Dan Janssen, founder and creative director of Lincoln Design Co., returns to the show for a deep dive into the studio’s highly anticipated new release: The Brand Design of a Brand Design Agency. This 288-page book isn't about client work—it's a behind-the-scenes look at how Lincoln built its own brand from the inside out. Packed with unreleased logos, illustrations, internal marketing, swag, and studio stories, the book is a decade-in-the-making tribute to what happens when a studio treats itself like its most important client.

In this episode, we unpack the big ideas behind the book, why it exists, who it’s for, and how it challenges the traditional rules of branding and self-promotion. Dan shares lessons learned from building a dream studio culture, creating products that leave lasting impressions, and the importance of documenting your creative evolution.

We also talk about the value of getting outside the design bubble. Fresh off Crop Con in Austin and gearing up for the Licensing Expo in Vegas, we swap insights on how conferences, both design-focused and industry-specific—can fuel creativity, spark collaborations, and push your studio’s visibility beyond the usual crowd.

If you're a designer, creative director, studio owner, or student looking to understand what it really takes to build a brand-first creative business, this one’s for you.

📕 Grab the book and explore more:
👉 https://shorturl.at/MCWWF
🔗 https://www.lincolndesignco.com/

In this episode, we're diving into one of the biggest struggles freelancers are facing right now—getting clients to actually respond, give clear feedback, and stick to the original project scope. Nick and Mikelle kick things off by sharing real-world pain points and how this trend is quietly killing timelines, budgets, and creative momentum.

Then, we tackle your most burning questions about client communication: What do you do when a client vanishes mid-project? How do you steer the ship when direction is vague—or constantly changing? And how can you protect yourself from endless revisions and scope creep?

To wrap it all up, we serve up 5 super-practical, battle-tested tips to help you stay in control, set the tone from day one, and keep your sanity (and your schedule) intact.

If you’ve ever felt like a project manager, therapist, and psychic all in one—this one’s for you.

🔥 Designers, listen up—this one’s for YOU.

If you’re creating brand or packaging design for CPG, food & bev, or wellness products, this is the inside scoop you can’t afford to miss. We sat down with real retail buyers and asked them what actually gets a product noticed—and what gets it passed over. Spoiler alert: good design isn’t enough.

🧠 In this fast-paced breakdown, you’ll learn:
• What makes packaging instantly eye-catching (or invisible)
• How color, typography, and structure drive that first impression
• The trends buyers love right now—and the ones they’re sick of
• Why storytelling is your secret weapon (but not in the way you think)
• The #1 design mistake that kills a brand before it even launches
• How to balance sustainability, clarity, and visual punch

Whether you're designing for a client or your own brand, these buyer insights will sharpen your strategy, elevate your work, and help you design packaging that actually sells.

🎯 Want to create packaging that flies off shelves?
Start by thinking like a buyer.

In this episode of The Drop, we’re back with another hot roundup of design news you actually want to know. From bold rebrands to tech shake-ups, industry scandals to the next big thing in type and tech—we’re breaking it all down so you stay in the loop and ahead of the curve.

We’ve handpicked the stories making waves in April 2025—no fluff, no filler. Just the news, trends, and creative shifts that matter to working designers and creatives like you.

🧠 Insightful. 🎯 Actionable. 😏 Occasionally spicy.

Links to everything we mention are below. Let’s get into it.

https://www.designweek.co.uk/nine-creatives-reimagine-wiedenkennedy-londons-logo/

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/theme-parks/epic-universe

https://gdusa.com/the-design-skills-employers-need-right-now/

https://looka.com/blog/graphic-design-trends/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.designweek.co.uk/major-charities-creating-bold-new-brands-as-donor-numbers-fall/

https://www.creativeboom.com/news/earthling-studio-infuses-nostalgic-fun-into-iced-tea-brand-halfday/

https://www.creativeboom.com/inspiration/harvesting-heritage-bna-reimagines-polish-food-brand-dawtona-as-a-slavic-goddess/

https://www.creativeboom.com/news/hip-pop/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2uwy4MDZ_M&t=3s

THE SHOP: deeplygraphicgoods.printful.me

What happens when two legendary type lovers turn their year into one big creative experiment? You get insight, income—and maybe even $100K.

In this episode, we sit down with the powerhouse duo behind Goodtype to talk about their bold new mission: using experiments to explore what brings them joy and financial success as artists. From their $100K art challenge to unconventional income streams, they're documenting it all—wins, failures, and everything in between.

We talk about:

• Why 2024 is the “Year of the Experiment”
• How artists can use small tests to unlock big growth
• Lessons from launching the $100K challenge
• Creative blocks, money mindset, and building happiness into your business
• Practical ideas you can steal to start experimenting today

Oh—and a spicy lightning round. Fonts were harmed.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make a living from your art without selling your soul, this one’s for you.

Instagram

Website

The Kernference (we have student pricing!)

Podcast (this has both apple and spotify)

Youtube

What happens when you grow up inside a design studio? In this episode of The Next Level, Tom Lauro sits down with creative powerhouse Jeremy Slagle and his two insanely talented kids, Faith and Caleb, who are now working designers.

They share what it was like to be raised in a home bursting with creativity, the pivotal moments that shaped their careers, and the real talk on following in the footsteps of a well-known parent in the design world. This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how a family turned passion into profession—and passed it on to the next generation.

Jeremy”s website: www.slagledesign.com

Caleb: www.calebslagle.com

Faith: www.Faithslagle.com

Instagrams:

@slagledesign

@faithslagledesign

About Tom Lauro:

I'm a graphic designer / maker who dabbles in a little bit of everything. It all started with a career in landscape architecture, but over time I began drifting more and more into the world of vectors and graphic art. Molded by punk rock and east coast antics, I thrive on simple designs with big personalities.

No matter what, I believe every project has a story to tell. Unfolding and discovering that narrative is what inspires my process, and creates the best possible product for my clients. With a holistic approach every project gets the same amount of time and effort; whether that be identity branding, marketing materials, product design, or just some die-cut stickers.

https://www.tomlaurodesign.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tlauro_design/

From Side Hustle to Studio: How Brethren Design Co. Made the LeapThis week, we’re joined by the insanely talented duo behind Brethren Design Co., and trust us—this one’s packed with the kind of real-world advice our listeners love.

Jeremy and Jordan Coon started Brethren while working full-time design jobs, slowly building a client base on nights and weekends. In 2022, they took the leap and turned their side hustle into a full-time creative studio. Since then, they've designed over 200 beer labels, landed retainer clients, and diversified into everything from restaurants to board games.

We talk about:

The exact moment they knew it was time to go full-time.

Lessons they learned (and are still learning) about pricing, billing, and business ops.

The power of LinkedIn and design conferences for landing clients.

How one beer brand helped launch their whole business.

What it’s really like running a studio remotely between two cities.

If you’ve ever dreamed of quitting your 9–5 and going all in on your creative business, this episode is for you.

https://www.brethrendesignco.com/

https://www.instagram.com/brethrendesignco

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube

🚀 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgdcpod/

🚀 Explore more at: linktr.ee/dgdcpod

🚀Our Shop: deeplygraphicgoods.printful.me

#GraphicDesign #DesignPodcast #CreativeBusiness

Are you charging what you're actually worth? Too many designers undervalue their work, leaving money on the table. In this episode, I break down the best pricing strategies for freelancers—including hourly rates, value-based pricing, retainers, and licensing fees—so you can ditch the guesswork and price with confidence.

You'll learn:
✔ When to charge hourly vs. flat rates
✔ How to use value-based pricing to maximize profits
✔ Why retainers can create financial stability
✔ How to license your work for extra income

If you're ready to stop undercharging and start getting paid what you deserve, this episode is for you! 🎙💰