Chris is a designer living in Saratoga Springs, NY. After years of working at agencies big and small, he moved his wife and two boys from Tennessee back to upstate NY.

Chris has a breadth of work from his time at both Vayner Media (Gary V’s agency) to Wendy’s commercials while at a video agency. His focus now is balancing freelance brand development work with his family responsibilities.

In this episode, family focus and client relationships come to the forefront. Chris was a delight to speak with.

You can find him on social media @iam_lgd or see his incredible work at logsdon.design

The guest this week is Dan Cash.

Dan is a dad and branding designer in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

In this episode, we talk about being a self-taught designer and turning that into a career. Dan shares tips on sketching, talks about being active on social media, and how each child poses their own learnings and challenges.

Dan’s work can be found at dancashdesign.com and he’s on social media @dancashdesign.

Andrew Bly, New York-based designer and father of one, sat down and chatted about his design work, being a dad, and how the two intertwine.

We discuss how we met via @nycpalette on Instagram, and how that project became a labor of love that got a lot of attention.

We also talk through Andrew's design work with several food and beverage companies. Fresh Fizz, Fabalish, and Temple Bar.

Other companies and accounts that come up during the conversation:

- Snax Shot on instagram (@snaxshot)

- Young Jerks: youngjerks.com/

To follow along with Andrew"

- heyacb.com

- @hey_acb on Instagram and Threads

- @82acb on TikTok

Episode 1 of the Dadsigner Podcast featuring Mike Meulstee (@artisticdork). In this episode, I sit down with Mike to talk about parenting and design. We cover topics like why some super markets are terrible, collaborating with other designers for fun, and how Pentagram's Reddit Snoo was borrowed from Mike's original.

Mike also shares about his current favorite kids book illustrator: Vashti Harrison. She's created a series of Little Dreamer books and her work can be found at: https://www.vashtiharrison.com/vashti-harrison-illustration

If you want to connect with Mike online visit his on all the social channels @artisticdork or at artisticdork.com

The guest this week is Peter Deltondo.

Peter is a dad, product designer, and people leader. He co-runs the annual design conference, Creative South, and is also a partner in the agency, Heyo.

In this episode, we talk about raising kids you like to spend time with, how Creative South is like a giant family reunion, and dive a bit into some of the work that Heyo does.

It’s evident if you spend any time talking with Peter that he’s genuine and truly cares.

And there’s some talk about Sophie Mills, the creator of Grumpy Frog in the episode, you can get her merch here: https://www.gcgrumpyfrog.com/shop

Iquan is a father of 3 boys and a partner in the agency Artoiholiks.

In our conversation, we discuss raising creative kids and leaning into their interests and skills. Two of his boys are interning or helping out with creative pursuits. Everything from photography to logo design.

Iquan talks about some of his familial influences on his art and dives into a couple of his favorite projects.

You can find Iquan at either @iquanw or the Artoholoiks at @theartoholiks.

Jason is a father of 2 boys and runs 2 creative agencies. One with his wife called Caldeira Co. and a second with a more robust team called Nerve Collective.

In this episode we talk a good amount about Jason’s small Chicago home and how intentional they are with design and order.

We also dive into Jason’s design work and balancing that with being a dad. It’s a great conversation and Jason’s intentionality is infectious!

Follow Jason on social @caldeira.co

This week Michael Asire joined me on the podcast. Michael and I went to college together and so it was great to connect again over this conversation.

We dive into 2 side projects that Michael has created in the last 10 years, Typeblocks and some abstracted creatures made out of basic shapes. We also dive into quite a bit of conversation about textbook design. An area Michael has invested his career in.

Listen to the conversation not just for the design aspect but also for the ways his children have influenced his work.

Guest Randy Plemel is a Public Sector designer living in Queens NY with his wife and 2 kids.

In this episode we dig into Randy's experiential design projects, including how he encourages his kids to get involved.

We dive deep into a project called Block Builders where Randy illustrated and printed stickers for New Yorkers to build their own ideal version of a city block.

Randy promotes curiosity in his children by providing the tools and space for them to create on a whim.

He owns a design studio called Expedition Works and his work can be found at https://expedition.works/ and his podcast called Journey with Purpose can be found at https://jwp.news/pod/

Jason Frosthold joined me this week. He's a branding designer and design professor in Mobile, Alabama. He has two teenage boys and runs a design studio with his wife. In this episode we dive into teaching his boys design principles and cover a bunch of Jason’s work. Everything from his Grad thesis work to bringing humans forward in an engineering marketing campaign.

Here are some links to things we talk about:

Go: A Kidd’s Guide to Graphic Design by Chip Kidd

I inaccurately called David Sedaris, “David Sudeikis”… maybe he’ll have a cameo in the next season of Ted Lasso?

You can find Jason @jfrostholm on threads and Instagram or visit his sites:

jasonfrostholm.com

ildisdesign.com

Stevie Rodgers is the guest this week. He's a UX designer living in London. And while we can't dive into the specifics of a lot of his work due to privacy issues, we talk a great deal about design and how it impacts our parenting.

Some books Stevie recommends throughout the episode are:

Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design by Kat Holmes

Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World made for Men by Caroline Criado-Perez

You can find Stevie on social media @stevierodger

On episode 3 of the Dadsigner podcast, I sit down with Joe Baron of Branded Baron. Joe is the dad of one toddler son and runs his own brand design agency. On this episode, we talk about some personal projects he's worked on for his son. Things like mascots, apparel, and coloring books.Joe talks about being a dad and balancing that with his work.

You can find Joe's work at brandedbaron.com or @brandedbaron on social.

Karl McCarthy is an identity designer and dad to two boys hailing from Northeast England. His distinct, bold, and playful style is extremely eye catching.

In this episode we dive into character design, sketching, and inspiration in unexpected places while spending time with his boys.

Karl’s work can be found online at karlmccarthydesign.co.uk

or he’s @karlmccarthydesign on Instagram and threads.

Jared is a father to three kids and art director living in Kansas City. In this episode we dive into his work on some leather good branding and illustrating kids books.

But most importantly we talk about how doing hard things is a great example for our kids. There’s a moment in the episode where Jared talks about some application videos he created to earn a spot on the Fjallraven polar expedition. This creative endeavor was both fun and a way to show his kids to go for it. You’ll hear Jared doubt his chance of getting a spot on the team… but between recording and releasing this episode HE DID IT! Jared is 1 of 20 that is going to Sweeden in April. Congrats Jared.

If you want to keep up with Jared online, follow him @jaredtohlen on social or visit his site jaredtohlen.com.

Mike Jones is one of the creators of the Creative South conference as well as a dad to 4 kids and a great brand designer.

In this conversation we dive into Mike’s work and parenting. Talking about things like having grown kids, what it’s like to trade ownership for branding, and how Creative South came to be.

If you’d like to attend Creative South, I’ll be there and tickets are on sale now: creativesouth.com

If you’d like to follow Mike online, check out his Instagram or twitter @bucket826

Tom Cox started his design career at Coca-Cola which launched him on a career full of learning and developing a process he puts into book form.

Tom is a father of 2 kids, an author, and brand designer. He’s designed things almost every single human on earth has seen. I’m grateful Tom took the time to sit down with me and talk about his new book, What the Hell is This?, and also go deep on caring for adult children and parenting parents.

Please do yourself a favor and pick up Tom’s book, it’s about 50 pages of actionable insights, fine art, and story. Get it here.

Tom can be found online at:

tomcoxdesign.com

Or @tomcoxdesign on social media.

In this episode of the Dasigner Podcast, I’m good friend, KC Clark, a creative entrepreneur, dad, and owner of Legacy Creative. The conversation delves into KC’s journey through creativity, fatherhood, and his shift from being a primary designer to mentoring and coaching other creatives. With a deep dive into his agency’s mission and personal life, Casey shares insights on building a legacy, collaborating with others, and fostering creativity within his community.

Resources Mentioned:

* Julie Clark’s Music – A recommendation for those looking for deep, rich, and emotional music.

* Legacy Creative – Casey’s agency that focuses on creative branding, design, and storytelling.

Connect with KC:

* Website: Legacy Creative

* Instagram: @kcclark.online

Scott Fuller father of 2 kids and designer at The Studio Temporary joins me on the podcast this week.

In this episode, we talk about his work for McNeil Signs, Bankhead Seafood, and the Atlanta Hawks. As well as Scott’s collaboration with Mitchell Bat Company.

Scott reflects on his work balancing improving from his first kid to his second and getting the chance to have a second chance.

Scott can be found on social media at the handle @studiotemporary

His portfolio is thestudiotemporary.com and his streetwear brand ICONIC™ brand can be found at stayiconicbrand.com

In this episode, Daniel Swartz, better known online as Hoosier Type Company, sits down to discuss block press printing and fatherhood.

Daniel has fully embraced the analog art of wood block letterpress and is making beautiful things. Balancing being a dad with running a small business and using the time we each have to do our best is a theme throughout.

We discuss Tim Urban’s Life in Weeks calendar alongside Daniel’s mindfulness calendar.

Make sure you follow Daniel on social at @hoosiertype.co and go pick up some of his prints on Etsy.

In this episode I sit down with Jeremy Mitchell, most well know (to me) for Mitchell Bat Company. Our former guest Scott Fuller made the intro and I was excited to talk all things bats, family, and design.

Jeremy and his family live in Nashville, TN. He’s been a full-time designer and creative director and now focuses a majority of his attention on the bat company. In the episode we talk about the trajectory of the bats and how he launched before he (and his wife) were ready. But it’s paid off and he’s gotten to work with a lot of great brands and teams (even a former president).

Thanks to Jeremy for sharing with me. You can find the bats at mitchellbatco.com and his design work at jeremymitchell.com

Ian Paget is a UK based designer and single-dad to one daughter. He specializes in logo and brand identity design and works with inspiring entrepreneurs and businesses looking to take their brand identity to the next level.

He’s published a book called Make A Living Designing Logos that you can purchase here.

Ian opens up about pivoting his career to be able to spend more time with his daughter, while making sure he can still support her with making logos.

If you’d like to connect with Ian, he’s @logogeek on almost every platform and his work can be seen at logogeek.uk/

Todd is the father to a little boy and a self-taught graphic designer. He lives in North Carolina with his wife.

Throughout this episode you’ll hear Todd’s passion and energy for life. He’s got a go-getter attitude with the softest heart. Todd shares his journey to design and some of the tradeoff’s they’ve made as a family to focus more time and attention on their son.

Todd’s work can be see at www.toddwdesigns.com or on Instagram @toddwdesign

I got to sit down with Alxndr Jones, or maybe he’s better known as “A Vintage Thought”. Either way his rough line illustration style is just about as rad as his desire to love and parent his daughter well.

We get into what it’s like to share custody of children, how Alxndr developed his style, and the journey of career and parenting he’s on.

You can find his work at avintagethought.com or most places around the social web by searching “avintagethought”.

Anderson is a sneaker designer, graphic artist, and an all around great guy. He hails from New York where he lives with his wife and daughter.

In the episode we talk about how he got his start in the sneaker world and about the numerous places that has lead him.

We also dive into Anderson’s YouTube channel and chat about what it takes to be great on that platform.

To see Anderson’s work just Google Anderson Bluu and make sure you subscribe to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AndersonBluu

Ced is a freelance web + product designer who got his start in the design world with the NBA team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is the father of one son and shifted his career aspirations to focus on family more in the last 8 years.

In the episode we talk about Ced’s children’s book A World without Mothers. You can purchase the book here: https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-world-without-mothers/id579229423?ls=1

see the Key and Peele video here: https://vimeo.com/cedfunches/key-and-peele-loves-moms?share=copy

and watch the video that brought me to tears here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caJJhlTQAxs

To follow Ced online go to Threads @cedfunches or his website cedfunches.design

Caleb White is a father to two boys. One his biological son, the other is his partner’s biological son. He opens up about their blended family and how it works alongside their business.

He and his partner make up Dreamlit Creative a branding and photography company that helps businesses tell their story.

Listen to the episode to hear about Caleb’s journey and intentionality as a father.

Find him online at dreamlit.co or on social media @dreamlit.co

Aaron Brown joins to talk about the bobs and weaves of finding his way into his design career. His work and connections along the way have lead him to where he is today.

Father to three and a big basketball fan are some of his superlatives. Listen to the full conversation to get a glimpse into what it's like to work for a pro basketball team.

You can find Aaron online at @aaronavenue55th or at aaronavenue55th.myportfolio.com/

In today’s episode I speak with Alex Dartt from Toledo, Ohio. He’s a freelance brand and marketing design and dad.

We chat quite a bit about Minor League baseball after Alex kicked off his career with the Toledo Mud Hens.

During this conversation the podcast Baseball by Design is mentioned. You can find their show here.

To follow Alex online you can visit his website: alexdartt.com or on most social media @alexdartt

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, I speak with Brad Hansen, a creative director and freelance illustrator.

We discuss Brad's experiences as a girl dad, his journey into the world of E-Ink devices for illustration, and the balance he maintains between his full-time job and creative pursuits. The conversation also delves into the complexities of design skills and the importance of mastering specific crafts in the creative field.

In this conversation, Brad Hansen shares his experiences as a father and a designer, discussing the influence of creativity on parenting, the challenges of balancing work and family life, and the importance of community support during tough times. He reflects on his personal struggles with depression and how they shaped his perspective on fatherhood, emphasizing the need for selflessness and the value of being present for his daughters.

To get connected with Brad, check out his instagram @bhansendesign

In this episode of the Dadsigner Podcast, Michael talks with guests, Matt Hoffman, a freelance designer and homesteader. They discuss Matt's background, his journey into design, and the challenges of balancing work and family life. Matt shares insights into his creative projects, including Frankie Brand co, a tribute to his late grandfather, and how he nurtures creativity in his children. The conversation touches on the importance of documenting personal projects, the role of partners in parenting, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures in parenting.

To find Matt’s work online visit hoffmanmade.com

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews graphic designer Jeremy Slagle, who shares insights about his journey in the design industry, the dynamics of running a family business, and the importance of fostering creativity in his children.

Jeremy discusses his experiences working with major brands like Major League Soccer and Target, and the founding of the Created Conference, a platform for creative professionals to connect and grow. He also reflects on his parenting journey, emphasizing the value of homeschooling and allowing his children to explore their own paths in the creative field.

Jeremy’s work can be found at slagledesign.com or on instagram @slagledesign

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews fine artist Adam Trest, who shares his journey from being a classically trained portrait painter to a multifaceted designer.

Adam discusses the importance of diversifying income streams through product design, the challenges of balancing family life with a creative career, and the significance of accessibility in art. He also reflects on his experiences as a father and the lessons learned in parenting, emphasizing the value of grace and support within the family.

Adam’s work has been featured on HGTV’s Hometown and can be found on products ranging from dish ware to wallpaper and soon it will be available on fabric again.

Check out all of Adam’s work at adamtrest.com and follow along with him on instagram @adamtrest

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews animator CJ Mendez, who shares his journey from graphic design to animation, the founding of his studio Noble Creative Collective, and the balance between family life and running a business.

CJ discusses the creative process in animation, the importance of transitions, and how he involves his children in creative projects. He reflects on parenting successes and challenges, emphasizing the value of time spent with family over material gifts.

Find CJ online at noblecreative.co

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with David Walker, a designer who shares his journey from marketing to establishing his own design business. David discusses his unique vintage-inspired design style, the importance of networking, and his experiences working with clients.

He also opens up about the challenges of fatherhood, including navigating postpartum depression and the impact of being a dad on his creativity and business. David emphasizes the importance of being present for his family while managing the responsibilities of running a business.

David’s work can be found at walkerdesign.co and you can follow him @walkerdesign_co

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, Alex Holt, the creative director and owner of CRTR Studio joins me. We discuss Alex's journey from a full-time job to launching his own brand design studio, the challenges of parenting, and the dynamics of neighborhood life.

Alex shares insights into his creative process, the importance of brand stewardship, and highlights a successful project that showcases his studio's innovative approach to brand design.

In this conversation, Alex shares his journey of navigating job loss while being a father. He discusses the importance of honesty with his children during this challenging time and reflects on how this experience reshaped his identity and priorities. Alex emphasizes the significance of being present in his children's lives and the lessons learned about balancing work and family. He also shares insights on parenting successes and failures, highlighting the importance of allowing children to choose their passions.

To find Alex online visit crtrstudio.com

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, Felipe Herrera, a seasoned designer and entrepreneur from Colombia, joins as the guest.

Felipe shares his journey from studying advertising design in the U.S. to founding his own design agency, Tengo Ideas. He discusses the importance of resource-based action in design, his experiences in the digital transformation of the industry, and how he applies design thinking to help organizations amplify their impact. The conversation also delves into Felipe's approach to parenting, emphasizing curiosity and creativity, and concludes with reflections on his successes and failures as a father.

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews Chris Michel, a UX designer and artist known for his unique online persona 'Hateful Crawdad.' Chris shares his journey from a childhood filled with creativity to his professional career in UX design, discussing his mural projects, the challenges of balancing art and work, and his passion for teaching through his YouTube channel, Figma Bites.

The conversation also delves into parenting, exploring how Chris encourages his children's creativity while navigating the complexities of modern technology.

Connect with Chris:

* Social Media: @hatefulcrawdad

* YouTube Channel: Figma Bites

* Website: hatefulcrawdad.com

In this episode of the Dadsigner Podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with Heinrich Ferreira, a South African designer who has transitioned from working in a college setting to freelancing.

They discuss Heinrich's journey in design, his experiences as a father of four, and the challenges and joys of balancing work and family life. Heinrich shares insights on the importance of fostering individual relationships with each child, as well as the learning curves of managing time and responsibilities as a freelancer.

Heinrich’s work can be found on his website: silva-co.uk

In this episode of the Dadsigner Podcast, host Michael Smith welcomes Jesse Goldman, a designer and comedian, to discuss his unique career journey that blends creativity with humor.

They explore Jesse's transition from the entertainment industry to tech, the challenges of parenting while pursuing creative projects, and the evolving landscape of comedy in the digital age. Jesse shares insights on balancing work and family life, the importance of thoughtful content creation, and the identity shifts that come with parenthood.

The conversation highlights the struggles and successes of navigating the creative industry while being a dedicated parent.

Jesse’s comedy work can be found @contdinthecomments and “The Mood Board” on YouTube. And his design work can be seen at jessegoldman.work

In this special 50th episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith is interviewed by his wife, Lindsay.

They discuss the origins of the Dadsigner brand, the challenges of balancing work and family life, and the insights gained from interviewing 49 dads.

Michael shares his joys and trials of podcasting, his personal style, and the influence of his upbringing on his entrepreneurial journey. The conversation concludes with reflections on parenting and the excitement for the future of Dadsigner.

You can shop for the “eyes” books at dadsigner.com/shop

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews Ethan Manning, a creative director at Rare Design.

They discuss Ethan's life in Haysburg, Mississippi, his family dynamics, and the challenges of parenting. Ethan shares his career journey, including his experiences with NASCAR and the Doosan Bears, emphasizing the importance of branding and community.

He reflects on the joys and learnings of fatherhood, highlighting the significance of empathy and continuous growth in both parenting and professional life.

You can see Rare’s work at rare.design

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with Theron Ragoonanan, a designer based in Greece, about his journey into design, the challenges of balancing work and parenting, and his unique approach to graphic design using After Effects.

Theron shares insights on his current projects, including a pro bono brand identity for a leadership event in Trinidad and Tobago, and discusses his aspirations for future product design. The conversation also delves into the personal growth that comes with parenting and the impact it has on his professional life.

You can connect with Theron’s work on instagram @perception.services and his personal instagram @theron.ragoo

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews designer Rocky Roark, who shares his journey in the design industry, his experiences as a father, and the challenges of balancing work and family life.

Rocky discusses his recent 30-day brand challenge, the insights he gained from it, and the importance of engaging with his community through content creation. He reflects on the joys of parenting, the sacrifices he makes for his family, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

You can find Rocky online at RockyRoark

His website is bluecyclops.co and his freelancer site is greencyclops.com

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews designer Dan Bradley, who shares his journey from creating MySpace banners to focusing on brand identity in the fitness industry.

Dan discusses the balance between his freelance work and family life, the challenges of learning new design tools, and the importance of being present as a parent.

He reflects on personal growth through the loss of his own fatehr and the lessons learned from his daughter, emphasizing the significance of appreciating small moments in life.

Dan can be found on instagram at dan.activebrand

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with Kameron Davis, a freelancer and father, about his journey from mechanical engineering to design.

Kameron shares his experiences as a dad, the importance of being present for his family, and how creativity plays a crucial role in both his professional and personal life. They discuss the evolution of Kameron's podcasting journey, highlight his design projects, and explore the balance between work and family life.

Kameron emphasizes the significance of fostering creativity in his son and reflects on the joys and lessons learned through parenting.

Follow Kameron on instagram @ pwr.create

And check out the podcast youtube channel here

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with Paul Douglas, a freelance visual identity designer based in London.

Paul shares his journey of balancing freelance work with being a stay-at-home dad, discussing how he finds clients, manages his time, and stays inspired. He highlights the importance of authenticity in client relationships and shares insights into his creative process, including notable projects like Kage Fitness and A Woman's Worth.

The conversation also delves into the significance of health and fitness in parenting.

Paul’s work can be found at sayohstudio.com

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith talks with Tyler Fonville, a creative professional at Keurig Dr. Pepper.

Tyler shares his journey from a young artist influenced by his father's work in photography to becoming a versatile designer. He discusses the challenges and joys of balancing his creative career with family life, including the unique names of his children and the meaning behind them.

Tyler also talks about his involvement in the Dallas Sheeple, a casual baseball team that promotes creativity and community among designers. The conversation highlights the importance of creativity in parenting and the joy of seeing his children grow and learn.

Follow Tyler on instagram instagram.com/fonvl

Check out his Sake review YouTube: www.youtube.com/@reviewssake

And see all his work online at www.tylerfonville.com/

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with graphic designer Jon Richards about his journey as a freelancer, his passion for food and drink design, and the importance of community among parents.

Jon shares insights on how his children have influenced his work and values, particularly in sustainability and ethical food choices. The conversation also touches on the challenges of parenting, the joys of watching children discover the world, and the evolving landscape of the food industry.

The freelancer/parenting community that Jon mentions is Doing it For the Kids which can be found at doingitforthekids.net.

Jon can be found on instagram @jonfromgoodness and his work can be found at goodnessbydesign.com

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews Seth Richardson, a remote employee at ActiveCampaign and a father of three.

They discuss Seth's career journey from graphic design to product design, the integration of AI in design processes, and the importance of work-life balance as a remote worker. Seth shares valuable parenting insights, including the concept of a 'first night bag' for travel, and reflects on the significance of design systems in his work.

The conversation highlights the joys and challenges of parenting while maintaining a fulfilling career in design.

You can find Seth’s work at sethrichardsondesign.com

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with Jonathan Carone, a website and logo designer, and the creator of the podcast 'Healthy Sports Parents.'

They discuss Jonathan's journey into design, the challenges of parenting in the context of youth sports, and the balance between work and family life. Jonathan shares insights on coaching his children, the evolution of his design business, and the importance of collaboration in the creative industry.

The conversation also touches on the joys and lessons learned in parenting, emphasizing the significance of understanding each child's unique personality.

To see Jonathan’s work go to jonathancarone.com and check out the Healthy Sports Parents podcast.