Episodes

  • S2 Ep5: What Makes a Graphic Designer?

    S2 Ep5: What Makes a Graphic Designer?
    Jul 29 2024
    In this episode, we navigate the mysterious mindsets and motivations of graphic designers. When we encounter graphic designers in their natural habitat, we observe them instinctively weaving imagery from inspiration they have gathered from their surroundings. But what compels them to this life? Is it nature or nurture? Join us as we explore the skills, temperament, and instincts that drive these creative creatures. A blend of curiosity, precision, and a hint of obsession — let's uncover what truly makes a graphic designer.
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    43 mins
  • S2 Ep4: Rules, Fads, Trends and House Styles

    S2 Ep4: Rules, Fads, Trends and House Styles
    Jul 22 2024
    Do graphic design rules stand the test of time, or do they bend with the latest trend? Are fads really just trends on a sugar rush? Can a designer or agency get by applying their house style regardless of the brief? This week, the panel dives into the world of design dos and don'ts, when it comes to what's hot (and what's not). Tune in as they unravel the mysteries of staying relevant in the fast-paced world of graphic design.
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    48 mins
  • S2 Ep3: You're never alone with Imposter Syndrome

    S2 Ep3: You're never alone with Imposter Syndrome
    Jul 12 2024
    Do you ever feel like a fraud, undeserving of your job? You're not alone. In the subjective world of graphic design where everyone has an opinion, how do we summon the confidence to trust our abilities and experience? Our panel certainly isn’t immune to Imposter Syndrome. Are we even qualified to talk about it? Yes, damn it! This week, join Richard, Oscar, and Ellise as they share their own battles.
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    47 mins
  • S2 Ep2: Typical Typefaces and Fave Fonts

    S2 Ep2: Typical Typefaces and Fave Fonts
    Jul 12 2024
    This week’s episode is a hunk of kerning love as we plunge into a condensed discussion about the expanded world of typefaces. What makes them friendly or formal? Intelligible or illegible? Memorable or mundane? We read between the lines to explore the fascinating space where copy meets design. Join our Fonts of Knowledge, Oscar Jackson and Ellise Collins, as they stick their heads in the Sans.
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    43 mins
  • S2 Ep1: Education Vs. Experience

    S2 Ep1: Education Vs. Experience
    Jul 12 2024
    When it comes to graphic design, is it better to learn on the job, or in the lecture theatre? Across our new refreshed panel, featuring Ellise Collins, Oscar Jackson and Richard Kemp, we have representation from each side of the debate. So, which is best, the University of Life or the University of Essex? There’s only one way to find out - PODCAST!
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    49 mins
  • S1 Ep10: Roundup Pt. 2 - Frustratingly Vague

    S1 Ep10: Roundup Pt. 2 - Frustratingly Vague
    Mar 26 2024

    This week is part 2 of our round-up where we bang through a bumper collection of clangers. Last time we spoke about “super specific requests” and this week we’re onto the “frustratingly vague” ones:

    • “I need it to be elegance and classy”
    • “keep everything from my example but also do it differently”
    • “Jazz it up”
    • “Just play around with it”
    • “I like blue/red/green (there are endless types and shades or each colour)”
    • “Just a quick task for you…”
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    34 mins
  • S1 Ep9: Roundup Pt. 1 - A super specific smörgåsbord

    S1 Ep9: Roundup Pt. 1 - A super specific smörgåsbord
    Mar 12 2024

    Season 1 of “Well, you’re the designer” is nearing the end. To round things off, we've swept up all the leftover morsels into an appetising two-part buffet of baffling briefs and frustrating feedback. We’ve split the resulting smörgåsbord into “super specific” and “frustratingly vague.” This week it’s the turn of the “super specific” requests, so we’re discussing:

    • “Please include this small pointless map”
    • “Replace this picture with one of the opposite orientation”
    • “Use this terrible font combination”
    • “Bullet points only”
    • “Use my grotty, badly-framed images over good quality stock photos”
    • “Use the international phone number format”
    Listen to the end to see how Matt and Rich score each client clanger.
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    33 mins
  • S1 Ep8: Can you fill up all that empty space?

    S1 Ep8: Can you fill up all that empty space?
    Mar 5 2024
    To the untrained eye, empty space around text and graphics can feel like unused real estate, or a missed opportunity to make everything bigger. But empty space is not wasted space. It can be an effective means to highlight a strong message by allowing the eye to identify it quickly and dwell on its meaning. Our designers explain how giving each element room to breathe can create a greater impact than packing the page with content.
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    37 mins