In this episode, we turn the mic on our very own co-host Kristian Shepherd - to unpack the wild journey from having no clue what to do with his life…to becoming a graphic designer working in New York City.Kristian shares how one tutor changed everything, how studying at UCLAN opened his eyes to the world of clever, witty ideas, and how that obsession took him from university to top agencies like Turner Duckworth and B&B Studio, with stops at JKR, WMH&I and more.Since uni, Kristian set two goals:1. Work at Turner Duckworth2. Move to NYC.He's now done both.We get into what it really takes to move to New York as a designer, what working at Pearlfisher is like, and all the lessons (and L's) along the way.This one’s honest, reflective, and proof that the hustle pays off. Slowly, then suddenly. Enjoy 💭EPISODE LINKS:Kristian's Website: http://kristianshepherd.com/Kristian's IG: https://www.instagram.com/shepsdesignsthings/WDYMT SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wdymt_official/?hl=enSpotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wdymt

Creative vs Creator? where do you sit?This episode, we flipped the script a bit.We sat down with Hyperfocus, the design studio blurring the lines between brand and product design, and the minds behind The Brand Review, a YouTube series breaking down the latest creative work and spotlighting industry voices.We talked about a question so many of us wrestle with:Am I a creative, or a creator?Do I want to make work that matters, or make content that grows my name? Can you do both without burning out?We also got into:Why some studios are sabotaging themselves by ignoring social.Whether “design influencers” are actually doing any real client work.How Hyperfocus balance building their own platform whilst doing the work.If you're caught between posting and producing, or thinking about getting started - this one's for you.LIKE SHARE COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE 💜EPISODE LINKS:Hyperfocus Website: https://hyperfocus.cc/The Brand Review Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@the.brandreviewWDYMT SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wdymt_official/?hl=enSpotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wdymt

In this episode, we sit down with Oriana Gaeta, a creative director who’s worked with iconic brands like Nike, Rapha, and the BBC during her time at top agencies including R/GA and Made Thought.We talk about her journey from Naples to London, what really makes “Good Design,” and how she approaches judging on panels like D&AD and ADC. Oriana also shares her take on the rise of AI in the creative industry, how to protect emotion and depth in branding, and why content is fighting a losing battle against shrinking attention spans.This one’s packed with insight, honesty, and big questions – we loved it, and think you will too.EPISODE LINKS:Oriana's IG: https://www.instagram.com/orianagaeta/WDYMT SOCIAL:Instagram: /wdymt_official Spotify: /https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wdymt

We sat down with Vini Vieira, creative partner and co-founder of Mischief Maker—a new London studio helping brands get braver, bolder, and a little more rebellious.At the time of recording, Mischief Maker was fresh off the ground. So this one’s all about Vini’s epic creative journey: from growing up in São Paulo, Brazil to landing in London, designing at FutureBrand, thriving as a freelancer, and climbing the ranks at Bulletproof – where he went from senior designer to Creative Director.Oh, and he’s also a beast of a lettering artist, a former typography lecturer at Greenwich, and now mentors design students through The Arena.Big energy. Big wisdom. A must-listen for any creative on the come-up.

EPISODE LINKS:

Mischief Maker Website: https://madeofmischief.com/WDYMT

SOCIAL:

Instagram: /wdymt_official Spotify: /https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wdymt

Calling all design students, this episode is for you.We’re joined by Ben Hayes, a recent UAL Graphic Design grad who’s already interning at Pentagram and has just picked up a D&AD New Blood Pencil for his bold campaign of Jim Beam’s zero alcohol Whiskey - "Bourbnone".Ben’s journey is one every student should hear. From cold messaging top designers on LinkedIn to landing mentorships and opportunities through sheer persistence, Ben has shown how far curiosity, craft, and confidence can take you.Hosted by his longtime mentor Kristian, this conversation breaks down the real stuff: how to stand out, how to get noticed, and how to get where water can't.If you’re a student wondering what it really takes to break into the industry, and to do it big – start here.EPISODE LINKS:Ben's Website: https://benhayes.work/WDYMT SOCIAL:Instagram: /wdymt_official Spotify: /https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wdymt

We’re closing out Season Two with the amazing Mike Perry – founder of Tavern, a design studio that feels more like a well-loved local than a corporate agency.In this episode, Mike talks about building brands with meaning, treating design like the craft that it is and practicing and training design like an athlete would practice on the tracks. Mike discusses why the best work comes from deep relationships, not surface-level trends. It’s a conversation about taste, trust, and staying sharp, no matter how long you’ve been in the game. The foundations of tavern sit on this concept of Modern Heritage, Mike goes deep in to what this means at Tavern and how to create design and brands with soul.🎧 Tune in, share it around, and tell your mum.Subscribe for more honest conversations from the creative world.EPISODE LINKS:Tavern Website: https://tavern.agency/WDYMT SOCIAL:Instagram: /wdymt_official Spotify: /https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wdymt

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Nott and Will Richardson – the brains behind Studio Drama, a creative studio making waves with custom typography that’s powerful, thoughtful, and anything but ordinary.With roots in top agencies like Brody Associates, JKR & Pentagram; Chris and Will bring serious design pedigree to the table. Now, at Studio Drama, they're redefining how type can tell stories – blending strategy and style to create work that’s as smart as it is striking.We talk about their leap from big agency life to launching their own studio, what it really takes to run a creative business, and how they build type that feels like a brand, not just looks like one. Whether you’re deep in the design game or just curious about what makes great branding tick, this one’s for you. Tune in for an authentic conversation and a masterclass in typography from Studio Drama.EPISODE LINKS:Studio Drama Website: https://studio-drama.com/WDYMT SOCIAL:Instagram: /wdymt_official Spotify: /https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wdymt

We sat down with the founders of Red Dot Studio – Christian Eager and Sam Lachlan – two top-class designers who’ve worked at some of the most respected names in the industry: Turner Duckworth, The Partners, Pearlfisher, Designers Anonymous and more.Now? They run Red Dot Studio, creating design that is easy to understand and hard to forget. Red Dot creates brands and identities that are beautifully simple, strategically sharp, and always memorable. No fluff, no ego – just ideas that work.We talked about their journey from big agency life to building their own thing, the realities of running a studio, what makes a good client relationship, and how they stay creatively inspired. They’ve built something special – a tight-knit team, a great culture, and a growing body of work that speaks for itself.Whether you’re a student, a studio founder, or just into clever design – this one’s well worth a listen.EPISODE LINKS:Red Dot's IG: https://www.instagram.com/red_dot_studio_/Red Dot's website: https://reddotstudio.co.uk/WDYMT SOCIAL:Instagram: /wdymt_official Spotify: /https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wdymt

This week on What Does Your Mum Think?, we chat with Alexandra Ramirez — a London-based illustrator and designer known for her bold, vibrant style rooted in movement, colour, and urban culture. From sketching courtside moments to capturing the chaos of street food, Alexandra’s work celebrates the rhythm of modern life. With clients like Nike, Adidas, KFC, and the Premier League, she’s crafted visual stories that live everywhere from murals to magazines. We talk creativity, identity, and what it means to make art that moves — literally and emotionally.EPISODE LINKS:Alex's IG: https://www.instagram.com/alexandraramirezarts/Alex's website: https://www.alexandraramirezarts.com/WDYMT SOCIAL:Instagram: /wdymt_official Spotify: /https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wdymt

Jim Williams is a graphic designer, typographer, university lecturer, and the author of Type Matters!—a book that’s part history lesson, part practical guide, and an essential resource for mastering the fundamentals of typography.Back in university, our tutor Andy Bainbridge insisted everyone get a copy of Type Matters!—and for good reason. It became a daily tool for both Kristian and me, guiding us through countless projects and helping us avoid the classic rookie mistakes that haunt early typographic work. It stayed with us through our early careers and still informs how we approach type today.We’re incredibly grateful to Jim for joining us on the podcast, and even more so for the wisdom he passed down through his book. The tips and methods he shares have stood the test of time—we still use them and pass them on to newcomers in the industry.Now, in an era where even AI can generate type-driven visuals with surprising polish, Type Matters! serves as a reminder that real craft, care, and understanding can’t be automated. If anything, the book’s value is only growing.Big up Jim and we make sure you grab a copy of Type Matters! in the links below.EPISODE LINKS:Type Matters book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Type-Matters-Jim-Williams/dp/1858945674WDYMT SOCIAL:Instagram: /wdymt_official Spotify: /https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wdymt