Lee Brenner, formerly of frog Big Big Bomb, and Heyride, joins me to talk about how his creativity blossomed by growing up on a farm and what went wrong with technology and the US 2016 presidential election. We drank really strong margaritas. Podcast episode notes at DesignersDrink.com!

What we drank: White Russians, dude, with Cafecito Coffee Liqueur. One book every designer should read: Shape of Design by Frank Chimero Free Play by Stephen Nachmanovitch Follow Lin on: Dribbble Twitter Instagram

Jess Warren of Hey Jess Graphic Design joins Sam to drink cider and discuss the digital nomad life, the necessity of risk, and that we all need to support each other a little bit more. Learn more at DesignersDrink.com!

In Part Two of a two part interview, Sam and Chris drink martinis and talk about Paula Scher, finding inspiration in chairs, a better agency model, and a lot more.

Designers Drink is a podcast with designers for designers, anyone interested in design, anyone who works with designers, and anyone who wants to be a designer. The purpose of this show is to make the design world a little smaller—to bring us together so we can know each other and learn from each other and be inspired by each other. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for an episode, email me. Drew Warkentin from episode three said I had to interview his friend, Chris Cashdollar. I soon found out why when I got him on Skype and started asking him about his life. Even though he’s been VP of Design at Happy Cog and done work for Ben & Jerry’s, Harvard, Viacom, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Zappos.com, this guy is down-to-earth. Chris and I talked for almost three hours, so I’m releasing this in two parts. In Part One, we make martinis and talk about the downfalls of responsive design, Zappos.com core values and how to create values for our own companies, and the best way to kickoff projects. “If I get up every day with the optimism that I have the capacity for growth, then that’s success for me.” –Paula Scher Episode 4 of Designers Drink: Chris Cashdollar Part 1 Chris lives in: Philly Zappos.com Core Values: * Deliver WOW Through Service * Embrace and Drive Change * Create Fun and A Little Weirdness * Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded * Pursue Growth and Learning * Build Open and Honest Relations with Communication * Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit * Do More With Less * Be Passionate and Determined * Be Humble What we drank: vodka martinis with Titos Vodka Chris’ One Book (every designer should read): Agency by Rick Webb Things you must know/have/watch: * Good Kickoff Meetings * The 20-second Gut Test * Design Characteristics Worksheet (you can watch Chris talk through this worksheet in the talk below) * Reevaluating the Role of your Client in the Design Process with Chris Cashdollar – HOW Interactive Design Conference Find Chris Cashdollar on: Twitter, Instagram, and his website. Save

Drew Warkentin and I met in a design group on Slack. Someone I knew was looking for a UX designer and Drew was recommended. When I asked to interview him for Designers Drink, he didn’t hesitate to say yes. (I’m always surprised when people say yes.) This episode had several unfortunate turns, and I almost gave up on it. First, I accidentally deleted the first half of my track. After successfully re-recording all the bits I could remember and making up the ones I didn’t, I accidentally deleted the first half of Drew’s track! I thought briefly about impersonating him but decided against it. Instead, you get a summary of the first half. Sadly, it contained my favorite part of our talk. Drew explained to me his philosophy of how design is like farming. Look, Drew, Wendell Berry would probably agree with you! “Why do farmers farm, given their economic adversities on top of the many frustrations and difficulties normal to farming? And always the answer is: “Love. They must do it for love.” Farmers farm for the love of farming. They love to watch and nurture the growth of plants. They love to live in the presence of animals. They love to work outdoors. They love the weather, maybe even when it is making them miserable. They love to live where they work and to work where they live. If the scale of their farming is small enough, they like to work in the company of their children and with the help of their children. They love the measure of independence that farm life can still provide. I have an idea that a lot of farmers have gone to a lot of trouble merely to be self-employed to live at least a part of their lives without a boss.” ― Wendell Berry, Bringing it to the Table: On Farming and Food Episode 03 of Designers Drink: Drew Warkentin The one where Sam deletes the first half. Also, Sam and Drew drink craft beer and talk about clients (because you can never talk about them enough), how design is like farming, and the truth behind creativity. What we drank: Saint Archer’s Pale Ale & Live Oak Pale Lager Drew’s One Book (every designer should read): Designing for Emotion Find Drew Warkentin on: Website, Twitter, Dribbble Save Save Save Save Save

Julie Gomoll and I connected through a mutual friend, and she gave me an enthusiastic “yes” when I asked if she wanted to be my second guest for my new podcast that hadn’t even launched yet. After reading up on Julie, I got more and more excited to talk to her. Not only was she a designer, but she was a lover of food and a world traveler! I knew we could have plenty to talk about. I had a really hard time editing this episode, because I didn’t want to cut anything! Hopefully, you’ll find her just as interesting as I did.  “Life-fulfilling work is never about the money — when you feel true passion for something, you instinctively find ways to nurture it.” –Eileen Fisher Episode 02 of Designers Drink: Julie Gomoll Sam and Julie drink wine and talk about how Whole Foods got their first website, being female entrepreneurs, and the power of failure. I promise, you don’t have to have a dog to be on the podcast. What we drank: Governors Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Julie’s One Book (every designer should read): The Inmates Are Running the Asylum Find Julie on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn Save Save

Welcome to the first episode of Designers Drink! This is the podcast where designers get together, over a drink, and talk about their inspiration, their creative process, and what they consider to be success (as well as a lot of other things). I’ve started this podcast for one selfish reason and one unselfish reason. Selfish: I want to be Terry Gross. Unselfish: I want to bring designers together. We have a lot to learn from each other, and unless we pursue speaking or teaching gigs, we aren’t asked about our motivations and our philosophies and what we think needs to change and what we think is awesome and should never change ever. Maybe, in a really good job interview we get to talk about these things. Maybe, once a month at the AIGA meeting we’re reminded how refreshing it is to be around people who “get it.” But most of the time, we don’t talk about about any of this. It’s time to change that. You have things to say. Whether you’re still in school, a brand new designer, a seasoned designer, or just interested in design, this podcast is for you. We’re going to dive into what it’s like to be a designer today–the good, the bad, and the ugly. If you’re interested in being on the show or sponsoring the show, contact me. Episode 01 of Designers Drink: Matt Brown Sam and Matt pop some brewskies and talk about what it’s really like to be a designer, how we stay inspired, and so much more. What we drank: Blue Owl Brewing Spirit Animal-Sour Pale Ale Matt’s one book every designer should read: The Street Sketchbook Find Matt on: Twitter & Etsy & his website. Save Save Save Save Save