Find Your X-Factor

Ever wonder why some creatives always seem to be in the right place at the right time? In this episode, Nick explores how to get luckier by increasing your surface area for opportunity, putting yourself in the room, saying yes before you feel ready, creating your own opportunities, and giving those lucky breaks more places to land.

At some point in your creative career, getting better at design stops being the whole answer. In this episode, Nick explores how to uncover your X-Factor, the skills, experience, personality, and strengths beyond design that make you uniquely valuable, memorable, and harder to overlook. If you’re a mid-career designer wondering what it takes to get unstuck and reach that next level, this one’s for you.

Jacob Paris has been a sewer, a screen printer, a graphic designer, a streamer, and now an Adobe contractor. Somehow the biggest turning point in his career wasn't a job, a client, or a big break. It was a DM.In this episode, Jacob traces his creative path from teaching himself to sew on TikTok during the 2020 lockdown, to tie-dyeing a viral Travis Scott shirt that hit nearly a million views, to running a screen-print shop in Philadelphia that printed for acts like 100 gecs, Online Ceramics, and Nine Inch Nails. He opens up about the boss who told him, on his way out the door, that "not everyone's cut out for the art world," and how that one sentence lit a fire that pushed him to freelance full-time and land clients like Microsoft, Adobe, and JBL.Then the story takes a turn nobody sees coming: a nurse named Joanna slides into his DMs, they bond over Magic: The Gathering, and nine months later Jacob is on a 13-hour flight to meet her for the first time. What started as an internet friendship turned into a relationship, a marriage, and a full relocation from Philadelphia to Calgary, Alberta, a move Jacob describes as "exclusively beneficial," despite starting completely from scratch in a new country with zero followers or credibility.We dig into what Jacob calls the "medium fish in a smaller, less crowded pond" effect: how leaving an oversaturated market like Philly for a tighter-knit, less gatekept creative scene actually accelerated his growth. And we get into the mindset that's carried him through all of it: comparison as the thief of joy, doing things first instead of best, and the belief that the fear of failure is scarier than failure itself.This one's a masterclass in staying durable, not by having it all figured out, but by staying curious, staying humble, and saying yes to the DM.Guest LinksWebsite: https://www.byjacobparis.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-paris-798547306/🚀 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgdcpod/🚀 Explore more at: linktr.ee/dgdcpod🚀Our Shop: deeplygraphicgoods.printful.me#GraphicDesign #DesignPodcast #CreativeBusiness

Get over it.If you're still arguing about AI-generated "slop," you're missing the point. The smartest designers have moved on – they're too busy using AI to amplify their creativity, effectiveness, and competitive advantage.In this no-nonsense episode, Nick Longo and Brady Patterson break down the 5 game-changing ways designers are harnessing the power of AI – not to replace their skills, but to enhance them. Discover how to use AI for research, art direction, mockups, client presentations, and more.Nick and Brady just wrapped up two Adobe events where they saw firsthand how designers are winning with these strategies. The ones who aren't? They're being left behind.This isn't about churning out generic logos. It's about working smarter, faster, and more persuasively. It's about using every tool at your disposal to stay ahead of the curve.So if you're ready to stop debating and start dominating, this episode is your wake-up call. Tune in and learn how to make AI your secret weapon. Your competitors already have.Buckle up for some real talk. It's time to adapt, or get left behind.

Stop Following Trends — Bill Gardner on How to Read the Industry, Future-Proof Your Work, and Design What's NextBill Gardner is back, and this time he's bringing receipts.The founder of LogoLounge and author of the brand new LogoLounge Guide to Iconic Branding joins us for one of the most important conversations we've had on this show. After reviewing more than 30,000 logos and identity systems from around the world, Bill has a clear-eyed view of where this industry is headed and an honest assessment of who's going to thrive and who's going to get left behind.This isn't a trend walkthrough. This is a deeper conversation about what the 2026 Logo Trend Report is really telling us about the state of our profession, the divide opening up between designers who are leaning forward and those still in follow-on mode, and what it actually takes to build a body of work and a career that lasts.We get into the hard stuff too. AI, pricing, the commoditization of execution, the shrinking middle market, and the fundamental shift happening in what a designer's role actually is. If you've been feeling the ground move under your feet, this episode will help you understand why and what to do about it.Whether you're just starting out, mid-career, or a veteran trying to stay sharp and relevant, this one is for you.In this episode we cover:The divide Bill sees in the profession right now and which side you need to be onWhy identity is no longer a static artifact and what that means for your practiceHow the designer's role is shifting from author to architect and why that changes everythingThe honest conversation around AI, value, and how to price your work in a world where clients have more tools than everWhat 20+ years of trend data actually teaches you about what makes a brand iconicHow to stop reading trends and start casting them, the core idea behind the new bookPractical advice for putting all of this into practice starting Monday morningResources mentioned in this episode:2026 LogoLounge Trend Report. Read it here: https://www.logolounge.com/trend/2026-logo-trend-reportThe LogoLounge Guide to Iconic Branding by Bill Gardner. Get the book here: https://a.co/d/03ydRTRV

Ever feel overwhelmed by the pressure to chase visibility as a designer? You're not alone.Tag someone who needs to hear this!In our latest chat, we dive into the evolving landscape of design, where the expectation to be constantly visible online can feel like a burden. Many new creatives enter the industry believing they must be active on social media to succeed, but that’s not the only path.James shares insights on how the mindset of young designers has shifted. With access to endless inspiration, it’s easy to feel inadequate compared to others. But remember, your unique journey matters more than the noise around you.As we reflect on the importance of focusing on what truly drives your passion, it’s crucial to ask yourself: are you creating for your audience or just for online validation?Let’s embrace our paths and support each other in this journey!Follow James at: https://www.instagram.com/made.by.james/PRE-ORDER THE BOOK! https://themadebyjames.com/no-bs-book/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnVLO15BhaIngYxdIdbBb66uaqdwDQtS8sg7px_flnp-sMePqGLPD1je9GGw8_aem_sfX7vC3e6ujgMXlek5ujmA

What happens when creatives stop scrolling, show up, and spend a few days learning from people who’ve actually put in the work?In this episode of The Deeply Graphic Designcast, Nick Longo and Joseph Bullard unpack “The Crop Effect”, an honest conversation reflecting on their experience at Crop Con. From inspiring talks and real conversations to unexpected lessons and career perspective shifts, this episode explores why creative conferences, meetups, and community gatherings still matter more than ever.Whether you attended Crop or missed it entirely, this conversation is about the bigger picture: growth, connection, momentum, and what happens when creatives get in the same room together.Stay till the end for some special thank you messages from Crop attendees.

Most rebrands look good on the surface. This one actually meant something.In this episode, we go inside the rebrand of Shear Revival with Zach, Nader, and Tom, breaking down what it really takes to evolve a brand without losing its core. From early conversations and living room brainstorms to building a full visual system, this wasn’t a quick refresh, it was a thoughtful reset rooted in clarity, collaboration, and craft.We get into what most designers and founders miss about rebranding, why it’s more than just a logo, and how the right process can actually move a business forward. If you’ve ever thought about rebranding, or you’re in the middle of one right now, this is the real playbook.Here are the links for Nader:www.nbdco.comwww.instagram.com/nbdco_Here are Zach's links:[email protected]/shearrevivalwww.tiktok.com/@shearrevivalyoutube.com/@shearrevival

In a world where everything looks clean, polished, and technically perfect, why does so much of it feel forgettable? In this solo episode, Nick Longo breaks down the growing tension in the design industry, where great-looking work is no longer enough, and audiences are starting to question what’s real, what’s human, and what actually stands out.Pulling from current industry conversations and real creative trends, this episode explores why showing your process, your thinking, and even your imperfections is becoming a serious advantage. From the rise of mixed-media and raw aesthetics to the increasing skepticism around AI-generated work, Nick dives into what it really takes to build trust, stand out, and create work that actually connects.If you’ve ever felt like your work is getting lost in a sea of “pretty good,” this episode is your wake-up call. Because in today’s landscape, authenticity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s the edge.

What does creative leadership actually look like today?In this episode, Kiser Barnes breaks down the evolution of brand building, from traditional top-down models to inclusive, bottom-up creative cultures that empower teams to thrive. He shares how diverse life experiences shape stronger creative perspectives, why innovation is about building better experiences instead of chasing technology, and how curiosity fuels long-term growth.You’ll learn why generosity of time is one of the most underrated leadership skills, how personal passions sharpen creative output, and why culture, not control, builds brands that last. If you’re ready to move beyond just making work and start shaping teams, experiences, and impact, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership in design.Kiser Links:Website: https://www.redantler.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiser_barnesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiserbarnes/Tom:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlauro_design/