The Honest Designers Show

This week we look at the positive aspects of being a designer. We all absolutely love what we do and it’s sometimes important to stop and think about how awesome it is that we all get to create and design for a living. It can be easy to get swept up into some of the negatives of dealing with clients and other headaches, but really there is a lot to be grateful for.

This week we take our first listener question from Connor, who is struggling with some issues involving feeling a lack of confidence and general anxiety in his work. We discuss some ways for him to find more enjoyment in what he's doing, and relieve some of the pressure that he's currently feeling about his creative work.

This week we're thrilled to have our first guest on the show; hugely influential design blogger Chris Spooner. Chris has built up his design blog SpoonGraphics over the past 10 years, and is the undisputed king of creative side projects. This episode we dig into how you can use your creativity to start fun, profitable side projects that you're passionate about, as well as a host of other design and business related tips.

This week we have a tongue in cheek rant about the negative aspects of being a designer. We typically keep things positive on this show, but this week we manage to laugh at the woes of difficult clients, sleepless nights and doing a job that nobody else seems to understand. You may relate to a few of our pet peeves from this week's show!

It can be all too easy to dismiss non-designers and instead focus on impressing our creative peers. However, no matter how geeky we get about design, it's crucial to respect the end-user, and have proper conversations with the client, on their level. This episode looks at how to communicate effectively with non designers, to ultimately make you better at what you do.

In this episode we talk about each of our design processes. We look at everything from the initial brainstorm, to the initial ideas, early stage designs, refinements, and final mockups. This is an insight into the workflow of four successful designers.

In this episode we talk about alternative ways you can make money as a designer. This ranges from 'passive' income, to full-on side businesses. Alternative income streams can support you doing what you love, and really help you to be less reliant on client work.

In this episode we talk about the importance of selling yourself as a creative. Sales can feel sleazy and unnatural for many of us, but it doesn't have to be! When done right, properly selling yourself is an essential and positive part for any creative business.

In this episode we talk about how to transition away from a full time job to become a freelancer. This can be one of the scariest things to do as a creative, but ultimately, one of the most rewarding. Today we look at tons of key tips for easing this transition, from not burning bridges with your employers, to communicating your dreams with your loved ones.

In this episode we talk about how to use social media as a designer. Social media can be powerful for landing new clients, building your brand, and making career-defining connections. It doesn't need to be daunting, as we break down some of the best ways to get started, and get traction on your social platforms.