In this episode of the Pool Party, Jules welcomes Paley, a professional designer and artist. Paley shares her journey from working in the music industry to embracing design and art, highlighting her creative process, inspirations, and the importance of balancing work and personal passions. The discussion covers her experiences in music journalism, her transition into design, and her current work, including painting commissions and her forthcoming travels to Portland, England, and Lisbon. Jules and Paley also talk about the value of being persistent, overcoming perfectionism, and staying inspired. The episode wraps up with insights on maintaining creative consistency, the impact of improv classes, and advice for aspiring designers and artists.

01:21 Meeting Paley

02:46 Interview with Paley Begins

03:45 Paley's Journey in the Music Industry

05:17 Transition to Art and Design

07:23 The Role of Music in Paley's Art

09:51 Balancing Work and Creativity

11:57 Exploring New Skills: Improv Classes

21:01 Travel Adventures and Future Plans

25:05 Embracing New Environments

25:49 Exploring Local Destinations

26:26 Creative Ventures and Work Updates

29:04 The Joy of Painting

30:32 Consistency in Art

33:17 Building an Online Presence

37:24 Advice for Aspiring Creatives

44:21 Rapid Fire Questions

44:54 Dreams for the Future

46:23 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of The Pool Party, host Jules dives deep into using design skills with purpose and intention. Jules discusses the power of saying no to maintain creative energy, explores upcoming design trends for 2024 influenced by the changing economy and technology, and highlights how creatives can make a positive impact through pro bono work, activism, and community projects. The episode also features personal stories and insights on setting boundaries, navigating the job market, and balancing passion projects with practical work. Special attention is given to the challenges and benefits of freelancing, the changing landscape of social media, and the importance of designing for impact.

00:00 Welcome to The Pool Party

01:43 The Power of Saying No

05:13 Navigating the Job Market

09:48 Setting Boundaries in Creative Work

22:54 Exploring Design Trends for 2024

29:08 Closing Thoughts and Announcements

In this episode, we sit down with Marlon Antunez, a talented graphic designer. We explore Marlon's career journey, from his days as a product design major at Stanford to his innovative work at a leading media agency in LA. Marlon reflects on his approach to creativity, balancing design with other passions like photography and tennis, and the significance of forming friendships within the design industry. We delve into his popular Substack '1500 Fridays,' the inspiration behind it, trends in social media, and his vision for the future. This conversation offers insights into staying inspired, the evolving landscape of design, and practical advice for aspiring designers.

Marlon:

https://substack.com/@1500fridays

https://www.instagram.com/ojomarlon/

00:00 Introduction to Marlon: A Talented Designer

00:41 The Importance of Design Friendships

02:29 Marlon's Journey and Substack

03:21 The Story Behind 1500 Fridays

08:31 Life in LA and Design Inspirations

11:04 Favorite Cafes in LA

13:05 Navigating Social Media as a Designer

21:05 Music Recommendations and Spotify Tips

24:05 Navigating Music Discovery

24:21 Exploring KCRW and Local Radio

24:59 Curated Music Apps and YouTube Channels

26:27 Recession Core and Office Vibes

26:50 Quick Break and Announcements

27:54 Advice for Aspiring Designers

31:32 Dreams Beyond Design

34:42 Rapid Fire Questions

37:42 New Media and Design Trends

49:08 Personal Reflections and Career Insights

In this episode of 'The Pool Party,' host Jules delves into the significance of passion projects and their role in cultivating creativity and resilience in the ever-changing design and content creation industries. Jules shares personal stories, insights about the current job market for designers, and practical advice on how beginners can bootstrap and maintain motivation. Lastly, the episode touches on the importance of balancing work with creativity and self-care. Tune in for inspiration and actionable tips to keep your creative dreams alive and thriving.

00:00 Welcome to The Pool Party

00:34 Introduction to Design Education and Branding

01:53 The Role of Social Media Agencies

02:56 The Shift in Marketing Strategies

03:12 Starting and Sustaining Creative Projects

04:33 Today's Episode: Passion Projects

07:31 Jules' Journey with Passion Projects

16:04 Navigating the Current Job Market

24:22 Balancing Passion Projects and Health

33:12 The Reality of Pursuing Creative Careers

40:12 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

In this episode of 'The Pool Party,' host Jules discusses the emerging trend of working multiple part-time jobs in startups and creative fields to diversify income sources. Jules emphasizes the importance of online portfolios over traditional resumes and cover letters for creatives, providing tips on where to create and host portfolios. They delve into personal experiences in graphic and visual design, project management, and obtaining practical skills, advising listeners to do thorough online research or seek affordable alternatives to formal education. Jules shares insights on reading the room during networking, building confidence in creative work, handling multiple work profiles on social media, establishing career goals, and maintaining work-life balance. Practical advice on handling economic uncertainty and personal anecdotes from Jules' winding career path offer valuable lessons for aspiring creatives.

00:00 Introduction: The Future of Work

00:40 Welcome to The Pool Party

00:42 Creative Work Portfolios: An Overview

01:14 Skills for Work-Life Balance

02:30 Building Your Portfolio: Tips and Resources

03:52 Choosing the Right Platform for Your Portfolio

07:35 Content and Structure of Your Portfolio

08:40 Case Study: Alex Cooper's Unwell Network

10:22 Personal Journey and Design Education

22:33 The Importance of Social Media Separation

29:17 Networking and Reading the Room

31:41 Dealing with Creative Insecurities

32:42 The Reality of Working as a Creative

35:10 The Role of Therapy and Coaching

37:03 Balancing Education and Practical Experience

45:24 Conclusion: Navigating the Creative Career

A Masterclass on Key Art and HOT takes on Generative AI in Design

In this episode of the Poe Party, Jules delves into the world of key art, its importance in branding, and practical steps to create impactful visuals for campaigns. The discussion extends to the evolving role of generative AI in design, assessing its benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations. Jules also shares hands-on examples and personal insights from professional experiences, offering a comprehensive guide for designers and artists on leveraging both traditional techniques and cutting-edge technology in their work.

00:00 Introduction to Key Art Workshop

01:31 Understanding Key Art and Campaigns

07:42 Creating Key Art for a Music Festival

09:50 Thumbnailing and Brainstorming Techniques

13:05 Developing High-Fidelity Art

17:18 Generative AI in Design

27:40 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Self-Care for Creatives: Reassessing and Revisiting Your Work

In this episode of 'The Pool Party,' Jules explores the importance of self-care for creatives and the need to regularly reassess, revisit, and revise one's work. She emphasizes the challenges faced by multi-hyphenates in the creative industry, including burnout, the pressure of social media trends, and maintaining creative integrity. Jules introduces the concept of 'Ikigai' to help creatives align their work with their personal values and passions. She also shares personal experiences and offers practical advice on setting boundaries, conducting social media cleanses, and finding joy in missing out. Tune in to learn how to create a balanced and fulfilling creative career.

00:00 Welcome to The Pool Party

00:05 Self-Care for Creatives: Reassess, Revisit, Revise

02:02 Navigating the Changing Creative Industry

03:23 Creating Offers Aligned with Your Values

06:04 The Reality of Branding and Design

11:53 Burnout in the Digital Age

16:36 Setting Boundaries and Finding Balance

25:11 The Joy of Missing Out (JOMO)

32:52 Final Thoughts and Ikigai

35:42 Conclusion and Community

Mastering Designer Collaboration: A Comprehensive Guide

In this episode of The Pool Party, host Jules delves deep into the essential aspects of working with designers. Jules discusses different hiring capacities including freelance, contract, part-time, and full-time, and outlines key factors to consider such as budget, project scope, and deliverables. The episode includes tips on creating effective project briefs and highlights the pros and cons of using platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. Jules also shares personal experiences and recommendations for fostering successful working relationships with designers, emphasizing the importance of clarity, preparation, and mutual respect in the design process.

00:00 Welcome to the Pool Party

00:26 Understanding the Importance of Designers

01:59 Types of Designer Contracts

05:51 When to Hire a Designer

08:15 Common Mistakes When Hiring Designers

13:31 Creating an Effective Project Brief

27:53 Finding the Right Designer

41:59 Setting Up a Process for Working with Designers

50:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts