In this episode, Nick sits down with longtime friend and fellow brand designer Chris Porter to talk about giving back to the creative community, from mentoring young designers and supporting student programs to helping with grants and industry advocacy.We’re diving into how you can show up, share your experience, and create real impact without needing a big platform or a fancy title. If you’ve ever wondered how to leave a legacy that goes beyond your portfolio… this one’s for you.We also touch on Adobe’s new Creative Career Center and why tools like this are game-changers for the next generation of creatives.https://www.behance.net/resources?tracking_source=nav20https://www.babygrand.co/🚀 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgdcpod/🚀 Explore more at: linktr.ee/dgdcpod🚀Our Shop: deeplygraphicgoods.printful.me#GraphicDesign #DesignPodcast #CreativeBusiness

Inspired by love, legacy, and the hunger to create something real.

In this episode, we sit down with Connór Lock, designer, artist, and self-taught chef, who walked away from the expected path and leaned hard into the fire. What started in his mother’s kitchen turned into a life of storytelling through food, driven by resilience, love, and a deep refusal to play by anyone else’s rules.We talk about the emotional fuel behind his work, how design still shapes his cooking, and the powerful legacy of a tortilla with butter. Connór is currently competing in the Favorite Chef contest, and after hearing this conversation, you’ll know exactly why he’s one to watch.Vote for Connor Here: https://favchef.com/2025/connor-lockIG: @HeyStaahjwww.staahj.comIG: @7avisualcraftsmanwww.followseven.com

Dan Janssen, founder and creative director of Lincoln Design Co., returns to the show for a deep dive into the studio’s highly anticipated new release: The Brand Design of a Brand Design Agency. This 288-page book isn't about client work—it's a behind-the-scenes look at how Lincoln built its own brand from the inside out. Packed with unreleased logos, illustrations, internal marketing, swag, and studio stories, the book is a decade-in-the-making tribute to what happens when a studio treats itself like its most important client.

In this episode, we unpack the big ideas behind the book, why it exists, who it’s for, and how it challenges the traditional rules of branding and self-promotion. Dan shares lessons learned from building a dream studio culture, creating products that leave lasting impressions, and the importance of documenting your creative evolution.

We also talk about the value of getting outside the design bubble. Fresh off Crop Con in Austin and gearing up for the Licensing Expo in Vegas, we swap insights on how conferences, both design-focused and industry-specific—can fuel creativity, spark collaborations, and push your studio’s visibility beyond the usual crowd.

If you're a designer, creative director, studio owner, or student looking to understand what it really takes to build a brand-first creative business, this one’s for you.

📕 Grab the book and explore more:
👉 https://shorturl.at/MCWWF
🔗 https://www.lincolndesignco.com/