Isolation is something a lot of creatives go through, particularly if they’re working from home. How important is human contact as a designer? Is there a happy medium between a full-time office job or working from home alone? What are some effective ways to connect with like-minded people? How should your personality type dictate your work life? We cover all this and more in today’s episode of The Honest Designer’s Show.
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Meet Your Hosts
The Honest Designers Show started when our founder Tom found he was regularly chatting and sharing tips with top designers; Ian Barnard, Lisa Glanz and Dustin Lee. We soon organised a weekly call where we would help each other with areas we were struggling with and try to give each other actionable feedback. Soon we realised that the collective experience of the group was proving so valuable for each of us, that we thought ‘why not share these conversations with the world?’.
And so, The Honest Designers Show was born! This podcast is an insight into how to succeed in the creative industry, as well as giving you a totally transparent, under the hood look at some of the tougher, less glamorous hurdles to overcome! We also tend to get a little goofy along the way, so this is a chance to get to know each of us a little better :). We’ve loved recording this show for you, and we hope that you find value and enjoyment in listening to it.
SHOW NOTES
In this episode we talk about isolation as a designer. We compare working from home to working with a team, and look at some ways you can find a happy middle ground, that suits your personality type.
[1.00] We’re all isolated
[2.00] Why your personality type dictates your level of isolation when working
[2.50] Ian’s experience working with a team
[3.15] Our collective desperation for human-connection
[4.00] Ian’s coffee breaks and Dustin’s loneliness!
[6.00] How Skype calls can help
[6.50] Adapting your situation around your mindset
[7.45] Ian escaping to London to get people time in
[9.15] Why face to face interaction matters
[10.30] Lisa’s tips for outside activities reducing isolation
[12.00] Lisa finding mental balance (talking to her pets!)
[13.20] The importance of making a non-work schedule
[14.15] Why you shouldn’t be one dimension with your interests
[15.20] Design conferences and communities
[17.20] Ian and Dustin meeting in real life at a conference
[18.30] How the average person has no idea what creatives do
[21.20] The importance of ‘doing you’
[22.20] There are options, and there can be a middle-ground
[23.30] Ian’s friend’s dad who was living the designer dream!
[24.40] The freedom of being a freelancer
[25.50] The benefits of working in an office
[29.30] How offices can also be bad for your mindset
[30.30] Why the atmosphere where you work is everything
[31.30] Dustin paying attention to his ‘biological rhythms’
[32.30] Dustin having the freedom to nap every day
[34.00] Lisa needing more balance and less isolation
[36.15] Lisa being a machine!
[38.20] How Lisa’s personality type is so determined and dedicated (dictating her work life set up)
[40.00] Being grateful for your work-life balance
[43.00] The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people
[45.30] Escaping from the daily routine
How you can help
As this is a new show, we’d really appreciate your help spreading the word. If you enjoyed listening and found value in this episode, you can do these two things to help us:
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2. Leave us an honest rating/review in iTunes
Early reviews can make the world of difference for new podcasts being discovered, and it would mean the world to us if you were able to help.
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Want Help From the Honest Designers?
We would love to help you with your creative journey! Simply use #honestdesigners on social media, and the four of us would love to check out what you’re working on, join the discussion and try to help wherever we can!
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Let Us Know What You Think
We would absolutely love to know how you enjoyed this episode. We’ll be releasing a new episode each Wednesday, and look forward to hopefully answering many of your questions on the show.
Tht’as going to make things a lot easier from here on out.
Hey Rena,
Thank you so much- that really is great news!
I totally absolutely love the podcasts. I am not exactly a designer, but I’m finding everything you guys talk about so interesting and eye-opening and relevant. From about whether a formal education is key, to pricing, and isolation, client relationships… wow. I look forward to every show, and listening to you guys banter and talk about relatable relevant experiences. Thumbs up.
Hey Ruth,
That’s awesome to hear thank you so much!
The topics that the team cover can definitely be applied to a lot of things, not just design, so everyone is welcome to tune in and we are really glad that you have. We’ve got loads more to share with you and hope that we can continue to relate with you :)
Was I the only one who found it hard to follow and listen because of all the joking around and side tracking that happened?
I was hoping this would be a more serious and straight forward talk.
Hey Alana,
Thanks so much for taking the time to give us your feedback!
I’m really sorry to hear that you found this episode hard to follow! The 4 honest designer work very closely together and are so comfortable with one and other that their podcast recordings are often more like regular catch ups as opposed to formal discussions.
Rest assured though, this has been noted by all of the team and as the show has had such a great response, they will definitely be more conscious of falling off topic in future :)
Great fun, I really loved listening to this podcast whilst I worked, not only did I find it really helpful but it also frequently made me laugh out loud. To Lisa – yes I absolutely talk to my dogs, they’d be extremely upset with me if I didn’t! To Dustin – I couldn’t agree with you more, my afternoon nap is an essential part of my daily routine :)
I think it’s made me realise that I really should make more effort to get out more, I’m one of those people who’d hate to have my computer taken away cos all my friends are in it! lol
Many thanks to all of you for your time and input – keep ’em coming!
Natalie :)
Hey Natalie,
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave us a comment!
I totally agree with you here- I almost feel like i’m there with them when I have them in my ears throughout the day which is pretty cool. And who doesn’t talk to their dogs? I mean, I don’t have any myself but when I see them in the street i’m the first to run over for a pet and to tell them how gorgeous they are :D
It’s lovely to hear that you are enjoying the show Natalie and rest assured, there’s plenty more coming :)
If for no other reason than to remind myself that I am not alone, I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast. I have been enjoying all of them, in fact. Thank you for posting them on your site!
Thanks so much Tracey! I’m thrilled you’re enjoying the podcast. I hope you’ll get value from the upcoming episodes, and please know that you’re not alone – we’re always here to help if you should need something.