Off The Brief with Jaden Haynes

Your product is good. How come your brand isn't resonating?

Every market runs the same cycle. Product becomes commodity, brand becomes the moat, then lazy branding gets commoditised too. Examples include fashion, watches, and tech. Right now, most founders are building at exactly the moment their product advantage is about to stop being enough.

This episode traces that cycle through Corteiz, Rolex, and Apple, and names the liability that accumulates every time brand clarity gets deferred: Brand Debt. You'll understand where your market is in the cycle, why a visual refresh won't solve it, and what a properly drawn ICA actually looks like when applied to brand decisions.

In this episode, Jaden explores the complexities surrounding the concept of the 'dream job' and the evolving perceptions of passion and work in today's society.

What is the anti-ambition movement? What does passion really mean? How is the working landscape changing?

Expect to learn the harsh realities creatives face, how young people’s work values have shifted over time, how creatives can better value their work and much, much more.

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Get access to every episode for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://jadenhaynes.substack.com/

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Get in touch in the comments or head to...

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadenlmhaynes

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we dissect the "Lazy Era" of modern fashion and why consumers are ditching high-end labels for factory-direct "dupes." We explore the shift from selling aesthetics to selling virtues, using the evolution of Corteiz as a blueprint for brand survival in the age of AI.

Why has "Made in China" shifted from a sign of poor quality to a direct threat to luxury houses? How did Corteiz pivot from niche "anti-establishment" to a universal message of self-discipline? Why is the sports industry uniquely "immune" to the fake market? Where is the breaking point for loyal fans?

Expect to learn why the "Fair Exchange" in fashion is broken, the mathematical formula for AI in design, why sports clubs are "taking the piss" with templated designs, the psychology of the "Alcatraz" brand ethos, the first steps to justifying a high-price point through transparency, and much, much more...

-

Get access to every episode for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://jadenhaynes.substack.com/

-

Get in touch in the comments or head to...

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadenlmhaynes

Email: [email protected]

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Chapters

00:00 The Rise of Lazy Luxury

06:08 The Soul of a Brand

09:58 AI's Impact on Fashion

12:05 The Unique Nature of Sports Branding

17:05 Redefining Value in Fashion

In this episode, Jaden discusses his plans for 2026, focusing on setting meaningful goals and intentions.

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Get access to every episode for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://jadenhaynes.substack.com/

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Get in touch in the comments or head to...

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadenlmhaynes

Email: [email protected]

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Chapters

00:00 Welcome to 2026: Setting Intentions

02:52 The Misogi: Defining Your Year

06:12 Creating More Than You Consume

08:48 Training and Fitness Goals for 2026

12:10 Vision Board: Structuring Your Aspirations

15:01 Nourishing Relationships and Finances

18:00 Home, Health, and Spirituality Goals

24:02 Conclusion: Making 2026 Your Best Year Yet

This episode looks at the future of work and life in the age of AI and beyond.

Is AI a tool for your vision, or a replacement for your soul? What can we learn from Tony Robbins about the future of human connection? How do you pitch humanity and authenticity to clients who just want the cheapest option?

Expect to learn a framework on how to be exceptional in the age of AI, the neuroscience of cognitive debt, the difference between the "IKEA" and "Carpenter" design economies, why James from ShxtsNGigs is a warning sign for all of us, and much, much more....

-

Get access to every episode for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://jadenhaynes.substack.com/

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Get in touch in the comments or head to...

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadenlmhaynes

Email: [email protected]

-

Chapters

00:00 Navigating the Future: Skills for the Next Decade

02:39 The Impact of Technology on Creativity

05:34 The Role of AI in Communication and Expertise

08:09 Upskilling in a Rapidly Changing World

10:59 Balancing AI and Human Creativity

In this episode, Jaden discusses the art of designing playlists intentionally, particularly for various occasions and moods.

Is there a structured approach to creating playlists? Is it possible to have a library of playlists to fit every moment and experience?

Expect to learn how Jaden uses nine specific playlist folders for every mood, how he organises playlists effectively, how music connects us to memories, and much, much more.

-

Get access to every episode for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://jadenhaynes.substack.com/

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Get in touch in the comments or head to...

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadenlmhaynes

Email: [email protected]

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Intentional Playlist Design

02:47 The Nine Playlist Folders Explained

05:23 Creating Playlists for Specific Moments

08:07 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

Merry Christmas! In this episode, Jaden reflects on his podcasting journey, the lessons learned throughout the year, and the importance of community engagement.

Expect to learn about lessons as a content creator, the challenges faced, the significance of intentional living, some of the best ways to plan for the future, the importance of setting goals, and much, much more.

-

Get access to every episode for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://jadenhaynes.substack.com/

-

Get in touch in the comments or head to...

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadenlmhaynes

Email: [email protected]

-

Chapters

00:00 Christmas Reflections and Podcast Journey

02:43 Content Creation Insights and Growth

05:17 Engagement and Community Building

08:18 Personal Growth and Life Changes

10:43 Future Plans and Intentional Living

13:45 Productivity Strategies and Goal Setting

16:05 Looking Ahead to 2026

This episode addresses the inevitable question looming over the creative industries: Is graphic design dead in 2026? Jaden argues that the death of creativity is a myth, but AI is ruthlessly exposing a dangerous vulnerability: the outsourcing of original thought. In this episode, we explore the intentional design of a creative process that uses technology to supercharge ideas, not replace them. We also tackle why clients who try to replace designers with AI tools ultimately fail, producing nothing but "slop."

What is the crucial distinction between the analogue "Ideation" phase and the digital "Execution" phase? How can creative professionals leverage AI as a research executive or a mock-up student while retaining their critical director role? Why will expertise always defeat quick-fix AI tools when clients try to shortcut the design process?

Expect to learn the two core components of any creative work, the profound lesson of Austin Kleon’s analogue desk, the simple golden rule of delegation learned from a pub manager, how to avoid creating "AI Slop" in your final designs, the specific use cases for AI in high-speed research and concept mock-ups, and much, much more...

-

Get access to every episode for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://jadenhaynes.substack.com/

-

Get in touch in the comments or head to...

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadenlmhaynes

Email: [email protected]

-

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Graphic Design in 2026

01:47 The Role of AI in Creativity

05:39 Human-Centric Ideation vs. AI Execution

09:03 Outsourcing Thinking to AI: A Societal Concern

12:24 Expertise Over Access: The Future of Design

16:15 Conclusion: Embracing AI as a Tool

In this episode, we break down how to stop charging for your time and start charging for the value you deliver by applying Alex Hormozi’s Value Equation to the creative process. We analyze a real-world discovery call with a London-based community brand to show you how to uncover a client’s "Dream Outcome" and design for their future success, not just their current needs.

How can I use the "Value Equation" to justify higher fees as a creative freelancer? What specific questions should I ask during a discovery call to understand a client better than they understand themselves? How do I translate abstract client goals (like "community" or "partnerships") into concrete visual strategies?

Expect to learn The Value Equation, The Anti-Identity: Why finding out what a client hates (e.g., corporate minimalism) is crucial for success, The Discovery Script: The exact questions you need to ask to move from "order taker" to strategic partner, and much, much more...

-

Get access to every episode for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://jadenhaynes.substack.com/

-

Get in touch in the comments or head to...

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadenlmhaynes

Email: [email protected]

-

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Value Equation02:57 Transforming Deliverables into Value05:51 The Importance of Discovery Calls09:06 Defining the Dream Outcome11:54 Designing for the Future14:59 The Role of Client Understanding18:00 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

This week on By Design, we tackle the outdated economics of the creative industry by applying the high-leverage principles of entrepreneurial titans. Designer-creatives are problem-solvers who deserve to be compensated for the value they create, not the hours they clock.

Why does charging by the hour actually punish me for being fast and skilled? How can I use a simple formula to justify a significant increase in my project pricing? What is the difference between a "nice to have" and a high-leverage "Dream Outcome" in a client brief?

Expect to learn about The Hormozi Value Equation, why higher prices inherently increase perceived quality, the importance of outcome-based pricing, how to structure a Value Assessment interview, and much, much more...

-

Get access to every episode for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://jadenhaynes.substack.com/

-

Get in touch in the comments or head to...

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadenlmhaynes

Email: [email protected]

-

Chapters

00:00 The Myth of the Starving Creative03:07 Rethinking Compensation for Creatives06:01 The Value Equation: Charging for Impact09:01 Understanding the Dream Outcome12:00 Price Perception and Client Relationships14:56 Delivering Value Over Ego