Podcast Summary: The Angry Designer - "The WORST Graphic Design Advice Everyone Still Believes"

Episode Information:

• Podcast Title: The Angry Designer Graphic Design, Freelancing, Branding & Creative Business Podcast
• Host: Massimo and Sean
• Episode Title: The WORST Graphic Design Advice Everyone Still Believes
• Release Date: June 3, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Angry Designer, host Massimo and Sean delve into the pervasive and often misleading advice circulating within the graphic design community. Joined by a guest, they critically examine various "rules" and "sayings" that many designers are told to follow, highlighting why these pieces of advice can be detrimental to creative careers. The conversation is candid, infused with humor, and aims to empower designers to think critically and forge their own paths without falling prey to industry myths.

1. "Charge What You're Worth"

Timestamp: [05:14]

• Discussion: The guest argues that the phrase "charge what you're worth" is overly simplistic and lacks actionable guidance. Worth is subjective and emotional, making it an ineffective pricing model.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “Your worth is really subjective and emotional, but you can't really use that as a pricing model.” ([05:32])

• Insights:

  • Pricing should be based on the value delivered, not just personal self-worth.
  • Factors like experience, expertise, and the specific value provided to clients should inform pricing strategies.

2. "Do What You Love and Money Will Follow"

Timestamp: [07:47]

• Discussion: While passion is crucial, relying solely on it without a solid business strategy can lead to financial instability.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “Passion alone doesn't pay the bills.” ([08:04])

• Insights:

  • Designers must balance passion with pragmatic business decisions.
  • Building a sustainable career requires strategic planning alongside doing what one loves.

3. "The Client Is Always Right"

Timestamp: [10:51]

• Discussion: This adage can be misleading as clients may lack the necessary design knowledge, leading to poor creative decisions.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “Although they are right in what they want, it's up to you to find their problems.” ([11:32])

• Insights:

  • Designers should act as consultants, guiding clients toward the best solutions even if it means challenging their initial requests.
  • Maintaining expertise and providing informed recommendations ensures better outcomes for both parties.

4. "Niche Fast"

Timestamp: [13:35]

• Discussion: Prematurely niching can limit growth and be detrimental if not aligned with the designer's expertise and passion.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “Premature niching can limit your growth. It could actually be catastrophic.” ([14:16])

• Insights:

  • Designers should explore various industries before committing to a niche.
  • Niching should occur when one is genuinely ready and has a deep understanding of the chosen sector.

5. "Good Design Sells Itself"

Timestamp: [15:03]

• Discussion: Good design requires strategic promotion and must align with business objectives to be effective.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “Good design has to be pushed. It has to have the right strategy behind it.” ([15:32])

• Insights:

  • Design should be part of a broader marketing and business strategy.
  • Without proper implementation, even the most aesthetically pleasing designs can fail to deliver results.

6. "Pay Your Dues"

Timestamp: [16:31]

• Discussion: "Paying your dues" is often misinterpreted as accepting toxic work environments or underpaying, which is not the intended message.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “Paying your dues means experiencing a variety of work, not enduring abuse or exploitation.” ([17:16])

• Insights:

  • Gaining diverse experiences is valuable, but not at the expense of personal well-being or fair compensation.
  • Setting boundaries is essential to prevent exploitation while building a robust portfolio.

7. "Graphic Designers Need a Degree to Be Legit"

Timestamp: [22:15]

• Discussion: The necessity of formal education is questioned, especially when many successful designers are self-taught or have bypassed traditional degrees.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “True design education comes after post-secondary education. Many skip this and succeed through passion and curiosity.” ([23:11])

• Insights:

  • Practical skills and a strong portfolio often outweigh formal credentials.
  • Continuous self-education through online resources can be as effective as traditional schooling.

8. "Always Give Three Logo Options or Always Only Present One Logo Option"

Timestamp: [24:29]

• Discussion: There is no one-size-fits-all approach to presenting logo options. The emphasis should be on the process and reasoning behind the designs rather than the number of options.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “The number of concepts really doesn't matter. It's the process and conviction behind them that counts.” ([25:11])

• Insights:

  • Flexibility in approach is key; what matters most is effectively communicating and justifying the design choices.
  • Both presenting multiple options or a single, well-thought-out option can be effective depending on the context.

9. "Never Say No to Work"

Timestamp: [27:02]

• Discussion: Constantly accepting work without discernment leads to burnout and diminishes quality. It's important to decline projects that do not align with one's values or business goals.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “If you're not making money on this, then you should be working on your own stuff, not customer work that doesn't lead to anything.” ([28:02])

• Insights:

  • Selective acceptance of projects ensures better focus and sustainability.
  • Prioritizing aligned work supports long-term business success and personal satisfaction.

10. "Always Make the Client Happy"

Timestamp: [29:11]

• Discussion: Focusing solely on pleasing clients can lead to compromising on design integrity. Instead, the goal should be to solve the client's problems effectively.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “Pleasing clients is different from solving their problems. Focus on delivering the right results, not just their approval.” ([30:05])

• Insights:

  • Delivering value and effective solutions should take precedence over merely seeking client approval.
  • Building long-term relationships hinges on trust and successful outcomes rather than constant appeasement.

11. "Fake It Until You Make It"

Timestamp: [31:27]

• Discussion: This phrase is often misconstrued as deceitful, but it should instead be about building confidence and competence over time.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “It's about taking the confidence you have in what you can do, not faking your abilities.” ([32:15])

• Insights:

  • Use confidence to take on challenges and grow skills, not to misrepresent capabilities.
  • Gradual skill acquisition and genuine improvement lead to authenticity and success.

12. "Clients Want Award-Winning Designers"

Timestamp: [34:18]

• Discussion: Many design awards don’t reflect practical client needs and can sometimes represent superficial achievements rather than meaningful work.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “Most design awards aren't for client work and can be more about ego than delivering client value.” ([35:11])

• Insights:

  • Focus on delivering tangible results for clients rather than seeking accolades.
  • Awards should complement, not define, the quality and effectiveness of client work.

13. "Price Yourself Competitively"

Timestamp: [36:38]

• Discussion: Competing solely on price leads to a race to the bottom and undervaluing one’s services.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “Pricing yourself competitively against peers is the quickest way to race to the bottom.” ([36:50])

• Insights:

  • Set prices based on the unique value and expertise offered.
  • Differentiation through specialization and quality justifies higher pricing without direct competition on cost.

14. "Join Professional Design Organizations (e.g., RGD, AIGA, GDC)"

Timestamp: [47:32]

• Discussion: Membership in professional organizations is often overstated as a career booster, while actual benefits may be limited.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “Joining these organizations is a cash grab and offers resources that are readily available online for free.” ([47:56])

• Insights:

  • Evaluate the genuine benefits and ROI of joining such organizations.
  • Networking and resources can often be accessed through alternative, cost-effective means.

15. "If You're Good, You Don't Need to Market Yourself"

Timestamp: [50:21]

• Discussion: Talent alone isn't sufficient to secure clients; active marketing and self-promotion are essential.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “Being good just isn't enough. You’ve got to show up, speak up, network, and put yourself out there regularly.” ([51:18])

• Insights:

  • Consistent marketing efforts are crucial for visibility and attracting clients.
  • Building a personal brand and engaging with the community enhances career opportunities.

16. "Design is Storytelling"

Timestamp: [52:21]

• Discussion: While design involves elements of storytelling, reducing it to this single aspect oversimplifies the multifaceted nature of design work.

• Notable Quote:
  Guest: “These are fancy poetic one-liners that can confuse people. Design is about solving a customer's problem with intent.” ([52:32])

• Insights:

  • Design integrates various elements such as communication, empathy, and problem-solving.
  • Clear, actionable explanations of design processes and objectives are more effective than vague descriptions.

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Massimo, Sean, and their guest emphasize the importance of critical thinking in evaluating industry advice. They advocate for personalized approaches tailored to individual skills, experiences, and business goals rather than adhering to generic, often misleading sayings. By challenging conventional wisdom and encouraging designers to forge their own paths, the episode serves as a valuable guide for both novice and experienced graphic designers seeking to build sustainable and fulfilling careers.

Final Notable Quotes:

• Guest: “Embrace critical thinking. Don’t take anything you see online as verbatim.” ([54:02])
• Massimo: “If you could back up the story and why you did what you did—Boom.” ([26:41])

Closing Remarks: The episode wraps up with Massimo and Sean reinforcing the need for designers to stay informed, think independently, and continuously adapt to the evolving creative landscape. They conclude on a light-hearted note, reflecting on the ongoing whiskey degustation, underscoring their no-nonsense and authentic approach to tackling industry myths.

Stay Connected:

• Hosts: Massimo and Sean encourage listeners to stay creative yet critical, emphasizing the podcast’s mission to cut through industry bull and empower designers to build rewarding careers.

End of Summary