Brand Design Masters - Personal Branding, Creative Entrepreneurship, Small Business Marketing & Career Success for Designers

Philip VanDusen
  • 5.0 (18)
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For designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and content creators who want to level up their careers and creative businesses. Hosted by Philip VanDusen, Branding Consultant, this show explores personal branding, content creation, freelancing, and creative career growth. Philip and his guests deliver practical coaching, strategies, and inspiration to help you market your work, attract new clients, grow your influence, and build long-term success. Covering personal branding, content creation, freelancing, digital marketing, and creative entrepreneurship, every episode is designed to support your growth as a creative professional in the Creative Economy.

  1. 1h ago

    John Gleason: Inside the Client-Agency Marriage

    John Gleason: Inside the Client-Agency Marriage In this episode of Brand Design Masters, I sit down with my old friend John Gleason, someone I've known for more than 15 years going back to my Landor days in Cincinnati. John spent two decades at Procter & Gamble running Clay Street and managing outside agency relationships, then another twenty years as an independent consultant working right where corporate design teams and their agencies meet. He calls it matchmaking and marriage counseling, and it's the best description I've heard for what he does. We cover a lot of ground: how John built one of the strongest networks in the industry (without a website, which I had to call him out on), where the client and agency relationship tends to break down, and some eye-opening data on why design is losing ground inside big corporations. We also talk about why agencies rarely run a competitive audit on themselves, the eight things virtually every agency says about itself, and how enterprise companies are really using AI right now. If you're an agency owner, freelancer, or in-house design leader who wants a clearer view of what's happening behind the curtain, this one is for you. In this episode, you'll learn: Why empathy is the foundation of real relationship building, and how John's "five new people a day" habit shaped his consulting businessThe mantra "collect the dots before you can connect the dots" and how staying curious keeps your aperture open to opportunityA repeatable networking approach for introverted designers, including warm introductions and making every conversation about the other personHow to reach out during a career transition without leading with the job askWhere the client and agency marriage breaks down, from power dynamics to agencies failing to leverage their cross-category experienceWhy clients so often choose the "safe" agency over the right oneJohn's data on design's decline: 40% of the companies he tracks have eliminated the top one or two levels of their design function, and in roughly two-thirds, design is buried several levels below the head of another functionWhy "impact" and "effectiveness" land better than ROI when you're defending the value of designThe "blame the consumer" technique for defending creative work with senior leadersWhy revenue problems are symptoms, not problems, and how to build success metrics into the briefWhy agencies skip competitive audits on themselves, and why relevance will always win over differenceThe trick question hidden inside "How are you using AI?" in RFPsHow some agencies are building AI brand guideline agents that create a competitive moatJohn's guiding principle: seek to serve, not to sell Notable moments: "You have to collect the dots before you can connect the dots.""Stop trying to scream about how different you are and start learning how to whisper how relevant you are.""If you've never had an argument with your client, you're not pushing them hard enough.""Seek to serve, not to sell." About John Gleason: John is the founder of A Better View Strategic Consulting, president of THE FUTURE OF... conference and The D Event, and a board member of the Design Business Association. He has looked inside more than 150 major corporations and 2,500 agencies, and he tracks the organizational structure of nearly 250 companies to benchmark the state of design leadership. Connect with John: Email: john@getabetterview.comLinkedIn: John Gleason https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngleason/THE FUTURE OF... conference: https://www.thefutureof-conference.com/ Connect with me: WEBSITE https://www.philipvandusen.com BRAND•MUSE NEWSLETTER   https://www.philipvandusen.com/muse CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL COACHING https://philipvandusen.com/oneonone YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/philipvandusen BRAND DESIGN MASTERS PODCAST  https://podcast.branddesignmasters.com/subscribe LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvandusen/ THREADS https://www.threads.net/@philipvandusen  FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/philipvandusen.agency/ ____________________________________ AFFILIATE PARTNERS: BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP: Adobe Training with Daniel Scott https://www.byol.me/philip   GO HIGHLEVEL: All-in-One CRM https://www.gohighlevel.com/philipvandusen TUBEBUDDY: The best YouTube plugin https://www.tubebuddy.com/philipvandusen ____________________________ Philip VanDusen is a branding consultant based in New York. A highly accomplished creative executive and expert in brand strategy, graphic design, marketing and creative management, Philip provides design, branding, marketing, career and business advice to creative professionals, entrepreneurs and companies on building successful brands for themselves and the clients and customers they serve.

    John Gleason: Inside the Client-Agency Marriage

  2. Oct 6

    The One Career Skill No One Talks About

    The One Career Skill No One Talks About What's the hardest thing in a long creative career? It isn't starting something new. It's letting go of something you've already built. In this short solo episode, Philip makes the case that knowing when to walk away is the most overlooked career skill there is. The things that helped you grow in one chapter can quietly start holding you back in the next, and career longevity depends on your willingness to subtract. Philip gets personal with two stories. He explains why he recently closed a Facebook group he'd run for seven years, one that peaked at almost 9,000 members. Then he goes back to his late twenties, when he un-stretched his canvases, boxed up his paints and shut down his life as a fine artist. It felt like betrayal at the time. In hindsight, it freed up the energy that launched thirty years in design, creative leadership and brand strategy. In this episode, you'll hear: Why success makes letting go harder, not easierThe question to ask yourself: is this still serving me, or am I just afraid to let it go?Why focus creates power, and why you can't focus while holding onto everything you've ever builtWhat "career insurance" means and why every creative pro needs itHow to build a V-shaped skillset: deep expertise at the center, surrounded by communication, business, technology, financial literacy, storytelling and leadershipWhy careers work like webs, not laddersWhat the arrival of desktop publishing in the 1980s tells you about thriving through AIWhy optionality is the real goal of a long careerHow your network acts as a learning system, and why you shouldn't navigate transitions alone Key takeaway:  Letting go is rarely the end of the story. Often, it's the moment that creates the space for your next chapter to begin. Who this episode is for:  Graphic designers, brand strategists, freelancers, agency owners and creative professionals who are thinking about a career pivot, feeling spread too thin, or wondering how to stay relevant as AI reshapes the industry. If this episode resonated with you, follow Brand Design Masters so you don't miss the next one, and share it with a creative friend who's holding onto something a little too tightly. ____________________________________ WEBSITE https://www.philipvandusen.com BRAND•MUSE NEWSLETTER   https://www.philipvandusen.com/muse CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL COACHING https://philipvandusen.com/oneonone YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/philipvandusen BRAND DESIGN MASTERS PODCAST  https://podcast.branddesignmasters.com/subscribe LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvandusen/ THREADS https://www.threads.net/@philipvandusen  FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/philipvandusen.agency/ ____________________________________ AFFILIATE PARTNERS: BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP: Adobe Training with Daniel Scott https://www.byol.me/philip   GO HIGHLEVEL: All-in-One CRM https://www.gohighlevel.com/philipvandusen TUBEBUDDY: The best YouTube plugin https://www.tubebuddy.com/philipvandusen ____________________________ Philip VanDusen is a branding consultant based in New York. A highly accomplished creative executive and expert in brand strategy, graphic design, marketing and creative management, Philip provides design, branding, marketing, career and business advice to creative professionals, entrepreneurs and companies on building successful brands for themselves and the clients and customers they serve.

    The One Career Skill No One Talks About

  3. Sep 29

    The Hard Truth About Becoming a Creative Director

    The Hard Truth About Becoming a Creative Director Most creatives think the creative director title is the ultimate creative job. It's usually the opposite. The higher you climb in your design career, the less your job is about design, and that catches a lot of talented people off guard. In this episode, I talk about what the creative director role really involves. I cover why great design skills stop being enough at a certain point and what you need to build to keep moving up. I draw on 40 years as a creative executive and a lot of coaching conversations with designers and art directors stuck at that exact ceiling. In this episode, you'll learn: What creative directors actually spend their days doingWhy your value shifts from execution to leadership, strategy, and business fluencyThe "Up or Out" reality and how ageism plays into creative careersWhy most promotions happen before you get the titleHow visibility and perceived leadership shape who gets promotedWhy frustrating corporate jobs can be "getting paid for your education"Why leadership skills carry across industries and creative execution skills often don'tHow AI is pushing creative value toward judgment, strategy, and taste Key takeaway: The path to creative director is bigger than becoming a better designer. You need to lead people, work your way through organizations, and build trust at higher levels. That's the real job. If this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a rating or review. It helps other creative professionals find Brand Design Masters. #CreativeDirector #DesignCareer #CreativeLeadership #GraphicDesign #ArtDirector #BrandDesignMasters ____________________________________ WEBSITE https://www.philipvandusen.com BRAND•MUSE NEWSLETTER   https://www.philipvandusen.com/muse CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL COACHING https://philipvandusen.com/oneonone YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/philipvandusen BRAND DESIGN MASTERS PODCAST  https://podcast.branddesignmasters.com/subscribe LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvandusen/ THREADS https://www.threads.net/@philipvandusen  FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/philipvandusen.agency/ ____________________________________ AFFILIATE PARTNERS: BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP: Adobe Training with Daniel Scott https://www.byol.me/philip   GO HIGHLEVEL: All-in-One CRM https://www.gohighlevel.com/philipvandusen TUBEBUDDY: The best YouTube plugin https://www.tubebuddy.com/philipvandusen ____________________________ Philip VanDusen is a branding consultant based in New York. A highly accomplished creative executive and expert in brand strategy, graphic design, marketing and creative management, Philip provides design, branding, marketing, career and business advice to creative professionals, entrepreneurs and companies on building successful brands for themselves and the clients and customers they serve.

    The Hard Truth About Becoming a Creative Director

  4. Sep 22

    Building a Personal Brand Won't Fix Everything

    Building a Personal Brand Won't Fix Everything There's a dangerous idea floating around right now: that you can just "build a personal brand" and skip the hard part of actually becoming good at what you do. In this episode, I push back on that. I spent over 20 years inside global branding agencies and corporations before I ever picked up a microphone or camera. I talk about what that path taught me, the good and the bad, including getting laid off three separate times and learning firsthand that corporate loyalty only goes one way. I also get into why personal branding only works once you've actually got something worth amplifying. It's not a shortcut around expertise. It's a way to make expertise visible. And in a market where AI is commoditizing production and job boards are basically broken, visibility matters more than it used to, but it can't replace the real thing. If you're trying to figure out whether to go traditional or go independent, or how to think about building your reputation while you're still earning your stripes, this one's for you. In this episode: Why the traditional career path still matters, and why I'd tell young creatives to spend real time inside organizations firstWhat getting laid off three times taught me about corporate "stability"The real relationship between expertise and personal branding, and why one without the other falls apartWhy I believe every creative professional should be building two careers at onceIf this episode hits home, subscribe to Brand Design Masters so you don't miss what's next. ____________________________________ WEBSITE https://www.philipvandusen.com BRAND•MUSE NEWSLETTER   https://www.philipvandusen.com/muse CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL COACHING https://philipvandusen.com/oneonone YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/philipvandusen BRAND DESIGN MASTERS PODCAST  https://podcast.branddesignmasters.com/subscribe LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvandusen/ THREADS https://www.threads.net/@philipvandusen  FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/philipvandusen.agency/ ____________________________________ AFFILIATE PARTNERS: BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP: Adobe Training with Daniel Scott https://www.byol.me/philip   GO HIGHLEVEL: All-in-One CRM https://www.gohighlevel.com/philipvandusen TUBEBUDDY: The best YouTube plugin https://www.tubebuddy.com/philipvandusen ____________________________ Philip VanDusen is a branding consultant based in New York. A highly accomplished creative executive and expert in brand strategy, graphic design, marketing and creative management, Philip provides design, branding, marketing, career and business advice to creative professionals, entrepreneurs and companies on building successful brands for themselves and the clients and customers they serve.

    Building a Personal Brand Won't Fix Everything

  5. Sep 15

    7 Skills Designers Need in the Age of AI

    7 Skills Designers Need in the Age of AI AI can generate a hundred logo concepts in thirty seconds. It still can't tell you which one is right for the brand, the market, or the moment. That gap is exactly where your future value as a designer lives, and in this episode I break down the seven skills that live inside it. I'm not talking about prompt engineering or tool tutorials. I'm talking about taste and curation, strategic thinking, client communication, systems and brand strategy thinking, creative direction applied to AI output, personal brand and reputation, and adaptability as a habit you actually practice. If you've felt that mix of panic and curiosity every time a new AI tool drops, this episode gives you something more useful than reassurance. It gives you a real answer to the question I keep getting asked in coaching calls and in my community: what actually matters now? Production work is shrinking. The ceiling for everyone who can operate above pure production is rising. This episode is about making sure you're one of them. In this episode: Why AI is a production tool, not a judgment tool, and what that means for your careerThe seven skills keeping designers valuable, relevant, and in demandWhy personal brand and reputation matter more as output gets commoditizedThe one practical step to take this week instead of trying to fix everything at once____________________________________ WEBSITE https://www.philipvandusen.com BRAND•MUSE NEWSLETTER   https://www.philipvandusen.com/muse CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL COACHING https://philipvandusen.com/oneonone YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/philipvandusen BRAND DESIGN MASTERS PODCAST  https://podcast.branddesignmasters.com/subscribe LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvandusen/ THREADS https://www.threads.net/@philipvandusen  FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/philipvandusen.agency/ ____________________________________ AFFILIATE PARTNERS: BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP: Adobe Training with Daniel Scott https://www.byol.me/philip   GO HIGHLEVEL: All-in-One CRM https://www.gohighlevel.com/philipvandusen TUBEBUDDY: The best YouTube plugin https://www.tubebuddy.com/philipvandusen ____________________________ Philip VanDusen is a branding consultant based in New York. A highly accomplished creative executive and expert in brand strategy, graphic design, marketing and creative management, Philip provides design, branding, marketing, career and business advice to creative professionals, entrepreneurs and companies on building successful brands for themselves and the clients and customers they serve.

    7 Skills Designers Need in the Age of AI

  6. Jun 23

    Erik Evans: Creativity is an Act of Rebellion

    What does it take to stay creative through decades of career pivots, industry disruption, and personal reinvention? In this episode of the Brand Design Masters Podcast, Philip VanDusen sits down with designer, creative director, author, and workshop facilitator Erik Evans to explore the enduring principles of creativity in a rapidly changing world. Erik shares lessons from a career that has spanned nearly five decades and 48 jobs, including roles at Pixar, ServiceNow, Cisco, Salesforce, and numerous startups. Drawing from his new book, A Field Guide to Creativity: Strategies for Thriving in Any Creative Era, he discusses why creativity is less about talent and more about practice, resilience, and showing up consistently. The conversation explores the role of sincerity in creative work, why embracing your unique quirks can become a competitive advantage, and how fear, perfectionism, procrastination, and imposter syndrome often disguise themselves as obstacles that prevent meaningful progress. Philip and Erik also discuss the importance of personal branding, mentorship, coaching, and accountability, along with Erik’s new Identity by Design workshop, which helps individuals develop personal brand guidelines based on their values, purpose, and strengths. Finally, they tackle one of the biggest questions facing creative professionals today: how creativity can remain relevant and valuable in the age of AI. Whether you're an emerging designer, a seasoned creative leader, or someone navigating a career transition, this episode offers practical wisdom for building a creative life with intention. In This Episode Erik's unconventional career journey through 48 jobsLessons learned from Pixar, startups, and in-house creative leadershipWhy creativity is a daily practice, not a personality traitThe hidden cost of cynicism and the power of sincerityHow embracing your "weirdness" creates differentiationIdentifying and overcoming creative "monsters"The role of coaching, accountability, and mentorshipBuilding a personal brand through values and self-awarenessWhy many startups underestimate brand strategyCreativity's role in navigating AI-driven changeThe transition from corporate creative leader to independent creatorDeveloping confidence, visibility, and authority over timeAbout Erik Evans Erik Evans is a creative director, designer, author, and founder of The Story Workshop. Throughout his career he has worked with organizations including Pixar, ServiceNow, Cisco, Salesforce, and numerous Silicon Valley startups. His new book, A Field Guide to Creativity: Strategies for Thriving in Any Creative Era, explores practical approaches to creativity, resilience, personal growth, and navigating change. Through his Identity by Design workshops, Erik helps individuals uncover their values, strengths, and personal brand foundations. Connect with Erik Evans Website: The Story Workshop, https://www.thestoryworkshop.com/ Instagram: @thestoryworkshop LinkedIn: Erik Evans, https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-erik-evans-7aa3151/ Book: " A Field Guide to Creativity: Strategies for Thriving in Any Creative Era" , https://amzn.to/4vcLE1A (Amazon affiliate link)

    Erik Evans: Creativity is an Act of Rebellion

  7. May 11

    AI Without the Hype: with Mitali Deypurkaystha

    AI is in the midst of changing the landscape of business, careers and humanity as a whole. And if you're like most creative professionals or business owners, you're probably feeling a mix of curiosity, overwhelm, and maybe even a little fear. In this episode, I sit down with certified AI consultant Mitali Deypurkaystha to cut through the noise and get practical. We talk about what’s really happening in the AI landscape, why most businesses are getting it wrong, and how you can approach AI in a way that actually drives results without chasing shiny objects. Mitali shares a grounded, human-first approach to AI adoption. Instead of starting with tools, she explains why you should start with your business bottlenecks. We also dive into how poor data can completely derail AI initiatives, what “agents” actually are (without the hype), and how creative professionals can stay relevant and valuable in an AI-driven world. We also explore her Human First Responsible AI Pledge, a framework designed to help businesses implement AI ethically and responsibly. If you’re trying to figure out how AI fits into your business or career, this conversation will help you get out of overwhelm and into clarity. What We Cover Why most people feel behind with AI and why that’s not trueWhy most AI pilots fail and how to avoid the same mistakesHow to cut through AI overwhelm by focusing on business bottlenecks firstWhy AI is not a replacement for creative professionals, but a multiplierThe hidden danger of bad data and how it leads to poor AI resultsA simple, practical breakdown of what AI agents are and how they workWhy human skills and real conversations are becoming more valuable, not lessKey Takeaways Start with problems, not tools. AI should solve bottlenecks, not create new ones.Clean, structured data is the foundation of any successful AI implementation.Creative professionals have an advantage. Better inputs lead to exponentially better outputs.AI agents are not magic. They are layered automation with increasing levels of autonomy.Human connection is becoming a competitive advantage in an AI-driven world.Ethical AI use is not optional. It’s a business necessity.Resources & Links Human First Responsible AI Pledgehttps://humanfirstresponsibleaipledge.org Mitali Deypurkaystha / Impact Iconhttps://impacticon.ai Mitali Deypurkaystha on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mitalidey/ Tools Mentioned Claude (Anthropic)ChatGPTGeminiSaneBoxAgentic browsersAI isn’t the thing that’s going to replace you. But someone who knows how to use it well might. The real opportunity right now is not to chase every new tool, but to think more clearly, work more strategically, and stay deeply human in how you show up. ____________________________________ WEBSITE https://www.philipvandusen.com BRAND•MUSE NEWSLETTER   https://www.philipvandusen.com/muse CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL COACHING https://philipvandusen.com/oneonone YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/philipvandusen BRAND DESIGN MASTERS PODCAST  https://podcast.branddesignmasters.com/subscribe BRAND STRATEGY 101 COURSE https://philipvandusen.com/bs101 LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvandusen/ THREADS https://www.threads.net/@philipvandusen  FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/philipvandusen.agency/ ____________________________________ AFFILIATE PARTNERS: BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP: Adobe Training with Daniel Scott https://www.byol.me/philip   GO HIGHLEVEL: All-in-One CRM https://www.gohighlevel.com/philipvandusen TUBEBUDDY: The best YouTube plugin https://www.tubebuddy.com/philipvandusen ____________________________ Philip VanDusen is a branding consultant based in New York. A highly accomplished creative executive and expert in brand strategy, graphic design, marketing and creative management, Philip provides design, branding, marketing, career and business advice to creative professionals, entrepreneurs and companies on building successful brands for themselves and the clients and customers they serve.

    AI Without the Hype: with Mitali Deypurkaystha

  8. Apr 20

    ReDesigning Your Creative Career After 50

    ReDesigning Your Creative Career After 50with Philip VanDusen If you’re a creative professional over 50, redesigning your creative career after 50 isn’t about starting over, it’s about building resilience, relevance, and long-term leverage.  In this episode, I walk you through a practical framework for career reinvention, income diversification, and staying professionally valuable in an AI-accelerated world. The Workbook Prompts: "If traditional employment became unreliable tomorrow, how else could I create value with what I know?""Which parts of my work still challenge my thinking, and which parts simply consume my energy?""What would it look like to make that guidance explicit, structured, and an 'intellectual deliverable' that I could be paid for?""List five potential, or existing income streams you could realistically develop over the next few years.""Where in my work does human context matter more than speed?""Write down the names of three people you would want in the room as you rethink, and redesign, the next phase of your career."Many experienced designers, creatives, and agency professionals discover that traditional employment becomes less reliable later in their careers. Ageism, shifting business models, global competition, and AI-driven automation are reshaping the creative industry.  Instead of chasing employability, I’ll show you how to build resilience, intellectual deliverables, multiple income streams, and a network that actually supports your next chapter. This is a guided workshop for experienced creative professionals who want clarity, stability, and long-term career insurance. If you're serious about redesigning your career with intention, explore BONFIRE, my mastermind community for experienced creatives navigating this exact transition. BONFIRE: Mastermind Community for Creative Pros https://philipvandusen.com/bonfire ________________________________ WEBSITE https://www.philipvandusen.com BRAND•MUSE NEWSLETTER   https://www.philipvandusen.com/muse CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL COACHING https://philipvandusen.com/oneonone YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/philipvandusen BRAND DESIGN MASTERS PODCAST  https://podcast.branddesignmasters.com/subscribe BRAND STRATEGY 101 COURSE https://philipvandusen.com/bs101 LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvandusen/ THREADS https://www.threads.net/@philipvandusen  FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/philipvandusen.agency/ ____________________________ Philip VanDusen is a branding consultant based in New York. A highly accomplished creative executive and expert in brand strategy, graphic design, marketing and creative management, Philip provides design, branding, marketing, career and business advice to creative professionals, entrepreneurs and companies on building successful brands for themselves and the clients and customers they serve.

    ReDesigning Your Creative Career After 50
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About

For designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and content creators who want to level up their careers and creative businesses. Hosted by Philip VanDusen, Branding Consultant, this show explores personal branding, content creation, freelancing, and creative career growth. Philip and his guests deliver practical coaching, strategies, and inspiration to help you market your work, attract new clients, grow your influence, and build long-term success. Covering personal branding, content creation, freelancing, digital marketing, and creative entrepreneurship, every episode is designed to support your growth as a creative professional in the Creative Economy.

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