Off The Brief with Jaden Haynes

Your product is good. How come your brand isn't resonating? Every market runs the same cycle. Product becomes commodity, brand becomes the moat, then lazy branding gets commoditised too. Examples include fashion, watches, and tech. Right now, most founders are building at exactly the moment their product advantage is about to stop being enough. This episode traces that cycle through Corteiz, R...

In this episode, Jaden explores the complexities surrounding the concept of the 'dream job' and the evolving perceptions of passion and work in today's society. What is the anti-ambition movement? What does passion really mean? How is the working landscape changing? Expect to learn the harsh realities creatives face, how young people’s work values have shifted over time, how creatives...

In this episode, we dissect the "Lazy Era" of modern fashion and why consumers are ditching high-end labels for factory-direct "dupes." We explore the shift from selling aesthetics to selling virtues, using the evolution of Corteiz as a blueprint for brand survival in the age of AI. Why has "Made in China" shifted from a sign of poor quality to a direct threat to luxu...

In this episode, Jaden discusses his plans for 2026, focusing on setting meaningful goals and intentions. - Get access to every episode for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://jadenhaynes.substack.com/ - Get in touch in the comments or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadenlmhaynes YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadenlmhaynes Email: get@jadenha...

This episode looks at the future of work and life in the age of AI and beyond. Is AI a tool for your vision, or a replacement for your soul? What can we learn from Tony Robbins about the future of human connection? How do you pitch humanity and authenticity to clients who just want the cheapest option? Expect to learn a framework on how to be exceptional in the age of AI, the neuroscience of cogni...

In this episode, Jaden discusses the art of designing playlists intentionally, particularly for various occasions and moods. Is there a structured approach to creating playlists? Is it possible to have a library of playlists to fit every moment and experience? Expect to learn how Jaden uses nine specific playlist folders for every mood, how he organises playlists effectively, how music connects us...

Merry Christmas! In this episode, Jaden reflects on his podcasting journey, the lessons learned throughout the year, and the importance of community engagement. Expect to learn about lessons as a content creator, the challenges faced, the significance of intentional living, some of the best ways to plan for the future, the importance of setting goals, and much, much more. - Get access to every epi...

This episode addresses the inevitable question looming over the creative industries: Is graphic design dead in 2026? Jaden argues that the death of creativity is a myth, but AI is ruthlessly exposing a dangerous vulnerability: the outsourcing of original thought. In this episode, we explore the intentional design of a creative process that uses technology to supercharge ideas, not replace them. We...

In this episode, we break down how to stop charging for your time and start charging for the value you deliver by applying Alex Hormozi’s Value Equation to the creative process. We analyze a real-world discovery call with a London-based community brand to show you how to uncover a client’s "Dream Outcome" and design for their future success, not just their current needs. How can I use th...

This week on By Design , we tackle the outdated economics of the creative industry by applying the high-leverage principles of entrepreneurial titans. Designer-creatives are problem-solvers who deserve to be compensated for the value they create, not the hours they clock. Why does charging by the hour actually punish me for being fast and skilled? How can I use a simple formula to justify a signif...

Jaden addresses various questions related to the design industry, including the pros and cons of working in-house versus at an agency, how to build a winning portfolio, and the challenges of imposter syndrome. He emphasises the importance of understanding client needs, leveraging non-design backgrounds, and navigating multiple interests in design. Additionally, Jaden discusses pricing strategies f...

This episode is a masterclass in intentional creativity, using the philosophy of Austin Kleon's Steal Like An Artist to redefine what it means to be an "original" designer. We break down the revolutionary process of creating a Creative Lineage—a systematic way to draw inspiration from the greats without resorting to plagiarism, transforming homage into innovation. How did David Bowie use "tasteful...

This episode of By Design introduces the Idea Budget, a philosophical framework for creatives to manage their public discourse and personal energy by treating expertise as currency. We explore how to build credibility by prioritising knowledge and ethically "play" with new concepts without draining our influence, anchored in the rationalist demands of Objectivism. How can I protect my pe...

This episode explores why embracing imperfection is the greatest competitive advantage a designer-creative can have in the age of accelerating technology and AI. We redefine the pursuit of 'perfect' and uncover why the deepest creative connections are built on intentional flaws, not flawless execution. How does the fear of imperfection prevent us from building a 'deep' audience of 1,000 True Fans?...

In this episode, Jaden discusses his plans for 2026, focusing on setting meaningful goals and intentions. - Get access to every episode for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://jadenhaynes.substack.com/ - Get in touch in the comments or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadenlmhaynes YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadenlmhaynes Email: get@jadenha...

This week, we pull a thread from the history of fiction and find that the ultimate conspiracy theory—mind control—is already reality. How does the Availability Heuristic warp my perception of risk, and how can I design a media diet to fix it? Did elections and modern democratic systems begin as a tool to exclude the majority from power? What is the core difference between equality of opportunity a...

This episode dives into the radical neuroscience concept that your reality is not a passive input but an active, curated output of your brain. If reality is neutral, why do I constantly feel surprised, frustrated, or like a victim of my circumstances? How do I bypass my brain's natural filter and stop screening out the very opportunities I need? What does it truly mean to "think, act, and...

Jaden explores the concept of status, its historical roots, and its implications in modern society. Why are we so obsessed with status? Can we be high-status and authentic? Can we live without seeking status? Learn why status-seeking is hardwired into us, why zero-sum games feed our misery, how we can reframe our minds to play positive-sum games, and much, much more… Get access to every episode fo...

In this episode, Jaden explores the concept of 'putting the cart before the horse' in the context of career progression and personal development. Expect to learn why doing the work is more important than earning the title, the value of iteration and feedback, why being delusional is a key ingredient in success, and much, much more. - Get access to every episode for free on Spotify and Appl...

Jaden explores the concept of inherited beliefs and the social incentives that shape our thinking. Where do our beliefs come from? Is it possible to behave authentically? Is our behaviour our free will or engineered by society and culture? Expect to learn how culture influences our identity, how we might think about balancing societal expectations and personal authenticity, why being disliked is a...

In this conversation, Jaden discusses the concept of having opinions and the work required to hold them. Is it reasonable to have opinions based on very human feelings? Can I be both factually correct and intellectually dishonest? How can we think about navigating the cesspit of the modern court of opinion? Expect to learn how to do the work to form an opinion, why arguing for the opposite idea ma...

In this conversation, Jaden explores profound philosophical questions about the meaning of life, focusing on the concept of entropy and humanity's role in the universe. He presents a unique perspective that intertwines scientific principles with existential inquiries, leading to a thought-provoking discussion about our existence and purpose. What does it mean to be antifragile? How can we teac...

Matt Dehaty is the founder of OldNovo, a lifestyle sportswear brand rooted in rugby values. Before launching Old Novo, Matt mastered the blueprint for building global apparel brands with deep cultural resonance, having spent over a decade at Nike before becoming Buying Director at Gymshark. How do you know when it's time to leave corporate stability to pursue a personal mission? What is the pr...

We have a little over 7 weeks before 2026 and this is the time of the year we all get reflective and start thinking about next year. If you’re anything like me, previous resolutions can be quite prescriptive, and irrelevant to what we really want. This is where the personal north star comes in. Expect to learn how to define your life’s north star, how we can go about striving in the right directio...

We all need to change our relationship with imposter syndrome. Anyone who aims high experiences it at some point or another. My hot take is that imposter syndrome is the signal that we are 1) striving, and 2) striving in the right direction for us . I talk a lot about how we can navigate imposter syndrome as though we are wedding crashers, a technique that has helped me a lot so far. In this episo...