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In the last episode of series 9, Claire met up with Laurence Bendjenad, Creative Director of the brand design agency Lonsdale in Paris.

Laurence talks through her journey from dropping out of her law degree to finding her passion in design. She talks about working for some of the best CPG brand agencies and the opportunities to travel and live in San Francisco and NYC.

LINKS:

Red Setter

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Lonsdale

This week Claire meets up with legendary designer Michael Johnson, founder of brand design consultancy Johnson Banks. He’s known for defining and designing brands that make a difference, such as UCL, Shelter, Jodrell Bank, University of Cambridge, RIBA and the UN Climate Change Conference - COP26. Michael speaks design conferences around the world, teaches at leading institutions including Ravensbourne, Kingston University, Glasgow School of Art, ArtCenter Pasadena, NYC’s School of Visual Arts, and the University of Cambridge. He is an award-winning author of multiple books including the ground-breaking Branding: In Five and a Half Steps. He has dozens of designs within the V&A’s permanent collection, he’s been the recipient of D&AD’s President’s Award and the winner of seven yellows and a black pencil.

In this episode, recorded live at Johnson Banks studio, Michael shares his career journey, complete with early challenges and rejections, to writing to Wally Olins (co-founder of Wolf Ollins) and a new door opening…

He talks about the evolution of his studio with it’s focus on working with brands that make a difference and the importance of aligning client work with personal and company values.

He also discusses the current focus on trends over longevity in brand design and how young designers need to focus on ideas.

LINKS:

Red Setter

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Johnson Banks

This week on the podcast, Claire sits down with Jessie McGuire — Managing Partner of the independent design & creative studio Thought Matter. This year’s winner of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Communication Design.

With a career spanning some of the most respected studios in the industry, Jessie has built a reputation for shaping work that is not only beautifully crafted, but effective — helping brands connect more meaningfully with their audiences.

In this episode, Jessie shares her journey into design and how her career has evolved over time, reflecting on the realities of building a creative career that doesn’t always follow a straight path.

She also talks about the tension between creativity and commerciality — why great design can’t just look good, it has to work — and what success really means for studios today.

Along the way, we explore leadership in creative environments, the importance of knowing when to push and when to listen, and why the value of design is often only recognised in hindsight.

LINKS:

Red Setter

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Thought Matter

Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards

This week Claire met up with Sarah Williams - President of AIGA NY, where she champions the future of design for all, and co-CEO of branding agency Beardwood&Co. An award-winning creative leader, she has been recognised by the DBA Effectiveness Awards, The Clio Awards, and PAC Global, and has worked with brands including Hyatt Hotels, Yankee Candle, Pottery Barn, Corona, and Bath & Body Works, as well as speaking at conferences such as How Design Live.

In this episode, Sarah shares her journey into design - from growing up in a small town and discovering a love of music and album art and her move to New York.

She shares her early steps into design, her first job at Landor and her 20 year experience growing Beardwood&Co. alongside Julia Beardwood and Ryan Lynch.

She also discusses her role as president of AIGA NY and its role in fostering community and mentorship in the design industry.

LINKS:

Red Setter

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AIGA NY

BEARDWOOD&CO

This week on the podcast Claire, sits down with Kiser Barnes, chief creative officer and partner at Red Antler. The episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Red Antler’s new Manhattan studio.

From startups to Fortune 100 brands, Kiser has helped shape some of the world’s most recognisable companies, including Google, LVMH, Crocs, Delta Airlines, Calvin Klein and McKinsey. A Cannes Lions Grand Prix winner and Ad Age Innovator 50 (2025), he’s also spoken globally and serves on the board of AIGA.

In this episode, Kiser shares his journey into design - from photography to the creative influence of New York.

He shares his take on AI’s impact (and opportunity) in the creative world, with the hire of Red Antler’s new AI creative lead

He also discusses the role of mentorship and why creative experimentation matters more than ever.

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Red Antler

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On the podcast this week Claire met up with Mitch Monson, executive director of creative and partnerships at Sibling Rivalry. An award-winning creative leader, his work has been recognised by organisations including the Clio Awards, Art Directors Club and the Broadcast Design Association, and he has received three Emmy Awards.

Mitch has led brand and broadcast campaigns for global clients including Marvel Studios, NBC Sports and NBC Olympics, Netflix, HBO, Amazon Studios, Warner Brothers, BBC and The Walt Disney Company. He is also a regular speaker and juror for leading industry organisations such as AIGA and The One Club for Creativity, and earlier in his career designed the iconic Love Symbol for Prince.

Mitch reflects on his journey from aspiring to join the military to forging a creative career in design and production, and co-founding his own production company.

He talks about his collaboration with the musician Prince, including the design of the Love Symbol, and his work for the Marvel Universe.

He also discusses the impact of mentorship and community in shaping a creative career - including involvement in initiatives like Move Together and Assembly.

Links:

Sibling Rivalry

Red Setter

Dba

Content warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and substance abuse (timestamps 03:07 - 06:23)

On the podcast this week Claire met up with James Martin, an award-winning designer, author of The Honest Guide to Creativity and Logo Design, and founder of the studio Made By James. He is known for his distinctive brand identities and straight-talking creative education.

Through his studio and content platforms, he has built a global following, worked with international clients and creative businesses, and become a trusted voice on logo design, personal branding and creative entrepreneurship.

In this episode, James shares his unconventional career journey - from going back to school after feeling lost in his teens, to launching Baby Giant Design Co., to building the Made by James brand.

James talks openly about carving your own path as a creative and why there’s no single ’traditional’ route to success.

He also reflects on the evolving design agency model, shifting budgets, and the importance of never settling creatively.

Links:

Made By James

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Dba

This week Claire met up with Paul Watmough-Halim and Jan Stein, the co-founders of the brand studio Hyperfocus.

Paul was named by Creative Boom as one of the top creatives of 2025, and has spoken around the world with Jan at festivals such as D&AD. Paul was head of design at clothing brand Bench and has worked on German media channel Funke and the Olympic Games for Coca-Cola. Jan has worked on brands such as Google, Swisscom and Red Bull and both are the co-hosts of the Brand Review on YouTube.

On the podcast they share their early discovery of art and design, their uniting love of skateboarding, to the influence of music, DJ-ing and creating album art. Jan shares the huge impact of growing up in East Berlin when the wall came down and seeing the world through new eyes. And they share the creative and eye-catching ways that they’ve made their mark in the world of brand design and becoming the 'go-to' for other agencies to design their websites.

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Hyperfocus

Red Setter

Dba