In the first of our new rolling season, episode #80, Ross is joined by Astrid Stavro, Founder & Creative Director of Astrid Stavro Studio.

Astrid is a globally recognised and awarded creative director with over two decades of leadership in design. Her work is characterised by powerful ideas, exceptional craft and deep engagement with the content and audience. She is the President of the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) and a member of Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI). 

Ross and Astrid discuss what it takes to build brands that are timeless but still fresh and the important role people’s unique stories and perspectives play in this.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-astrid-stavro

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In Episode #79, Ross is joined by Jason Naylor, award-winning artist, muralist and author.

Jason is a NYC artist, known for bright colours and even brighter themes, commonly found on large scale murals around the world. His work explores the communication of human emotions using organic shapes, bold colours and a strong design aesthetic. Jason has worked with various brands like Coach, Pepsi, Toyota, and Microsoft. He has received global recognition for his work including a Golden Novum Design Award. In 2018, BUMBLE named Jason one of its 100 Most Inspiring New Yorkers.

Ross and Jason Naylor, award-winning artist, muralist and author, chat about how holding strong values positively influences your work and the way you collaborate, how practising your craft and working within constraints will help you form your identity and carve out an organic personal brand and the impact colour can have; especially in environments where it’s scarce.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-jason

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In Episode #78, Ross is joined by Jakub Rusiecki, Co-Founder of The Symmetrical DAO and Summoner at Social Graph Ventures.

Jakub started his career in biochemistry but switched gears in 2021 to focus on the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. He co-founded The Symmetrical, an investment DAO aimed at Gen Z, which has quickly grown to over 60 members worldwide. Jakub is currently the summoner for Social Graph Ventures, a DAO that invests in projects building the technology and apps powering decentralized social networks and communities. 

Ross and Jakub discuss the issues web3 social media platforms face in terms of UX and UI, the investment opportunity in media NFTs, why you should let people AI-replicate and use your identity and much more.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-jakub.

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In Episode #77, Ross is joined by Anthony Azekwoh, a contemporary artist and author based in Nigeria, whose work focuses on African folklore and mythology.

Anthony uses diverse mediums, such as digital and traditional painting and sculpting, to explore transformation and change in his country. He replicates traditional techniques through digital mediums, producing physical, corporeal manifestations of his work. His art has been seen worldwide, with clients like Facebook and celebrities such as Masego and Adekunle Gold. 

Ross and Anthony discuss the lack of representation for African Artists in Web3 and how he thinks the space will evolve over the coming years. Anthony also shares his realisation about Instagram that drove him to start working with SuperRare.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-anthony

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In Episode #76, Ross is joined by Matthias Winckelmann, Co-Founder and one of the two Creative Directors of someform Studio.

Before launching someform Studio, Matthias worked as Managing Partner and Director at the creative ensemble foam Studio and as Head of 3D at the internationally acclaimed design & branding studio ManvsMachine in London.

Ross and Matthias discuss why the world’s biggest companies are using abstract design to stand out, what this means for designers, and how we can avoid carrying current biases in the future.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-matthias

To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share this episode with your friends.

To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

In Episode #75, Ross is joined by Casey Martin, Founder and Executive Creative Director of Play, a branding and design studio working with the world’s most innovative companies.

Casey’s leadership has helped shape Play into an uncommonly agile partner, resulting in acclaimed collaborations with Elon Musk’s neurotech pioneer Neuralink, digital currency Worldcoin, storage standout Dropbox and many others.

Ross and Casey discuss what it’s like to build the brands that are shaping the future and how to adapt your design process to work with visionary tech leaders. Casey also shares his perspective on finding balance in fast-paced agency life.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-casey

To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.

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In Episode #74, Ross is joined by Lucas Zanotto, a multi-award-winning designer, artist, and director.

Lucas’ career is as varied and playful as his creations. His work effortlessly merges analogue and digital craft into thought-provoking films, apps, and installations. Zanotto also creates intriguing apps for children through his entertainment platform YATATOY.

Ross and Lucas discuss how rules help artists find their unique style and why generative art still requires craft and skill. Lucas also shares how generative art could make artists’ work more accessible, and how training AI could help you build your brand.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-lucas

To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share this episode with your friends.

To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

In Episode #73, Ross is joined by Kate Dawkins, multi-BAFTA-winning video/projection designer and director, and the founder of Kate Dawkins Studios.

Kate has over 25 years of experience turning pixels and projection into spectacular immersive events, shows, and live performances–entrancing global audiences. She's collaborated with world-class directors, producers, artists, and brands, such as BBC Studios and Ministry of Defence, and created immersive experiences and ceremonies like the London 2012 Olympics, among others.

Ross and Kate discuss how to create unforgettable brand experiences. Kate shares how to craft messages that resonate with audiences and how to bring them to life as immersive experiences. She also breaks down the 4 pillars that she and her team use to think about their work.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-katedawkins

To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq

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To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

In Episode #72, Ross is joined by Nando Costa, a seasoned Brazilian-American designer with experience in digital products, branding, and animation production at Microsoft and Google.

At Microsoft, Nando was part of the team that shipped the HoloLens Developer Edition and Windows Mixed Reality. He was at the forefront of a collective effort to evolve the design language for Microsoft 365 experiences across all platforms. And, after a brief stint at Google Design, Nando returned to Microsoft to work on the Microsoft Mesh team, exploring the intersection of traditional UX, immersive experiences, and generative AI.

Ross and Nando discuss how AI will change brand strategy and how we build brands. Nando also shares how he thinks AI will help shape virtual reality, and what designers can do to ensure they don’t get left behind.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-nando

To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share this episode with your friends.

To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

In Episode #71, Ross is joined by Simon Dixon, co-founder of DixonBaxi.

Simon has explored where creativity, design, and tech overlap for more than two and a half decades. His company, DixonBaxi, works with iconic companies across sports, entertainment, media, new economy, technology, and beyond. 'Be Brave' is their defining spirit. 

Simon Dixon shares how DixonBaxi creates work that resonates. He weighs in on whether design can change the world, and warns against following tech trends instead of your WHY.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-dixonbaxi

To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share this episode with your friends.

To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.