Design Break

In this insightful episode, Rocky Roark shares valuable strategies for handling challenging discussions that are an inherent part of the freelance landscape. He begins by emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure and empathy when conflicts arise, highlighting that emotional reactions seldom lead to resolution. Additionally, the choice of communication medium is explored, emphasizing the advantages of in-person or phone conversations over potentially misinterpreted emails. The episode delves into effectively managing scope creep, emphasizing the pivotal role of a well-crafted contract in clarifying initial agreements. Then, he further addresses client dissatisfaction, encouraging freelancers to separate themselves from their work and proactively seek to understand the client's perspective before offering constructive solutions.The episode wraps up with an invaluable piece of advice: knowing when it might be in the freelancer's best interest to respectfully part ways with a problematic client. The hos

Rocky Roark is joined by Chris Cannon on the Design Break Podcast to talk about his background in design, how Elon fumbled Twitter, the recent Dribbble update, red flags when it comes to job listings, and much more.Chris Cannon is a product designer who is dedicated to making products the best experience they can be. His ultimate goal is to craft problem-solving and creative solutions that deeply resonate with the people I am building for.Check out Chris’s newly designed website: https://www.colourfulchris.design/The Futur Accelerator Program https://academy.thefutur.com/a/aff_13d25snh/external?affcode=112836_yfbzsar7Hoodzpah — Freelance, and Business, and Stuff https://course.freelanceandbusiness.com/courses/freelance-and-business-and-stuff?ref=d9840fRetroSupply Co https://www.retrosupply.co/?rfsn=691489.f3089 (Code: ROCKY20)Join the Hustle Muscle Slack! https://join.slack.com/t/hustlemuscle/shared_invite/zt-232mz6duf-YOcRTrPvK5CtU8mvSDgcgw

In this episode, we tackle a pressing issue that resonates with many: the shortcomings of design schools in adequately preparing students for the realities of the professional world. Drawing from personal experiences, Rocky Roark, a Graphic Design BFA graduate, recounts how a staggering attrition rate and a lack of essential skills left only a handful of classmates equipped for the design industry. The episode sheds light on critical areas where design education often falls short, including outdated curriculum, a dearth of practical training, insufficient industry exposure, and financial barriers. It emphasizes the need for a shift towards more inclusive, adaptable, and industry-relevant education, recognizing that while not all design schools share these deficiencies, it's crucial to address those that do. Whether a student, recent graduate, or seasoned designer, this episode provides valuable insights into the vital improvements needed in design education.To stay connected with us and be part of our design

Brian Burkett and Josh Wayne join Rocky Roark on the Design Break podcast for a candid discussion on what it's like to partner with agencies as a freelancer. They dive into the pros and cons, when you should look for freelance work, and much more. Brian Burkett is a freelance web developer who works with startups and agencies. Josh Wayne is a UX/Product Designer who has worked with clients such as Google, Bank of America, NFL, and others. Check out Josh's course Break Into Freelance Design. And be sure to check out these resources: The Futur Accelerator Program Hoodzpah — Freelance, and Business, and StuffRetroSupply Co.  (Code: ROCKY20) Join the Hustle Muscle Slack! 

In this episode of the Design Break podcast, your host Rocky Roark shares invaluable insights on nurturing your client list and expanding your network to generate more leads for your freelance business. Drawing from years of freelancing experience, Rocky emphasizes the crucial role of consistency in implementing these practices effectively. He begins by highlighting the importance of building a comprehensive Network Master List, advocating for tools like spreadsheets, Airtable, or Notion to organize contacts and interactions. This database becomes an essential resource for keeping track of valuable connections, ensuring they don't slip through the cracks. Rocky underscores the significance of genuine engagement in building relationships, advising against reaching out only when you have a need. He suggests creating a regular contact schedule within your network, spreading out interactions to maintain meaningful conversations. By actively listening and taking note of pain points shared by your contacts, you're

Kyle Van Cleave is an illustrator and designer based in Oregon who runs Deadbolt Design. He joins Rocky Roark to discuss his career, how he made a branding change with his business, and how to differentiate between personal and studio branding. This episode is jam packed with valuable information, so you won't want to miss it. Check out Deadbolt Design. To stay connected with us and join the conversation, follow us on Twitter @thedesignbreak. We appreciate your support and would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback not only motivates us but also helps others discover our podcast and benefit from the valuable discussions we have.

In the latest episode of the Design Break podcast, listeners are treated to an insightful journey through Rocky's career as a full-time illustrator and freelancer, during which he consistently achieved six-figure incomes. Rocky debunks the myth of the "starving artist" and shares three key strategies that propelled his success.Firstly, Rocky highlights the importance of targeting the right clients, emphasizing his focus on tech startups with existing funding. By doing so, he secured larger projects and substantially higher earnings compared to traditional editorial work.Secondly, Rocky advocates diversifying services beyond simple illustrations. He recounts his success in offering additional services such as character and mascot designs, illustrated storyboards, and a unique "illustration style discovery" package, which brought in substantial revenue, exceeding six figures.Lastly, Rocky underscores the value of versatility, as he adeptly adapted his style to suit various clients' needs. Being an "illustration

Rocky Roark is joined by Dan Blessing, aka the Design Shark, to talk about working in the sports design industry.This episode dives into how Dan Blessing got started in design, what led him to the sports industry, and he provides some tips for how you can practice creating your own sports logos. You won't want to miss this episode!Subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasting fix and follow @thedesignbreak on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for more valuable insights into the world of design.If you enjoyed this episode of the Design Break Podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts and leave a review—each week we'll give a special shoutout to one luckily listener who's left us a review. (: 

In this episode, your host Rocky Roark uncovers how freelancers can establish fruitful collaborations with creative agencies, enhancing their careers.First, we dive into how agency partnerships are a freelancing cornerstone, ensuring steady work and income. Then, we discuss five techniques for effective collaborations:Define Your Agency PreferencesCurate Your Agency ListCultivate Your Agency NetworkCraft Targeted OutreachSeize the Power of IntroductionsIf you employ these techniques to form valuable agency partnerships, you’ll boost your freelancing journey and master outbound marketing. These skills are transferable to startup collaborations, offering a dynamic career trajectory.Stay tuned for more insights on freelancing, creativity, and business success. Don't forget to subscribe, review, and share this episode of the Design Break Podcast with fellow freelancers and creatives. Until next time!

In this episode, host Rocky Roark explores how to take ownership of your creative content to secure your creative future.First, we’ll dive into how Dribbble was once an inspiring creative clubhouse, but now many creatives are leaving due to little benefit and work monopolization.Then, we discuss the fear of platforms disappearing or content getting wiped out is real, as seen with Vine and Tumblr. For beginners, we’re going to dive into 5 ways to take ownership of your content. Taking ownership of your content is essential. Use social media to drive traffic to your own platforms, and remember, success doesn't require implementing all these suggestions. Stay creative and own your future.

In this captivating episode, our host Rocky Roark takes us on a profound exploration of the world of NFT PFPs (Non-Fungible Token Profile Pictures). He shares his personal journey of working on an NFT project and the pivotal reasons behind his decision to abandon it.The episode starts by explaining NFTs and PFPs, clarifying that the focus will be on PFP Artwork within the NFT space. NFTs are digital tokens granting exclusive ownership and royalties to artists. PFPs, on the other hand, are digital collectibles serving as profile pictures, wholly owned by the user. Notable PFP projects like Bored Apes and Doodles are mentioned.Rocky reflects on his introduction to NFTs and PFPs, giving credit to specific projects they learned about. They then share the journey of creating their own NFT project, "Mewton Island," describing its concept, characters, and the significant effort invested in its artwork.However, the episode takes a turn as Rocky opens up about his decision to quit the NFT project. The toxic nature of

In this episode of the Design Break podcast, we dive into the world of freelance gurus. It can be hard to know who to trust, especially on the internet. This episode will help you see what types of behavior are red flags so you know who you should avoid. First, we talk about what the inspiration was for this episode and the 8 red flags there are with these self-proclaimed experts. We also talk about how you can differentiate the genuine experts from the fake gurus. Keep in mind, there are also a ton of free resources available to you that will allow you to learn a lot without spending a dime. Then, we dive deep into the various red flags that frequently show up with these fake freelance gurus. They might not all be present, but there’s usually enough for you to realize that you should steer clear of them.To stay connected with us and join the conversation, follow us on Twitter @thedesignbreak. We appreciate your support and would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. If you enjoy the show, please leave

In this episode of the Design Break podcast, we delve into the age-old debate of working at an agency versus in-house and explore the advantages and considerations of each. Whether you're a design professional looking to make a career move or a student contemplating your future path, this episode offers valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.We kick off the episode by discussing the unique aspects of working at an agency. From the fast-paced environment and diverse range of projects to the opportunity for growth and exposure to different industries, agency life presents exciting challenges and rewards. Our guest speakers, industry experts with experience in renowned design agencies, share their perspectives and provide firsthand accounts of the agency work culture.Next, we shift the spotlight to in-house design roles. We explore the benefits of working within a company or organization, such as having a deeper understanding of the brand, being part of a dedicated team, and having the opportuni

In this episode of the Design Break podcast, host Rocky Roark takes us on a journey from design school to landing your dream job in the industry. Graduating from design school is an exciting milestone, but navigating the competitive job market can be challenging. Rocky shares five essential tips, plus a bonus tip, to help recent design school graduates secure their dream job or any job in the creative space.First up is the power of networking. Rocky emphasizes the importance of building a strong professional network within the design industry. Discover how to expand your network both online and offline, and how genuine connections can open doors to referrals and collaboration opportunities.Next, Rocky discusses the significance of showcasing your passion and being proactive in the creative community. Learn how to stand out from the crowd by demonstrating your genuine enthusiasm for your chosen discipline and actively sharing your work online.Soft skills are essential in the design industry, and Rocky dives in

Are you tired of the constant pressure to charge exorbitant prices for your design services? Have you ever wondered if there's a better way to price your work without resorting to sky-high figures? Well, you're in luck!In this bonus episode of our Profitable Pricing miniseries, we're debunking the myth that you should charge $10k for a logo. We'll explore the realities of pricing design services and provide valuable insights on how to navigate the pricing landscape with confidence.Join us as we challenge the conventional wisdom surrounding logo pricing and uncover alternative strategies to ensure your pricing aligns with the value you bring as a designer. We'll share practical tips and real-world examples to help you establish fair and profitable pricing structures that benefit both you and your clients.WARNING: This episode may revolutionize the way you think about pricing your design services and may lead to a newfound appreciation for sensible pricing strategies. Proceed with an open mind and a desire to c

Welcome to the final installment of our miniseries on Profitable Pricing for freelancers on the Design Break podcast! In this episode, we delve into the world of subscription-based pricing for design services, exploring how it can transform your design career and freelance pricing strategies. Join us as we uncover effective approaches to pricing, discuss the challenges faced by freelancers, and explore the benefits of design subscriptions.As design professionals, pricing our services effectively is crucial, and we provide insights into different pricing approaches to ensure you value your expertise appropriately. But we don't stop there—we take it a step further and explore the concept of design subscriptions. Discover the advantages of recurring revenue, client loyalty, and streamlined workflows that design subscriptions offer, revolutionizing the way you structure your services and provide ongoing value.Throughout the episode, we touch on important aspects of the design career landscape, from the evolving n

In this episode of the Design Break podcast, we dive into the realm of retainer-based pricing—a pricing model that can revolutionize the way freelancers and small design agencies do business. Join us as we explore the advantages and considerations of retainer-based pricing, drawing on real-life experiences and industry expertise. Discover how retainers can unlock stable income streams and foster long-term client relationships. From setting clear expectations to effectively managing ongoing projects, we share practical strategies to ensure success in the world of retainers. Tune in and gain valuable insights to enhance your pricing strategy and create a thriving business. Get ready to harness the power of retainers in this episode of Design Break!

In this episode of the Design Break podcast, we delve into the world of project-based pricing for freelancers and small design agencies. We explore the benefits and drawbacks of this pricing model and share personal experiences to provide valuable insights. From the flexibility of pricing to the challenges of scoping projects, we cover it all. Tune in to learn different approaches to project-based pricing and discover actionable tips to enhance your pricing strategy. Whether you're a seasoned freelancer or just starting out, this episode will empower you to navigate the intricacies of project-based pricing and maximize your revenue. Don't miss it! 

In this episode of the Design Break Podcast, we delve into the first installment of our exciting mini-series on pricing models for freelancers. Join us as we explore the world of "Hourly-Based" pricing and uncover the strategies, benefits, and challenges associated with this widely-used model.Hosted by Rocky Roark, a seasoned freelancer himself, this episode draws upon his own experiences to shed light on the ins and outs of hourly-based pricing. Rocky shares his journey from the early days of freelancing to understanding the importance of tracking time and setting a fair hourly rate.We examine the pros of hourly-based pricing, such as the ability to earn based on time invested and the straightforwardness of calculating project costs. However, we also delve into the cons, including the potential for income limitations and the need for efficient time management.Through practical tips and tricks, Rocky offers valuable insights on how to effectively track time, manage projects, and improve profitability within t

In today's episode, your host, Rocky Roark, will discuss how he uses AI in his freelance brand agency and how you can utilize it to level up your freelancing business.