The Quickie - Conversations with Designers – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of The Quickie Podcast, I chat with Cam Werner, also known as Canvas Cam, a self-taught graphic designer with a love for skateboarding, hardcore music, and comics.

Cam shares his journey from starting a clothing brand during his skateboarding days to becoming a full-time freelance designer with Canvas Design Company.

• Cam’s Background: Cam discusses his early influences, including his dad, a sign painter, and how skate culture and hardcore music played a role in shaping his design career.
• Challenges in Freelancing: Cam opens up about the difficulties of adjusting to a post-COVID world as a freelance designer and the importance of project management in his current work.
• Dealing with Nightmare Clients: A candid story about a challenging client relationship, emphasizing the importance of maintaining mental health over financial gain.
• The Power of Design Communities: Cam talks about the support he’s received from the design community during tough times and the value of sharing knowledge and experiences.
• Proudest Moment: Cam shares his experience working on the branding for the Fully Loaded Comedy Festival with Bert Kreischer, including seeing his work displayed in an arena setting.

• The significance of project management and communication skills in running a successful freelance business.
• Why it’s essential to sometimes walk away from a difficult client for the sake of your own well-being.
• The benefits of not gatekeeping and sharing your creative process with the design community.

• Books: Steal Like an Artist and Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
• Design Heroes: Benny Gold @bennygold and Lincoln Design Co. @lincolndesignco

• Instagram: @canvas_cam
• Website: Canvas Design Company

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

// Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Academy //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

In this episode of "The Quickie Podcast," we sit down with Todd Wikle, a talented designer from Asheville, North Carolina. Todd shares his journey from youth pastor to graphic designer, highlighting the influence of family, the challenges of self-teaching, and the importance of creative community.

We dive into his most proud project, discuss his inspirations, and explore how personal experiences shape his design approach. Todd also shares some of his favorite resources and insights for aspiring designers.

Key Moments from this episode:

• his move from youth pastor to graphic designer
• The influence of family and childhood creativity on his career
• The challenges of self-teaching graphic design
• The importance of a creative community and collaborative environment
• a project for a local rock band and why he is so proud of it
• Inspirations from record labels like Humblebeast and Daptone Records
• The impact of Aaron Draplin's Skillshare class on Todd's career
• Todd's favorite book for design inspiration
• Burger toppings

Memorable Quotes:

• "I definitely had a creative childhood and super, super thankful for it."
• "You don't have anything to prove to anybody. My art isn't about me; it's about something bigger than me."
• "Teaching yourself is not impossible. If you see the opportunity to buy a class from a designer you respect, it's definitely worth it."

CONNECT WITH TODD:

Instagram: CLICK HERE
Website: CLICK HERE

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

// Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Academy //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

• Humblebeast Records
• Daptone Records
• Charles Bradley
• Aaron Draplin's Skillshare Class

My guest this week is Shelby Temples, founder of HeWillNeverGoHungry.com - PS. You gotta go check out his website. Insanely good. 

During this episode we talk about a contest for creating album artwork for Janet Jackson...that he won...but was underage to participate...and because of that they had to go to the next person. 

We also talk about Nylon Magazine and why it was so influential to him, and the balance between making money, paying the bills, and feeling fulfilled. That balance between fulfilment and survival. 

Also some chat about CBD Hotsauce, business wins, design fails, and all the good stuff inbetween. Shelby is a fun dude with stories to share! Enjoy.  

THE LINKS 

Shelbys Website: CLICK HERE
Shelby on Instagram: CLICK HERE

PRINT DESIGN RESOURCES

// Free 7-day VIP Access to Print Design Mastery //

Print Design Summit // LifeTime Access if you missed it //

Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE // 

Today's guest is Cara Hibbs. She is an illustrator and printmaker at her studio called Oh, Little Rabbit near Portland OR. 

During this episode we talk about:

-the block printing her and her husband started and launched on Etsy that turned into a surprise success.

-the teacher that really supported her decision to pursue design, but also the reason she decided to leave art school early. 

-the two art pieces that really influenced her. 

-the illustration pieces of her work that are her favourite, and why. 

-the challenge of becoming a parent and balancing a child while running the business.

-the request she had that boosted her confidence and opened up the full potential of her business.

-her surprise first wholesale order and who it came from. 

I really enjoyed hearing about Cara's journey to printmaking and her stories around growing the business. Go check out her awesome apparel and home decor products at Ohlittlerabbit.com. @ohlittlerabbit

Today's guest is Thomas J. Stevens. He is an independent designer based just outside of Birmingham UK. 

During this episode we talk about: 

-how he was always into drawing and creating and actually sold homemade comic books to his class.

-his excitement for film design work and representing it using different mediums. 

-his self initiated design work Gary Vee and movies that gets noticed.

-the leap that he took that led to the most challenging time in his career.

-what he did to start testing and preparing himself before he took that leap. 

-the full business rebrand project he was a part of and why he is so proud of it. 

Go check out @tjscreates on IG to see his work, it's pretty damn awesome!

Today's guest is Anoushka Khandwala. She is a designer, writer, and educator based out of London in the UK. 

During this episode we talk about:

-her introduction to art and creativity from her mom. 

-she wanted to study paint and fine art but changed to graphic design, and what went into that decision. 

-when she first noticed the lack of women of colour in design and how she was motivated to write a paper on the issue. She talks about where the paper was published and what it did for her. 

-the panel she ran with Ladies Wine + Design in London. 

-the festival artwork that she loved and why it stood out to her. 

-how design is viewed and valued (or not) and why. 

-the "open dialogue" project she was a part of and why she is so proud of it. 

I loved hearing her view of the design community and how she is doing her part to increase diversity in the industry. Awesome! @anoushkakhandwala

Today's guest is Paula Scher. She is a Designer, Painter, and a Partner at Pentagram in the New York office. She is also....PAULA SCHER! The little ol' Quickie Podcast is just cruising. What a great time. 

During part two of this interview we talk about:

-the Swatch Watch project she was a part that went great, until three years later when it didn't. It is also the project that made a bit of a stir back then. 

-joining Pentagram as the first woman partner. 

-some recent projects she was a part of that got cancelled or pulled for reasons out of her control and how that makes her feel. 

-the design project that makes her heart sing, and why Swiss Helvetica was the only font choice for it. 

-the one project that she created that is out in the world that she hates, overtly hates. 

-the importance of having print design skills, especially at Pentagram. 

-how she deals with online criticism. 

This episode is just jam packed with great advice and stories that relate to designers at any stage in their career. You can tell Paula loves design and wants to help others as much as possible. @pentagramdesign

Today's guest is Paula Scher. She is a Designer, Painter, and a Partner at Pentagram in the New York office. She is also....PAULA SCHER! The little ol' Quickie Podcast is just cruising. What a great time. 

During part one of this interview we talk about:

-how she did not come from a creative family. 

-how she did not know what graphic design was until college. 

-the teacher who wasn't very nice to her when in college but later in her career asked her to come in and speak to his class of creatives. 

-the other teacher that changed her life, and how. 

-the designs she has seen out in the world that were influential to her. 

-the book she recently discovered and had yo buy immediately. 

-the designers and creatives that she looks up to now and why. 

-the packaging project she was a part of and why she is so proud of it...and it only uses Swiss Helvetica. 

I don't usually get nervous before interviews, but I was for this one. Paula has so many great stories to share and she doesn't hold back. Also, she is probably one of the most interviewed designers out there, and to have her say "thats a great question" to me? Love it. @pentagramdesign 

Today's guests are Jonny Black and Richard Roche. They are co-founders of Cast Iron Design out of Boulder CO. A couple of fun creative dudes. 

During part two of this interview we talk about:

-how asking a lot of questions can save a lot of time and money and the way they figured that out. 

-the lessons learned taking it easy when they arrived in Boulder. 

-the client that pulled out of the project after Jonny and Richard had already spent the deposit, and how that all worked out. 

-the film festival project that got stressful, didn't turn out the way they wanted, then came back to life a year later in a great way. 

-the crazy restaurant story that involves Llamas, and being paid in sandwiches. 

-their first website and what it was able to do for them. 

-the Patagonia print project they were a part of and how they were able to test a brand new ink product that aligned with the Patagonia brand. 

These gents know how to tell a story and have had a wild design ride so far. Excited to see what is to come out of Cast Iron Design.  @castirondesign

Today's guests are Jonny Black and Richard Roche. They are co-founders of Cast Iron Design out of Boulder CO. A couple of fun creative dudes. 

During Part One of this interview we talk about: 

-their individual paths to design and the influences on them along the way. 

-the book that really influenced Jonny. 

-the food brand that Jonny really loves the design work from. 

-the theatre company that Richard loves the creative out of. 

-the printed corrugated project they created that had a large focus on sustainability. 

This is a highly entertaining interview with lots of great stories. @castirondesign