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The Quickie - Conversations with Designers: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Print Design Academy
Looking for a podcast that’s all about graphic design, creativity, and the people who make it happen? On The Quickie, host Dave Hopkins has candid, inspiring conversations with graphic designers, illustrators, creative directors, and other creative pros. From freelancers to in-house designers at top agencies, they share their career journeys, creative processes, biggest wins, and lessons learned.Whether you’re into branding, packaging, print design, or just need a fresh dose of inspiration, each short episode delivers stories, design tips, and real-world advice. Subscribe now to get inspired, learn something new, and hear the stories behind the work. Because, honestly, who doesn’t love a good quickie?
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- Sep 21, 202626 min
Why freelance designers are stuck at $50k/year, and how to grow past it
Borrowing this one from the Print Design Podcast. If your design business hit some early growth and then flatlined, this one's for you. In this solo episode I get into the three problems that quietly stall out most freelance designers, your work is invisible, you're underpaid, and clients vanish after one project, and why none of it is a talent problem. It's a visibility problem, and print is the fix for all three. In this episode The three problems keeping freelance designers stuck Why a plateau is almost never a talent problem, and what it actually is How print makes you visible when everyone else is fighting to be seen on the same feeds Earning commission cheques from printers Reselling print work The revenue stack: paid design, commissions, and print resale, and how fast it adds up The first move to make to start growing again Print Club Pro Coaching: CLICK HERE Print Design Academy IG: Click Here
- Apr 8, 202659 min
Episode 293 - Zuza Hicks - Brand Designer - Nicely Made Studio - Sacramento CA
Sacramento-based brand identity designer Zuza Hicks of Nicely Made Studio joins Dave for a conversation about personality-driven branding, the unexpected lessons of leading a creative team, and why print is having a serious moment. Zuza brings a genuinely unique perspective to design. She's largely self-taught, holds a master's degree in social policy and journalism, and draws on her life between the US and Poland to create deeply symbolic, character-driven brand work. In this episode: -How the Polish Poster School (1950s-80s) still influences design today and what it teaches us about symbolism and working within constraints -How US and Polish design cultures differ and why historical context shapes visual identity in ways most designers never consider -What Liquid Death gets right about personality-driven branding and why being polarizing is actually the point -The hard lessons Zuza learned stepping into an art director role and why great designers don't always make natural managers -A branding project that went sideways and what it taught her about clear communication, avoiding assumptions, and having difficult conversations with clients -The resurgence of print, why tangible media carries more trust than digital Links mentioned: Polish Poster School Umanos, Seattle-based sustainable hair and body care brand Pantuniestal, Polish clothing brand with standout cultural storytelling Sagi Haviv's logo design class on Domestika Connect with Zuza: Instagram: @nicelymadestudioWebsite: nicelymade.studio
- Feb 25, 202540 min
Episode 292 - Kytana Le - Illustrator + Designer at Visa
Episode Summary: In this episode of The Quickie Podcast, we chat with Vietnamese American illustrator and design generalist Kytana Le. She shares her journey from growing up in a small bayou town in Louisiana to working at Visa, blending her love for illustration, branding, and UX design. We dive into how a high school art class and a Tumblr rabbit hole led her to pursue design, her obsession with print and tactile design, and the challenges of working in a corporate design environment. Kytana also opens up about her time working on Samurai Jack promos for Adult Swim, her love for packaging design, and her latest unexpected skill—tarot reading. Episode Highlights: Finding Her Path – How a high school art class and Tumblr opened the door to design.A Defining Moment – The Society of Illustrators magazine that changed how she saw creativity.From Animation to UX – Her experience working on Samurai Jack promos and transitioning into UX design.Print Obsession – Why she nearly minored in printmaking and still collects packaging today.Big Company Challenges – The difficulties of implementing design processes at a corporate level.Client Communication 101 – How she helps stakeholders articulate their design vision.Tarot & Life Lessons – A farewell gift sparked a new skill—reading tarot for her coworkers. Resources & Links: Kytana on Instagram: @ivoryteaKytan's Website: LINK HERE // Print Design Academy for Teams // Learn more here // Print Design Academy for Freelance Creatives // Learn more here
- Feb 11, 202533 min
Episode 291 - Colby Clites - Designer + Illustrator
In this episode of The Quickie Podcast, we sit down with graphic designer, illustrator, and creative director Colby Clites. Colby shares his journey from Tampa, Florida, to the mountains of Colorado, where he works in the beverage and food industry, designing packaging and branding for some seriously cool products. We talk about his creative childhood (spoiler: his mom saw his design future before he did), how an Adobe livestream shaped his passion, and the highs and lows of his freelance journey. Plus, Colby shares the story of a packaging mishap that turned into an unexpected PR campaign and drops his go-to playlist for getting in the zone. Resources & Mentions: The Playlist: Disco F**ks - LISTEN HERE Colby Clites on Instagram: @colbyclitesColby's Website: LINK HERE // Print Design Academy for Teams // Learn more here // Print Design Academy for Freelance Creatives // Learn more here
- Feb 4, 202545 min
Episode 290 - Steve Cousins - Creative Director + Designer
In this episode, I sit down with Steve Cousins, a self-taught graphic designer, art director, and creative director with an impressive career spanning West Beach, Lululemon, and top design studios in Portland. Steve shares his journey from small-town British Columbia to working with global brands, the impact of skate culture on him, and the lessons he’s learned from both wins and failures. Plus, we talk about the balance between hands-on design work and creative direction, and Steve drops some wisdom for young designers navigating their careers. Episode Highlights:From Small-Town Skater to Design Pro: How Steve’s childhood in Pitt Meadows and passion for skate culture led him into graphic design. The Art of Culture-Driven Design: Why Steve believes culture is at the heart of great design and how brands should lean into their communities. The Pepsi Pitch Gone Wrong: That time he flew to Pepsi HQ on a private jet, only to find out the team had prepared the wrong type of campaign. Learning the Hard Way in Print: A hilarious but painful lesson on Photoshop’s Magic Wand tool and sending posters to print—missing half of the athletes' legs. Navigating the Designer-to-Creative Director Transition: Why the move to creative direction isn’t for everyone and why great designers shouldn’t feel pressured to take that path. Finding Fresh Passion in Photography: Steve’s latest creative pursuit and why learning something new keeps things exciting. Designing Experiences That Matter: How working on Lululemon’s SeaWheeze Half Marathon branding gave Steve a whole new perspective on experiential design. Resources & Mentions: ReallyBigCool on Instagram: @reallybigcoolioSteve Cousins' Website: LINK HERE // Print Design Academy for Teams // Learn more here // Print Design Academy for Freelance Creatives // Learn more here
- Jan 28, 202545 min
Episode 289 - Lucy Eden - Brand Designer + Content Creator
In this episode, Lucy Eden, a talented brand designer and educator, shares her journey from creative childhood experiments to building a thriving career. We dive into her insights on balancing content creation with client work, navigating challenging seasons in business, and her passion for wordmarks and typography in design. Lucy opens up about lessons learned from difficult projects, her admiration for industry icons like Paula Scherr, and her dream of building a business that supports a balanced, family-centered life. Whether you're a designer seeking inspiration or just love hearing behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is full of gems! Episode Highlights:Creative Beginnings: Lucy shares how her upbringing, with creative parents and hands-on exploration, sparked her passion for design and entrepreneurship. Building a Business with Social Media: Lucy discusses how consistent Instagram and TikTok posting in 2021 became the foundation for her business growth. Wordmark Love: Lucy explains her deep appreciation for wordmarks and how typography can showcase personality and emotion in branding. Lessons from Challenges: From difficult client relationships to juggling multiple career paths, Lucy offers honest reflections on overcoming obstacles and evolving her processes. Heartfelt Projects: Lucy highlights meaningful projects, including branding for mission-driven businesses like a candle company employing adults with special needs. Recommended Read: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People left a lasting impression on Lucy, helping her align goals with her values and structure her life for success. Resources & Mentions: Lucy Eden on Instagram: @lucyeendesignLucy Eden on TikTok: @lucyedendesignLucy Eden's Website: LINK HERE // Print Design Academy for Teams // Learn more here // Print Design Academy for Freelance Creatives // Learn more here
- Dec 11, 20241h 8m
Episode 288 - Tim Jacobus - Illustrator for Goosebumps Books
In this episode, I chat with Tim Jacobus, the legendary illustrator behind the iconic Goosebumps book covers. From the early days of his career to navigating the evolution of illustration from traditional painting to digital, Tim shares fascinating stories about his creative process, challenges, and the enduring legacy of his work. Tune in for a nostalgic deep dive into the art that shaped a generation and valuable lessons for any creative professional. Episode Highlights: Tim shares how he became the original illustrator for the Goosebumps series, illustrating over 100 covers. The evolution of Tim’s creative process—from traditional painting to embracing digital tools. Behind-the-scenes stories of working with R.L. Stine and the creative freedom he enjoyed during the Goosebumps series. How the iconic Goosebumps embossing and specialty covers were developed and their lasting impact. Reflections on the challenges of early freelance life and the moment he felt he "made it" as an illustrator. Tim’s philosophy on art: “Show people what's in your mind, not what they already see.” A discussion on luck, persistence, and how small events can lead to big changes in life and career. Key Takeaways: Persistence Pays Off: Tim’s career started with small sign-painting jobs and grew to iconic book covers through resilience and hard work. Evolving with the Times: Transitioning from traditional to digital methods was challenging, but it opened doors to global clients and creative opportunities. Creative Freedom Matters: The success of Goosebumps allowed Tim unprecedented freedom, leading to some of his best work. Nostalgia’s Power: Tim reflects on how Goosebumps has stayed relevant, sparking creativity across generations. Notable Quotes: “Don’t paint what you know. Paint what you don’t know and give people a window into your imagination.” “Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity. Sometimes it’s the smallest events that shape your career.” “For those about to rock, we salute you.” Resources & Mentions: Tim Jacobus Website // Print Design Academy for Teams // Learn more here // Print Design Academy for Freelance Creatives // Learn more here
- Oct 1, 202436 min
Episode 287 - Sara Sun - @sara.and.misc - Design + Content Creator
In this episode of The Quickie Podcast, Dave sits down with Sara Sun, a graphic designer, content creator, and illustrator based in Dallas, Texas. With experience spanning from boutique design studios in New Zealand to creating conceptual packaging and brand sponsorships on social media, Sara shares her journey of transitioning from traditional design roles to becoming a full-time content creator. Episode Highlights: Freelancing & Content Creation: Sara delves into her transition from working at a design studio in New Zealand to freelancing and ultimately creating content for brands like Adobe. Finding Inspiration: Sara reflects on her love for mixed media, from photography and ceramics to conceptual packaging. She shares how her time in New Zealand's creative community shaped her design style and led to collaborations with top brands. The Power of Passion Projects: The importance of passion projects and how they reignited her love for design and contributed to her growth on social media. Challenges & Lessons: Sara opens up about the struggles of working within a rigid design process, the pressure of creating content for social media, and learning to navigate client expectations. Big Wins with Adobe: Sara shares her excitement over her first major collaboration with Adobe and what it felt like to work on creative projects she’s passionate about while being compensated for it. Key Takeaways: The impact of combining different art forms to create unique, engaging content. The importance of stepping out of traditional roles to find your own creative voice. How to deal with the challenges of balancing creative freedom and client needs, particularly as a freelancer and content creator. Embracing the process of social media growth while focusing on the content you love to create. Mentioned in the Episode: Designers & Creators Sara Looks Up To: Scribbled by Sophie Kelsey Slay Design Shelly Kim Sara’s Personal Content: Check out Sara’s work on TikTok and Instagram, where she shares conceptual packaging projects and design tips. Instagram: @sara.and.misc Podcast Recommendation: Sara is currently enjoying the lighthearted and comedic vibes of Giggly Squad. Connect with Sarah Sun: Instagram: @sara.and.misc TikTok: @Sara.And.Misc GUIDE TO PRICING GRAPHIC DESIGN: // Get the FREE Guide to Pricing Graphic Design here // Print Design Academy YouTube // CLICK HERE //
About The Quickie - Conversations with Designers
Looking for a podcast that’s all about graphic design, creativity, and the people who make it happen? On The Quickie, host Dave Hopkins has candid, inspiring conversations with graphic designers, illustrators, creative directors, and other creative pros. From freelancers to in-house designers at top agencies, they share their career journeys, creative processes, biggest wins, and lessons learned.Whether you’re into branding, packaging, print design, or just need a fresh dose of inspiration, each short episode delivers stories, design tips, and real-world advice. Subscribe now to get inspired, learn something new, and hear the stories behind the work. Because, honestly, who doesn’t love a good quickie?
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