Today I'm speaking with Tyler Williams, the founder of Frame Rate, a new creator-first video platform built for motion designers, filmmakers, animators, and editors.

Tyler previously co-founded Motion Array, the template and asset library that grew into a huge part of the creator ecosystem and was later acquired by Artlist.

In this conversation, we talk about why Frame Rate exists in the first place, what Tyler thinks broke in the video hosting world as Vimeo shifted away from the community that built it, and what it means to design a platform that puts the work first.

We also get into the early decisions behind the product, curation versus algorithms, creator trust in the AI era, and where Tyler hopes Frame Rate can go over the next few years.

• The Vimeo shift and why it felt cultural, not just product-level.
• Motion Array, the exit, identity loss, and why other projects did not stick.
• Building FrameRate from scratch and what "creator-first" really means in practice.
• Curation versus algorithms, and resisting distraction mechanics.
• The two-sided ambition: helping artists get hired, not just host work.
• AI anxiety, protection limits, and the reality of robots.txt.
• Early traction: first 1,000 users, Discord loop, embeds, and product iteration.
• Lessons from Motion Array scaling, and what he wants to do differently this time.

Hayley Akins is the founder of Motion Hatch, a school that helps motion designers and creatives grow their business.

Hayley is one of the originals in this space. She's been active since 2017 and has helped many people in the industry. I wanted to bring her on to discuss marketing, how it's evolving for creatives, and how to effectively connect with prospects online and on social media. We also talked about how her business has grown, the journey of motion designers, and the importance of alignment and authenticity online, among other topics.

As always, if you want to support the show, you can leave a rating on Spotify or wherever you listen, or share it with a friend.

Learn more about Justin at https://www.youtube.com/@CleoAbram

Learn more about the podcast at ⁠https://jackvaughan.com

Today I’m speaking with Justin Poore — an animator and the producer of Huge if True — a show by Cleo Abram that’s had a ton of attention and engagement over the last few years, recently reaching 6 million subscribers on YouTube.

Cleo is one of the fastest growing YouTube channels about tech and science, and Justin’s work plays a huge part in it.

We spoke about:

- The origins of Justin and Cleo’s collaboration

- The team they have

- Their processes for pitching, script writing, on-set production, and more

- What they’ve learned about engagement on social media — and they really know!

- Their strategy around shorts and repurposing content

- And of course, a deep dive into Justin’s skillset as an animator and producer

Summary (AI generated)

In this conversation, Justin Poore, animator and producer of the YouTube show Huge If True, discusses the rapid growth of the channel, the creative processes behind their engaging content, and the importance of audience connection. He shares insights into their collaborative work, the evolution of their team, and the strategies that have contributed to their success. Justin also delves into the technical aspects of animation, the impact of short-form content, and the exciting experiences from field shoots. Looking ahead, he expresses enthusiasm for the future of Huge If True and the potential for further growth.

Chapters (AI generated)

00:00 Introduction to Justin Poore and Huge If True

00:51 Scripting and Storytelling Techniques

11:25 Story Selection and Idea Generation

13:53 Team Structure and Roles

17:00 Engagement Strategies and Early Success

19:59 Shorts and Content Repurposing

22:25 Field Shoots and On-Site Experiences

25:06 Approaching Big Organizations for Collaborations

27:31 Design and Animation Style

35:27 The Animation Process: From Sketch to Screen

38:24 Design Principles in Animation

39:33 Exploring 3D Animation Techniques

41:15 Rendering Challenges and Solutions

43:46 The Production Workflow: Animation and Review

45:04 Utilizing Assets: Stock vs. Custom Models

46:55 The Art of 3D Modeling and Rigging

48:05 Tools of the Trade: Software and Techniques

52:06 Engagement Strategies for Content Creation

56:22 Looking Ahead: The Future of Huge of True

Learn more about Tom at https://www.tparkes.com

Learn more about the podcast at https://jackvaughan.com

Today I’m speaking with Tom Parkes - a Web+Brand designer.

Tom’s worked at both agencies such as Instrument, Justified Studio, MetaLab, and freelanced for companies such as Airbnb, Microsoft and he’s now at Glide - where I work - leading web & brand.

We talked about many things like:

• The activity and craft of design
• Sensitivity and receptivity to design and art.
• Design in agencies versus in-house.
• The difference between art and design
• how design is merging with motion
• And of course, much, much more.

Summary (AI Generated)

In this conversation, Jack Vaughan speaks with Tom Parkes, a web and brand designer, about his journey in design, the evolution from graphic design to visual communication, and the importance of sensitivity and emotional connection in the design process. They discuss the role of typography, the impact of university experiences, and the balance between trends and timelessness in design. Tom shares insights on the significance of communication in design and how it shapes the designer’s approach to their work. In this conversation, Tom discusses the intricacies of branding and design, emphasizing the importance of presentation, critique, and the separation of personal identity from work. He introduces his ‘Holy Trinity’ of design process, which includes context, empathy, and execution. The dialogue explores the balance between art and design, the evolution of digital design, and the significance of brand strategy. Tom reflects on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in design, advocating for a thoughtful approach to integrating new technologies while maintaining the essence of creativity.

Chapters (AI Generated)

00:00 The Evolution of Design Terminology

05:44 Navigating Design Education and Personal Growth

13:45 The Emotional Connection to Design

19:42 Sensitivity and Vulnerability in Creativity

29:38 Staying Relevant in Design Trends

37:12 The Essence of Timeless Design

39:49 The Evolution of Branding

43:26 The Art of Communication in Design

54:23 Tom’s Holy Trinity of Design Process

58:02 The Intersection of Art and Design

01:06:38 Navigating the Balance of Web and Brand Design

01:07:13 The Evolution of Brand Strategy in Design

01:11:59 The Intersection of Design and Development

01:16:24 Reflections on Product Design vs. Brand Design

01:19:13 Creating Synchronicity Between Brand and Product

01:22:10 Systems Thinking in Design

01:25:59 The Importance of Brand Strategy in Design

01:30:44 The Future of Design in the Age of AI

01:39:13 New Chapter

Find out more about Chris → https://cspags.com/

Find out more about the podcast here → ⁠https://jackvaughan.com

Today, I’m speaking with Chris Spags, a software developer and the founder of JetBoost. I was involved in a project with Chris a few years back and recently found out that he's just sold JetBoost, a very popular suite of tools in the Webflow ecosystem.

So I thought it'd be really interesting and a great time to get him on to talk about his journey with that company and what it's like building within an established ecosystem and how Webflow has grown over the years.

We also spoke about the process of selling a software business, which is something I know very little about, and what it's like now, after a successful sale and the kind of journey of finding a new direction.

As always, if you appreciate the show, leave a rating wherever you're listening or share it with someone. And now I hope you enjoy this interview with Chris Spags.

Summary & Chapters (AI Generated)

In this conversation, Chris Spags shares his journey as a software developer and entrepreneur, detailing his experience building JetBoost within the Webflow ecosystem. He discusses the evolution of Webflow, the origin and growth of JetBoost, the challenges of scaling a business, and the process of selling it. Chris reflects on personal growth during this journey, the importance of solving real problems for users, and his aspirations for the future as he navigates life after the sale.

00:00 Overview of Webflow Today

04:42 The Early Days of JetBoost

09:35 JetBoost's Evolution and Features

14:27 Building on a Platform: Risks and Relationships

19:35 Scaling JetBoost and the Decision to Sell

25:30 Navigating the Sale of JetBoost

31:17 The Journey of a Software Developer

38:47 Reflections on Fulfillment and Growth

47:08 Transitioning to New Beginnings

Learn more about Danny at https://www.dannyperry.me

Learn more about the podcast at ⁠https://jackvaughan.com

Today I’m speaking with Danny Perry — Founder of Plugin Play — historically a plugin development company and just recently expanding to be a new marketplace for motion and video pros.

We spoke about

- How AI development has evolved in his organization — particularly agentic-accelerating dev and org speed.

- Comparing dev & motion - and the need for similar support/agentic power

- What it would take to get motion to this point-agentic editing & motion

- AI in products

- Future of Plugin Play and bringing a new marketplace of tools to the community

By the time this podcast goes out, Danny will have launched the new chapter for Plugin Play, and I'm really excited to see where it leads.

Summary (AI generated)

In this conversation, Jack Vaughan speaks with Danny Perry, founder of Plugin Play, about the evolution of the company and its integration of AI in motion design and development. They discuss the impact of AI on productivity, the importance of customer feedback in feature development, and the future of motion design tools. Danny emphasizes the need for project files in generative AI and the challenges posed by the lack of training data. They also explore the development landscape for motion graphics and the significance of UI design in creating effective tools. In this conversation, Jack Vaughan and Danny discuss the intricacies of building web tools, particularly in the context of motion graphics and UI design. They explore the challenges of creating user-friendly interfaces, the interdisciplinary nature of motion and code, and the future of software development with AI integration. Danny shares insights on the upcoming projects for Plugin Play, emphasizing the need for a cohesive platform for motion tools and the importance of user feedback in shaping their offerings. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of software development and the role of AI in enhancing creative workflows.

Chapters (AI generated)

00:00 The Evolution of AI in Development

07:29 Transforming Daily Operations with AI

13:24 Agentic Editing and the Need for Project Files

19:17 Integrating AI with Editing Software

25:24 The Journey of a Motion Graphics Entrepreneur

38:49 Building Proprietary Platforms and Tools

43:57 Transforming Long-Form Content into Short-Form

49:10 Transitioning to UXP: A New Development Framework

55:56 UI Design and User Experience in Motion Graphics

01:09:46 The Power of Real-Time Feedback in Motion Design

01:16:06 AI and Automation in Video Editing

01:23:39 The Role of Plugin Play in a Crowded Market

01:29:23 The Evolution of Software Development and Human Oversight

Today I'm speaking with Chase Goulet, a product designer and former professional Minecraft builder.

Find out more about Chase → ⁠https://chasegoulet.com/⁠
Find out more about the podcast here → ⁠https://jackvaughan.com⁠

We talked about:

• - Failure, mindset, and the art of learning

• - Minecraft, architecture, and his road to product design

• - His college startup

• - Design as trust

• - The ever-encroaching wave of AI on our creativity and how we contribute

• - And much, much more

• 
  

  Summary & Chapters (AI-Generated)

  
  

  In this conversation, Jack Vaughan speaks with Chase Goulet, a product designer and former professional Minecraft builder. They explore Chase's journey from his early creative experiences with Minecraft to his transition into product design. The discussion covers themes of creativity, the impact of AI on design, the importance of self-education, and the role of mentorship in career development.

  
  

  Chase shares insights on the learning process, emphasizing the balance between theory and practice, and reflects on how gaming has influenced his approach to design. Jack and Chase explore the themes of learning through failure, the significance of college experiences, the evolving role of designers in the age of AI, and the future of design.

  
  

  They discuss the importance of iteration in learning, the impact of college on personal and professional growth, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the design field. The conversation emphasizes the need for creativity, abstract reasoning, and the human touch in design, even as technology advances.

  
  

  00:00 Chase's Journey into Minecraft Building

  03:42 Working with BlockWorks and Educational Projects

  06:46 The Process of Translating Real-World Architecture into Minecraft

  09:54 AI and Technology in Minecraft Building

  12:27 The Role of Creativity in Game Design

  15:28 Personal Projects and Passion for Building

  18:36 The Impact of Minecraft on Understanding Architecture

  21:27 Transitioning from Architecture to Product Design

  24:44 The Transition from Engineering to Design

  29:21 Learning Through Experience and Mentorship

  33:59 The Art of Self-Education

  38:26 Embracing Failure and Self-Criticism

  40:15 College Experiences and Startup Ventures

  47:00 The Role of Design in Building Trust

  51:56 Building Trust Through Professional Branding

  55:02 The Balance of Design and Trust

  57:59 Navigating Career Growth and Skill Development

  57:59 The Role of AI in Design and Creativity

  01:08:41 The Future of Design in an AI-Driven World

Barry Green is a writer, performer and teacher. He was principal bassist for the Cincinnati symphony for 28 years. He’s coached hundreds and hundreds of people on their performance, not just the practical but the inner game. He’s an endlessly fascinated and inspiring musician who’s been on a lifelong quest and exploration of musical mastery. He’s the perfect guest for us to have on. In this episode we discuss, among other things: Barry's 3 books: Mastery of Music, Bringing Music to Life and The Inner Game of Music How Barry became involved in the Inner Game and then how he applied it to music The principles of the Inner Game How Barry has worked with these principles in other professions as well as music The principle of ‘relaxed concentration’ that creates optimal performance How to practice using inner game principles How to deal with distraction and increase your focus The importance of detail and paying attention and more...