6d ago

WN09: Matt Burns on starting and agency, going global and presentation as an artfrom

This week I sat down with Matt Burns, co-founder of the world-renowned beverage design agency Thirst. We went right back to the beginning — meeting over a pint at the Velvet Elvis in Partick, Glasgow after Matt answered a Gumtree ad straight off the boat from Australia, to making the single most effective spreadsheet in design history (cold-emailing 44 Scottish breweries and getting one life-changing "yes"). Matt opened up about partnering with marketing specialist Chris to form Thirst, what it really takes to grow a design team from solo on-the-tools to 17 people, and the massive undertaking of redesigning iconic Scotch brand Bruichladdich (including cutting CO2 by 65% and introducing a world-first paper pulp wrap). Plus: Metallica karaoke, dealing with creative block by talking to walls (or HMRC letters), and a Heavy Dessert deep-dive into finding the sweet spot between specialism and generalism, why great work doesn't get bought if you don't believe in it, and why design schools never teach you how to sell. Topics covered: • Moving from Sydney to Scotland and starting over • The cold-email spreadsheet that built Thirst • Creative + Business partnership dynamics • The Bruichladdich redesign & sustainable packaging • Bingo Wheel of Wisdom curveballs 🎡 • Heavy Dessert: Specialism vs. generalism & the art of selling creative work _ Get the new pod merch at: www.wiselove.shop This episode was brought to you by WiseLove Studio.

Jul 31

WN08: Jonny Mowat - Generalism is a Superpower

In this episode, I spoke with Jonny Mowat — a Graphic designer turned film director who's written and directed the short films 'The Organist' and 'Behold, this dreamer cometh', and the brilliantly sarcastic Dooklt Brewery ‘football survival’ ad. Here's the full advert to watch as we discuss it: https://vimeo.com/1193140335 We talk about the leap from Freytag Anderson to film sets, why being a generalist beats being a specialist (most of the time), the courage it takes to do stand-up comedy and why that same fear applies to pitching creative work, and what it's like directing a beer ad designed to help non-football fans fake it through match day. Plus: the Bingo Wheel of Wisdom serves up a few curveballs, and Heavy Dessert lands on the eternal debate — specialist vs. generalist. Topics covered: • Transitioning from graphic design to film directing • The Midgees prop gag philosophy • Why sarcastic design is underrated • The Dookit Brewery ad and solving absurd human problems • Heavy Dessert: generalism as a superpower • Dream clients: Adult Swim & The Lonely Island Check out Jonny's work: www.jonnymowat.co.uk Support the podcast by purchasing Merch from wiselove.shop All love letters and death threats to: hello@wiselove.studio

Mar 20

WN07: Freya Macleod on Island Roots & The Generalist Superpower

From the art clubs of Stornoway to curating the history of Shinty in Inverness, Freya Macleod’s journey is a masterclass in "designing for place." In this episode, Pearse catches up with his former LOOM colleague to talk about her fabulous Museum of Here project, the surreal experience of building models in her dad's garage during lockdown, and why she’s embracing the "Generalist" tag in a world that wants everyone to specialise. We dive deep into: The Power of Local: Why An Lanntair was vital for a creative kid growing up in Lewis.Museums 2.0: How a 150-meter rope factory in Dundee became a blueprint for community storytelling.The Shinty Story: Navigating the complex beast of exhibition design for Scotland’s community sport.Digital Burnout: Why screen printing and Lino cutting are the ultimate therapy for screen-weary designers.The Bingo Wheel: We talk Reef Beach, the genius of Annie Atkins, and why the film I Swear is a must-watch.Whether you're an islander, a designer, or just someone who loves a good story, this one is for you. _ Follow Freya on Insta This podcast is brought to you by WiseLove Studio - Brands made with love for the Wonderful & Wise.

Mar 13

WN06: Chris Sanders on Process over Portfolio

What happens when your successful design agency collapses in "20 minutes"? For Chris Sanders, it was the start of something much bigger. I'm delighted to talk to the founder of Right Aligned about the messy reality of a career in design. Chris shares his journey from a 1999 print room to building a global educational platform that prioritises "the process" over the polished final result. We discuss: The Agency Rollercoaster: How Chris survived three agency start-ups and what he learned from the failures.Accessibility in Design: Why he’s fighting to keep design education affordable for the 99%.The Pylon Culture: Moving past the toxicity of online design critiques to find the real rationale behind the work.Burnout & The Provider Trap: A raw look at mental health, the pressure to "be the breadwinner," and how to switch off (without a device).Whether you’re a junior designer just starting out or a creative director feeling the weight of the industry, Chris’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to "set yourself on fire to keep others warm." Find more at: www.rightalignedacademy.com www.wiselove.studio

Mar 5

WN05: Fraser Robertson, aka Lost Astronaut, on freelance design and illustration life

In this episode, Pearse sits down with Fraser Robertson—the illustrator and designer behind the moniker Lost Astronaut. They dive into the "deep lore" of Fraser’s career, from his foundation days in Dundee to the serendipity of pitching a brewery that happened to have a beer called Lost in Sauce. We get into the gritty details of: The Market Stall Hustle: The vulnerability (and exhaustion) of selling your soul—and your art—in person.Serendipity in Design: How Fraser’s "Lost Astronaut" brand led to a fated collaboration with Closet Brewing.The AI Elephant: Why Fraser thinks generative AI is "peak capitalism" and why the "imperfect" human touch is more valuable than ever.Tactile Love: Comparing the future of design to the survival of vinyl records—why humans crave the tangible.The Bingo Wheel of Wisdom reveals: Fraser’s secret (and misspelled) "K-W-R-A-O-K-E" list.The legendary recipe for his "showstopper" vegan Mac & Cheese (it involves butternut squash, not feet-tasting fake cheese).Why Treasure Planet is the greatest animated movie ever made.Check out Fraser's work: www.lostastronaut.design _ Sign up to hear more about the WiseLove Studio: https://www.wiselove.studio/mailing-list

Feb 27

WN04: Peter Koelman aka Brandsmith

In this episode, Peter from Brandsmith™ takes us on a whirlwind tour of how he turned his versatile skills into a thriving freelance empire, all while making everything look effortless—even if he’s toyed with metal band logos and 3D models. You'll discover how to leverage your full spectrum of skills, from slick websites to motion graphics, without sacrificing your sanity—or your soul. We break down the genius behind his membership scheme that ensures steady cash flow and unlimited revisions, plus how to sell your services by speaking directly to what clients really want: results, ROI, and trust. Peter shares his journey from rebellious rock band logos to cutting-edge web design with Framer and Spline, plus the behind-the-scenes magic that makes his website stand out in a crowded digital world. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about pretty images—it's about purpose, personality, and inoculating your business against seasonal crushes. With insights on niching vs. generalism, building authentic personal brands, and how to handle creative blocks, this episode is your blueprint for laughing in the face of client chaos.If you’re tired of the ‘kill your soul for a paycheck’ grind and ready to craft a design career that feels true to you, you’ll want to listen. Perfect for freelancers, design students, or anyone who wants to ditch the cookie-cutter and start making meaningful, profitable work today. Check Peter's BRANDSMITH site. _ Podcast brought to you by WiseLove Studio.

Feb 20

WNO3: James Barnard on building a new community of designers

My guest this week is James Barnard - Logo and visual identity designer with a mahooosive social media following. I'm a big fan of James' output and recently became a founding member of his Designerrrs.com community. We discuss the community and how it's grown. We also chat about some of my favourite logo designs he's made. James doesn't get the 'quickfire' element of the Bingo Wheel of Wisdom, but is very much like a greased eel when it comes to his Heavy Dessert Menu topic. You can watcht episoe and some clips up on the YouTube Channel. This show is brought to you by WiseLove Studio.

Feb 13

WN02: Chris Wilson on the joys of STCKMN

Hello, and welcome to episode 2 of WiseNoise, where I sit down with creative minds to chat about the challenges behind their work. This time around, I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with Chris Wilson, the one-person powerhouse behind STCKMN. Chris is one of the good guys on the scene with an incredible portfolio, which we discuss. He is proudly a generalist, dubbing himself a 'polyamorous designer'. Check out the portfolio work we discussed on his STCKMN site. This podcast is brought to you by WiseLove Studio. Theme music by Mother Night.

Feb 6

WN01: Ewan Leckie on his studio set up, branding island businesses and creative grouting

In the very first episode of WiseNoise, I’m joined by Ewan Leckie, the brilliant mind behind MyCreative. Ewan has built an solid reputation for creating bold, meaningful brand identities and packaging designs across a range of industries. We chat about into his creative process, how he approaches a new brief, the ricky issue of pricing and whether he would snog Photoshop. Intro music by Mother Night aka Callum Macleod. Brought to you by WiseLove Studio.

Trailer

Trailer: You're in the right place

Hello, welcome to WiseNoise - a podcast about creative practice. You're in the right place. All new episodes will appear here, so subscribe and stay in the loop. For clips and info on upcoming guest follow on Insta: @WiseLove.Studio or check the studio HQ - www.wiselove.studio

WiseNoise: The Creative Practice Podcast

Episodes

WN09: Matt Burns on starting and agency, going global and presentation as an artfrom

WN08: Jonny Mowat - Generalism is a Superpower

WN07: Freya Macleod on Island Roots & The Generalist Superpower

WN06: Chris Sanders on Process over Portfolio

WN05: Fraser Robertson, aka Lost Astronaut, on freelance design and illustration life

WN04: Peter Koelman aka Brandsmith

WNO3: James Barnard on building a new community of designers

WN02: Chris Wilson on the joys of STCKMN

WN01: Ewan Leckie on his studio set up, branding island businesses and creative grouting

Trailer: You're in the right place

Trailer

Trailer: You're in the right place

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