I See Pixels Podcast

Design assessments, seeing your design in use Ep 91

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:40:26 +0000

We start off with an update on Anthony's job search side quest and venting about job assessments. We also talk about the feeling and what is learned when you get to see your designs in use.

Charging more is self care and job hunting as a designer Ep 90

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 23:47:34 +0000

We start this episode off trying to explain why we haven't recorded in awhile and our goals for the new year. Then we talk about charging what you are worth as a designer, your price has to be your price. We also spend time talking about looking for a job as a designer, portfolio tips and suggestions. We also give semi legal advice on documenting the work you've done while on a job if you can.

All eggs in one basket, Adobe Max, 89

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 20:25:41 +0000

In this episode we talk about managing your online business through one platform, risks vs. benefits. We also talk about Adobe Max and our preferred methods of learning new skills.

Being a high value designer Ep 88

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 15:23:26 +0000

In thbis episode we catch up on why we've been away from podding. Our main topic we focus on what increasing your value as a designer means and how to pick projects based on your value not your availability. We also talk about under pricing yourself and finding the right clients.

Back off hiatus, making a small business legit, design consulting 87

I See Pixels Podcast — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 14:25:32 +0000

In this episode we welcome everyone back after our brief hiatus. We then talk about how Juneteenth could be much more than a reference to slavery. We finish up by talking about our thoughts on being a design consultant and how you could sell your services.

Joining tik tok after and teaching people how to be creative 3086

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 21:37:06 +0000

In this episode we discuss, the not so new, social media tik tok and how it is different than other platforms. We also discuss how people and business are using it for their different purposes. We also talk about introducing people unfamiliar to marketing and creative work to a new field. We also discuss ways to find inspiration and how to hone your creative skills.

Not a financial advisor, doge, gig work and freelancing Ep 85

I See Pixels Podcast — Tue, 11 May 2021 21:49:31 +0000

In this episode we talk about accepting payment in cryptocurrency, and investing. We also talk about finding balance between hustles that get you short term money vs. investing time in projects that will help you grow and make money long term.

NFT hustle and managing new designers

I See Pixels Podcast — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 22:11:49 +0000

In this episode we first talk about managing and mentoring new designers. We also talk about NFT's, what they are, why we are confused, and if we think they are beneficial for artists, especially POC artists.

Marketing cars to the blacks and office space Ep 83

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 19:39:06 +0000

In this episode we talk about automotive marketing tactics used to target different communities. We also talk about what it's like going back in to the office and what precautions companies are taking if they are taking any at all.

Being regular black and design trends for Black history month Ep 82

I See Pixels Podcast — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 15:21:36 +0000

In this episode we talk about design trends around black history month and how they could be better. We also talk about highlighting "regular" black experiences. We also briefly speak on the lack of black designers and how access and tools are needed.

Insurrection branding, instant gratification Ep 81

I See Pixels Podcast — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 22:48:17 +0000

This is a quick episode. We talk briefly about wisdom teeth, the insurrection at the capitol and the appeal of instant gratification.

Lessons learned, evolution, wins and losses 2020 Ep 80

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 17:44:44 +0000

In this episode we talk about how this year has affected us personally and professionally. We also talk about wins, losses and the things we think will stick around post-pandemic. We also talk about how we can help young artists can learn how to be designers.

Post election drama and Adobe max Ep 79

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 14:03:42 +0000

In this episode we talk about the "fallout" of the election and how people in different parties are aligning themselves. We also talk how it feels to be in a battle ground state, Georgia, that has another election in 2 months. We then talk about Adobe max, what we learned, what we hope they will do in the future, and if there was diversity in the presenters alienmuffin.threadless.com

Computers be puting, voting, and commuting to work again Ep 78

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 02:10:01 +0000

In this episode we talk about going back into the office a couple days out of the week and how much time is wasted commuting. We also talk about voting this year, our thoughts on absentee or early voting and the political climate. We also talk about what hardware we use to do our jobs as designers, desktops vs. laptops vs. tablets and mac vs PC.

Sweet potato spice, Puppy's, Politics and Saying No Ep 77

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 03:33:20 +0000

In this episode we talk about a variety of topics from puppies to politics but our main focus is how to say no to work. Taking on more than you can handle can be bad for your reputation and a waste of time for you and the client. We tell discuss how and when to say no.

Invest in your future Ep 76

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 00:14:57 +0000

In this episode we talk about how we have invested in ourselves. Not just with money but with time and energy. We talk about how you can get started investing with a little extra money and how the branding and marketing of investment has long been geared towards those who are already wealthy.

Don't misuse yours cause you can't use mine Ep 75

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 00:44:48 +0000

In this episode we talk about how the new normal is now old. We also talk about how we are using and not using our time to our advantage. We talk about the importance about creating a routine and daily schedule especially for people now doing WFH.

Is it good design or just hype Ep 74

I See Pixels Podcast — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 13:20:50 +0000

In this episode we talk about the recent hoopla surrounding the design of Pop Smoke's album by Virgil. We talk about how hype influences what is accepted as good design and some things everyone loves that we hate lol. We talk about the difference between "bad" good designs and "bad design". Have you ever made a bad design that people loved?

Happy Juneteenth Ep 73

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 20:00:00 +0000

In this episode we discuss our plans for celebrating our first Juneteenth. We also discuss the current momentum of the BLM movement and how businesses are reacting many times to little too late, ei. Starbucks. We talk about the recent rebranding decisions for brand with racists tropes ei. Aunt Jemima and Cream of Wheat.

Photo ops and stereotypes Ep. 72

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 18:00:00 +0000

In this episode we talk about the co opting of recent protest around police brutality and people trying to profit off of tragedy. We also talk about steroetype that you cna have about your own people and others that can influence and hinder the way you design.

You are your own worst client Ep. 71

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 21 May 2020 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode we first talk about finding the right distraction or entertainment while you do your work and how that can effect work productivity. That could be podcasts, shows, music, movies etc. We then talk about designing or developing branding for yourself as a designer. Are you a good client it for yourself? Are you constantly making arbitrary changes? Do you even have a clear vision of what your brand is? We dive into all of this.

Get comfortable with the new normal Ep. 70

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 01 May 2020 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode we talk about adjusting to our new normal during and post quarantine. We talk about what adjustments you need to make to your work schedule and workspace to accommodate what may very well be the new normal.

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Day 20 of quarantine -Graphic Design Podcast Ep 69

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 08:56:00 +0000

How we are handling the ongoing pandemic. What habits have we formed in quarantine.

In this episode we talk about how our grand plans for quarantine didn’t quite work out. We also talk about what habits good and bad have developed during this time of working from home. We also talk about learning and evolving during difficult times.

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Making the most of your quarantine-Graphic Design Podcast Ep 68

I See Pixels Podcast — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 13:14:00 +0000

How we are handling the current quarantine. Projects we are going to work on while social distancing.

Yup we are talking about COVID-19. We talk about what we can do with our time away from our day jobs and how we can use the free time to tackle projects we didn’t feel we had time to handle before. We also talk about clients sharing our prices.

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Each one teach one-Graphic Design Podcast Ep 67

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 08:59:00 +0000

Thoughts on McDonalds new minimal design. Designers teaching design. Skills designers need outside of design.

In this episode we talk about the new style of design McDonalds is starting to use and if it could work for other companies. We also talk about our feelings on designers charging for design classes while not having good designs. We then talk about what skills outside of design a designer should pick up to expand their offering to clients.

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The tragedy profit – Graphic Design Podcast Ep 66

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 07:49:00 +0000

Are people using tragedy and grief to highlight their brand

In this episode we first talk about the passing of Kobe Bryant and the 7 other passengers. We address the concern that people use a tragedies to promote their own brand. Being genuine in your intentions is important and can be felt by the people.

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You are worth more than that – Graphic Design Podcast Ep 65

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 13:27:09 +0000

What should a graphic designer charge and how to simplify your projects

In this episode we first talk about a document put out by the Designers Union containing suggested minimum prices for different types of design tasks. The goal is to have a standard rate the designers get paid across the industry to prevent us being taken advantage of.

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We alos talk about ways to simplify your side projects so that you can effectively juggle your passion projects and achieve your goals.

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Year end goal evaluation-Graphic Design Podcast Ep 64

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 15:18:12 +0000

Thank you to everyone that has joined us this year and those that have been here for longer. In this episode we discuss how our year has gone. We talk about things we accomplished and things that we’d like to accomplish in the coming year.

We also announced the release of a new design, go check it out at alienmuffin.threadless.com

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Simplistic design vs minimum effort-Graphic Design Podcast Ep 63

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 14:34:46 +0000

In this episode we get into what we did for Thanksgiving and if we took advantage of any Black Friday shopping. Anthony then goes on a rant about terrible logos sent by a vendor. We also talk about what it means to make a simple design but still put in design elements that take it to the next level. We identify ways that you can modify and enhance a logo to make it unique for a client .

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Mister Steal Your Client – Graphic Design Podcast Ep 62

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 11:46:27 +0000

In this episode we talk about competing for clients with other designers. Do you even play that game? How do you keep a client, and why would they ultimately leave you for someone else? We also talk about showing your worth to a job that might replace you.

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Do you feel valued in your work – Graphic Design Podcast Ep 61

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 08:10:12 +0000

In this episode we talk about the different things that can make you feel valued in your work a a graphic designer. Is it purely financial or are you needing something more? Do you continue to work for people that only benefit you financially? Is exposure value? We answer all these questions and more.

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Developing your soft skills – Graphic Design Podcast Ep 60

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 08:10:48 +0000

In this episode we talk about the soft skills graphic designers should develop to further their craft and career. We also spend some time talking about what tv shows we are watching and what books we are reading.

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Job titles and designing for yourself – Graphic Design Podcast ep 59

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 08:00:53 +0000

In this episode we talk about new programs we are using like Adobe XD. We then discuss career progression for designers and what your job title should be. We then talk about the struggle designers have when creating for themselves and the underlying reasons that it is so difficult.

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What’s your budget – Graphic Design Podcast Ep 58

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 08:04:44 +0000

In this episode we briefly discuss Anthony’s experience attending Dragon Can and then we quickly get into our thoughts attending a conference for designers. We talk about the benefits of picking up new skills from classes. we also talk about experienced designers getting stuck in a design rut and how to continually evolve your skills and creativity. We round out the discussion talking about client budgets and if you should ask up front.

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Coping with burnout – Graphic Design Podcast – Ep 57

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 08:36:31 +0000

In this episode we discuss coping with burnout from life and work. We talk about what it means to take a step back and how we find ways to recharge.

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Do you measure up – Graphic Designer Performance Evaluation Episode 56

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 07:00:42 +0000

In this episode we discuss how graphic designers performance should be measured and if it is accurate. We also discuss how a graphic designer can adapt when presented with the challenge of working with a brand that has bad branding.

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Carry your Own Baby Episode 55

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 21:31:45 +0000

In this episode we talk about collaboration as a designer. Have you ever felt that you carried the weight of the project because you have all the tools to see it to the end? We also talk about creating boundaries when it comes to sharing your knowledge/ideas.

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But is it Presidential, Ranking 2020 Presidential Candidates Logos – Episode 54

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 23:30:38 +0000

In this episode we discuss the logos of the current crop of presidential hopefuls for the 2020 election. Back in our second episode ever we covered the 2016 presidential hopefuls and now we get to do it all over again with mostly new candidates and some progressive designs. Follow along with our review of the 24(so far) candidates logos and find out who we think phoned it in and how we really believe has a plan for branding America that we can get behind.

Follow along here

Michael Bennet (D), a U.S. senator from Colorado, announced that he was running for president on May 2, 2019.
Joe Biden (D), a former vice president of the United States, announced that he was running for president on April 25, 2019.
Bill de Blasio (D), the mayor of New York City, announced that he was running for president on May 16, 2019.
Cory Booker (D), a U.S. senator from New Jersey, announced that he was running for president on February 1, 2019.
Steve Bullock (D), the governor of Montana, announced that he was running for president on May 14, 2019.
Pete Buttigieg (D), the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, announced that he was running for president on January 23, 2019.
Julián Castro (D), a former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development and San Antonio mayor, formally announced his candidacy on January 12, 2019.
John Delaney (D), a former U.S. representative from Maryland, filed to run for president on August 10, 2017.
Tulsi Gabbard (D), a U.S. representative from Hawaii, announced that she had decided to run for president on January 11, 2019.
Kirsten Gillibrand (D), a U.S. senator from New York, announced that she was forming an exploratory committee on January 15, 2019.[11] She officially announced she was running on March 17, 2019.
Mike Gravel (D), a former U.S. senator from Alaska, announced he was running for president on April 2, 2019.
Kamala Harris (D), a U.S. senator from California, announced that she was running for president on January 21, 2019.
John Hickenlooper (D), a former governor of Colorado, announced that he was running for president on March 4, 2019.
Jay Inslee (D), the governor of Washington, announced that he was running for president on March 1, 2019.
Amy Klobuchar (D), a U.S. senator from Minnesota, formally announced she was running for president on February 10, 2019.
Wayne Messam (D), the mayor of Miramar, Florida, announced he was forming an exploratory committee on March 13, 2019.
Seth Moulton (D), a U.S. representative from Massachusetts, announced he was running for president on April 22, 2019.
Beto O’Rourke (D), former U.S. representative from Texas, formally announced he was running for president on March 14, 2019.
Tim Ryan (D), a U.S. representative from Ohio, announced he was running for president on April 4, 2019.
Bernie Sanders (I), a U.S. senator from Vermont, announced that he was running for president on February 19, 2019.
Eric Swalwell (D), a U.S. representative from California, announced that he was running for president on April 9, 2019.
President Donald Trump (R) filed to run for re-election in 2020 on January 20, 2017.
Elizabeth Warren (D), U.S. senator from Massachusetts, announced she had formed an exploratory committee on December 31, 2018. She formally announced she was running for president on February 9, 2019.
Bill Weld (R), a former governor of Massachusetts, announced that he was running for president on April 15, 2019.
Marianne Williamson (D), an author and lecturer, announced she was running for president on January 28, 2019.
Andrew Yang (D), an entrepreneur and author from New York, filed to run for president on November 6, 2017.

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Websites, Portfolios, and Shoes Episode 53

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 24 May 2019 12:46:46 +0000

In this episode we talk about the stresses of revamping a large website. Finding ways to disconnect from technology to recharge. Noone loves group emails and we talk about ways to manage the email flow and reclaiming your time. We also talk about resume design vs. portfolio design. In our blackest black Business segment we also spend some time talking about the Kenyan running shoe company Enda. They have great branding and we point out our favorite elements.

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No new trends – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 52

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 02 May 2019 13:17:34 +0000

In this episode we talk about Staples new “improved” logo and we briefly talk about the fake outrage around Joe Bidens campaign logo. We also talk about new design trends and if they even exist in 2019.

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Hustle and Motivate – Personal Branding – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 51

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 07:00:59 +0000

In this episode we start by saying Rest in Peace to Nipsey Hussle and what his example says about creating a personal brand that matches your real life. We also discuss outsourcing work to grow your business. We then spend time complaining about going to meetings and how we feel about managers.

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Firm Biz – Working with an outside firm – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 50

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 02:22:43 +0000

In this episode we talk about collaborating with outside firms and how it can be positive or negative. We also talk about UX tools like Adobe XD and what the learning curve is for a new software.

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Outrage Marketing – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 49

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:00:39 +0000

In this episode we speak on outrage marketing. Outrage marketing in our definition is when you do something outrageous with the intent of capitalizing on the negative publicity. we talk about it’s effectiveness, if we think it’s real and if we can think of any successful examples.

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Black Business Branding – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 48

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 02:44:55 +0000

In this episode we talk about the concept of living black that was presented in the show “Trigger Warning”. We also talk ways to find and support black businesses like webuyblack.com.

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Slacks new logo and Political Branding – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 47

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 22:56:28 +0000

In this episode we check in on the current state of branding for the slew of people running for president in 2020. Slack gets a new logo and we critique it and give our thoughts on unfortunate logos and some of our design philosophy.

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Resolution Execution – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 46

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 22:56:55 +0000

The new year is a time when many people make resolutions to change things about their lives. In this episode we discuss how we brought in the new year and what comes next. We talk about how our jobs have been weird recently and how we stay focused. We also talk about new ways of approaching resolutions and turning a vision board into an action plan.

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Will Design for Food – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 45

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 23:39:30 +0000

In this episode we discuss how we go about finding new clients and what we do to get return clients.

Happy Holidays to our long time and new listeners!

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Minimalism and Design – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 44

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 02:06:51 +0000

In this episode we talk about what we are doing to be more minimal in our day to day lives. We discuss how minimalism can play into graphic design and conducting business. We also discuss a recent Graphic Design webinar we attended and how we intend to apply what we learned.

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Don’t Kill My Vibe – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 43

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 02:33:59 +0000

In this episode we discuss ways that we procrastinate and what we are doing to get better. We talk about ways to present your social media feed like a portfolio and we once again cover why we suck at social media. We also talk about how a change in environment can have an affect on your productivity.

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The Art of the Side Hustle – I See Pixels Podcast – Episode 42

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 14:36:09 +0000

In this episode we discuss what it’s like to have a side hustle. We talk about the advantages of having an additional income and ho to manage your time. We also speak on why we are driven to do more and if it has a positive impact on our life.

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Everyday Carry – Design Essentials – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 41

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 00:27:06 +0000

In this episode we discuss the everyday essentials of being a graphic designer. We talk about what we need to get the job done and the things we find are nonessential.

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Mansplaining Marketing ft. Sophia – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 40

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 14:25:09 +0000

In this episode we welcome back Sophia, of the Ask A Black Girl youtube channel, to talk about women in advertising. We first talk about the Racism is Petty 5k she organized (racismispetty.com) and how youtube has been treating her. We also discuss her thoughts on the use of women and/or sexy to sell items and when it is ok. We also discuss what it’s like to be a woman in marketing.

Follow Sophia:
IG : @askablkgirl
Purchase a shirt:
racismispetty.com
www.askablackgirl.org

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Charles Explains 3D modeling | I See Pixels Podcast Episode 39

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 10:30:00 +0000

In this episode we speak to a longtime friend about how he got into drawing and art, the inspiration and influences growing up and how he makes art today. We also talk to him about 3D modeling and what it takes to create characters for movies and video games.

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Do Nothing More Often | I See Pixels Podcast Episode 38

I See Pixels Podcast — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:30:00 +0000

In this episode we talk about making time for vacations and the importance of taking a break from it all. We also talk about what we’ve been up to and our thoughts on the latest season of Luke Cage.

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Learn to Fly and You Don’t Need New Shoes – I See Pixels Podcast – Episode 37

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 22:00:00 +0000

In the episode we discuss what our preferred methods are for starting new projects, jumping vs planning. We also discuss delayed satisfaction and how it contributes to personal growth and bank account growth.

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Karen’s Potato Salad – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 36

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 14:00:00 +0000

In this episode we discuss the use of mascots and characters in branding. Does a character help sell a product? Why are POC so often found as the mascot and can we sell anything besides food? Can Karen sell potato salad in Wakanda? We attempt to answer these and other questions on our latest episode.

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What does GDPR mean for you – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 35

I See Pixels Podcast — Sun, 27 May 2018 15:30:00 +0000

In this episode we discuss how GDPR will effect you and your business practices.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679 is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union. It addresses the export of personal data outside the EU.

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Design Revisions – I See Pixels Episode 34

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 00:30:00 +0000

In this episode we talk about design revisions, setting boundaries for clients and managing expectations.

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How Do You Design This – I See Pixels Episode 33

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 03:00:00 +0000

In this episode we take an actual design project we received and discuss how we would design based on the email. We cover the use of space, how to decide which text to highlight and what should be sacrificed.

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Black Panther Design Aesthetics – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 32

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 01:00:00 +0000

In the is episode we discuss Black Panther, our favorite parts, things we didn’t understand but mostly we talk about the design aesthetics of the movie.

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blackpanther design marvel tchalla nakia podcast costumedesign

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The Rise of Automated Design – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 31

I See Pixels Podcast — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 01:30:00 +0000

In this episode we talk about automated design but we start off talking about our lack of interest in the super bowl, where our seats are for Black Panther and we discuss comedians that aren’t funny. We discuss what design generators mean for designers and what it says about people that use them.

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Interviewing a Creative – I See Pixels Episode 30

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 01:10:52 +0000

We’ve all been in an interview but what happens when you are on the other side of the table. In this episode we discuss what we look for when interviewing someone and the importance of chemistry. We talk about how interviewing for a creative differs from more analytical positions. We also throw in some interview tips we’ve picked up along the way.

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Design Blindness I See Pixels Podcast Episode. 29

I See Pixels Podcast — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 14:00:00 +0000

Branding and marketing is on some levels inherently manipulative. Good branding, however, will hide this from the consumer with clever words and the right visual cues. What we are talking about this week is the effectiveness of these branding cues on a designer. Do we notice that we are being told to think a certain way? If we see it do we go along with it anyway?

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Procrastiworking – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 28

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode we talk about the work we do when we are supposed to be doing other work.

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The Power of Habit – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 27

I See Pixels — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 16:30:00 +0000

In this episode we talk about the book The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. We talk about how habits can unconsciously form and create a dependency. Target and companies like Target use habits to identify customers and target their potential needs. We talk about how habit dependency can get in the way of our ability to innovate. We address some of our design related bad habits and how they have negatively impacted our work. Being organized isn’t usually a trait of a creative person and we talk ways to balance the two.

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Finding Inspiration for Design – I See Pixels Podcast Ep 26

I See Pixels Podcast — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 18:30:00 +0000

We were a little late with this episode because…life but we are back. We spend sometime talking about what movies and TV we are watching right now. We make some watching recommendations like Lego Batman, The Zoo, Star Trek and The Orville.

For our main topic this episode we talk about finding design inspiration. We also talk about finding practical design inspiration. “Will this work in real life?” We talk about finding ways to improve a design while working within strict brand guidelines.

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Impostor Syndrome – I See Pixels Podcast Ep 25

I See Pixels Podcast — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 14:00:00 +0000

In this episode we talk about Impostor Syndrome.

“Impostor syndrome (also known as impostor phenomenon or fraud syndrome or the impostor experience) is a concept describing individuals who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a “fraud”.”

We start off talking about the pressure to prove yourself when first start a job. We talk about perceiving yourself as not good enough despite your experience and proven track record. Job hunting can be soul crushing and we talk about how that can erode your sense of self worth. We also talk about the feeling of equipment inferiority and how not feeling that you can “talk the talk” can make you feel that you don’t quite fit in. While black does not crack there are drawbacks to looking younger than you actually are and we talk about how that can contribute to the out of place feeling.

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1 Year Anniversary Episode and Starting a New Job – I See Pixels Episode 24

I See Pixels by Alein Muffin — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 02:30:00 +0000

In this episode we talk about what we have learned over the past year of podcasting. Podcasting can be fun but it can also teach you a lot about yourself and your habits. We also talk about what we’d like to improve going forward. We would like to thank everyone who has tuned in and subscribed over the past year and especially those of you who have been listening from the start.

Both of us have recently started new jobs so we discuss ways we try to start off making a good impression.

Getting to work on time/early
Dressing nicely (within reason)
Showing value was soon as you can even if you are not doing any work yet.
Adjusting to your work place culture

We also talk about how office politics and culture are established and how on-boarding can shape your view of the company.

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Check out our other episodes

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Business Casual – I See Pixels Podcast Ep 23

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 13:30:00 +0000

In this episode we spend a little time catching up and making poor excuses for missing a week of recording. We chat briefly about video games like Mindcraft, Battlefront 3 and Skyrim and how video games can be a great way to take a break from work. We talk about how you can optimize your work time and your break time. A shorter work day has been experimented with at some companies and we talk about how we believe it would effect our work.

Your appearance can have affect on if people take you seriously. We talk about if dress can be a barrier and if that is as important in a creative field.

We chat a little about recent shows we’ve watched like Defenders and how they stylistically adjusted shooting depending on the character.

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Failing Fast I See Pixels Podcast Ep 22 ft Sophia of Ask a Black Girl

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode we speak to Sophia Mobley about her youtube channel Ask A Black Girl. We talk to her about what led her to create the channel and what her goals are as it grows. We also talk about the school and career path that has contributed to her project. Sophia tells us how she applies the “Failing Fast” concept to her youtube channel, blog and other projects.

“Well, in a nutshell the purpose of this channel is to inspire conversation. I have a friend who is white, who is willing to ask me any and everything that comes to his mind about black people. We have shared many laughs, and many debates, but at the end we always find out a lot about each other, from a racial perspective. Of course I don’t have even a fraction of the “answers”, and by no means can I speak for all black women, or black people for that matter. I can only share my perspective. However, the conversations with my friend changed his mind about a LOT of things. According to him, he can see black people in a different way now that he knows a little bit more about us. So, this made me wonder… how many more people could change just from asking questions about each other? I am setting out to open the doors of communication amongst people. I believe communication can help heal our country. Join me in the conversation!”

Tune in and enjoy an interesting conversation about creativity, design and race.

Follow Sophia:

Youtube channel

IG : @askablkgirl

Twitter: @askablkgirl

www.askablackgirl.org

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How to charge more for design work - I See Pixels Ep 21

I See Pixels Podcast — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 14:00:00 +0000

In this episode we talk about how to charge more for your design work. We also spend time at the beginning of the episode giving a quick update on our social media efforts since our previous episode “Twitterfingers” where we talked about how badly we were doing on our social media platforms. We discuss ways we have tried to have meaningful engagement as a company and brand without being boring or annoying. Many people connect with a company because a personal or emotional connection and we talk about ways to do that on Twitter and Instagram.

Our main topic was inspired by the video “How to charge more for a logo” by Chris Do on youtube. We talk about what we agree with and the aspects we aren’t quite on board with. The main takeaways for us revolve around presentation of your work, story telling, and quality over quantity. Tune in and enjoy this episode.

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Going Viral and Riding the Wave – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 20 with Gianna Snell

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 13:00:00 +0000

An Interview with Photographer Gianna Snell

In this episode we sit down with photographer Gianna Snell who is based in Northern Alabama. Gianna shares with us her inspiring journey along her career path and how she managed to overcome the pressure to choose a ‘normal’ career. We talk about her influences and what led her to purse a creative career path.

Gianna enjoys capturing images that highlight connections between people. We speak about what inspires her photography and what defines her style.

We also talk to Gianna about a photo she took recently that went viral. She talks about the couple that inspired her, how it felt to see your work become popular, and the feeling of seeing your work shared without giving you credit. She gives us the play by play of how things went and how she used the new found exposure to not only promote her business but to tell the story of the couple.

Find Gianna Snell Photography:

An article written by Gianna Snell about the couple’s love story

www.giannasnellphotography.com/

IG: @gianna_snell_photography

FB: www.facebook.com/Gianna-Snell-Photography

Twitter: @photographybyG

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Digital Barriers and Web Design – I See Pixels Episode 19

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 03:00:00 +0000

In this episode we discuss Digital Barriers and Web Design. We are joined by special guest Steven Norman IV to speak about the way he as a blind person interacts with the web and social media. We discuss 508 compliance and how it can affect your bottom line as a business. JAWS is a popular screen reader and Steven explains to us and listeners how it works and what it allows him to do. We tie this to the fact that many things that are good for SEO are good for screen readers. We discuss The National Federation of the Blind and how they influence change and make life easier for their members. We are inspired by their saying “nothing for us without us”.

Learn more about NFB at nfb.org

Section 508, an amendment to the United States Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973, is a federal law mandating that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities.

Thanks the Steven for sharing his perspective and the music you hear on the podcast.

Steven Norman IV’s website

Twitter @Stevenorman4

Youtube stevenorman4

Facebook stevenorman4

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Business Card Design Tips and More – Episode 18 – I See Pixels Podcast

Alien Muffin — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 15:30:00 +0000

In this episode of the I See Pixels Podcast we talk about business cards. Do you still need one? What should be on it? Should I include a link to my foursquare profile and a QR code? We also talk about the whole SheaMoisture situation from last month and how it could have possibly been handled better. Is it possible to reach out to new groups of potential customers without upsetting those you already have? You can read more about it here.

If you have graphic design or web design questions feel free to connect with us on social media and we may answer your questions in an upcoming episode.

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Hip Hop Album Cover Design – Episode 17 – I See Pixels Podcast

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 17 May 2017 14:00:00 +0000

*We apologies for the audio issues*

In this episode we discuss album covers in hip hop. We cover the time period between now and the early 90’s. We discuss common trends like Bling, Baby’s, Squads, Artsy, Stylized, and Minimal. Some of of the covers we discuss are Juveniles 400 Degreez, Nas Illmatic, The Roots multiple squad covers and Kanye’s albums. We talk about the vast differences in the thought and care put into the Graduation cover vs. Life of Pablo. When talking on the different covers we pick out some of our favorites like Biggies Ready to Die, A Tribe Called Quest’s Low End Theory. We spend some talking about the use of stock images on album covers and contrast that with the use of commissioned artwork like Logic’s Everybody. We also talk about controversial album covers like Ice T’s Power and Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda and the if they were actually good beyond the shock factor.

We also spend time talking about if album covers still matter in the streaming age. We conclude the Run the Jewels has one of if not the most effective branding strategies in hip hop.

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I See Pixels Podcast – Episode 16

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 01:30:00 +0000

In this episode we talk about some of the recent music we’ve been listening to. We talk briefly about Kendrick Lamars new album, Joey Bada$$ new project, Lupe Fiasco and the music we are looking forward to this year.

We also talk about feeling fulfilled in the work you do. How to choose the right clients to work with and what some of our favorite projects have been and what we’d like to work on.

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The TV Episode – I See Pixels Podcast Ep 15

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode we discuss some of our favorite television shows and why. But first we talk about playing basketball as an adult. We discuss the change in your motivation to play and the benefits of having a moist jumper.

We also talk about the concept of having “fun” as adult and if that even exists.

We then talk about some of our favorite tv shows like The Expanse, Breaking Bad, Firefly, The Wire, Into The Badlands, etc. We also discuss the Marvel Netflix shows and why Iron Fist is “meh” at best. We also make a couple of suggestions on TV shows you should check out instead of Iron Fist like The Expanse, Emerald City, and Into The Badlands.

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Are You Ready for Ecommerce – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 14

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode we discuss Ecommerce. We start off by talking about the main misconceptions people have about setting up an ecommerce website. We talk about finding the correct tool for your business. Knowing your audience is one of the most important things to know when selling online and we talk about what that means. We talk about developing user confidence and how that ties into your brand. Developers need to walk into a ecommerce project with their eyes open, we talk about what questions to ask and what clients to avoid.

We talk briefly about “instagram boutiques” and barriers you create for consumers that can reduce sales.

Whats important?

Investment
Security
Creating the “right” site

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About E-Commerce…but Didn’t Realize You Should Ask

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I See Pixels Podcast – Episode 13

I See Pixels Podcast — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 14:00:00 +0000

In this episode we discuss some of our favorite podcasts. We talk about the use of podcasts to passively learn something new and podcasts that we use a as a passtime. We also talk about inspiration and the many forms it comes in including a great new show called Abstract, a show focused on designers from different backgrounds and working in different fields, that is now on Netflix. Later we cover the importance of having a side hustle and what impact it can have on your pockets and mental health. We talk about what staying “woke” in a changing job market and the importance of having a skill that will work in a post apocalyptic world. To wrap up we discuss what to do in a case of “scope creep” or when a client attempts to causally expand a projects scope.

Links to some our favorite podcasts:

Abstract on Netflix

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Graphic Designs Role in Social Justice – Episode 12

Alien Muffin — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 02:30:00 +0000

In this episode of the I See Pixels Podcast we discuss social justice and civil rights movements use graphic design to share their message. Not every social justice or civil rights movement has had great branding but its safe to say those that did have been more memorable. Characters like Rosie the riveter and Uncle Sam are hard to forget. We talk about some of what we think were the most memorable designs and the different methods designers used to get the message across. We also talked about:

How design is used to influence people opinions of the “other” and the promotion of stereotypes through design
Good design and how it can make a movement/cause more appealing
How propaganda lives on today on the internet (memes)

You can see some of the designs we talked about in this episode here

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Diversity in Graphic Design Ep 11 – I See Pixels Podcast

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 17:30:00 +0000

While we try to make black history every day we will also take the month. In honor of Black History Month we discuss diversity in graphic design. We tackle this from 2 directions, using images of diverse people in the design work we do and we also discuss people of color in the graphic design field. We make as many Kanye references as possible and we discuss the long term effects of not seeing role models in your chosen field. We also talk about why many people a comfortable with the norm in terms of diversity and don’t feel the need to work to change it.

We cover the 2 main factors that contribute to the low percentage of black designers:

Lack of resources or access to resources
The “old boy” network and the ramification on hiring

Links:

Why is graphic design 93 percent white?

Black Designers in History

Special thanks to @ChrisHardknocks for the intro music:
@chrishardknocks

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Managing Client Relationships Episode 10 – I See Pixels Podcast

I See Pixels Podcast — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 14:00:00 +0000

As designers and business owners we have to maintain working relationships with many different types of people. In this episode we discuss dealing with clients and how you can effectively manage relationships with people who can be hard to work with. Communication and setting boundaries are two important factors in keeping relationships and maintaining respect. We discuss what it means to fire a client and why that may be necessary. We also try in vain to remember Keyshia Cole’s name and discuss the evolution of Love and Hip Hop and the movie Passengers.

* No offense to any clients that feel targeted

Special thanks to @ChrisHardknocks for the intro music:
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https://soundcloud.com/iseepixels/

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Episode 9 – I See Pixels Podcast

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 18:00:00 +0000

In this episode we loosen up a bit and cover a variety of topics from the new Star Wars movie, Rouge One to building a photography portfolio and dealing with returning customers. We discuss what it takes to stay consistent and the difference between comfort and stagnation. We also talk more about our resolutions and goals for the new year.

Special thanks to @ChrisHardknocks for the intro music:
@chrishardknocks

Social:
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twitter.com/alienmuffin
www.facebook.com/alienmuffin/

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New Years Resolutions – I See Pixels Podcast Ep 8

I See Pixels Podcast - by Alien Muffin — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode we discuss our resolutions for the coming year and somethings we have learned during the past year of business. We discuss 3 main goals we have for our business/lives. But before we dig into all that we discuss why people make resolutions and why many fail to keep them.

Organized – Create a plan to better organize plan work and time. Without a plan of action to achieve your goals you are dooming them before you even start. Start small, make them realistic and make sure the results are measurable.
Education – Stay up to date on new tools, software, new media. Staying relvant in the IT world is very important consideruring how quickly things change and evovle. You don’t want to get so caught up in your work that you look up one day and the industry has changed and you are opsolete.
Innovate – Evolve design direction and look for new inspiration. Design ruts are the worst but many times it you don’t realize you are in one until you burn out. It’s important to seek out new inspiration and try new things that are a challenge so that your work will not stagnate.

Resources

Smart goalsSimple
Mmeasurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time based

Photoshop Training Channel – Good resource for videos on different Photoshop tricks and techniques
Staying Relevant in Design – This post has several good suggestions on how to keep up with inspiration and design trends.
Asana – A good task tracking app/ website
Abduzeedo – Daily design inspiration

Special thanks to @ChrisHardknocks for the intro music:
@chrishardknocks

Social:
instagram.com/alienmuffin
twitter.com/alienmuffin
www.facebook.com/alienmuffin/

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The Holiday Episode – I See Pixels Podcast 7

I See Pixels Podcast — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 18:30:00 +0000

In this episode we talk about what works and doesn’t work with Holiday themed promotions and emails the companies send out this time of year. We cover the importance of supporting the creative people you know during the holidays and how it makes finding unique and interesting gifts easier. To close out the episode we talk about what we want for Christmas. Happy Holidays!

Special thanks to @ChrisHardknocks for the intro music:
@chrishardknocks

Social:
instagram.com/alienmuffin
twitter.com/alienmuffin
www.facebook.com/alienmuffin/

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Time Management as a busy freelancer – Ep 6

Alien Muffin — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode we discuss time management and the way it plays into our work as graphic and web designers and relationships with our friends and family. We discuss how managing our time and managing creative energy can help make completing projects and dealing with clients easier. We also discuss how we have learned to deal with the distractions that come along with being a parent and how to work around surprises and interruptions throughout the day. The flipside of staying focused is knowing when to take time to relax and we discuss ways to fit that into your day and life.

Special thanks to @ChrisHardknocks for the intro music:
https://soundcloud.com/chrishardknocks

Social:
instagram.com/alienmuffin
twitter.com/alienmuffin
https://www.facebook.com/alienmuffin/

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Origin Story: How did we get into design? I See Pixels Podcast Ep. 5

I See Pixels Podcast — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 07:30:00 +0000

In this week’s episode of the I See Pixels Podcast we talk about our origin story and how we got started in design. We discuss early influences and some of the people who helped us see art as a viable career choice as well as how they helped us towards entrepreneurship. We also talk about how we both changed our plans during college to focus more on graphics and web design. Finally we talk about some of the terrible jobs we have had outside of design and how they motivated us to do better.

Anthony recently released some new prints so check out his website for more information http://anthonyarts.com

Special thanks to @ChrisHardknocks for the intro music:
https://soundcloud.com/chrishardknocks

Social:
instagram.com/alienmuffin
twitter.com/alienmuffin
https://www.facebook.com/alienmuffin/

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Brand New – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 4

I See Pixels Podcast — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode we discuss re-branding and when its time to change up your brand, but first we talk about the many ways a business can underestimate, misunderstand, stereotype, and offend their target demographic. We cover the different reasons a business may wish to re-brand and what effective re-branding looks like. We contrast expanding and re-branding to reach more customers vs downsizing to cater to a specific clientele. David admits to wearing starched jeans back in the early 2000’s and Anthony talks about Matthew McConaughey and Lincoln.

Special thanks to Chris Hardknocks for the intro music:
https://soundcloud.com/chrishardknocks

Social:
instagram.com/alienmuffin
twitter.com/alienmuffin
https://www.facebook.com/alienmuffin/

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Twitterfingers – I See Pixels Podcast Episode 3

I See Pixels Podcast — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 09:30:00 +0000

In this episode of the I See Pixels podcast we talk about how we use (or don’t use) social media for our business. We have all heard about what you should do to grow your following on social media and how often you should tweet or post on Facebook, but do we actually do it? In our case the answer is not really. We discuss our current social media strategies both personally and for our business and how we could improve them and use the platforms more effectively. We also discuss if its worth it for us to use these social media outlets or not. Overall we are not doing great on social media so in a future episode we will follow up and see if things have improved.

Our current social media stats

Facebook – 42 likes

Twitter – 17 followers

Instagram – 86 followers

Connect with us on social media

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

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Elected by Design – I See Pixels Podcast Ep 2

I See Pixels Podcast — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 19:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the I See Pixels Podcast we judge the 2016 presidential candidates, not based on their character, policies or hair styles but purely based own their campaign logos. We draw parallels between a person’s messaging and the design they choose and in some cases what it says about them as a person. We briefly talk about orange juice for reasons that will become apparent and we talk about the importance of taking part in the voting process if you wish to have an opinion. In the end we determine who we would vote for in the 2016 election based solely on the design of their logo and its probably not who you would think it is. Tune in and enjoy the discussion. View all the logos we discussed here

Candidates discussed:
Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Gary Johnson, Jill Stein, Roque De La Fuente, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Rand Paul, Ben Carson, Bobby Jindal, Trump, Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, John Kasich

Register to vote >>>

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What are those? – I See Pixels Podcast Ep 1

I See Pixels — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 13:49:00 +0000

This is the first episode of our brand new “I See Pixels Podcast”, created by David and Anthony Cavins. We are both graphic and web designers so we created a platform to discuss design in everyday situations.

In our first episode “What are those?” we discuss branding vs. good design. Do we like Nike’s because we have been programmed by the system or is it just because they have a good design? We discuss Nike‘s design principles, Brandblacks design direction, we slander Reebok for their new logo, and cover why Under Armour, while having a great product has issues integrating their designs with their logo. We also discuss Fila, Sketchers running shoes, and a small s/o to Champion.

Aside from name dropping we discuss the importance of creating branding that works for you and the direction your company is going.

Rate and subscribe on iTunes.

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