The Angry Designer Graphic Design, Freelancing, Branding & Creative Business Podcast
A Graphic Design Podcast that cuts through the industry bull to help frustrated Designers charge what they're worth and build rewarding creative careers
AI, Cheap Clients & Bad Logos Are The Best Things to Happen to YOU with Allan Peters & James Barnard
Graphic designers love to blame AI, cheap clients, and garbage logos for the downfall of the industry. But what if those things are actually your biggest opportunity?While most designers are panicking about race-to-the-bottom pricing, automation, and template trash flooding the market, a small percentage are flipping the script and using it all to their advantage.In this episode of The Angry Designers LIVE at Creative South, we sit down with two of the most popular Logo Designers; Allan Peters and James Barnard, to break down how designers can not only survive this chaos but dominate it.From navigating Fiverr clients to using social proof as ROI, to the real debate between one-concept versus 15-concept logo presentations, this episode delivers brutal truths, tactical gold, and industry insights straight from two legends who have been through it all.By the end of this episode, you’ll learn how to:• Flip cheap work into long-term high-ticket clients• Build authority while others build excuses• Create logos that stand the test of time while others chase trends• And turn AI into a tool, not a threatThis isn’t about fear. It’s about fire.It’s time to stop blaming the game and start mastering it.Stay Angry our Friends –––––––––––Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3Want to see more? See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.comJoin in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast
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1:00:23
Most Graphic Designers Aren’t What Clients Need. Are You Ready For The Future?
The most common misconception of being a graphic designer?To “make things look good.”That mindset is exactly why clients are moving on. Fast.AI can make things look good, faster, and cheaper. And customers are quickly flocking to a "Good enough" mentality.In this unapologetic episode of The Angry Designer, we expose the dangerous gap between what designers think clients want… and what clients actually need in today’s AI-fueled, shortcut-obsessed world.We’re diving deep into:Why execution-first designers are being replaced by “good enough”What today’s clients really value (hint: it’s not your color palettes)How to shift from being a pixel pusher to a strategic powerhouseThe first move every future-ready designer must makeIf you’re still handing off logos and layouts without asking deeper questions, your days are numbered.But if you’re ready to solve real business problems, lead with strategy, and think bigger—you won’t just survive. You’ll own the damn future.This episode kicks off a multi-part series on becoming the future designer—smarter, sharper, and impossible to ignore.Stay Angry our Friends –––––––––––Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3Want to see more? See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.comJoin in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast
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38:37
Most Graphic Design Portfolios Are FORGOTTEN – Here’s How to Make Yours Unforgettable (& Get Hired)
Graphic designers pour blood, sweat, and sleepless nights into their portfolios—only to be ghosted, passed over, or worse… completely forgotten. The harsh truth? Good design doesn’t speak for itself. And if your portfolio isn’t telling a story, it’s telling the wrong one.In this no-holds-barred episode of The Angry Designer, we expose why most design portfolios fail—regardless of how good the work is—and what actually makes creative professionals unforgettable.Straight from our experience reviewing student portfolios at CropCon 2025 in Austin, we break down the real problem with Graphic Design portfolios. You’ll learn why storytelling is your secret weapon, how to lead with personality, and the exact framework to pitch like a pro—whether you're just starting out or 20 years in.Forget the fluff. This is the portfolio reality check you didn’t know you needed.In this episode, you’ll learn:The 3 deadly mistakes killing your portfolio pitchWhy being memorable matters more than being perfectThe storytelling structure that gets designers hiredIf you’re tired of being overlooked, underestimated, or just plain forgotten—this one’s for you.Stay Angry our Friends –––––––––––Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3Want to see more? See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.comJoin in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast
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40:27
Logo Design Rules From Legends — 18 Irrefutable Laws That Turn Good Graphic Designers Into Great
Most Graphic Designers think they know logo design, until they see how the legends did it.While the internet’s flooded with trend-chasing tips and lazy logo lists, the truth is: there are laws. Rules. Principles. And the greats like Paul Rand, Saul Bass, Massimo Vignelli lived by them. That’s why their work still hits decades later, while most logos today barely survive a rebrand cycle.In this episode of The Angry Designer podcast, we dig deep into the 18 Irrefutable Laws of Legendary Logo Design. Not recycled advice, but timeless lessons pulled straight from the icons of our industry such as Saul Bass, Paul Rand, Massimo Vignelli, Josef Müller-Brockmann, Milton Glaser, Herb Lubalin, Cipe Pineles, Sylvia Harris, Lella Vignelli, James Barnard, Scott Fuller & Allan Peters.If you're tired of generic design fluff and want to level up your thinking, craft, and confidence, this episode will give you the firepower. These aren’t just logo tips — they’re the rules that turn good designers into great ones.In this episode, you'll discover:The foundational truths behind logos that lastWhy most designers unknowingly sabotage their own workAnd what it actually takes to earn the title of "Logo Designer"Whether you're designing for clients, building your portfolio, or trying to future-proof your Graphic Design career, this episode will help you ditch the guesswork and design with purpose.Stay Angry our Friends –––––––––––Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3Want to see more? See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.comJoin in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast
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44:26
From Surfboards to Porsche – How Pennybridge Went Global Without Selling Out
Most graphic designers are told to niche down, play it safe, and follow the damn rules. Pennybridge did the opposite—and built a global, wildly successful studio from a surf town outside Australia’s big cities.This isn’t your typical design story.In this episode of The Angry Designer Podcast, we sit down with the unapologetically raw, fiercely independent founders of Pennybridge—a creative powerhouse known for high-energy branding, punk rock vibes, and logos that landed them clients like Porsche, Wu-Tang, and Red Bull.But behind the bold visuals and Blink-182 posters is a brutally smart business strategy that every designer needs to hear.We dive deep into:• Why “niching down” is overrated—and how to stand out without selling out• How Pennybridge built a design studio around lifestyle, values, and vibe• The real reason clients trust them with million-dollar brands—and why most designers never get that chanceBy the end of this episode, you’ll rethink what it means to run a design studio, how to attract dream clients without compromise, and why your edge is your advantage.Stay Angry our Friends –––––––––––Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3Want to see more? See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.comJoin in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast
About The Angry Designer Graphic Design, Freelancing, Branding & Creative Business Podcast
The Angry Designer is an entertaining No-Bull unapologetic design podcast for Graphic Designers, Freelancers, and In-house Creative Pros ready to take their careers to the next level. Hosted by a Creative Director who built and sold a 7-figure Creative agency, this design podcast breaks down the business of design, branding, freelancing, logos, UX, strategy, AI, and more—without the industry fluff and pointless jargon. The Angry Designer tackles the topics other Graphic Design podcasts avoid: burnout, ageism, toxic clients, pricing, imposter syndrome, with an unapologetic take on what it really takes to build a creative career that lasts.Whether you’ve been a Graphic Designer for decades or just starting out, get ready to feel vindicated because this podcast will challenge how you think, push you to grow, and give you the tools to design a life on your terms.
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