This week we look at the positive aspects of being a designer. We all absolutely love what we do and it’s sometimes important to stop and think about how awesome it is that we all get to create and design for a living. It can be easy to get swept up into some of the negatives of dealing with clients and other headaches, but really there is a lot to be grateful for.

[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/honestdesigners/HD_22.mp3?dest-id=468740″ social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” title=”Episode 22: Why Being a Designer Rocks!”]

Also on:Honest Designer SticherHonest Designer iTunesHonest Designer Soundcloud


Show Notes for This Episode:

[1:00] This week we’re talking about the positive aspects of being a designer
[2:00] Dustin’s biggest positive is working from home and being able to take care of his little girls and spending quality moments with them
[2:40] The benefits of freelancing in general
[3:25] Tom gives Jacob Cass from Just Creative as an example of a designer that gets to travel with his wife while they both freelance in their respective ways
[4:30] The freedom of being a freelance designer
[5:10] Not all jobs give you the chance of being a freelancer
[6:00] Freedom of time
[6:40] Positives of being a designer in general, not just freelance
[7:30] Every day is different and every project is different
[8:20] The opportunity of improving your skills and shaping your career in your own time
[9:20] Seeing the end result of your work and getting the satisfaction of creating something
[10:20] Being embarrassed of your old work is fine – it shows you’re growing and developing
[11:15] Getting paid to doodle and making things look prettier
[12:20] Monetizing a hobby
[13:20] Other people can’t make sense of how you’re making a living
[14:30] Dustin gets paid to talk about numbers and inspire other designers
[16:00] Lisa says designers are like little elves that work behind the scenes
[17:30] Geeking about technology and being able use all the new features on the market
[19:10] Getting gadgets that pay for themselves from the design work your creating with them
[19:40] Tom lists designer as one of the top four jobs that is great to be skilled in
[21:20] Being able to create your own marketing materials and making your business look good
[22:30] Design skills can be applied to other parts of your life
[22:50] Ian reveals he is qualified as an electrician
[25:00] Being a designer is low pressure and low risk
[25:40] Inspiring creativity into your client’s business and giving their business meaning
[27:00] The hidden value of packaging design
[28:00] Biggest positive of loving what you do
[29:00] Most people don’t understand how designers can get so excited about their job
[29:50] Not dreading Mondays and the amount of work it brings
[31:20] Excuse to buy a lot of design books and stationery
[32:30] Having a quirky job and being different to others
[35:00] Designers get the privilege of blurring the lines between work and fun
[36:10] There are no limits to your income


“A must for every creative freelancer (or those aspiring to freelance). Thank you for being so… honest! Such a wealth of information from people I admire who have ‘been there and done that’. Listening to the podcast every week feels like I’m among friends. Can’t wait for more episodes!” – AG_GD