What happens when you grow up inside a design studio? In this episode of The Next Level, Tom Lauro sits down with creative powerhouse Jeremy Slagle and his two insanely talented kids, Faith and Caleb, who are now working designers.

They share what it was like to be raised in a home bursting with creativity, the pivotal moments that shaped their careers, and the real talk on following in the footsteps of a well-known parent in the design world. This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how a family turned passion into profession—and passed it on to the next generation.

Jeremy”s website: www.slagledesign.com

Caleb: www.calebslagle.com

Faith: www.Faithslagle.com

Instagrams:

@slagledesign 

@faithslagledesign

About Tom Lauro:

I'm a graphic designer / maker who dabbles in a little bit of everything. It all started with a career in landscape architecture, but over time I began drifting more and more into the world of vectors and graphic art. Molded by punk rock and east coast antics, I thrive on simple designs with big personalities. 

No matter what, I believe every project has a story to tell. Unfolding and discovering that narrative is what inspires my process, and creates the best possible product for my clients. With a holistic approach every project gets the same amount of time and effort; whether that be identity branding, marketing materials, product design, or just some die-cut stickers.

https://www.tomlaurodesign.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tlauro_design/

From Side Hustle to Studio: How Brethren Design Co. Made the LeapThis week, we’re joined by the insanely talented duo behind Brethren Design Co., and trust us—this one’s packed with the kind of real-world advice our listeners love.

Jeremy and Jordan Coon started Brethren while working full-time design jobs, slowly building a client base on nights and weekends. In 2022, they took the leap and turned their side hustle into a full-time creative studio. Since then, they've designed over 200 beer labels, landed retainer clients, and diversified into everything from restaurants to board games.

We talk about:

The exact moment they knew it was time to go full-time.

Lessons they learned (and are still learning) about pricing, billing, and business ops.

The power of LinkedIn and design conferences for landing clients.

How one beer brand helped launch their whole business.

What it’s really like running a studio remotely between two cities.

If you’ve ever dreamed of quitting your 9–5 and going all in on your creative business, this episode is for you.

https://www.brethrendesignco.com/

https://www.instagram.com/brethrendesignco

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube

🚀 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgdcpod/

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🚀Our Shop: deeplygraphicgoods.printful.me

#GraphicDesign #DesignPodcast #CreativeBusiness

Are you charging what you're actually worth? Too many designers undervalue their work, leaving money on the table. In this episode, I break down the best pricing strategies for freelancers—including hourly rates, value-based pricing, retainers, and licensing fees—so you can ditch the guesswork and price with confidence.

You'll learn:
✔ When to charge hourly vs. flat rates
✔ How to use value-based pricing to maximize profits
✔ Why retainers can create financial stability
✔ How to license your work for extra income

If you're ready to stop undercharging and start getting paid what you deserve, this episode is for you! 🎙💰

Dive into the evolving world of graphic design in 2025. Explore AI's impact on jobs, the hottest trends like minimalist maximalism and 3D design, and dissect Capital One's logo controversy. Join the conversation on how design is adapting and innovating in a rapidly changing landscape.

https://www.creativeboom.com/news/its-official-ai-is-coming-for-your-graphic-design-job/https://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/discover-the-hottest-graphic-design-trends-of-2025/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-driven-design-whats-next-graphic-designers-2025-anam-alam-poerc/https://www.wandr.studio/blog/ux-trends-2025https://tdc.org/weekly-type/stacks/https://www.creativebloq.com/design/logos-icons/capital-ones-controversial-new-logo-faces-out-of-this-world-design-comparisons

The creative industry is constantly evolving—are you keeping up? In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Deseo to talk about the power of embracing change, pivoting when necessary, and continuously evolving as a creative professional.

We’ll dive into:
✅ How to adapt to industry shifts without fear
✅ Overcoming imposter syndrome when stepping into something new
✅ The key skills every creative needs to stay relevant
✅ How to future-proof your career in an ever-changing landscape

If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure of your next move, this episode is packed with insights to help you embrace change and take your career to the next level!

🎧 Listen now and start evolving!

#CreativeCareer #EmbraceChange #DesignPodcast #JessicaDeseo

https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjessica/

https://www.instagram.com/packagingprofessor/

Ever feel like your creative projects spiral into chaos—endless revisions, shifting client expectations, and no clear direction? You’re not alone. But what if structure and process could actually fuel creativity instead of stifling it?

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Balfe, Managing Director of Pennybridge, a strategic creative studio in Australia, to explore how using processes as guardrails can transform your workflow, manage client expectations, and lead to stronger, more strategic design.

We’ll break down why structure is your best creative tool, how to set boundaries that keep projects on track, and practical ways to guide clients through the branding and design journey with confidence. If you’ve ever struggled with chaotic projects, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

🎧 Listen now and take control of your creative process! #CreativeProcess #DesignWorkflow #DeeplyGraphicDesigncast

https://www.pennybridge.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/pennybridge.studio/

As designers, it’s easy to get stuck in a niche—whether it’s branding, illustration, or lettering—and feel like that’s all we can offer. But what if that skill was just a stepping stone to something even bigger? In this episode, I sit down with Adam Vicarel, a designer who started with hand lettering and expanded into branding, packaging, and large-scale murals. He shares how he embraced growth, landed bigger clients, and reframed his career along the way.

We’ll dive into the mindset shifts that help creatives break out of their niche, diversify their skills, and open up new opportunities—without feeling like they’re starting over. Adam shares practical advice on repositioning yourself, expanding your portfolio, and confidently evolving your creative career.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure of how to grow, or hesitant to branch out, this conversation will give you the push you need. Tune in for actionable insights, real-world strategies, and the motivation to stop limiting yourself and start thinking bigger! 🎨🚀

#GraphicDesign #CreativeGrowth #FreelanceSuccess #DesignCareer

In our very first Portfolio Spotlight episode, we’re featuring Stephanie Louise, a talented designer who’s sharing an inside look at her creative journey and how she built her portfolio. We’ll explore her work, talk about the strategies she used to showcase her skills, and get her insights on navigating the design world.

https://stephanielouise.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/mild.side

Most designers don’t include case studies in their portfolios—and that’s a huge missed opportunity. A case study doesn’t just show your final design, it tells the story behind it: your process, strategy, and the impact of your work.

In this episode, I break down my Case Study Template, a step-by-step framework designed to help designers confidently showcase their projects in a way that attracts clients and job opportunities.

Then, we put it to the test! I sit down with designer and friend Tristan Rumery, who recently used the template to improve one of his website case studies. We go through the before and after, breaking down how he transformed his project presentation and what he learned along the way.

Finally, we share key advice for designers who want to use this template to its full advantage—so you can start building stronger, more persuasive case studies today.

If you’ve been struggling to present your work in a way that truly stands out, this episode is for you!

Case Study Template on Behance: https://shorturl.at/dH37z

Tristan on Instagram: https://shorturl.at/mFCwB

Welcome to the very first episode of The DGDC Drop! In this new series, we’ll bring you the latest in design news, trends, and insights, aiming to release a few episodes each year. In this kickoff episode, we dive into Walmart’s bold new brand refresh, explore Adobe’s innovative Bulk Create feature, review a few standout new brand designs, and even share some practical tips for choosing the perfect office chair for your creative workspace.

Tune in to The DGDC Drop and join us as we explore the world of design together. Don’t miss it!