Brand Your Brain

In this episode, I'm exploring an anonymous confession about using AI in creative work through a community-driven discussion. I collected anonymous responses that represent a range of viewpoints, highlighting the conversations happening in the creative community. DISCLAIMER: This episode aims to create understanding and encourage a conversation rather than shame. Even though all responses couldn't be read in this episode, I aimed to read multiple responses with differing viewpoints. I acknowledge the complexity of the issues discussed & I do want to emphasise that I am still unsure where I stand on the topic. My approach with this episode is to present various perspectives and let you draw your own conclusions.Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit it here⁠⁠Sign up for the newsletter & Get involved with the podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!

In this episode, I’m doing something a little different.Recently, I sent out a newsletter about how I noticed designers Googling each other’s clients to “check if the projects are real.” I didn’t expect much. But then… my inbox exploded.Turns out, people have thoughts. Some agreed with me. Some challenged me. So in today’s episode, I’m reading out a bunch of those anonymous replies and reacting to each one with my honest take.We’re talking:Whether designers should disclose passion projectsWhy people get weird about “fake clients”The pressure to look busy onlineReal vs. passion work and does it even matter?If you’ve ever hesitated to share a mock project or worried you’d be seen as “less than” for doing passion work, this one's for youMENTIONED EPISODE: When pretending to have clients backfiresReady to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠Submit it hereGet The Newsletter, Templates & Design Freebies ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the Podcast Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!

In this episode, I’m joined by designer James Barnard to talk about pricing transparency. After reading a confession from a creative who said listing their prices might have scared off all their leads, we talk about why this advice doesn’t work for everyone. We also get into how to communicate your value without putting numbers on your site as well as some of James' tips for social media content. If you’ve ever second-guessed your pricing, or wondered whether you’re making things harder for yourself, this one’s for you.The Creative Confession™ we're discussing: "I saw designers on Threads saying that if we want to be as transparent and as accessible as possible then we should put our prices on our websites so I did. I've noticed I haven't had a single lead since. I had a good flow of leads before and I think I tried to fix something that wasn't broken. "CONNECT WITH JAMES:⁠James' Instagram⁠⁠James' Website⁠✷ Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠Submit your own Creative Confession™ ⁠here⁠CONNECT WITH ROBIN:✷ Get Design Freebies ⁠here⁠✷ Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!

This week I’m joined by Jenn from Stankin Good Design to talk all about the pressure to perform on social media, designing for visibility instead of value, and the real cost of chasing validation from other designers instead of your actual clients.Together we unpack:How to spot when you’re designing for the algorithm, not your audienceWhether trends are helping or hurting your creativityThe difference between soul work and survival workWhy not everyone can afford to “just create for fun”Reconnecting with your creative voice (and your clients) offlineIf you’ve ever caught yourself designing for likes instead of purpose, this one’s for you.Connect with Jenn!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stankingood_design/More links: linktr.ee/stankingoodReady to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠Submit it here⁠⁠Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the Podcast Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get The Newsletter, Templates & Design Freebies ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!

This year, I invited six incredible designers to reflect on their 2024 journeys. In this special end-of-year episode, they get real about their biggest wins, their hardest fails, the advice they’d give to new designers, and their creative confessions.This is a raw, honest look at the ups and downs of life as a creative. Whether you’re starting out or you’ve been in the game for years, these stories will inspire, motivate, and remind you that you’re not alone.GUESTS, LINKS & TIMESTAMPSGuest 1:Kristy Campbell - Brand & Graphic Designer & Owner of Pink Pony Creative(Segment Starts at 01:07)Kristy’s WebsiteKristy’s InstagramKristy’s Adobe MAX SessionGuest 2:Liz Mosley - Brand & Graphic Designer & Podcaster(Segment Starts at 11:56)Liz’ WebsiteLiz’ InstagramBuilding Your Brand PodcastGuest 3:Frankie Harry - Freelance Brand & Graphic Designer(Segment Starts at 22:20)Frankie’s WebsiteFrankie’s InstagramFrankie’s YouTubeGuest 4:Craig Reid - Typography & Identity Designer(Segment Starts at 33:10)Craig’s WebsiteCraig's InstagramCraig’s YouTubeGuest 5:CK - Brand Designer for the Multi-passionate(Segment Starts at 40:36)CK’s WebsiteCK’s InstagramCK’s Digital StoreGuest 6:Morgan Hastie - Brand & Packaging Designer at The Logo Lassie(Segment Starts at 48:45)Morgan’s WebsiteMorgan’s Instagram✷ Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠Submit your own Creative Confession™ ⁠here⁠CONNECT WITH ROBIN:✷ Get Design Freebies ⁠here⁠✷ Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!

Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠⁠Submit your Creative Confession here⁠⁠⁠Follow Robin on Instagram⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠Follow the Podcast Instagram⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠Get The Newsletter, Templates & Design Freebies⁠⁠here⁠⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!

It’s the Halloween Special 👻This week, I’m joined by Craig Reid; Scottish designer, art school student, and certified chaotic good for a Halloween episode full of creative horror stories and designer confessions that’ll make your blood run cold. We read through anonymous creative confessions™ from real designers who confessed everything from designing logos in Photoshop and skipping contracts… to staying awake for 24 hours to finish a brand and getting ghosted anyway.It’s part nightmare fuel, and part group chat energy, so if you’ve ever felt like your creative horror story belongs in a Halloween movie, this episode is for you.CONNECT WITH CRAIG:Craig's Instagram✷ Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠Submit your own Creative Confession™ ⁠here⁠CONNECT WITH ROBIN:✷ Get Design Freebies ⁠here⁠✷ Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!

I'm chatting with Kristy Campbell, founder of Pink Pony Creative, to talk about how embracing your unique style and personality can transform your business. We're talking all about the challenges and rewards of going all in on what makes you stand out, from creating a team to leveraging a unique name to building a brand that people can’t forget. The Creative Confession™ we're discussing: “I have heard it’s good to show your personality through your work and business but I’m scared people won’t take me seriously” CONNECT WITH KRISTY:Kristy's InstagramPink Pony Creative InstagramPink Pony Creative Website✷ Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠Submit your own Creative Confession™ ⁠here⁠CONNECT WITH ROBIN:✷ Get Design Freebies ⁠here⁠✷ Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today I was joined by Liz Mosley to talk all about rejection in your business. Liz created her 'Rejection Challenge', a fun challenge allowing her to reach out for more opportunities than she normally would and embracing rejection as a normal part of running a business. Today's Creative Confession™: "I saw a TikTok of a designer going into their local stores to market their graphic design services - and I want to do this, but I'm worried that the store owners will laugh or straight up ignore me."Connect with Liz!Liz's InstagramLiz's WebsiteBuilding your Brand Podcast✷ Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠Submit your own Creative Confession™ ⁠here⁠CONNECT WITH ROBIN:✷ Get Design Freebies ⁠here⁠✷ Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today I'm joined by Morgan of The Logo Lassie and we're talking about the use of AI in design work, mostly for creating mockups and product visualisations. We explore the pros and cons of using AI-generated content and share the importance of transparency and disclosure when presenting this work to clients. The Creative Confession™ we're discussing: "I want to use more AI in my work for mock ups I designed for aestheticians and I find it hard to find good mock ups.I feel like I have to disclose that I'm using AI online and to my clients and I'm nervous that people will value my work less"CONNECT WITH MORGAN!⁠Morgan's Instagram⁠Morgan's WebsiteResources Mentioned in this Episode:Morgan's AI WorkshopLaura Evans Packaging CoursePantone Colour StripsThis episode is not sponsored or endorsed by any of these products/brands✷ Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠Submit your own Creative Confession™ ⁠here⁠CONNECT WITH ROBIN:✷ Get Design Freebies ⁠here⁠✷ Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!

In this episode, I’m joined by Frankie Harry to talk honestly about loneliness in freelance design, building real community, and finding your rhythm as a creative.After getting two confessions about how isolating this industry can feel, we dig into practical ways to meet people offline and document your journey.The Creative Confession(s)™ we're discussing: ✷ “Being a self-employed designer full time is so lonely… I just want to design where I’m happiest and connect with other people, maybe have a co-working call with other freelance designers once a month.”✷ “People underestimate how lonely it can be being a new designer. It’s easy to feel even lonelier when you see communities and just want to fit in especially when you’ve transitioned from a different industry.”CONNECT WITH FRANKIE!Frankie's InstagramFrankie's WebsiteFrankie's Recent Video✷ Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠Submit your own Creative Confession™ ⁠here⁠CONNECT WITH ROBIN:✷ Get Design Freebies ⁠here⁠✷ Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!

In this episode, I’m joined by CJ Cawley, designer, content creator, and all-round creative to talk about anxiety, authenticity, and showing up online even when it’s uncomfortable. After getting a handful of confessions from creatives struggling with social media confidence, we dive deep into what it really feels like to put yourself out there. From overthinking how you look or sound, to the pressure of chasing numbers and staying “on brand", CJ and I unpack fear and insecurity of the creative process.The Creative Confessions(s)™ we're discussing:✷ “My anxiety is stopping me from getting in front of the camera and talking, but maybe I need to because that’s what everybody else is doing.”✷ “I love what I do and I want to be a successful designer, but when it comes to social media, I just don’t have the motivation all the time.”✷ “I’m scared that my insecurities will show up in my work.”CONNECT WITH CJCJ's InstagramCJ's WebsiteWatch CJ's Youtube Video✷ Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠Submit your own Creative Confession™ ⁠here⁠CONNECT WITH ROBIN:✷ Get Design Freebies ⁠here⁠✷ Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!

In this episode, I’m joined by CK, the designer behind CzarCreates, to talk about balancing creative careers with traditional ones, transferable skills, and finding your way into design from unexpected paths.After getting a confession from a creative studying psychology who feels torn between their degree and pursuing design, we dig into what it’s really like to build a creative business while working in another field.We chat about creative identity, using past experience to your advantage, how “non-creative” jobs secretly prepare you for design, and the mindset shifts that help you make peace with doing both. CK also shares how she transitioned from law into brand design, built two creative businesses, and found her groove as the pocket-rocket branding pal she is today 🚀The Creative Confession™ we're discussing:"I've always been creative and I want to pursue design but I feel like I can’t. I’m studying psychology and I’ve been doing it for a few years. I’m worried that I can’t do both or will disappoint people if I try to build a creative career instead of following through with my plan to get a degree. I think you mentioned studied psychology so any feedback helps"CONNECT WITH CK:CK's InstagramCK's Brand InstagramCK's Website✷ Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠Submit your own Creative Confession™ ⁠here⁠CONNECT WITH ROBIN:✷ Get Design Freebies ⁠here⁠✷ Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!

DISCLAIMER: This episode is from before Brand Your Brain became a confession-based podcast. At this time, the podcast was more about answering listener questions and sharing my own freelance journey. As of July 2024 and onwards, the podcast now shares anonymous confessions sent in by listeners to show the real, unfiltered side of freelancing. If that’s what you’re here for, start from July 2024 onward! Got a confession to share? ⁠⁠Submit it here⁠⁠Follow Robin on Instagram⁠⁠here⁠⁠Follow the Podcast Instagram⁠⁠here⁠⁠Get The Newsletter, Templates & Design Freebies⁠here⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!.

In this episode I am joined by Marisa & Kenzi; coaches at The Brief Collective and we're talking all things money & pricing! Charging too low and don't know how to move past it? Unsure of the impact of low prices in the design industry? This one's for you! If you're interested in learning more about this then snag your ticket to the Money Mindset Seminar below! https://golden-tree-665.myflodesk.com/ Follow TBC on Instagram! - https://www.instagram.com/thebriefcollective/ Follow Kenzi - https://www.instagram.com/kenzigreendesign/ Follow Marisa - https://www.instagram.com/marisaburgett_creative/ Don't forget to follow me on Instagram! My account - https://www.instagram.com/brandsbyrobin/ Studio Account - https://www.instagram.com/bbrdesignstudio/

DISCLAIMER: This episode is from before Brand Your Brain became a confession-based podcast. At this time, the podcast was more about answering listener questions and sharing my own freelance journey. As of July 2024 and onwards, the podcast now shares anonymous confessions sent in by listeners to show the real, unfiltered side of freelancing. If that’s what you’re here for, start from July 2024 onward! Got a confession to share? ⁠Submit it here⁠Follow Robin on Instagram⁠here⁠Follow the Podcast Instagram⁠here⁠Get The Newsletter, Templates & Design FreebieshereEnjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!.

DISCLAIMER: This episode is from before Brand Your Brain became a confession-based podcast. At this time, the podcast was more about answering listener questions and sharing my own freelance journey. As of July 2024 and onwards, the podcast now shares anonymous confessions sent in by listeners to show the real, unfiltered side of freelancing. If that’s what you’re here for, start from July 2024 onward! Got a confession to share? ⁠Submit it here⁠Follow Robin on Instagram⁠here⁠Follow the Podcast Instagram⁠here⁠Get The Newsletter, Templates & Design FreebieshereEnjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!.

DISCLAIMER: This episode is from before Brand Your Brain became a confession-based podcast. At this time, the podcast was more about answering listener questions and sharing my own freelance journey. As of July 2024 and onwards, the podcast now shares anonymous confessions sent in by listeners to show the real, unfiltered side of freelancing. If that’s what you’re here for, start from July 2024 onward! Got a confession to share? Submit it hereFollow Robin on Instagram hereFollow the Podcast Instagram hereEnjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!.

Hey there, welcome to "A Brand New Brain" – the podcast for brand designers and creative business owners like me & you. I'm your host, Robin, and I'm sharing my own trials and errors, unforgettable client stories, and my experiences in the creative realm. This podcast is all about learning from my mistakes, gaining confidence, and finding your groove. So buckle up, fellow creative souls, because we're about to dive deep into the exciting world of freelance brand design. Let's unleash that creativity and rock the design world together! Follow me on Instagram! - https://www.instagram.com/brandsbyrobin/ Website! - https://www.brandsbyrobin.com/

In this episode, I’m joined by Jess and Rachel, the duo behind Studio Morii to talk all things business partnerships, friendship, and honesty. After getting a confession from a creative who said starting a business with a friend feels scarier than going solo, we dig into what it’s actually like to build a brand with your best friend.We chat about keeping communication open, navigating finances together, managing stress in totally different ways, and how to protect your friendship when business gets serious. The Creative Confession™ we're discussing: “My friend and I have a plan to go into business together as a partnership and I am more anxious than her. I am nervous about starting a business with another person and it actually feels scarier than going solo.”CONNECT WITH JESS & RACH!StudioMorii InstagramStudioMorii Website✷ Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠Submit your own Creative Confession™ hereCONNECT WITH ROBIN:✷ Get Design Freebies here✷ Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!