The Busy Creator Podcast with Prescott Perez-Fox

The Busy Creator 20, Building and Growing a Small Design Firm, w/guest Josh Miles

Listen Later

The Busy Creator Podcast, episode 20, Building and Growing a Small Design Firm, w/guest Josh Miles

Josh Miles (@JoshMiles) founded Miles Design, an independent graphic design firm in Indianapolis, Indiana, after organically growing his freelance practice. Following some hi-profile work in a narrow sector, he’s grown his team to nine employees, taking care to build a healthy workplace culture along the way.

Josh and his team at Miles Design

In this discussion, Josh shares some of the challenges for growing and maintaining a design business, as well as some of the tools and tactics he uses to keep the team in sync and doing great work.

 

 
 
 
00:00
 
00:00
 
 
 

 

Show Notes & Links
  • Prescott met Josh at the Brand New Conference in San Francisco, 2011
  • Josh began as a freelancer, working with clients such asPurdue University
  • Josh knew he’d eventually be an independent designer
  • The selling side of graphic design isn’t told much in school
  • Win Without Pitching by Blair Enns
  • David C. Baker, Recourses
  • Miles Design is a nine-person design firm in Indianapolis, focusing on Professional Services (architecture, engineering, interior design, etc.)
  • The award-winning website for Ratio Architects
  • After about 1 year in, Josh realised the company would succeed. He needed help getting the design work done.
  • Josh is the geek within the agency
  • Tug McTighe on being a creative director
  • Failure in graphic design isn’t “failure” as such. The end of the sentence is the end of the conversation.
  • AIGA Indy Kickball League
  • “No one is immune from psychology. Especially psychologists.”
  • Bold Brand by Josh Miles
  • Miles Design allowed a client to reap 7x return on investment for a new website design
  • Josh is equal parts introvert and extrovert
  • The Cult of Overwork
  • Previous Busy Creator interview with Debbie Millman
  • Pronunciation of “nitch” vs. “neesh”
  • Miles Design on Dribbble
    • Tools
    • Workamajig, total agency software for project management
    • Harvest, for time-tracking
    • Slack, for intra-office chat
- GTD Methodology
    • Scrum meetings
    • OmniFocus
      • Techniques
      • Bring in people who are better than you
      • Put workplace culture first, especially if you feel it’s missing. Maybe start over.
      • Give your team permission to fail. Allow them to present their work, come what may.
      • Invent company rituals. Celebrate small stuff.
      • Test new workflows and tools
      • Follow up with clients after 3 or 6 months to track results
      • Be known for one thing and be good at it
        • Habits
        • Arrive in the office early. Get stuff done before the gang arrives.
        • Head out early on Fridays as a team. Decompress together.
        • Take a few hours to work solo and clear things
          • ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store
          The Busy Creator Podcast with Prescott Perez-FoxBy Prescott Perez-Fox & friends