T. Christian Helms is the creative force behind Helms Workshop, a branding agency based in Austin known for crafting bold, character-driven brands. He’s a designer, writer, speaker, and former Pentagram-er who once designed a logo in a Burger King bathroom (yep, really).

In this episode, Christian and Nicholas Kuhne dive into why design without thinking is dead, how to build a brand that makes people feel something, and what separates a pretty logo from a movement. If you’ve ever been frustrated by clients picking the “safe” option, or wondered whether brand agencies still matter in an AI-driven world – this is the one to queue up.

🔥 Expect hard truths, deep thoughts on the future of branding, and a refreshing reminder that building a brand is about making possibilities, not just pretty things.

Website: helmsworkshop.com
Instagram: @helmsworkshop

👉 Listen in for a masterclass in creative strategy, branding bravery, and why human-first design still matters.

00:00 – Meet the “Original Mr. T”: Christian Helms
01:16 – A designer’s oddest workspace: the Burger King bathroom story
02:25 – Why design without thinking is just art
03:26 – That client always picks the worst option – why?
05:12 – Convincing clients to be brave
06:34 – Branding = creating new possibilities
08:18 – Emotional vs functional branding (and why most banks are boring)
09:58 – Do brand agencies still matter?
12:57 – Competing with giants like Landor and Interbrand
14:41 – What Helms Workshop actually does
16:52 – Will brand agencies have a renaissance?
18:33 – How Helms hires and keeps great talent
20:45 – How Christian stays inspired and avoids burnout
22:44 – Where to find Christian and his work

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