Design and Whine
By Design and whine
So we decided to make our own show where we will try as little as possible to talk about the pixel-pushing side of design.
This is a podcast (not) about design, by two designers.
Design and WhineFeb 16, 2024
#12 – Design process
What is our design process?
Do we even have one?
What's the best "handoff" we've experienced?
How do we both approach deadlines and time management?
How do we handle tasks?
#11 – My portfolio hell dot com
<li>What do our portfolios look like?</li>
<li>The importance of referrals and networking</li>
<li>What about paid for projects?</li>
<li>How do we feel about take-home assignments?</li>
<li>Should we apply in the style of the company you are targeting?</li>
</ul>
#10 – 2023 end of year bonanza special
Rapid fire questions and our reflections on 2023.
- What books have you read?
- What did you learn this year
- What was your favourite and least favourite thing this year?
- What are your New Year resolutions
- Our hopes for the podcastStupid ideas
- Free ideas for side projects
See you all in the New Year!
#9 – What even is design
A response to an industry existential crisis
- What does design mean to you/us?
- Are designers artists?
- The more senior you get the less you design
- Work is mundane, should we just accept that? And stop hoping it will solve all our (creative) problems?
- Are side projects actually the answer?
- How can you keep scratching the artistic itch in a work environment
- What we think is right isn’t necessarily what the business thinks is right
- Is this an ego problem?
- Is this FINE?
More bullet points are available on request.
#8 – Failing
Tune in to learn how Au was once paid €600 to not design a logo, or how Luis paid £3000 for a business that failed before it even started. Or maybe how Au messed up her friend's travel blog, or when Luis accidentally emailed his CEO some particularly blunt feedback.
#7 – Bad things can be good things
It turns out that we've both lost jobs, been promoted to managers without wanting to, and had to make career switches with our backs against the wall.
Join us in this episode where we talk about our past experiences of bad career stuff happening and how we navigated it.
Bonus points to Au for using a quote from Frozen in here.
#6 – Conferences
What was your first conference? Did you enjoy it? Was it fun, scary? Did yo meet anyone that you're still in touch with?
Conferences can be pretty overwhelming even for the more extroverted amongst us, but they are seemingly something we need to do in order to "climb the ladder".
We're both unsure about how much weight is put on them, both for the privilege angle, but also because maybe we can just be happy with the work we do and enjoy that1
#5 – Networking
We met via networking!
Despite it being something that we're all told to do in order to progress in our careers, it can feel a little gross. In this episode we talk about the different forms of networking, what you can do if you really don't want to engage in it, and admit that privilege plays an unfortunately large part in most of this.
#4 – Friendships
<li>Adult relationships are hard</li>
<li>When you leave a job, you normally lose those relationships</li>
<li>Should work / friendship go together?</li>
<li>If all you talk about is the job, is that a friendship?</li>
<li>What about active and passive friendships</li>
<li>What about friends that aren’t from work?</li>
<li>Are we always working?</li>
</ul>
#3 – Overworking
<li>Do you actually “clock off” when you close your laptop?
<ul>
<li>Do you need to?</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Does loving your work actually work against you if you never switch off?</li>
<li>How many hours do you actually work in a day?</li>
<li>What would happen if we worked less?</li>
<li>Protecting your time (focussing)</li>
<li>Setting boundaries</li>
<li>Working with timezones</li>
<li>Why is the idea of a 9-5 so badly perceived now?</li>
</ul>
#2 – Side projects
<li>Hustle 🤮– why is it gross?</li>
<li>Starting/stopping side projects when you’re ready</li>
<li>What do we think about side projects?</li>
<li>Are they a requirement?
<ul>
<li>Unhealthy expectations on screen time</li>
<li>Not everyone has access / the luxury of working after work</li>
<li>No one should be expected to do this! Whatever happened to relaxing?</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Is this podcast work?</li>
<li>Does being on Twitter count as work?</li>
<li>“How do you have time?”</li>
<li><em>Stacking efforts </em>trademark
<ul>
<li>Create a design resource – everyone loves a UI kit, could you create something? There’s no better way to learn how to structure designs appropriately than thinking about someone else trying to use them – NAME YOUR LAYERS</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Au came up with food delivery before it was cool</li>
</ul>
#1 – Finding a job
It's hard. We've been there, you've been there.
Let's answer some important questions to get you started:
- Looking for a job can a job itself
- What techniques should you use to find one?
- How do you get one with little experience?
- What about porfolios?
- Is networking important?
Design and Whine – An introduction
We both listen to a lot of podcasts, buy courses we never take, and get bored with circular conversations about how to craft the perfect component, pick the right border radius, and construct accessible colour palettes.
So we decided to make our own show where we will try as little as possible to talk about the pixel-pushing side of design.
We’re aiming to talk about things like finding a job, working hours, burnout, change management, side projects, work friendships, and basically all the stuff you don’t get taught about until you experience it first-hand.
Each episode will be under 30 minutes, and if you like it we will keep this up. If you have any suggestions for episode topics, let us know!