The Design Break

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 .  Want to level up your freelance business?...

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 client...

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! Want to level up your freelance business? Check out our newslette...

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 Preferences Curate Your Agency List Cultivate Your Agency...

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...

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 digi...

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 ab...

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...

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 cre...

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...

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 ex...

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 l...

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...

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...

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. Want to level up your freelance business? Check out our newsletter!    To stay connected with us and be part of our design community, follow us on Twitter @thedesignbreak. Join the conversation, access valuable content, and stay upd...

In today's episode, we are talking about how Rocky Roark, the host of the Design Break podcast, is rebooting his freelance agency and what 2023 has in store for the podcast. Want to level up your freelance business? Check out our newsletter!    To stay connected with us and be part of our design community, follow us on Twitter @thedesignbreak. Join the conversation, access valuable content, and st...

In today's episode of the Design Break Podcast, we're going to discuss when to make the jump to full-time freelance—the second part of a two-part mini-series on the subject. This second part discusses how to make the jump when you're left with no other choice. Some of what we cover in this episode includes: Full-Time Freelance Doesn't Have to be Long-Term, it can be short-term if you want it to be...

In today's episode of the Design Break Podcast, we're going to discuss when to make the jump to full-time freelance—the first part of a two-part mini-series on the subject. This first part discusses specifically how to plan your leap into full-time freelance.  There are six main things to consider and think through before you jump into full-time freelance and that you should work towards achieving...

Over the last six months, I took an overall hiatus from posting new content both here on the Design Break podcast and across social media. Now, I'm back and planning to renew many of my previous content channels, including the podcast.    The first significant life update is that we are no longer located in sunny San Diego, CA, and we purchased a house an hour west of Atlanta in rural Georgia. A p...

In today's episode, we discuss one of my favorite community platforms, Dribbble.  Now, don't let the title of this episode sour your  view of Dribbble. Even though I may some negative things about the platform in today's episode, I still love it, I still use it and I strongly believe that it can still rise up from where it stands today! I've been a proud member of Dribbble for almost exactly 9 yea...

Today's episode is based on a newsletter I released recently on learning how to roll with the punches and pivoting to client work. A couple of weeks back, I had an experience with a client that made me really think and reflect on how important pivoting is for creatives. It's something that is talked about quite a  bit but still not enough to teach us how to deal with it when it's needed. There wil...

*This episode was pre-recorded at the end of the summer of 2020. In today's episode, we discuss something that many of us know we should do but don't always, and that is to reflect before we act. Over the years that I've been working as a freelancer, in-house, and as a studio owner, I've found myself jumping to conclusions on feedback I deemed negative or "uncalled for" only to reflect and review...

In today's podcast, the first in over a year, we talk about what goes into your portfolio to help you achieve your goals—whether it's to find a job or get freelance work. This is a continuation of a new series I started on my YouTube channel designed to help you build your portfolio from the ground up. So if you'd like to, please check out those videos and even my first Creative Challenge —designe...

Our first new episode of 2020 features an interview I had with the award-winning illustrator Tom Froese—a freelance illustrator based out of British Columbia. Tom is not only an illustrator but a speaker and teacher on Skillshare—he's featured as a "Top Teacher." In today's episode, Tom shares his story on how he went from being a freelancer, then art director, and ended up choosing to work for hi...

Nuggets of Wisdom ‍ 1. Share More Work on Social Media In order for you to be discovered by anyone—whether its with client work or personal work—you have to be posting work on social media. Don't hold back either, post regularly between 1-2 times a day and spread out your posts on different platforms. That way people don't get annoyed if they are following you in multiple places. ‍ 2. Create for Y...