Jacob Cass is a brand designer, strategist, educator, podcaster, business coach, community builder, flamingo enthusiast and the founder of JUST Creative, an award-winning branding & design consultancy that doubles as an industry-leading blog. Jacob helps grow brands strategically and has worked for clients such as Disney, Nintendo and Jerry Seinfeld however he is now focused on bringing this global brand experience to smaller businesses. For Jacob, design is a lifelong journey of continuously honing his craft, as well as empowering other fellow designers & entrepreneurs to build on theirs.JUST Creative was created to help businesses & individuals Stand The Flock Out™ in saturated markets. JUST Creative is an award-winning branding agency, industry-leading blog and vibrant creative community and we help brands Stand The Flock Out™. Specializing in Brand Strategy, Identity Design, and Growth, JUST Creative caters to individuals and businesses with a bold streak — those who ‘Dare to Flair’.Find Jacob:Website: https://justcreative.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justcreativedesignTwitter: https://twitter.com/justcreativeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobcass/Instagram: https://instagram.com/justcreativeAffiliate Links:Webflow: https://try.webflow.com/1p91anb2byd3Bloom: https://bloom.cello.so/hXX9A7c0zQcChapters:00:00 The Journey into Design08:45 Agency Life and Strategic Growth17:05 The Evolution of Brand Strategy24:43 Digital Products and Monetization Strategies36:06 Navigating Product Development and Collaboration38:54 The Journey of a Creative Drifter41:21 The Rise and Fall of a Successful Blog43:39 Adapting to SEO Changes and AI Influence48:46 The Future of SEO in an AI-Driven World55:35 Building the Brand Builders Alliance01:00:05 Balancing Value and Pricing in Community Building01:05:26 Future Plans and Ongoing ProjectsTakeaways:- Jacob's journey into design began with a high school career advisor.- He transitioned from agency life to understanding brand strategy.- The importance of digital products and workshops in his career.- SEO changes significantly impacted his business model.- Building a community requires understanding the audience's needs.- Over-delivering can lead to burnout in community management.- The Brand Builders Alliance focuses on community, resources, and mentorship.- Jacob's past ventures taught him valuable lessons about business.- He emphasizes the importance of personal branding and unique value.- Future projects include a major summit and continued community growth.

Bryan is an unorthodox autodidact Brand Strategist & Creative Director at http://archimedes.agency, educator @ "Creativos Empodera2" creative academy (Spanish language), host @ The Brand Rehab Podcast, host @ The Archimedes Effect Podcast, producer @ The Jehu Garcia Podcast. He's half chaotic creative and half structured strategist. He has a passion for innovation, education, creative design, and venturing out into the unknown.

Find Bryan:

https://exponential-brand-growth-qw7mv8d.gamma.site/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanjimenez/

Affiliate Links:

Webflow: https://try.webflow.com/1p91anb2byd3

Bloom: https://bloom.cello.so/hXX9A7c0zQc

Chapters:

00:00 The Unexpected Journey of Education

02:38 Navigating Life's Challenges and Opportunities

05:09 The Role of Identity and Culture in Personal Growth

07:38 From Zero to One: Overcoming Barriers

10:19 The Evolution of a Designer's Journey

12:50 The Intersection of Art and Design

15:15 Learning Through Persistence and Experience

17:48 The Importance of Strategy in Design

20:23 Understanding the Difference Between Art and Design

23:07 The Role of Self-Perception in Professional Growth

25:29 Building a Successful Business from Scratch

33:09 The Value of Formal Education in Design

33:54 Understanding the Unknown Unknowns

35:37 The Importance of Strategy in Design

37:17 Learning Strategy: The Core Framework

38:15 The Journey to Elite Education

41:58 The Impact of Brand Strategy on Design

45:42 Design as a Business Tool

50:26 The Role of Design in Business Success

53:07 Using Strategy to Guide Client Feedback

56:44 Navigating Client Relationships and Feedback

01:02:02 The Obligation of Designers to Educate Clients

01:05:49 Understanding the Creative Mindset

01:11:11 Navigating Client-Creative Relationships

01:16:30 The Importance of Discrimination in Design

01:22:13 The Evolving Landscape of SEO and Marketing

01:28:25 Building Effective Teams for Business Success

01:34:02 The Struggles of Survival and Community Support

Takeaways:

- Education can be an unexpected journey.

- Career paths are often non-linear and filled with challenges.

- The phrase 'fake it till you make it' can be misleading.

- Role-playing can help in personal and professional growth.

- Overcoming barriers is essential for success.

- Persistence is key in learning and career development.

- Cultural influences shape our professional identities.

- Education plays a crucial role in career advancement.

- Design must be tied to business strategy for effectiveness.

- The future of design is evolving with technology.

- Design must serve the business first.

- Client feedback should be rooted in business objectives.

- Creatives need the freedom to do their work.

- Understanding the distinction between art and design is crucial.

- Business owners often lack an eye for good design.

- Building trust with your creative team is essential.

- Survival struggles can hinder creativity.

- A team is necessary for effective branding.

- Discrimination in design can be positive when discerning quality.

- Creatives think and work differently than business owners.

Heather Crank, an award-winning visual artist and designer, is celebrated for her remarkable versatility and creativity. She skillfully bridges fine art and business, capturing audiences with dynamic films showcased at prestigious venues like the Guggenheim and the SUPERNOVA Animation Festival. With an impressive clientele spanning technology, film, music, and education, Heather’s work exemplifies exceptional skill in both motion, graphic design and Gen Ai. Heather holds a BFA in graphic design from the California College of Arts, and is a recipient of the Adobe Achievement Award as well as a silver IDA.

A leader in Gen AI Heather has given multiple talks about the future of creativity including the Groundbreakers Summit, in Denver, Co and the University of Southern California Creative Summit "Riptide". In 2022 Heather had the privilege of being profiled by Debbie Millman in her ongoing exploration called "What Matters". In 2023 Heather taught her first Adobe Live focused on Storyboarding in Adobe Firefly. She is also a collaborator/co-founder of the podcast "The Developing Life" focused on interviewing creative thinkers, empathic leaders and the ethical use of AI.

Find Heather:

https://crahmanti.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/

https://www.instagram.com/heathercrank/

Affiliate Links:

Webflow: https://try.webflow.com/1p91anb2byd3

Bloom: https://bloom.cello.so/hXX9A7c0zQc

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:45 Heather's Journey to Bend

05:32 Family History and Local Roots

08:14 Career Path and Motion Design

10:51 Transitioning to AI and Current Work

13:31 The Evolution of Motion Design

16:25 The Impact of AI on Creative Industries

19:27 Future of Motion Design and Industry Trends

28:55 Navigating AI Tools for Production

31:26 The Human Element in AI Production

34:54 The Future of AI and Consciousness

37:59 The Complexity of AI Intelligence

42:20 Human Connection in an AI World

46:05 Understanding Personality Types and Their Impact

01:00:53 The Journey to Entrepreneurship

01:03:21 Challenges in the Agency World

01:05:18 Positive Leadership Experiences

01:11:54 Navigating Client Expectations

01:14:41 Reflections on Career Choices

01:15:41 The Intersection of Art and Technology

01:22:53 Imagining a Different Path

01:26:05 The Value of Authentic Conversations

Takeaways

- Heather has deep family roots in Bend, being a 'Bend founder'.

- She transitioned from a career in modern dance to motion design.

- AI has become a significant part of her creative process.

- The creative industry is evolving with the influx of new talent in Bend.

- AI is a powerful tool for automation but cannot replace human creativity.

- Understanding design principles is crucial for effective use of AI.

- Community plays a vital role in supporting creative professionals.

- The future of AI in design is uncertain but holds potential for growth.

- Human connection remains essential in a tech-driven world.

- Heather emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions in design.

- Heather identifies as an INFJ, while Kevin is an ENTP.

- Kevin describes himself as an introverted extrovert.

- Heather loves community but finds social interactions exhausting.

- INFJs often attract people naturally, unlike Kevin.

- Kevin's wife, also an INFJ, needs social interaction to recharge.

- Heather discusses the challenges of working in a competitive agency environment.

- Leadership style significantly impacts team dynamics and morale.

- Heather emphasizes the importance of understanding individual motivations in the workplace.

- Kevin reflects on the financial pressures that shape career choices.

- Heather is exploring the intersection of AI and art in her creative process.