takrori’s podcast called The Dept. w/ Omar El-Takrori, and they explore the intricate labyrinth of personal branding, public speaking, and the role of AI in today's creative and marketing industries. Chris Do shares profound insights on the essence of knowing oneself and the power of emotional connections over aesthetics in branding, coupled with his vision to revolutionize creative education through AI integration. The discussion transitions into the significance of authentic engagement in public speaking, critiquing the prevalent mechanical delivery and advocating for a return to conversational, heartfelt interactions. They emphasize the importance of authenticity, leveraging AI for enhancing presentations, and the cultural impact on innovation. Central to the conversation is the philosophy of using branding to forge genuine connections and utilizing success to empower educational initiatives, embodying an ethos of acknowledgment, appreciation, and the transformative potential of human connections.

Check out today's guest, Omar El-Takrori:
➤ LinkedIn | Website | The Dept. Podcast

Check out The Futur:
➤ Website | Courses | LinkedIn | Podcasts
➤ Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube

Check out Chris Do:
➤ Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
➤ TikTok | Threads | Zaap | Clubhouse | Behance
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291 - Building Brands, Shaping Futures, and Transforming Lives - With Chris Do

A Creative's Path Through Uncertainty
In this episode, host Chris Do interviews Matt Bretz, a creative leader navigating his career transition after being laid off from Ayzenberg, where he served as the Chief Creative Officer. Matt discusses the importance of transparency during transitions, the emotional rollercoaster of leaving a job, and the significance of maintaining personal and professional connections. He shares insights into the impact of rapid changes in the marketing and communications landscape, emphasizing the need for creativity and innovation in the industry. Matt also reflects on the importance of aligning personal values with professional endeavors and explores potential future paths, including entrepreneurship and leveraging his strengths in rainmaking, talent farming, and design championing.

Check out today's guest, Matt Bretz:
➤ LinkedIn

Check out The Futur:
➤ Website | Courses | LinkedIn | Podcasts
➤ Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube

Check out Chris Do:
➤ Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
➤ TikTok | Threads | Zaap | Clubhouse | Behance
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290 - The Creative Journey Beyond layoffs - with Matt Bretz

The Art of Learning by Teaching
In this episode, host Chris Do delves into the personal and professional growth journey of graphic designer James Barnard, focusing on the importance of authenticity, transparency, and the willingness to learn in public. By sharing his own experiences, including the initial struggle with an Adobe Illustrator tool, Barnard highlights the positive impacts of admitting one's gaps in knowledge and the collective learning that ensues with the audience. The episode further explores the power of teaching and how it can not only enhance one's own understanding but also boost business through specialization, in this case, logo design. Barnard discusses the effectiveness of script writing for social media content to bolster confidence and articulation, alongside the significance of continuous learning and sharing even the basics of one's craft. Emphasizing mistakes as a natural part of the creative process, the conversation shifts towards the benefits of humility and preparing oneself before claiming expertise, culminating in the mutual growth of both the designer and his audience.

Check out today's guest, James Barnard:
➤ Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Check out The Futur:
➤ Website | Courses | LinkedIn | Podcasts
➤ Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube

Check out Chris Do:
➤ Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
➤ TikTok | Threads | Zaap | Clubhouse | Behance
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289 - The Power of Transparency in the Digital Age of Design - With James Barnard

Beyond Connections
In this episode, host Chris Do delves into the secrets behind successful LinkedIn profiles and growth strategies with guest Sam Browne, an entrepreneur from Auckland, New Zealand, who achieved an impressive feat of growing his LinkedIn following by 50,000 in one year. Sam shares his journey from starting various businesses to finding a successful formula on LinkedIn involving consistent, engaging post writing and the crucial role of hooks in capturing audience attention. He emphasizes the importance of content quality, the strategic use of personal and educational content, and the power of case studies and specific, direct calls to action for lead generation. Sam also recounts his highest-performing post, revealing its massive engagement stats and highlighting key factors contributing to its success, like a compelling hook, concise value-packed content, and shareability among community members.
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288 - From Notes to Network: The LinkedIn Transformation - with Sam Browne

Mastering Marketing & Time
In this episode, host Chris Do sits down with  marketing expert and bestselling author Allan Dib shares his journey from immigrant to marketing and IT success, emphasizing the power of a positive mindset towards money and marketing. Allan discusses the essence of Lean Marketing, drawing from lean manufacturing to advocate for efficiency and waste reduction in marketing efforts. He highlights the importance of communication, goodwill, and understanding customer needs for creatives and introverts, advocating for sales techniques focused on listening and diagnosing rather than pushing for a sale. Through personal anecdotes and professional advice, Allan conveys the significance of differentiating oneself in the market, crafting irresistible offers, and the vital role marketing plays in business sustainability and growth. The episode not only explores Allan's transformative sales insights but also invites listeners to engage with him, reflecting on his experiences, strategies, and the impact of marketing on achieving business success.
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287 - Winning in Creative Business - With Allan Dib

The Futur with Chris Do

198 - Navigating the Creative Industry — with Susana Chen

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