Two Red Chairs

Don’t worry, it’s still going to exist, but the Two Red Chairs podcast name is going to be retired and transition to be called the G’day Design Life podcast with a new season of content. Still keeping the same content and the format going, just under a different name given I no longer sit in a red chair any more that was the calling card for the show initially when it started out. And all of this is part of a shift in my efforts with G’day Design Life to move it across to my G’day Frank brand - especially integrating it with similar branded elements like the pink brand colour, fonts and visual elements. So you’ll see this podcast back up and running in a couple of weeks with new episodes as it continues on - but with a new opening/closing title sequence and cover art to go along with the name change. To keep in touch with this podcast and any updates here are some relevant links to follow along: Website: gdaydesignlife.com OR: gdayfrank.com/gdl Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdayfrank/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/teamGDL

This week it’s just me, Frank, sharing my thoughts on two particular topics I’ve covered in my content over on my @gdayfrank account on Instagram and even LinkedIn. The first of which is about dealing with instances of negative feedback and interactions from people. They could be clients, fellow designers or other people online that have nothing better to do than throw shade. It’s something I’ve personally experienced, especially as I do share a fair bit out there - but I share my perspective on this area that can make life uncomfortable if not treated well. The second topic I cover is the prevalence of overnight ‘thought-leaders’ or ‘prophets’ or ‘experts’ that are being put on a pedestal by others. However these same people never have shared an example of the work they actually do/have done or a testimonial to really back up their claims. Typically they’re just content creators and they somehow attract clients willing to pay for their services only to find they can’t deliver. Leaving the client to seek out the services of another designer that can do the job. It’s something I’ve experienced a few times now, however it puts me and others on the back foot in the mind of the client as their perception and trust in creatives has lessened or diminished. So as you can see it’s a bit of a rant, but if on both accounts you feel the same way and thought you were the only one thinking it - I hope this helps you feel a little less alone. For more info about this podcast head to: gdaydesignlife.com Or follow GDL on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdaydesignlife

In this week’s episode, I’m chatting with American branding designer and coach, Brandi Sea from Albuquerque-Santa Fe. In our chat, Brandi shares her design life story that took her from agency life as an in-house creative, to starting her own business and since giving back to fellow creatives in in-house design roles or as creative entrepreneurs to be leaders with confidence and create work that gets noticed We dive into a common experience we all have at one point or another, which is comparison-itis - comparing yourself to others behind or ahead of you. But also how our design life journey is all about learning more and also sharing your knowledge with others. To connect with Brandi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandisea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandisea/ Website: http://www.brandisea.com/ For more info about this podcast head to: gdaydesignlife.com Or follow GDL on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdaydesignlife

In this week’s episode, I’m chatting with British branding designer, Danielle Clarke from Derbyshire, UK. In our chat, Danielle shares her story of becoming a design business owner and scratching that itch to start her business during the pandemic last year. It came out of realising the unhappiness in unfulfilling jobs that Danielle was in but then seeing that the road to fulfilment was by having a hands-on process when helping business owners develop their brands and share that journey with them. So this is a story about having the courage to do something that breaks the mould of what we’re told to do of going to school and then getting a job. It’s scary but for those of us that take that leap, we find our place in what we feel we were meant to do. Also, during our chat Danielle brings up her gratitude journal - if you’d like to check that out, here is the link to find the same one: https://bit.ly/3taYAEp To connect with Danielle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielleclarkecreative/ To connect with Danielle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-clarke-80806135/ For more info about this podcast head to: gdaydesignlife.com Or follow GDL on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdaydesignlife

This week it’s just me, Frank, sharing a design business problem for your to learn from. Back in episode 19, the first episode of 2021, I shared a problem I had of line item pricing a proposal that had a client tick off deliverables they deemed unnecessary. For the second edition of my problems to learn from, this one happened recently to me and it revolves around discounting your rates for clients. To hear what it was alllll about and to avoid making the same mistake, you better jump on board this podcast train for a short 17 min episode. For more info about this podcast head to: gdaydesignlife.com Or follow GDL on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdaydesignlife

This week’s episode I’m chatting with the founder and CEO of Hnry - James Fuller from Wellington, New Zealand QUICK CAVEAT - Hnry is a service that is currently limited to Australian and New Zealand based business owners. But do reach out to their team if you want them to look at a bringing their service to you country. So these guys at Hnry do things differently when it comes to accounting and managing your business finances. Hnry pays your taxes as you earn, so you never have to think about tax and compliance ever again! Like, common! When you sign up, you no longer need an accountant or accounting software, you don't need to calculate or make tax payments any more, it can manage your expenses and invoicing, you also don't need to try and get the best deals on your professional insurances - The Hnry platform and service do it all for you. It’s a really great chat as the Hnry team really put solopreneur/freelancers at the heart of their purpose to deliver a great experience that to be honest, takes away the boring and confusing stuff about business. So do check this episode out and the service they are offering. - To find out more about Hnry: https://hnry.co To connect with Hnry Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hnryau To connect with Hnry New Zealand on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hnrynz - For more info about this podcast head to: gdaydesignlife.com Or follow GDL on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdaydesignlife

This week’s episode I’m chatting with Norwegian branding designer and strategist, Marianne Børresen from Oslo, Norway. In our chat, Marianne shares her design life journey that led her to Interbrand at the start of her design career after university and took her through a raft of experiences working in agency life. Until finding her feet after a health battle to start her own business, Creative Garden. Towards the end of the chat Marianne also shares a great tip to manage your business and personal finances that is well worth the listen to avoid the mental stress our finances can have on our creativity. To connect with Marianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativegarden.no For more info about this podcast head to: gdaydesignlife.com Or follow GDL on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdaydesignlife

This week’s episode I’m chatting with an extraordinary Aussie designer, Matt Haynes who runs TDC - @the.design.conference up in Brisbane, Australia in June (16-18th). Now this episode is next level because Matt shares a tonne about his life and philosophy for it. Having started out in life as a professional baseball player and even making it to the MLB, Matt then turned to design after a stint in trying his hand at architecture. But what followed his design studies, was the birth of TDC for his fellow classmates. I’m also partnering up with Matt and TDC to offer you 20% off for in-person and virtual tickets to the event using the promo code ‘gdayfrank’ - We’d both love to see you there or be a part of it online. To get tickets to TDC and find out more info: https://www.thedesignconference.com.au/ To connect with Matthew via TDC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.design.conference/ - - - For more info about this podcast head to: gdaydesignlife.com Or follow GDL on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdaydesignlife

EP 29 - Only ONE logo option? - with Waldemar Perez This week’s episode I’m chatting with fellow branding designer Waldemar Perez from San Juan, Puerto Rico, about the impact that presenting only one logo option to his clients has made on his design process. I’m very aligned myself with Waldemar’s strategy to only show client’s one finished concept when it comes to logo design. As it limits confusion because choice is taken off the table. But we also cover how to ensure that it’s the right move and some of the things to be aware of or at least frame well in a client’s mind when taking this approach, so that expectations are on par between all parties. To connect with Waldemar find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walde_brands For more info about this podcast head to: gdaydesignlife.com Or follow GDL on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdaydesignlife

This week’s episode I’m chatting with fellow branding designer Richard Ajayi from Lagos, Nigeria, about his transition of implementing strategic thinking into his branding process. For his process and client’s success, implementing brand stategy has allowed Rich to become a better designer and more trusted parter with his clients. To be able to solve his client’s brand related problems with more in-depth consideration and the execution of more than just a logo design. To connect with Rich find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.brand.rich For more info about this podcast head to: gdaydesignlife.com Or follow GDL on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdaydesignlife