Rookie Designer Podcast

Rookie Designer Podcast

183 - Moral of the Story

Jan 21 • 39 min

Carl shares a situation that came up with his business and one that he talked with Jake about to get some advice. What to do when an estimate and an invoice from a vendor seem to be way off, even if it's in your favor. We are definitely curious to hear…

182 - Goals

Dec 24, 2018 • 50 min

Jake and Carl close out 2018 talking about goals. They touch on some of the surprising articles that talk about how you should NOT set goals. While they both kind of disagree with this idea, it's always good to look at a different perspective. Couple of…

181 - Gratitude and Patience

Dec 11, 2018 • 46 min

Carl and Jake talk about the importance in gratitude when it comes to running their creative businesses. Being thankful for good clients, great projects, and the strides made are just some of the areas they touch on. They also speak about how important it…

180 - Tools in a Toolbox

Nov 12, 2018 • 41 min

Jake and Carl talk about how it is to be a designer who sometimes is merely a tool for a client. This doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing but it is something a lot of designers struggle to deal with. As creatives we take a lot of pride in the…

179 - Happystance

Oct 29, 2018 • 33 min

Carl and Jake get together this Monday morning to record their latest episode. Carl has some interesting insight about an article stating people are dying sooner due to having less trust and Jake talks about an upcoming Disney documentary. They then jump…

178 - Free Flow

Oct 17, 2018 • 48 min

Jake and Carl head into episode 178 without much of a topic on deck and decide to see what come up in conversations. They start off with some interested design news from Weight Watchers and a pretty crazy story about some Banksy artwork. Then it's on to…

177 - Don’t Panic

Oct 2, 2018 • 35 min

What is one of the most popular phrases from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy? Don't Panic! Jake and Carl talk this week in episode 177 about how this simple phrase relates to business. They share a couple of stories related to not panicking while running…

176 - Moving On

Sep 24, 2018 • 44 min

Carl and Jake are back this week with episode 176. They discuss how to deal with and move on from clients and contracts that aren't fitting your business anymore. Sometimes it's a tough situation and they discuss some ways to help make the transition…

175 - Combat Boredom

Sep 17, 2018 • 47 min

Jake and Carl bring you episode 175 this week when they talk about ways to combat boredom. Routines can sometimes cause things to be less than exciting, so it's important to change things up a bit. They share an article talking about how to do so at work…

174 - Distilling a Logo

Sep 3, 2018 • 44 min

Carl is back to cohost with Jake for episode 174. They start off catching up on how Carl's wedding and honeymoon to Scotland went. Then they jump into their main topic which ties back to what Carl learned about distilling Scotch. He uses the process as an…

173 - Pinterest For Designers

Aug 27, 2018 • 52 min

Jake welcomes guest co-host Tauhgnee to the episode to sit in while Carl is off in Scotland enjoying his honeymoon. They cover a few design news items and then jump into the main topic. Taughnee has figured out how to use Pinterest to promote her business…

172 - Job Security is an Illusion

Aug 14, 2018 • 26 min

This week Jake tackles the topic of job security. He talks about how the job market drastically changed around 2000 and explains why. While many feel safer working for someone else it may not always be the case. Jake relates working for an employer to…

171 - Saying No

Aug 6, 2018 • 40 min

This week Jake and Carl discuss how important it is to say no as a creative and business owner. It can be a difficult thing to do but sometimes projects and clients aren't a good fit. They discuss some of the situations where they have had to say no and…

170 - School or Hard Knocks

Jul 30, 2018 • 48 min

This week Carl and Jake discuss how they each learned to become graphic designers. One going to school and the other learning from hands on experience. This has been a hot button issue for ever among the creative community. They discuss the pro and cons…

169 - Taughnee Golubović Interview

Jul 23, 2018 • 49 min

This week Carl and Jake are really excited to bring on Taughnee Golubović from Endeavor Creative for an interview. We have been really good friends and fellow creatives for many, many years. Taughnee shares a bit of her journey to get to where she is as a…

168 - Ostrich Eggs and Chicken Eggs

Jul 16, 2018 • 36 min

This week Carl and Jake talk about why it is important not to rely on a single large client and why it's important to have a variety of clients. They talk about their own client diversification from small to large, from long term contracts to single small…

167 - Designer On The Road

Jul 2, 2018 • 40 min

Jake and Carl discuss this week how they handle working on the road. Whether it's just the need to get out of the normal office for a change of pace or a weekend away or maybe even a longer vacation such as a honeymoon. They share some tips and what they…

166 - Referral Networking

Jun 25, 2018 • 34 min

This week Carl and Jake talk about their process when it comes to referrals. Both are in BNI (Business Networking International) and firmly believe in Referral Networking. They talk about some of the steps they take to qualify referrals and what some of…

165 - No Place Like Home

Jun 11, 2018 • 37 min

This week Jake and Carl talk about what is like for them each to work from home as soloprenuer designers. They cover a lot of the pros but also cover some of the cons associated with being someone who works from home. While they both enjoy the ability to…

164 - Assumptions and Expectations

Jun 4, 2018 • 33 min

This week Carl and Jake jump on the mics without much planned for a topic. Carl shares a couple of situations he has come across and they discuss how to handle them, what can be learned from them, and how to prevent the situations from repeating…

163 - A Few Tools

May 28, 2018 • 35 min

This week Jake and Carl cover a few of the tools they use to keep their businesses running smoothly and help them stay organized. While they don't cover project management tools they do talk about bunch of other items that are important. Add in a few news…

162 - Your Why

May 14, 2018 • 30 min

This week Carl and Jake talk about why they decided to start their own businesses and why they work with the clients they work with. It's important to figure out what "your why" is when it comes to running your own business. They share some of their own…

161 - Self Care

May 7, 2018 • 36 min

This week Jake and Carl talk about the importance of taking care of yourself, as much as taking care of your side gig, business, or school projects. It is easy to get into your creative flow and forget about what you are doing to make sure you don't…

160 - Conferences

Apr 30, 2018 • 46 min

This week Carl and Jake talk about the pros and cons of going to conferences. With Carl heading to the show floor at the HOW Conference, he was curious to here what makes someone spend the kind of money it takes to go to some of the bigger conferences.…

159 - Creative Block

Apr 23, 2018 • 30 min

Jake and Carl come back this week to cover creative block. They talk about what it is specifically, how it has effected them, and suggestions on how to deal with it. All designers run into creative block and it's important to know when it is happening, as…

158 - Friends Who Are Clients, Clients Who Are Friends

Apr 16, 2018 • 38 min

In this latest episode Jake and Carl talk about what it is like to work with friends who want to be clients and also what things to watch out for when you become friends with your clients. There are a few specific situations they go into and how they…

157 - Skill Learning

Apr 9, 2018 • 37 min

Jake and Carl are back this week to discuss how they acquire new skills, how they figure out what those skills should be, and talk about a few skills they are currently working on. They also talk about a bit of design news and finish up with their Rookie…

156 - Creative Process

Mar 29, 2018 • 52 min

Jake and Carl talk about their creative processes and why it is important for a designer to develop their own process. They also tackle some design related news and share their Rookie Recommendations for the week. Design Related News Adobe Muse…

155 - Transitions

Mar 26, 2018 • 27 min

Jake and Carl are back with the Rookie Designer Podcast! In episode 155 they talk about some of the transitions they have been going through with their careers and how designers need to work through those transitions. Carl has some great news about his…

154 – Special Delivery

Oct 12, 2016 • 18 min

The Rookie Designer Podcast with your host Jake from Graphic Precision talks about a news story that has been circulating the internet about a special tactic for delivering a resume. Jake also shares a follow up about the developer of SketchParty and what…

153 – Thank You Notes

Sep 28, 2016 • 34 min

The Rookie Designer Podcast with your host Jake from Graphic Precision talks about the use of Thank You Notes to reach your existing clients, potential new clients and a potential employer. Jake also talks about the new Shutterstock plugin for Adobe…

152 – Is The Client Always Right

Sep 14, 2016 • 19 min

The Rookie Designer Podcast returns with Jake of Graphic Precision making announcements about the future of the podcast. Sharing his commitment to bring episodes out on a more regular basis. Jake also talks about this weeks topic… Is The Client Always…

151 – Freelancers Dilemma

Apr 9, 2016 • 38 min

In this episode Jake and Carl discuss a freelancers dilemma that you might run into. While working for someone fulltime, especially if it's in the same field or a similar field, you may be approached by a client through your freelance business that you…

150 – Preventing Burnout

Feb 28, 2016 • 39 min

This episode Carl and Jake talk about how they cope with stress and preventing burnout. With different perspectives, Carl dealing with a more corporate environment and Jake with running is own business, as well as a more isolated situation, they provide…

149 – Office Spaces

Feb 15, 2016 • 34 min

In this latest episode Jake and Carl talk about office spaces. They talk about their own arrangements and what some of the pros and cons are for each. Jake also shares his excitement in regards to his move to some office space outside of his home, where…

148 – Know What You Don’t Know

Feb 4, 2016 • 29 min

During the latest episode of Rookie Designer Podcast, Carl and Jake talk about dealing with areas of design and business they aren't good at or knowledgable about. Carl shares a specific story about how he had to make a decision on how to deal with a…

147 – Pricing Projects

Oct 5, 2015 • 30 min

Jake and Carl talk about the differences between pricing projects hourly and pricing projects on a per project basis. This is a very popular topic of debate and we came to an interesting conclusion. Listen to find out how we each price things ourselves…

146 – Design College

Aug 31, 2015 • 23 min

Jake and Carl talk about design college and the value of a graphic design college degree. They also talk about the unfortunate news about The Art Institute and what is surrounding that. While each took a different path to get to where they are, they do…

144 – Client Conundrum

Aug 10, 2015 • 37 min

In this latest episode of Rookie Designer, Jake and Carl discuss a bit of a client conundrum that happened to Jake recently. They discuss what the situation was, how it was handled and what Jake could have done better. One of the things that is most…

143 – Business Network International (BNI)

Jul 23, 2015 • 39 min

Jake and Carl talk about Business Network International (BNI) and how it has effected both their businesses. Jake has been in the Pathfinders group of Upstate New York for a few years and Carl recently joined Suburban Success out of Massachusetts. They…

142 – Goals

Jan 13, 2015 • 13 min

Boo! Rookie Designer is back… again. After a year and a half break Jake from Graphic Precision is back to talk to you about goals. Short term, long term and on going goals. This one is a short podcast but Jake wanted to quickly reach out to everyone to…

141 – Adobe’s Move to CC

Jun 12, 2013 • 40 min

Adobe's announcement in May that they are moving to Creative Cloud only, rather than release Creative Suite 7. They talk about some of the misunderstandings floating around the net and voice their own opinions on the move by Adobe. Show Notes Adobe…

140 – Networking On and Offline

May 9, 2013 • 27 min

In episode 140 of Rookie Designer Podcast, Jake and Carl discuss networking. They specifically talk about networking for business and networking to help you find a job. The discussion includes options for networking online, as well as offline. Show Notes…

139 – Finding Freelance Work

Apr 19, 2013 • 29 min

In this latest episode of Rookie Designer Podcast Carl and Jake discuss where you can find freelance jobs online and offline. They also take the time to address some of the sites that run competitions and why they may not be the best for finding good…

138 – Rookie Designer is BACK!

Apr 3, 2013 • 27 min

After almost a year off, it is with great pleasure that we are back and releasing our latest episode of Rookie Designer Podcast. In this episode you will meet Carl Grivakas, the new co-host and freelance designer. Jake also takes a few moments to share…

137 – Financial Fridays

Apr 7, 2012 • 40 min

In Rookie Designer Podcast episode 137 Kitty and Jake discuss their trips to Guatemala City TEDx and Photoshop World DC. Then move on to the main topic for the week called Financial Fridays where they discuss things you should think about on the financial…

136 – Presenting A Portfolio

Mar 21, 2012 • 31 min

In Rookie Designer Podcast episode 136 Kitty and Jake discuss a question that came to them through Facebook about the different ways portfolios are presented. Covering mounted samples, using a PDF, the importance of an online portfolio and how it is…

135 – Follow Ups

Mar 7, 2012 • 20 min

In Rookie Designer Podcast episode 135 Jake talks about the importance of follow ups with potential clients and existing clients. He talks about how the phone call is not a cold call and following up before the holidays hit can be a real winner for both…

134 – Fear

Feb 21, 2012 • 30 min

In Rookie Designer Podcast episode 134 Kitty and Jake talk about fear. They talk about some of their own fears as designers and how they choose to deal with these fears. They touch on a more general rookie fear and how someone can deal with that. Also…

133 – Google+ Pages and Website Backbone

Feb 9, 2012 • 41 min

In Rookie Designer Podcast episode 133, Jake and Kitty talk about Google+ Pages for business. They go into the differences between Facebook and Google+, as well as giving some useful tips on how to attract people to your Google+ Page so they add you to…

132 – Getting Back Into A Routine & A Twitter Question

Jan 25, 2012 • 50 min

In Rookie Designer Podcast episode 132, Jake and Kitty talk about how they like to get back into the routine. Specifics of sleep patterns, going to the gym and making lists are brought up. They also tackle a very good Twitter question from a fan asking…

131 – Juggling The Clients, Pinterest and 24 Hour Photoshop

Nov 23, 2011 • 30 min

After a bit of a hiatus, Rookie Designer Podcast is back with episode number 131. During this episode we talk about the challenges of juggling a contract job and freelance clients. We also talk about a pretty cool site for inspiration called Pinterest and…

130 – The Traveling Designer

Aug 10, 2011 • 37 min

Hello and thank you for checking out Episode 130 - The Traveling Designer! It's been a busy last couple of weeks for both Jake and I. Jake moved to a new place and now that he got everything set back up and running, we are back to record Rookie Designer…

129 - Google+, Rookie Mailbag

Jul 11, 2011 • 41 min

Kitty and I have been very busy over the last month. We realize our listeners have been wondering where the latest podcast may be. Well here is #129! In this latest episode we talk about a little thing known as Google+ and we also answer our first Mailbag…

128 – #PePCon Adventures and What is “The Twitter?”

Jun 9, 2011 • 39 min

Jake and Kitty talk about their trip to Print & ePublishing Conference 2011 in DC presented by InDesignSecrets.com hosts Anne Marie Concepcion and David Blatner. They talk about the sessions they enjoyed and about why they think every Rookie should attend…

127 – It’s Nice To Meet You

May 18, 2011 • 32 min

Rookie Designer Podcast is BACK! We are very exited to post a brand new Rookie Design Podcast for your listening pleasure. In this episode Kitty Florido and Jake Van Ness take a few moments to introduce themselves to the Rookie listeners. Giving a little…

126 – Bad News, Good News

Apr 22, 2011 • 25 min

There's some big news to spill about the podcast and its future. Tune in to get the scoop! Featured Music: Red City Radio - Spinning In Circles Is A Gateway Drug

125 – Moving Beyond ‘Rookie’

Jun 14, 2010 • 43 min

Being a Rookie is never an easy task, but it happens to the best of us, whether we're talking about designers or athletes. In this episode I'll attempt to lend an article written by an NFL football player for rookie football players, to the industry of…

124 – Freelance Tips, Design for Change and Negotiating for Your REAL Dream Job

May 28, 2010 • 49 min

Do you design with the future in mind? When building websites, it may benefit you to do so. Adaptability can go a long way in this day and age where new trends and technology are ever changing. We'll explore this topic as well as the subject of…

123 – Preparing for Emergencies and Buying Equipment

Apr 9, 2010 • 43 min

In this episode we'll take a look at how you can improve customer relations by planning ahead for emergency situations and I'll field a couple of topics posed by listeners about how, what, and when to buy equipment for your freelance design needs. Links…

122 – Portfolios, When to Jump to Full Time Freelance and more

Jan 12, 2010 • 39 min

We'll discuss a couple of questions sent in by our listeners dealing with the topics of what to put in your portfolio and what NOT to put in there, when is the right time to make the jump into freelance as a full-time position and some other red flags to…

121 – Content Strategy, Keeping your Portfolio Diverse & Dealing with Clients in Another Country

Nov 23, 2009 • 42 min

In this episode we're hitting the mailbag and covering some topics sent in by our listeners. Topics will include coming up with a strategy for delivering content that your target audience can consume and use, keeping your portfolio diverse and keeping…

120 – Senior vs Junior

Nov 6, 2009 • 40 min

In this episode we'll cover a topic sent in by a listener who is having a problem at the workplace. What is the role of a junior designer as opposed to a senior designer? Who is supposed to know what, and is the senior supposed to be a sort of mentor for…

119 – Voice Your Opinion

Oct 23, 2009 • 47 min

This episode is a bit of a "Part 2" to the last time I spoke about not being afraid to voice your opinions when it comes to design solutions. We will cover this again, bringing in some new factors and guidelines to make your comments as effective as…

118 – Content Management Systems

Oct 3, 2009 • 48 min

In this episode I will share some of my knowledge of Content Management Systems including WordPress, Joomla and Drupal. We will focus on the definition and purpose of CMS tools, as well as how they can be very useful in helping you design for your own…

117 – Is Part Time Freelancing a Business

Sep 10, 2009 • 36 min

Again our topic comes from one of the listeners and the question is this: "Do you HAVE to own or run a business to freelance? What if you just do a few projects every now and then, as a side thing apart from your full time job?." We'll talk to several…

116 – Freelance Payment Options & Intense Audience Research

Aug 21, 2009 • 56 min

A question from one of our listeners sparks a conversation on accepting cash as payment for freelance work. We also take an in-depth look at research techniques for learning more about how customers/audience members use an application. Links from the…

115 – Internship Problems?

Jul 16, 2009 • 47 min

Have you thought about an internship to finish out your educational career? Do you know some of the challenges that you might be faced with in an internship? We'll take a look at these topics as I answer some internship questions from one of our audience…

114 – Research and Planning

Jul 9, 2009 • 42 min

More life (and career) lessons from my work experience to you! We'll discuss the lack of research and how it can foil your designs before they even get started, and some of the important information that you definitely want to pick up before you even…

113 – What To Do With Your “Free” Time

Jun 22, 2009 • 42 min

Its 12 o'clock and you break out the sack lunch, but you still feel the need to be productive with your hour away from work. Are there things you can do to further your career in design? Of course, but what can be done in an hour to bolster your skills…

112 – Should You Hire a Salesman?

Jun 3, 2009 • 42 min

Possibly the most difficult part of moving from the "safe confines" of a full-time job into a freelance situation is the ability to keep clients and projects coming in. The logical answer… hire someone who excels at selling to come in and do it for you. A…

111 – Organizing Folder Madness and Flash Grows Up

May 25, 2009 • 48 min

Will the REAL episode 111 please show yourself… sorry for the slip up to those of you who were expecting a new episode, only to find yourself listening to 110 for a second time. Here is the real deal! Social media is a movement that has been building for…

110 – Social Media and Business

May 7, 2009 • 39 min

Social media is a movement that has been building for sometime and now appears at every corner, in your personal life and in business. There is no escaping the technology as it is being utilized by companies to steer marketing campaigns for everything…

109 – A Better Quality of Freelance Client

Apr 9, 2009 • 47 min

When you start putting yourself out there and share your talents on a freelance basis, your going to come to understand what many before you have already… its HARD to find high quality clients. Its relatively easy to find clients who want you to work for…

108 – Speaking at SDSU and Speaking in Public

Mar 24, 2009 • 41 min

There was some good and some bad about my speaking engagement at San Diego State U, but all in all I think it was a good idea for me NOT to record it (haha). No, instead I'll just be recounting some of the highlights of the evening, and sharing some of…

107 – Design Theory and Rejuvenation Through School

Mar 10, 2009 • 35 min

When you're in design school, a lot of theories, rules and patterns are being thrown your way, and it doesn't always make a lot of sense at the time. Is there really a point to all this reading material? Will it somehow impact your career in a meaningful…

106 – Tax Time Again & Are You Prepared for Unemployment?

Feb 19, 2009 • 36 min

Its that annoying time of the year again, when the state and fed government ask us to tidy up their tax bookkeeping. We'll cover a few things you may be able to write off as a freelancer that you didn't know about. Also, living in this unsure economic…

105 – What Are YOU Afraid Of?

Feb 4, 2009 • 34 min

What fears do you have that are related to your profession, or the profession that you plan to enter? Do you face these fears or shy away, and is there a way to turn them into a productive tool for your success? We'll discuss some examples and…

104 – Getting Freelance Clients to Pay Up

Nov 13, 2008 • 39 min

On this podcast, inspired by an entry on our forum, we will discuss strategy for avoiding a situation where your freelance clients are paying you for completed work late. There are several methods we can use in this fight against late payments and most of…

103 – Deadlines and Dealing?

Nov 6, 2008 • 36 min

Deadlines are something that we all must deal with and that's not going to change anytime soon! They can be good though, for prioritization, motivation, and just plain getting stuff done. There is a conversation that should take place before the setting…

102 – When is it OK to Speak Up?

Oct 2, 2008 • 37 min

We're just getting back into the groove here after a 3 month hiatus. I'm going to try a shorter format with the podcast going forward and cut out the Keys to the Game and Rookie Mistake segments of the show to save myself some time and hopefully keep this…

101 – One Page Portfolios and Gathering Files for Output

Jun 25, 2008 • 41 min

Its see you later… not goodbye. Rookie Designer will be taking a 3 month hiatus. In that time I will be assessing my situation and making the final decision about whether this podcast will continue on after the break. This is a real episode though. One of…

100 – On the Job Hunt Again

Jun 18, 2008 • 55 min

Its that time again… job hunting time. In this episode I'll share my most recent experiences with a new staffing agency and a particularly in-depth and good interview I completed, along with some pointers for making that first impression with a potential…

99 – Quality

May 22, 2008 • 49 min

What is Quality training? I got a dose of it recently at my full time job, and it wasn't half bad. Basically its a set of rules or guidelines that help facilitate a productive work environment. There are several things you probably do on a daily basis…

98 – Effective Emailing and Web Design

May 1, 2008 • 49 min

We've spoken about it briefly before, but emailing is crucial to any business these days, and there are some guidelines to follow to make sure you can communicate effectively and not send the wrong message to those you are messaging! In this episode we'll…

97 – Using Fonts, Picking a School and More…

Mar 20, 2008 • 41 min

This is pretty much a mailbag episode where we cover questions about font usage, picking out a design school to attend, and knowing when to pull the plug on a client or a project going in the wrong direction. Keys to the Game: Spell Check in Adobe…

96 – Promote Your Work/Business

Mar 6, 2008 • 50 min

Promoting your work can be just as important, if not more, than the work itself! If you can't secure a job or a new client, your skills will not make much difference. So how do we get the word out there that we are the super duper master of design? There…

95 – Nip Problems in the Bud

Feb 21, 2008 • 48 min

What is the best way to keep yourself out of trouble when it comes to disputes with customers? Fix the problem before it happens! The use of contracts and design specs can change the way you and your client think about things like payment, agreements, the…

94 – You Are NOT Your Job

Jan 31, 2008 • 45 min

Design is what you do, not who you are. These are words that we should understand and remember so the two don't get confused. There is a point at which its a good idea to turn the computer off and live a little. Failing to do so could end up with you…

93 – Ringing in, and Preparing for, the New Year

Jan 17, 2008 • 44 min

Looking toward the new year there are always a lot of things to think about. We can reflect on the year past and what may have gone right or wrong, certain goals we would like to reach for in this new year, and perhaps smaller skills or tasks we would…

92 – Website Landing Page Creation

Jan 3, 2008 • 57 min

Building a page that users will be directed to from an online ad or url may seem like an easy thing to accomplish, but there is more that goes into it than may appear. We must take into account several issues, most importantly keeping the attention of the…

91 – When Are You A Professional & Controlling A Meeting

Dec 6, 2007 • 37 min

Taken from a topic on the Rookie Designer Forum, we'll discuss what it means to be a design professional, and when you have achieved the feat. Also is a discussion about how to steer a meeting with a client that seems to be going nowhere, to get the most…

90 – Customer Service and Goal Achievement

Nov 11, 2007 • 43 min

The don'ts of customer service are a valuable thing to know to keep your business up and running and keep your clients happy and coming back for more. we'll cover some key mistakes that are made all the time so hopefully you can avoid them. we'll also…

89 – Let’s Get Organized!

Oct 25, 2007 • 48 min

This is an important topic, so we're going to cover it again, but organization in your work and life can go a long way to making sure that you achieve your goals and do so in a timely fashion. Not everyone is an org freak like me, but if you take anything…

88 – Search Engine Optimization and more!

Oct 11, 2007 • 54 min

Our good friend Paul Mycroft is back with some more tips for search engine optimization (SEO) and there's a web design twist to it this time. Also stay tuned for some mini topics to ponder on the subject of good vs. bad design, and noticing design all…

87 – Grad School, Workstation Setup and More

Sep 27, 2007 • 59 min

We're flying free in this episode with discussion about the advantages of going to grad school, what makes a great workstation, not only in regards to your physical health, but also your mental health, as well as a bunch of well-overdue topics from the…

86 – New Site & Photoshop World Wrapup

Sep 13, 2007 • 65 min

Rookie Designer's home has a new look and a lot of new features. In this episode I'll point out those improvements, and also share some of the best things I learned at Photoshop World 2007. Keys to the Game: Go to line in Dreamweaver Mac: Cmd + , PC: Ctl…

85 – Design Vocations

Aug 30, 2007 • 63 min

With a little help from one of our audience members, we'll take a look at several different facets of design, and the careers that can come out of them. We'll also discuss some advantages we may have over other career paths, keys to knowing what job is…

84 – Search Engine Optimization

Aug 16, 2007 • 58 min

Building a killer site is one thing, but getting a whole mess of people to visit it is quite another. Inspired by a listener U-Share submission, well take a look into common misconceptions about SEO, and some tips for getting your site higher up in the…

83 - TV & Multimedia Advertising

Aug 7, 2007 • 66 min

Things have come a long way since the inception of the set top box, or TV. It used to be that you were forced to watch advertising in commercial breaks, but with the surge of TiVO and DVR users, advertisers must find new ways to get commercials in front…

82 - Designer, Programmer…or Both?

Jul 18, 2007 • 60 min

The topic for this episode comes from our first participant of the U-Share Program. We'll discuss the changes going on, on the web and beyond, and how that could possibly effect your career. We'll also take a look at Web 2.0… What the heck is it?! Keys to…

81 - Photoshop Tips, Flash Resources, and an aniBOOM Interview

Jul 7, 2007 • 61 min

Lots of random information in this episode, but useful nonetheless. We talk a bit about color models in Photoshop, I deliver my first ever book report and conduct an interview with the CEO of aniBOOM. Keys to the Game: Gamut Warning in Photoshop Mac: Cmd…

80b - Approach to Design

Jul 3, 2007 • 62 min

Before we get into the thick of producing our designs, there are a lot of things to think about to make sure the workflow goes smoothly and the result is a success. This is what we will talk about in this episode. Keys to the Game: Jump into the address…

80a - Meltdown/Contest 3

Jun 28, 2007 • 6 min

Sorry, no episode yet. My computer turned against me today! We do have contest winners though, and some interesting news. Links from todays non-show: RD on Macworld! Adobe Creative License Contest World in Focus Contest

79 - Avoiding Distractions

Jun 14, 2007 • 66 min

Its hard to work when your attention turns from work to elsewhere every 10 minutes. See how you can avoid distractions in your workspace and stop the chain of procrastination. Keys to the Game: No I Don't want to save (in Mac and PC OS) Mac: d (for don't…

78 - Ethics in Design

May 31, 2007 • 68 min

What's right and what's wrong as it relates to your career in design and how your work affects the world around you? There's no easy answer, and the answer must come from within, but in this episode we'll give you some things to think about. Keys to the…

77 - Raising Rates

May 27, 2007 • 54 min

How do you deal with freelance rates, especially when you come to a point at which you must raise them? We'll discuss some options and issues surrounding this topic and more. Keys to the Game: Lights Out in Lightroom Mac or PC: L Rookie Mistake Tip: Be…

76 - Who Owns What?

May 7, 2007 • 51 min

What happens when you're client doesn't like a stipulation in your freelance project? Who actually owns the rights to the artwork you create. Well cover these topics and more. Email Campaign: Send a letter in favor of RD to: Blogger and Podcaster Magazine…

75 - Get More Out of Your Apps

Apr 26, 2007 • 46 min

Maybe a change is on the horizon for you. Do you do everything in a pattern or similar routine? If so there are probably things you are missing out on by not exploring new territory and more specifically analysing the way you use your tools. Email…

74 - Dollars and Sense

Apr 19, 2007 • 50 min

In this episode we'll discuss some strategies for monetizing your design skills, whether it be selling a service, selling goods, or combinig with other companies to turn a profit. We also look at different ways to turn your designs into self promotion.…

73 - Rules, Mistakes and Legalities

Apr 12, 2007 • 51 min

Its a bit of a mixed bag this time. We discuss a few different topics that could affect your daily design life. Email Campaign: Send a letter in favor of RD to: [email protected] Keys to the Game: Open the Actions Panel in Flash Mac: F9 PC: F9 Rookie…

72 - Its Gold Jerry, Gold!

Apr 7, 2007 • 39 min

There's a lot to be learned from other designers, but when you have one at your disposal to answer all your questions and deal with problems, the results can be much better. Email Campaign: Send a letter in favor of RD to: [email protected] Keys to…

71 - Crash and Burn?

Mar 29, 2007 • 33 min

Hopefully this will never happen to you. My computer won't start and its making my life hell! Email Campaign: Send a letter in favor of RD to: [email protected] Keys to the Game: Open disc drive when computer doesn't boot up Mac: Hold Mouse Button Down +…

70 - Conquering the Interview

Mar 22, 2007 • 60 min

Its interview time again, and I might just be getting better at this! Listen to my experience with one of the longest interview adventures yet, and perhaps pick up a tip or two for your next opportunity. Email Campaign: Send a letter in favor of RD to:…

69 - Typefaces & Fonts

Mar 15, 2007 • 45 min

What's the difference between a Font and a Typeface? What fonts can I use for a printed project, web, video? Listen to this podcast for a lesson in typology. Email Campaign: Send a letter in favor of RD to: [email protected] Keys to the Game: Lock guides…

68 - Choosing a Printer

Mar 8, 2007 • 47 min

Working with outside vendors is unavoidable, so how can we make sure we get the best services out there? In this episode we'll take a look at some ways to evaluate and choose a printer that's suited for your specific needs. Email Campaign: Send a letter…

67 - Customer Service IS Important!

Feb 28, 2007 • 50 min

Good salesmanship coupled with great customer service is a hard thing to come by these days, but if you want to keep your customers happy, and keep them coming back, then this is something to work on. If you treat your clients right, they'll return the…

66 - The Tax Man

Feb 15, 2007 • 36 min

The dreaded tax season is upon us, and with it comes many things to keep in mind. How much you owe and when to pay, what can be subtracted from your taxable total, and how to go about filing to name a few. In this episode we'll cover these issues and…

65 - Creative Placement Services

Feb 8, 2007 • 48 min

Need help finding a job? Most people do, and there is help out there in many different forms. I recently took the steps to sign on with a cretive placement agency and learned a lot in the process. In this episode I'll share my experience in choosing,…

64 - Writing a Job Proposal

Feb 1, 2007 • 50 min

Unless your lucky enough to have jobs handed to you by others, you probably need an effective way to convince businesses that you have what they need in terms of design services. This is where knowing how to effectively market your business with a job…

63 - HCI…What is it?

Jan 18, 2007 • 49 min

HCI is the study of how Humans and Computers interact. By following some simple guidelines, we can assure that our interface or website is easy to understand and will provide a successful experience for all. Keys to the Game: Find and Replace Mac: Command…

62 - Freelance Step by Step Part 2

Jan 11, 2007 • 58 min

Once the contract is signed by the client and the deposit is in your hot little hands, its time to start the project. In this episode we'll continue on with the freelance process, touching on topics like brainstorming, approval processes and billing. Keys…

61 - Freelance Step by Step Part 1

Dec 20, 2006 • 52 min

What steps do I take in executing a freelance job for a client? Listen to this episode (and the next) and you'll find out just that. We'll look at good practices to make your workflow and business decisions good ones time and again. Keys to the Game:…

60 - Joining a Team

Dec 14, 2006 • 39 min

Working by yourself is one thing, but joining a team of designers is quite another. In this episode we'll look at what adjustments must be made to succeed as part of a larger design group, and how this experience can make you a stronger designer in the…

59

Dec 7, 2006 • 49 min

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Oct 19, 2006 • 55 min

Rookie Designer 52

51

Oct 12, 2006 • 44 min

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Oct 5, 2006 • 42 min

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Sep 28, 2006 • 51 min

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48

Sep 21, 2006 • 41 min

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Sep 19, 2006 • 37 min

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Sep 12, 2006 • 36 min

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Aug 31, 2006 • 43 min

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Aug 24, 2006 • 43 min

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Aug 17, 2006 • 36 min

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Aug 10, 2006 • 46 min

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Aug 8, 2006 • 43 min

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Jul 27, 2006 • 44 min

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Jul 20, 2006 • 50 min

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Jul 13, 2006 • 43 min

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Jul 6, 2006 • 35 min

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Jun 29, 2006 • 34 min

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Jun 1, 2006 • 40 min

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May 25, 2006 • 30 min

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31 - Client says jump…you say how high?

May 18, 2006 • 24 min

Rookie Designer 31 - Client says jump…you say how high?

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Mar 3, 2006 • 27 min

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Feb 23, 2006 • 26 min

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Feb 9, 2006 • 27 min

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Jan 26, 2006 • 23 min

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Jan 19, 2006 • 24 min

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Jan 5, 2006 • 16 min

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Dec 29, 2005 • 23 min

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Dec 22, 2005 • 25 min

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Dec 15, 2005 • 20 min

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Dec 8, 2005 • 24 min

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Dec 1, 2005 • 22 min

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Nov 24, 2005 • 15 min

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Nov 17, 2005 • 22 min

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Nov 10, 2005 • 17 min

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