What if your creative career wasn’t about climbing a ladder, but about building leverage?

In this episode, we sit down with Jason Murray to unpack what it really means to be a Creative Athlete in today’s shifting industry. We talk about why the traditional creative path feels shakier than ever, how creators quietly rewrote the rules, and why mid-level creatives can no longer rely on titles, agencies, or permission to move forward.

Jason breaks down the mindset shift from being a task-doer to a strategic operator, how to think beyond execution, and why treating yourself like a client is no longer optional. We dig into creative independence, ownership, and how to identify the real value you bring to the table, beyond your portfolio.

If you’re a designer, art director, or creative who feels capable but capped, this episode will challenge how you think about your career, your skills, and your next move, and give you practical ways to start building a career that adapts, compounds, and stays yours.

https://www.instagram.com/jason_swet/

It’s that time of year again, and your two favorite design elves, Mikelle and Nick, are back with a sleigh full of wildly good gift ideas for creatives. In this year’s Holiday Gift Guide, we’re pulling out the deep cuts, the clever upgrades, and the treats that’ll make any designer’s heart grow three sizes.

From retro tech nostalgia to productivity lifesavers to “I definitely deserve this” splurges, we run through our full 2025 wishlist, why each item made the cut, and who on your studio team deserves one too. Expect laughs, unexpected gems, and maybe one or two confessions about our online shopping habits.

Whether you need the perfect gift for a designer friend, your favorite creative colleague, or just yourself because you nailed that last deadline, we’ve got you covered.

Grab the cocoa, hit play, and bookmark everything. Your cart is about to get dangerously full.

• Another Studio Stencils

  https://www.another-studio.com/collections/stencils

• Atari Gamestation Go

  https://atari.com/products/atari-gamestation-go?srsltid=AfmBOoq6M9OB6HIj2csHeLtCdAUkcaHgyzaousJwIM1n1mPAgQD3WEB_

• LEGO Disney Pixar Luxo Jr. Set (21357)

  https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/disney-pixar-luxo-jr-21357

• A6 Memobottle

  https://www.memobottle.us/products/a6-memobottle

• Manta Sleep Mask Sound (New Gen)

  https://mantasleep.com/products/manta-sleep-mask-sound-new-gen

• PocketDrum 2 Plus by Aeroband

  https://www.aeroband.net/products/pocketdrum2-plus

• MacLock Retro Computer Clock

  https://theawesomer.com/maclock-retro-computer-clock/789827/

• Oakywood Magnetic Cable Organizer

  https://oakywood.shop/products/magnetic-cable-organizer?_gl=115mp605_upMQ.._gs*NQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImbrQ2uGmkQMV1V8IBB0TajqyEAEYASAEEgLw1PD_BwE

• Better With Rhythm

  https://www.betterwithrhythm.com

• The Magic Patio

  https://www.themagicpatio.com

• Draplin Design Co. Posters

  https://www.draplin.com/merch/posters

• Kintsugi Reborn (Handcrafted Goods)

  https://www.etsy.com/shop/KintsugiReborn

• Imogene and Willie, Graphic Content Collection

  https://imogeneandwillie.com/collections/graphic-content

• Teenage Engineering Audio & Synth Gear

  https://teenage.engineering/products/audio-and-synthesizers

• Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators

  https://teenage.engineering/store/pocket-operators

What really happens when you hit the ten year mark in your creative career? In this episode, Nick is joined by three powerhouse designers who have each carved out their own lane in the industry, all with a decade of experience under their belts. Say hello to illustrator and licensing pro Maggie Enterrios, branding and merch designer Enon Avital, and creative director and product maker Dan Lee.

Together they unpack the real lessons a long term creative career teaches you, including the early mistakes that shaped them, the surprising wins that kept them going, and the mindset shifts that turned fear into momentum. They dig into client work, licensing, merch, side hustles that became main hustles, and how each path builds a different kind of resilience.

Listeners will walk away with practical guidance on launching products with confidence, navigating slow seasons, protecting your creative identity, knowing when to evolve your business, and building something that lasts longer than a trend cycle.

If you’ve ever wondered what it actually takes to stay in this industry for ten years, this is your hotline moment.

Dan Lee: https://www.instagram.com/dandrawnwords/

Maggie Enterrios: https://www.instagram.com/littlepatterns/
Enon Avital: https://www.instagram.com/e_known/

In this conversation, Nick discusses the unique design elements and storytelling aspects of various packaging designs. He highlights the importance of bold illustrations and effective branding in creating a memorable consumer experience.

T-Shirt Link: Here

Creativity lives in the tension between control and chaos.

In this episode, Nick Longo unpacks the lessons from his time speaking at Adobe MAX , where structure met spontaneity in real time. From airtight prep to unexpected pivots, he explores how to read the room, trust your instincts, and know when to stick to the plan… or scrap it completely.

You’ll hear stories from the stage, lessons from the studio, and real-world advice for every creative trying to balance confidence and curiosity.

Blueprints build your foundation. Breakpoints build your growth.

Learn how to master both, and design in the in-between.

Designers, It’s Time to Jump

What to Do When Entry-Level Isn’t There Anymore

The path into the design industry has changed, and no one sent a memo. Entry-level roles are drying up, mentorship is rare, and early-career designers are being asked to “start mid-level” without a support system.

In this episode, we break down what’s really going on, who it affects the most, and how designers caught in the middle can take control, stand out, and leap forward, even when the ladder is gone.

Whether you’re a recent grad, a freelancer still trying to land your first big role, or just stuck in the void between “junior” and “senior,” this episode is for you.

We cover:

• Why entry-level jobs are disappearing

• What skills actually matter now

• How to build your own momentum

• Why visibility beats perfection

• Practical steps to future-proof your creative career

This isn’t about waiting your turn. It’s about jumping the gap, and building the career that’s waiting on the other side.

Link to Article

In this episode of The Deeply Graphic Design Cast, Nick sits down with AI futurist and designer Linus Ekenstam, whose bold takes on social media have shaken up the creative community. Linus has made headlines for statements like, “Designers who ignore AI might soon be out of jobs,” but his mission isn’t to scare; it’s to prepare.

Together, we dig into the reality of how AI is changing the creative landscape, not five years from now, but right now. Linus breaks down which design tasks are already being automated, why “AI won’t replace designers, but designers who use AI will replace those who don’t,” and how creatives can future-proof their careers by learning to co-create with intelligent tools.

This isn’t a doom-and-gloom conversation. It’s a wake-up call packed with practical advice for freelancers, studio owners, and anyone trying to stay relevant in an industry that’s shifting faster than ever. We talk about:

• Why “AI literacy” is the new must-have skill for every creative
  

• The everyday tasks designers can automate today to save time and stress
  

• How to maintain your creative voice while working with AI tools
  

• The mindset shift from “AI will take my job” to “AI can take my busywork”
  

• What the smart designer’s toolkit looks like in 2025 and beyond
  

Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or terrified about AI, this conversation will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to take action, before the industry moves on without you.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and join the conversation.

Because the future of design isn’t man or machine — it’s both.

Linus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linusekenstam/

Linus on X: https://x.com/LinusEkenstam

Website: linusekenstam.com

Wix Studio: https://www.wixstudio.com

In this episode of The Drop, we’re serving up a sizzling slice of design news that graphic designers actually care about. We break down Pizza Hut’s quiet logo refresh and explore what it means for legacy brands. Microsoft drops a full redesign of its Office app icons — we unpack the system thinking behind it and how it’s all tied into their Copilot visual language. Then we unwrap Starburst’s vibrant new brand identity and packaging system, looking at how confectionery brands stay competitive on crowded shelves.

Plus, we round it all out with quick hits on viral design moments, and yes — one AI story that’s actually worth your time.

Get ready to nerd out, level up, and maybe even rethink your next client pitch.

Visit https://www.wixstudio.com

https://www.theverge.com/news/783991/google-labs-mixboard-ai-design-canvas?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.adobe.com/products/firefly/features/moodboard.html

https://news.designrush.com/guess-faces-backlash-over-ai-models-in-vogue-campaign?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.foodandwine.com/aldi-private-label-rebrand-2025-11817515?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/corporate-design-branding/rosalia-bespoke-instagram-font?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://designcompass.org/en/2025/08/18/pizzahut-new-logo-for-international/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.theverge.com/news/789533/microsoft-office-new-icons-design?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://straightforward.design/work/starburst-rebrand/?utm_source=chatgpt.com