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This week on the podcast, Claire sits down with Jessie McGuire — Managing Partner of the independent design & creative studio Thought Matter. This year’s winner of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Communication Design.

With a career spanning some of the most respected studios in the industry, Jessie has built a reputation for shaping work that is not only beautifully crafted, but effective — helping brands connect more meaningfully with their audiences.

In this episode, Jessie shares her journey into design and how her career has evolved over time, reflecting on the realities of building a creative career that doesn’t always follow a straight path.

She also talks about the tension between creativity and commerciality — why great design can’t just look good, it has to work — and what success really means for studios today.

Along the way, we explore leadership in creative environments, the importance of knowing when to push and when to listen, and why the value of design is often only recognised in hindsight.

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This week Claire met up with Sarah Williams - President of AIGA NY, where she champions the future of design for all, and co-CEO of branding agency Beardwood&Co. An award-winning creative leader, she has been recognised by the DBA Effectiveness Awards, The Clio Awards, and PAC Global, and has worked with brands including Hyatt Hotels, Yankee Candle, Pottery Barn, Corona, and Bath & Body Works, as well as speaking at conferences such as How Design Live.

In this episode, Sarah shares her journey into design - from growing up in a small town and discovering a love of music and album art and her move to New York.

She shares her early steps into design, her first job at Landor and her 20 year experience growing Beardwood&Co. alongside Julia Beardwood and Ryan Lynch.

She also discusses her role as president of AIGA NY and its role in fostering community and mentorship in the design industry.

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AIGA NY

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This week on the podcast Claire, sits down with Kiser Barnes, chief creative officer and partner at Red Antler. The episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Red Antler’s new Manhattan studio.

From startups to Fortune 100 brands, Kiser has helped shape some of the world’s most recognisable companies, including Google, LVMH, Crocs, Delta Airlines, Calvin Klein and McKinsey. A Cannes Lions Grand Prix winner and Ad Age Innovator 50 (2025), he’s also spoken globally and serves on the board of AIGA.

In this episode, Kiser shares his journey into design - from photography to the creative influence of New York.

He shares his take on AI’s impact (and opportunity) in the creative world, with the hire of Red Antler’s new AI creative lead

He also discusses the role of mentorship and why creative experimentation matters more than ever.

Links:

Red Antler

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On the podcast this week Claire met up with Mitch Monson, executive director of creative and partnerships at Sibling Rivalry. An award-winning creative leader, his work has been recognised by organisations including the Clio Awards, Art Directors Club and the Broadcast Design Association, and he has received three Emmy Awards.

Mitch has led brand and broadcast campaigns for global clients including Marvel Studios, NBC Sports and NBC Olympics, Netflix, HBO, Amazon Studios, Warner Brothers, BBC and The Walt Disney Company. He is also a regular speaker and juror for leading industry organisations such as AIGA and The One Club for Creativity, and earlier in his career designed the iconic Love Symbol for Prince.

Mitch reflects on his journey from aspiring to join the military to forging a creative career in design and production, and co-founding his own production company.

He talks about his collaboration with the musician Prince, including the design of the Love Symbol, and his work for the Marvel Universe.

He also discusses the impact of mentorship and community in shaping a creative career - including involvement in initiatives like Move Together and Assembly.

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Sibling Rivalry

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Content warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and substance abuse (timestamps 03:07 - 06:23)

On the podcast this week Claire met up with James Martin, an award-winning designer, author of The Honest Guide to Creativity and Logo Design, and founder of the studio Made By James. He is known for his distinctive brand identities and straight-talking creative education.

Through his studio and content platforms, he has built a global following, worked with international clients and creative businesses, and become a trusted voice on logo design, personal branding and creative entrepreneurship.

In this episode, James shares his unconventional career journey - from going back to school after feeling lost in his teens, to launching Baby Giant Design Co., to building the Made by James brand.

James talks openly about carving your own path as a creative and why there’s no single ’traditional’ route to success.

He also reflects on the evolving design agency model, shifting budgets, and the importance of never settling creatively.

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Made By James

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This week Claire met up with Paul Watmough-Halim and Jan Stein, the co-founders of the brand studio Hyperfocus.

Paul was named by Creative Boom as one of the top creatives of 2025, and has spoken around the world with Jan at festivals such as D&AD. Paul was head of design at clothing brand Bench and has worked on German media channel Funke and the Olympic Games for Coca-Cola. Jan has worked on brands such as Google, Swisscom and Red Bull and both are the co-hosts of the Brand Review on YouTube.

On the podcast they share their early discovery of art and design, their uniting love of skateboarding, to the influence of music, DJ-ing and creating album art. Jan shares the huge impact of growing up in East Berlin when the wall came down and seeing the world through new eyes. And they share the creative and eye-catching ways that they’ve made their mark in the world of brand design and becoming the 'go-to' for other agencies to design their websites.

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Hyperfocus

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The award-winning Rejane Dal Bello, founder of Studio Dal Bello, joined host Claire Blyth at a live audience recording at D&AD’s headquarters, talking about her book ‘Citizen First, Designer Second’ and its unique perspective on design.

On the podcast Rejane shares her design journey through her book, with insights, and advice for designers who want to make a meaningful impact.

She discusses the undervaluation of design in society and the need for greater awareness of its impact.

And she explains why she hates the word branding and the feeling of creating hierarchies in design.

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Rejane Dal Bello

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In the first podcast of series 9, Claire met Samar at Pentagram’s new London studios for a wide-ranging conversation on design, culture, and global identity.

Samar is known for her creative, multilingual approach to design, working at the intersection of cultures. Her work spans major global projects - from city rebrands such as Dubai, to launching Apple’s brand in Arabic, and campaigns for many clients including Porsche across technology, culture, and AI.

On the podcast, Samar shares her journey from Beirut to London, and her path to becoming a Pentagram partner in 2023

She explores the challenges of building cohesive brands across languages and cultures

And offers sharp insights into today’s design industry, from trends to challenges

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Pentagram

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