BEYOND Design: 20% Is Design — Here’s the Rest

Nelett Loubser

This is not your average design podcast.This is the part after the brief. The part behind the beautiful logo.This is the real, raw, voice-note-style space for creatives, freelancers, and especially women in design who are building a life—not just a portfolio. Hosted by Nelett—graphic designer turned creative life mentor with over 25 years in the industry—BEYOND Design gently peels back the curtain on what really goes on behind the work: The self-doubt. The burnout. The tiny wins that no one claps for.The scary emails. The dream clients. The ones that ghost you.The overthinking. The overdelivering.The bravery it takes to do this with heart. From a small studio in Namibia to working with international brands, this podcast is rooted in the belief that your GPS doesn’t define your greatness—your perspective does. And design?That’s only about 20% of it. The rest—it’s your nervous system.Your rhythm.Your boundaries.Your beliefs.Your body.Your God. That’s the part no one talks about. So I am. Each episode is a soft but powerful mix of honest stories, soulful lessons, mindset shifts, and heart-led guidance. For the creatives who want to work smarter, live slower, and create from a grounded, inspired place. Expect messy truths.Gentle reminders.Practical takeaways.Never preachy. Always personal. It’s like a voice note from a friend who gets what it’s like to freelance with your whole heart. Because you don’t need more noise.You need someone to remind you: ✨ You’re not alone in this.✨ You’re powerful.✨ And you can design your life—your way. So take a breath.Make some Coffee.And let’s go beyond design—together

Episodes

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Graphic Designer Burnout – Are You Creating or Just Managing?

    EPISODE 7: Graphic Designer Burnout – Are You Creating or Just Managing? 🎧 A quiet crisis in the creative world... let’s talk about it. Are you actually creating… or just managing chaos? This episode goes straight into the heart of something many of us are silently dealing with: graphic designer burnout. Not the dramatic kind. The kind that sneaks in through late-night emails, endless admin, and blurred boundaries. We’re unpacking the real reason behind creative fatigue—and what to do when you feel like you’re running a business, answering WhatsApps, re-sending invoices… but barely designing anymore. ✨ If you’ve ever felt like a secretary with a MacBook instead of the creative visionary you know you are—this one’s for you. Inside, I’m sharing my story, gentle mindset shifts, and practical ways to reset (without burning everything down). → Show notes, 🖤 free Creative Reset Challenge, and links mentioned are waiting for you here:  https://kunshuis.com/2025/10/01/graphic-designer-burnout-2/ Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset Challenge Download: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flow The Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with ease Let’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    8 min
  2. 24 SEPT

    Face it, Your Clients are Running Your Freelance Business—Not You.

    Ever feel like your clients are secretly running your business? Like your inbox has become your boss and “quick edits” turn into all-nighters? You’re not alone. In this episode of BEYOND Design, I share the raw truth of what happens when we let clients set the pace—and how to flip the script so you become the Creative Director of your own freelance life. We’ll talk boundaries, client leadership, and the small shifts that helped me rebuild my studio (after nearly losing it to burnout and chaos). 🖤 Want to dive deeper or explore the tools I mentioned? Head to the show notes: https://kunshuis.com/2025/09/24/running-a-freelance-business/ Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset Challenge Download: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flow The Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with ease Let’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    8 min
  3. 24 SEPT

    Mastering the Art of Pricing for Graphic Designers

    Because your price isn’t just a number—it’s a mirror of your confidence. Let’s talk about the part of freelancing no one prepped us for: pricing. If you’ve ever stared at a quote, second-guessing yourself… wondering if you’re asking too much—or way too little—you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m getting real about how I went from R300 logos to building a pricing system that feels aligned, confident, and sustainable. We’ll walk through hourly rates, project fees, retainers, value-based pricing, and even the magic of design days. Plus—what to do when clients want discounts, free work, or “quick” favours. Because pricing isn’t just about money—it’s about boundaries, energy, and the kind of business you want to build.🎧 Come behind the scenes with me, and if you want the tools to back it all up—quotes, invoice templates, revision policies, and payment schedules—you’ll find them in the Playbook and Playbook Desk. 🖤 Want to dive deeper or explore the tools I mentioned? Head to the show notes. Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset Challenge Download: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flow The Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with ease Let’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    12 min
  4. 24 SEPT

    The Only Way the Industry Will Respect Us Is If We Start First

    Ever whispered “I’m just a graphic designer” and felt that pang in your chest? In this episode, I’m talking straight from the heart—about why so many of us shrink when asked what we do, and how the only way the world will ever truly respect design… is if we start first. From awkward dinner-party moments to the real power of design that lives in everything from your coffee cup to your shampoo bottle—we’re unpacking why design isn’t “just” anything. It’s communication. Connection. Strategy. If you’ve ever felt unseen, unvalued, or like your work doesn’t matter, this one’s for you. 🖤 Want to dive deeper or explore the tools I mentioned? Head to the show notes Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset Challenge Download: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flow The Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with ease Let’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    9 min
  5. 22 SEPT

    Business for Creatives (Tiny Moves, Big Results)

    This one’s for the creatives who feel like business is the part they’re “not good at.” In this episode, I’m sharing what finally clicked for me after years of thinking I had to be more “corporate” to be taken seriously. Spoiler: I was wrong. Business isn’t about becoming someone else—it’s about learning how to stay you, consistently. From boundaries and money rhythms to better client questions and less chaos—I’ll walk you through 10 tiny moves that can lead to big results. The kind that makes you feel steady, respected, and creatively free. 🖤 Want to dive deeper or explore the tools I mentioned? Head to the show notes: https://kunshuis.com/business-for-creatives-tiny-moves-big-results/ Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset Challenge Download: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flow The Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with ease Let’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    17 min
  6. 22 SEPT

    Hello to Beyond Design

    This podcast has lived in my heart (and notebooks) for years. BEYOND Design is finally here—and in this first episode, I’m taking you back to where it all began. From the agency days in Cape Town to flipping through a phone book in Windhoek looking for my first freelance clients… this is the story behind the story. We talk about why design is only 20% of what we do—and how the other 80% is life, boundaries, burnout, faith, and figuring it out as we go. This space is for the creatives who are building something real, messy, and meaningful. I’m so glad you’re here. 🖤 Want to dive deeper or explore the tools I mentioned? Head to the show notes: kunshuis.com/my-journey-beyond-design Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset Challenge Download: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flow The Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with ease Let’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    12 min
  7. TRAILOR: Welcome to Beyond Design

    13 AUG

    TRAILOR: Welcome to Beyond Design

    This is not your average design podcast. This is the part after the brief. The part behind the beautiful logo. This is the real, raw, voice-note-style space for creatives, freelancers, and especially women in design who are building a life—not just a portfolio. Hosted by Nelett—graphic designer turned creative life mentor with over 25 years in the industry—BEYOND Design gently peels back the curtain on what really goes on behind the work: The self-doubt. The burnout. The tiny wins that no one claps for. The scary emails. The dream clients. The ones that ghost you. The overthinking. The overdelivering. The bravery it takes to do this with heart. From a small studio in Namibia to working with international brands, this podcast is rooted in the belief that your GPS doesn’t define your greatness—your perspective does. And design? That’s only about 20% of it. The rest—it’s your nervous system. Your rhythm. Your boundaries. Your beliefs. Your body. Your God. That’s the part no one talks about. So I am. Each episode is a soft but powerful mix of honest stories, soulful lessons, mindset shifts, and heart-led guidance. For the creatives who want to work smarter, live slower, and create from a grounded, inspired place. Expect messy truths. Gentle reminders. Practical takeaways. Never preachy. Always personal. It’s like a voice note from a friend who gets what it’s like to freelance with your whole heart. Because you don’t need more noise. You need someone to remind you: ✨ You’re not alone in this. ✨ You’re powerful. ✨ And you can design your life—your way. So take a breath. Make some tea. And let’s go beyond design—together Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset Challenge Download: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flow The Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with ease Let’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    1 min

About

This is not your average design podcast.This is the part after the brief. The part behind the beautiful logo.This is the real, raw, voice-note-style space for creatives, freelancers, and especially women in design who are building a life—not just a portfolio. Hosted by Nelett—graphic designer turned creative life mentor with over 25 years in the industry—BEYOND Design gently peels back the curtain on what really goes on behind the work: The self-doubt. The burnout. The tiny wins that no one claps for.The scary emails. The dream clients. The ones that ghost you.The overthinking. The overdelivering.The bravery it takes to do this with heart. From a small studio in Namibia to working with international brands, this podcast is rooted in the belief that your GPS doesn’t define your greatness—your perspective does. And design?That’s only about 20% of it. The rest—it’s your nervous system.Your rhythm.Your boundaries.Your beliefs.Your body.Your God. That’s the part no one talks about. So I am. Each episode is a soft but powerful mix of honest stories, soulful lessons, mindset shifts, and heart-led guidance. For the creatives who want to work smarter, live slower, and create from a grounded, inspired place. Expect messy truths.Gentle reminders.Practical takeaways.Never preachy. Always personal. It’s like a voice note from a friend who gets what it’s like to freelance with your whole heart. Because you don’t need more noise.You need someone to remind you: ✨ You’re not alone in this.✨ You’re powerful.✨ And you can design your life—your way. So take a breath.Make some Coffee.And let’s go beyond design—together