The Angry Designer - Graphic Design, Branding, Marketing, & Creative Business Operations to Get Paid What Your Worth and Avoid Burnout

Graphic designers often underestimate the power of branding—but did you know Christmas itself is the ultimate masterclass in branding, centuries in the making?  Forget the twinkling lights and holiday cheer; the Christmas brand wasn’t built overnight, and its roots are a wild mix of designers, commercialism, and clever marketing strategies. This week on The Angry Designer podcast, we’re unwrapping the untold stories behind how Graphic Designers and capitalism joined forces to create the juggernaut we call Christmas. From the origins of the Christmas tree to how Coca-Cola redefined Santa Claus, we dig into the design decisions and commercial twists that shaped the holiday we know today. In this episode, we’ll cover: - The shocking role graphic designers played in shaping Christmas traditions - How commercialism turned the holiday into a global brand - Surprising lessons graphic designers can take from the evolution of Christmas branding By the end, you’ll see how even the most commercialized brand in history can teach valuable lessons to Graphic Designers about creativity, storytelling, and the power of design. Love it or hate it, Christmas is a designer’s dream—and this episode breaks it all down. Stay Angry our Friends ––––––––––– Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3 [https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3] Want to see more? See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner [https://www.youtube.com/theangrydesigner] Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.com [https://TheAngryDesigner.com] Join in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/theangrydesignerpodcast/]

Burnout: the silent killer of graphic design careers. It creeps in slowly, disguised as endless revisions, soul-sucking clients, and monotonous work. Before you know it, you're questioning everything: Why did you get into design? Is this even worth it anymore? But here’s the hard truth: burnout isn’t the problem—it’s how you’re handling it. In this week’s episode of The Angry Designer Podcast, we tear down the myths about burnout and give graphic designers the real, no-nonsense playbook to fight back. Packed with hard-hitting truths, actionable advice, and a few well-timed rants, we’ll help you rediscover the passion that made you fall in love with design in the first place. From breaking free of soul-sucking clients to reigniting your creativity, we cover: * Why most designers burn out—and how to avoid it * The one mindset shift that will change everything * How to dump soul-sucking clients and focus on what lights you up * Why reigniting your passion isn’t just about design—it’s about YOU By the end of this episode, you’ll be ready to ditch the burnout and embrace the badass creative you were born to be. Stay Angry our Friends ––––––––––– Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3 [https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3] Want to see more? See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner [https://www.youtube.com/theangrydesigner] Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.com [https://TheAngryDesigner.com] Join in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/theangrydesignerpodcast/]

Graphic Design is full of tough decisions—fonts, colors, clients who don’t pay, deadlines that laugh in your face, and software that feels like it’s out to ruin your life. But what happens when you’re forced to choose between bad and worse? In this week’s episode of The Angry Designer Podcast, we crank up the heat with 25 no-win ‘Would You Rather’ scenarios guaranteed to make every Graphic Designer squirm.  Brace yourself for a fun ride as we expose the quirks, frustrations, and downright absurd realities of being a graphic designer. It’s fun. It’s painful. It’s 100% the therapy session you didn’t know you needed. In this episode, you’ll discover: * Why design decisions feel like emotional warfare. * What your answers say about who you are as a designer. * That sometimes, you just have to laugh to keep from quitting. Grab a drink, loosen up, and prepare to laugh (or cry) at the absurdity of it all—because sometimes, being a designer means embracing the chaos. Let’s see how tough you really are. Stay Angry our Friends ––––––––––– Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3 [https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3] Want to see more? See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner [https://www.youtube.com/theangrydesigner] Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.com [https://TheAngryDesigner.com] Join in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/theangrydesignerpodcast/]

Feeling Burnt Out or Stuck in a Design Rut SUCKS. But here’s the brutal truth: MOST Graphic Designers are sabotaging themselves. Grinding through bad clients, chasing endless projects, and staying trapped in the same broken patterns, all while wondering why things never change. It’s time to face reality with some tough love. In this episode of The Angry Designer Podcast, we’re tackling the issues that terrify Graphic Designers most. Joined by coach and creative expert Matt Essam, we unravel the myths about burn out, the design business, expose the traps keeping creatives stuck, and deliver practical, BS-free strategies to break free and take control.  What you’ll learn in this episode: * Why creativity alone will NEVER be enough to succeed * Dangerous myths keeping Graphic Designers trapped in mediocrity * How to build a Graphic Design business that WORKS for YOU * The mindset shift every Graphic Designer needs to escape the grind If you’re tired of feeling burnt out, making excuses, feeling stuck, and ready to do the work, this episode is your roadmap out. The only question is: are you bold enough to listen? Check out Matt's podcast, Creative Courage, for more insight for creative business owners: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799 Stay Angry our Friends ––––––––––– Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3 [https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3] Want to see more? See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner [https://www.youtube.com/theangrydesigner] Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.com [https://TheAngryDesigner.com] Join in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/theangrydesignerpodcast/]

"Not all clients are created equal"—a truth every Graphic Designer discovers sooner or later. Whether it’s a small, scrappy startup or a sprawling corporate giant, working with different-sized clients presents its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. But how do you navigate these extremes without losing your sanity (or your creativity)? In this episode of The Angry Designer podcast, we’re breaking down the fundamental differences between working with big and small clients. From the red tape of approval processes to the creative freedom (or lack thereof), we’ll guide you through the pros, cons, and strategies for thriving with these clients no matter who’s on the other side of the table. * Discover why small clients aren’t just "stepping stones" but gateways to creative freedom * Learn how big clients can offer stability—and the hidden pitfalls to watch for * Get insider tips on navigating scope creep, managing expectations, and building lasting relationships with both client types Packed with our no-holds bared advice, fiery insights, and a bit of ranting, this episode will leave you equipped to tackle any design client, big or small, with confidence. By the end, you’ll understand the game-changing differences between Big vs Small clients and how to use this knowledge to elevate your Graphic Design career.  So grab your coffee (or Bourbon) and tune in! Stay Angry our Friends ––––––––––– Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3 [https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3] Want to see more? See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner [https://www.youtube.com/theangrydesigner] Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.com [https://TheAngryDesigner.com] Join in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/theangrydesignerpodcast/]