The gang is back together having a candid conversation reviewing the changes and pivots of last year and how we can set the groundwork for a better year ahead! Some of the topics discussed:

Did 2020 change or affect any goals you set for yourself back in2019?

What was the top “Growth Moment” you worked through in 2020?

Did you go off the rails at all last year?

If you could go back to the beginning of 2020, what do you wish you could have told yourself?

Then, we each select a “Power Word” for the New Year. This can be the ultimate goal you’re striving for, a personal call to action, a mantra! (Ex: Fearless, Balanced, Intentional, Proactive, etc…). We encourage you to post a graphic with YOUR Power Word with the hashtag #dgdcpowerword

Our first "Round Table" episode talking about Virtual Learning in the Design industry. Nick invites fellow Design instructors Meena Khalili, Victor Davila, Matthew Flick, Jorel Dray, and Mitch Goldstein to check-in and discuss their notes on the Fall 2020 semester. A compelling conversation not only for current design students or instructors but any creative who's curious about how our universities pivoted to an on-line, virtual learning environment.  Be sure to connect with our panel below:

Meena

Victor

Matthew

Jorel

Mitch

Nick

The tradition continues! Even 2020 can’t stop the DGDC Holiday Gift Guide episode! Join in on the festivities as we present some great holiday gift suggestions we think any creative would be happy to receive! In addition to Mikelle, Jordan, and Nick, we have our colleagues Matt Dawson, Steven Overturf, Mike Burpoe, and Rubaie Jaffer joining in this year, with some recommendations of their own! We hope you enjoy this annual DGDC tradition!

Links to Gifts from the show:

Aarke Carbonator

ErgoStool

Razer Kiyo

Baratza Encore Burr Coffee Grinder

Topo Not-Flat Standing Desk Mat

Elgato Stream Deck

Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless Mouse with Hyper-fast Scroll Wheel

SwitchBot Box

Sharpie 1983255 Permanent Markers Ultimate Collection

Pro Tech Toolkit

Oxford Pennants

Sakura Pigma Micron Pens and Sets

I Told Her by  Timothy Goodman

Bert Monroy is an American artist best known as an early Photoshop expert. He wrote the first book on the use of Photoshop and became an established Photoshop educator. He was a frequent guest on The Screen Savers, where he gave brief Photoshop tutorials. In 2004 he was inducted into the Photoshop Hall of Fame.

Bert joins the gang to talk all about the digital revolution and how it forever changed our industry. Then we look forward, focusing on how we can learn something from a particular moment in history to help young creatives in today’s world! We thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Bert so much, we are already thinking of bringing him back on for a follow-up! Stay tuned.

Bert's Website

Times Square Project

An eye-opening discussion with Dan Stiles before his Meme Warfare: Design in the Age of Disinformation talk at Adobe Max. This is a timely conversation for all creatives. So WHY is he talking about THIS? Dan tells us about the inspiration for his talk, including an honest look at how digital media has played a huge role in false information and how we are just drinking it up. As disseminators of information, are we part of the problem, or the solution? To help understand, we discuss:

You can watch his final presentation here!

Dan's Website 

Annie Atkins is a master forger, creating "fake" pieces of graphic design for movie productions all over the world. Annie has designed the graphics for four Oscar-nominated films: the animated feature The Boxtrolls, Spielberg’s Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies, and Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

We talk with Annie about designing graphic props for filmmaking and how she is getting through these times in good spirits.

Annie's Website

Annie Atkins | The secret world of graphic design for filmmaking

Skillshare Offer

Buckle up for a fantastic interview! Our conversation with Aaron Draplin is here after years in the making. It's a conversation about changing priorities and refocusing on what really matters. Aaron talks about some of the challenges he's faced over the last few months and how that's led to some newfound perspective as he continually takes on meaningful endeavors. This was a complete blast to record. Special thanks to Aaron for taking the time to record while traveling cross country. Also, a big shout out to Julie Luster at Adobe for making this happen. 

Changes are inevitable in business and in life. And every project will face moments when you need to rethink what you’re building and potentially adjust your process. Scope creep happens when you do more work than expected without increasing the project budget. The team talks all about past experiences, lessons learned, and solutions we've created to help eliminate scope creep from happening in the first place! Topics include:

• Setting yourself up for success, at the very beginning.

• Crafting your agreement and expectations upfront.

• Setting boundaries and clarifying the requests.

• When to be firm, when to be flexible.

In Industry news, we cover a very specific "scam" both Mikelle and Nick have experienced! Plus, we preview our upcoming Adobe Max content! Stay tuned for future episodes!

Shout Out Info:

Jordan: Steve Giralt

Nick: Logitech MX Master 3

Mikelle: Happy Birthday Jason!

Free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership

PREMIERE EPISODE! THE DGDC PRESENTS THE TEST PILOTS

"We are the Test Pilots, 4 young designers exploring advice that “Senior Designers” are always giving. In the Design World, folks who have already been there, done that, are spouting soundbite suggestions that sometimes are unproven, and we are going to put them to the test! We might succeed or we might fail, no harm no foul, it’s all a test! "

Comprised of Rubaie Jaffer, Mike Burpoe, Steven Overtrurf, and Narek Mughnetsyan, the Test Pilots were brought together by the DGDC, in hopes of expanding the diversity, opinions, and experience levels of the podcast. We gave them the mission to come up with a show concept they can really get immersed in, hoping to help younger creatives navigate through their design career paths. This idea of “testing” the advice from more senior designers really struck a chord with us. For the first episode, they challenged themselves to double their rates. Each designer explains their story, with updates and reactions. It’s super unique and unlike anything you’ve heard on a podcast before.

Join the conversation and follow our new co-hosts! Let them know what you thought of the episode and feel free to suggest other “design myths” they can put to the test! Find them on Instagram at:

Rubaie Jaffer

Mike Burpoe

Steven Overtrurf

Narek Mughnetsyan