WHAT DOES YOUR MUM THINK

Alex Center is the founder of CENTER, the Brooklyn-based studio behind brands like Bero, Butter, United Sodas of America, Ghostwriter, and more — building challenger brands that don’t just sit on shelves, but move culture. He also founded & hosts the 'Front & Center' podcast alongside Kevvvvvvvin. Overall, he's a real one. Before that, he spent over a decade inside the Coca-Cola system, wo...

This is an emotional one! For the first time, Sheps Chats is going solo. If you’ve been rocking with the pod from the early days, you’ll know it started as a two-person thing. And honestly, that chapter meant a lot to me. There’s love there, always will be. But life moves, people grow, paths change… and now it’s time for a new season, but no seasons just episodes. This episode is me being open abo...

Back with another banger! In this episode, Sheps sits down with Chloé Templeman – Executive Creative Director at Pearlfisher. This one’s a special conversation. I sat down with Chloe to talk about the journey behind the title — the grit, the doubts, the pivots, and the moments that quietly shape who you become. We start right at the beginning — her early curiosity as a kid, always making, always q...

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Swan and Alexander Stewart – founders of design studio Derek & Eric – to unpack how the deliver simple ideas, smart systems, and visual wit can turn tired brands into distinctive icons. From their roots from JKR to building a studio powered by trust, clarity, and craft, they break down: — Why timeless brands start with strategy — What makes a creative par...

How do you go from drawing in your bedroom to designing for the FIFA World Cup, Nike, and MTV? According to Rich Tu, it starts with making the work you want to see in the world. In this episode we’re joined by first-gen Filipino-American creative Rich Tu – Partner and Executive Creative Director at Sunday Afternoon, host of First Generation Burden, and an artist whose work moves with colour, rhyth...

Paul Blackburn is the founder of Studio Blackburn, a London‑born branding agency that’s quietly shaped creative culture from the IOC to Sky, Toyota, Zaha Hadid Architects and Brompton Bicycles. For over 25 years, Paul’s forged a path that’s less about industry posturing and more about design that lasts, values that matter, and storytelling that actually works. Paul never really wanted to “work for...

Claire Blyth went from aspiring scientist to one of the most powerful voices in design PR. In this episode, Claire joins Sheps and Michael to break down her journey, from founding Red Setter (the PR agency behind the world’s top creative studios) to launching her own podcast, My Life in Design. They get into what makes great creative PR, how to get your studio noticed, why storytelling still reign...

Scott Touidjine-Williams spent two decades shaping the future of sport at Nike—leading Olympic innovation, pioneering performance gear, and designing for the world’s fastest athletes. But after 20 years inside one of the most powerful creative machines on earth, he walked away. In this episode, we dive into the why. From his upbringing to art school hustle, to dressing gold medalists and redefinin...

Harriet Richardson is a former graphic designer turned performance artist. From design agencies Pentagram and Turner Duckworth, to performances such as 100 dates in a single day, and tattooing her ex-lovers’ mums’ names on her body – Harriet swapped agency life for something that resinated more with her person. In this episode, we catch Harriet mid-reinvention. Harriet opens up about what it meant...

WE BACK! with a special Christmas episode for your head-tops🎄🤶🎁We’ve heard what YOUR mum’s think. Now it’s time to hear what OUR mums think! In this episode, we asked our mums what they thought of the way brands and culture showed up in 2025.We looked at the John Lewis Ad by Saatchi & Saatchi, British Airways Ad by Uncommon, the recent Gov.uk branding, and touched on topics such as Ai and L...

Rob Johnston is a photographer, designer, DJ, and the mastermind behind the podcast Meet the Creatives. Rob has sparked conversations with the likes of Paula Scher, Chris Do, Brian Collins, Michael Bierut and many many more legends and heroes of the game. In this episode we dive deep into Rob's hustle, his self-belief and where it comes from, his curiosity, and how he is able to continue to move a...

Boma Krijgsman is a senior marketing manager, self-described “hustle bunny”, and loud-and-proud advocate for diversity in the creative industry. In this episode, Boma takes us through her winding path, from working in tourism, to a pivot into fashion, and eventually carving out her space in design and marketing. Along the way, she’s teamed up with heavy-hitters like JDO and, more recently, Thirst....

Today’s guest is an absolute belter. We’ve got Andy Khatouli on! A graphic designer dialled into branding, 3D design, and big creative energy. His passion for the craft is contagious. You can feel it in the work. You can feel it when he talks. Andy’s the kind of designer who’s always exploring. Always learning. Always pushing things forward, from 2D to 3D, motion to character design, strategy to s...

Today we’re talking to the brilliant Chloe Cordover! Writer at The Dieline, creative consultant, and all-round legend based in Savannah, Georgia. You know that feeling when you're reading a solid article on The Dieline, like you're in a light-hearted conversation with a friend who just gets branding? Someone who understands packaging, culture, trends, and timeless design all at once? Well...

Lisa Smith is one of the most respected design leaders on the planet and is the Global Chief Design Officer at Uncommon & D&AD president. Lisa has worked at many of the worlds best agencies and brands such as: Browns, V&A, Marque, The new school, Moving brands, Wolf Olins, Chobani, JKR, Canva & now Uncommon. In this episode we take the opportunity to explore Lisa's rising throu...

Ever wondered how to design for the biggest brands on the planet? How to build relationships with clients that actually last? How to go from fanboy to working with your heroes? Then you’ll love this one. Sean Thomas is Global Executive Creative Director at Jones Knowles Ritchie (aka JKR) and has been with them for over 15 years. He’s helped shape work for brands like Budweiser, Stella Artois, Coca...

In this episode, we chat with Vuk Bojović, a Business Development Director who helps design agencies get new business, build real client relationships, and sell without feeling salesy. Vuk’s worked with top-tier agencies like JKR and Turner Duckworth, plus in-house at Highsnobiety – giving him a rare perspective at the intersection of branding, culture, and taste. He’s not just about leads, he’s a...

In this episode, we turn the mic on our very own co-host Kristian Shepherd - to unpack the wild journey from having no clue what to do with his life…to becoming a graphic designer working in New York City. Kristian shares how one tutor changed everything, how studying at UCLAN opened his eyes to the world of clever, witty ideas, and how that obsession took him from university to top agencies like...

Creative vs Creator? where do you sit? This episode, we flipped the script a bit. We sat down with Hyperfocus, the design studio blurring the lines between brand and product design, and the minds behind The Brand Review, a YouTube series breaking down the latest creative work and spotlighting industry voices. We talked about a question so many of us wrestle with:Am I a creative, or a creator? Do I...

In this episode, we sit down with Oriana Gaeta, a creative director who’s worked with iconic brands like Nike, Rapha, and the BBC during her time at top agencies including R/GA and Made Thought. We talk about her journey from Naples to London, what really makes “Good Design,” and how she approaches judging on panels like D&AD and ADC. Oriana also shares her take on the rise of AI in the creati...

We sat down with Vini Vieira, creative partner and co-founder of Mischief Maker—a new London studio helping brands get braver, bolder, and a little more rebellious. At the time of recording, Mischief Maker was fresh off the ground. So this one’s all about Vini’s epic creative journey: from growing up in São Paulo, Brazil to landing in London, designing at FutureBrand, thriving as a freelancer, and...

Calling all design students, this episode is for you. We’re joined by Ben Hayes, a recent UAL Graphic Design grad who’s already interning at Pentagram and has just picked up a D&AD New Blood Pencil for his bold campaign of Jim Beam’s zero alcohol Whiskey - "Bourbnone".Ben’s journey is one every student should hear. From cold messaging top designers on LinkedIn to landing mentorships...

We’re closing out Season Two with the amazing Mike Perry – founder of Tavern, a design studio that feels more like a well-loved local than a corporate agency. In this episode, Mike talks about building brands with meaning, treating design like the craft that it is and practicing and training design like an athlete would practice on the tracks. Mike discusses why the best work comes from deep relat...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Nott and Will Richardson – the brains behind Studio Drama, a creative studio making waves with custom typography that’s powerful, thoughtful, and anything but ordinary. With roots in top agencies like Brody Associates, JKR & Pentagram; Chris and Will bring serious design pedigree to the table. Now, at Studio Drama, they're redefining how type can tel...

We sat down with the founders of Red Dot Studio – Christian Eager and Sam Lachlan – two top-class designers who’ve worked at some of the most respected names in the industry: Turner Duckworth, The Partners, Pearlfisher, Designers Anonymous and more. Now? They run Red Dot Studio, creating design that is easy to understand and hard to forget. Red Dot creates brands and identities that are beautifull...