The Design Break

Episode Synopsis After close to a five month hiatus, we are back with an amazing interview with the very talented Allie Mounce—Co-founder of Pretty Useful Co. & Senior Art Director at Paradigm . Allie is an amazing designer and jack-of-all-trades when it comes to design. In today's episode, Allie shares her story and how she broke into the world of design and has become—in my opinion—a creative su...

In this episode, I answer an AMA (Ask Me Anything) question involving whether it's better to be self-taught or go to art/design school. The short answer is, in my own personal opinion, you don't need to go to school for design. You should definitely take courses to learn essential art and drawing skills, but when it comes to design, you can easily pick that up on your own accord. When you go to co...

In this episode, we’re going to talk about the importance of side projects and how they can lead to fantastic opportunities in your creative career. Throughout my career, I have worked on many side projects, each with its own challenges, learning opportunities, and payoffs. I’ve learned that there is so much power in creating your own side projects and sharing them with the world. Today, I share a...

In this episode we’re going to talk about being FIRED and how it isn’t the end of the world, which is very accurate. Now, I’ve known that I wanted to talk about this topic since before I even started this podcast. Its something I’ve been through three times in my life—once in high school and twice after college. It’s something that everyone will most likely experience at some point in their lives...

In today’s episode, I sit down and chat with my friend and former client, Stu Smith. A fantastic designer and creative entrepreneur, working at Trello and based out of Austin, Texas with his wife (YellowBess), kids, and their dogs. During our interview we talk about a range of different topics from Stu’s college experience, us working together while he was at Able Lending and now his side hustles...

Welcome to our second AMA (Ask Me Anything) episode! These AMA episodes are a bit unique in that they focus on answering questions that I’ve received over the last couple of years via social media, email and/or in person from all of my wonderful followers. Now, the question came in from Instagram. The question is: Is it possible to master all areas of art and design? If so, is it possible to do it...

In this episode of the Design Break podcast, I discuss how having a portfolio isn't enough to land you a job and/or freelance work. When it comes to finding a job you have to be able to do more than just create pretty pictures, sites or logos. You have to have process to back it up and reasoning behind everything that you do. Surprisingly though, you don't have to be perfect, instead you should al...

This is a quick impromptu episode that I decided to put together for those of you attending Creative South or any other creative conference this year. In this episode you’ll find some great tips and tricks to make your conference experience more fun and strategic to advancing your creative careers. If you’re attending Creative South this year, please make sure to say hello if and when you see me w...

In this episode Rocky Roark interviews the amazing designer, educator and mentor, Jamal Collins (aka JayWorking), on how he broke through and struggled as a creative in the 90s and later during the recession of '08. If you'd like to learn more about this episode please head on over to www.designbreakpodcast.com/episodes/009 to check out the show notes. Want to level up your freelance business? Che...

This is the first of a new sub-series for the Design Break podcast where I go through and answer a series of old questions I've been asked over social media. This first episode (008 of the main podcast) answers the question "What do you do if you get discouraged or frustrated with your work?"Want to level up your freelance business? Check out our newsletter!    To stay connected with us and be par...

In this episode of the Design Break podcast, I discuss how being a Jack-of-All-Trades is a positive attribute to your creative career and not a detriment to your growth. When it comes to finding a job or doing freelance work, having a range of different skills allows you to diversify both the work you do as well as your bank account. The more skills you know, the more things you can do, the more o...

In this episode I share with you the importance of having your own website and how it can benefit you in finding a job, finding freelance work and other great benefits. We are in the age of Social Networking and so many people have fallen victim to the belief that you don’t need a website or a portfolio. This belief is a fallacy. You can always showcase your work on Instagram, Dribbble, etc. but y...

Excited for the second episode of our Interview series, this time with one of the most amazing hand lettering artists, Shauna Lynn Panczyszyn! In our interview we sit down and talk about not only her journey into the creative world but so many other things including how she found her first agent, what it was like working with an agent and much much more. To learn more about this episode head on ov...

Within this new episode of the Design Break podcast, I talk about one of the most powerful things that any creative can experience, conferences. They have the potential to push your careers to new heights and increase your creative curiosity. When ever designers or other creatives come to me and ask me what could potentially benefit them or help them boost their chances of landing a job, I always...

In this episode Rocky Roark interviews the spectacular illustrator and designer, Brad Woodard of Brave the Woods on how he broke through and reached the top of the mountain of creative success. If you'd like to learn more about this episode please head on over to www.designbreakpodcast.com/episodes/003 to check out the show notes. Want to level up your freelance business? Check out our newsletter...

In this episode we discuss the evil truth about imposter syndrome & self-doubt as well as ways you can keep those toxic thoughts at bay in your journey to creative success. If you'd like to learn more about this episode please head on over to www.designbreakpodcast.com/episodes/002 to check out the show notes. Want to level up your freelance business? Check out our newsletter !    To...

In the very first episode join the host of Design Break, Rocky Roark, as he takes us through his journey from being a novice designer in high school to landing his first jobs after college. Along the way, he shares about how he used networking and questions to rise above his classmates and on the right track for success in his career. Join him on his journey and pick up your own nuggets of wisdom...

Breaking into the creative world is hard enough—and making it as a full-time freelance designer is even tougher. Join host and freelance designer and illustrator Rocky Roark as he talks with special guests about all things freelancing. If you’ve been thinking about starting your own creative projects or you just want to hear thoughtful, actionable advice for your creative career, this podcast is f...