Lettering Artist Dan Lee proves that graphic design careers aren’t built on safe degrees or raw talent...they’re built on obsession and the courage to ditch the rules.

This week on a special episode of The Angry Designer Podcast LIVE at Crop Con, we sit down with Lettering Artist Dan Lee, who walked away from chemical engineering to chase design, and built a thriving career without a design degree. His story destroys the starving artist myth and shows why obsession beats talent every time.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why playing it safe can kill your creative potential
- How personal projects can launch a real design career
- Why obsession, not talent, is the secret to surviving trends and AI

If you’re ready to stop following rules and start building a career on your terms, this one’s for you.

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Every designer has heard it: “Pick a niche. Specialize. Focus.” Even on THIS podcast! But here’s the uncomfortable truth... niching alone is a trap. The wrong kind of niche doesn’t just slow your career, it cages you, makes you replaceable, and puts your future in the hands of clients, tech, or the economy.

This should sting: most of you are doing it wrong. You’re either chaining yourself to one fragile industry or boxing yourself into a single craft that AI and Fiverr can wipe out overnight. That’s why so many designers feel stuck — hustling project to project, disposable the moment the job is delivered. Few will admit it, but most are already losing the niche game.

But here’s the shift: there’s a better way. This week on The Angry Designer Podcast, we’re blowing up the myth of niching and showing you how traditional niching is failing, and how stacking your skills makes you harder to replace, stickier with clients, and impossible to ignore.

In this episode you'll learn:

• How industry niches can collapse and what to build instead
• Why craft niches can turn designers into one-trick ponies
• The skill stacking method that creates a design ecosystem clients can’t walk away from

This isn’t just about niches. It’s about whether you’re going to stay trapped in an outdated model or step into the future of design. The choice is simple: keep doing what every other designer does, or stack your skills and become the one they can’t let go of.

Subscribe to The Angry Designer Podcast for no-BS design truths, controversial takes, and the lessons that help you charge what you’re worth and build a future-proof creative career.

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Every designer chases originality like it’s the holy grail. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: originality doesn’t exist. Nothing you’ve designed is original, and believing otherwise is killing creativity faster than bad clients ever could.

Graphic designers hate to hear this, but most of you are guilty. You worship originality, terrified that influence makes your work invalid. The few designers who thrive know the opposite is true: influence fuels design, while chasing “original” ideas traps you in imposter syndrome and mediocrity.

This week on The Angry Designer Podcast, we tear apart the myth of originality in graphic design, exposing why it’s nothing more than ego disguised as creativity and how this mindset is holding you back.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why chasing originality is a design trap that kills your career
• How influence and remixing create better graphic design than “original ideas” ever will
• The truth about imposter syndrome and why fearing influence makes you a weaker designer

This isn’t just about originality. It’s about your career. Because if you keep clinging to the myth of originality, you’ll burn out, stay stuck, and watch other designers pass you by with work that’s influenced, effective, and unmistakably theirs.

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Graphic Design isn’t about chasing trends or giving your work away for “exposure.” Scott Fuller, founder of Studio Temporary reveals the lessons he learned the hard way from turning down unpaid internships to creating logos that stand the test of time.

Scott’s story is as raw as it gets. From graduating as a valedictorian with an engineering scholarship, to walking away from stability for a future in graphic design, to nearly losing everything, eviction notices, dead-end jobs, rejection, his path to building The Studio Temporary and the time ESPN tried to take his work without credit...spoiler, he stood his ground, and that decision led him to designing for the Atlanta Hawks. Scotts story is a masterclass in resilience. 

In this episode of The Angry Designer Podcast, we get real about what it takes to survive and thrive as a designer in a chaotic industry.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why style without substance kills your work (and your career)
• The truth about unpaid internships and “exposure” gigs
• How to build logos and brands that actually last

Whether you’re a freelance designer, agency owner, or in-house creative, this conversation will make you rethink how you approach your work and why designers must demand more respect for their craft.

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Cracker Barrel spent $700 million on a rebrand… and within a week, they had to run back to their old logo. Designers, this isn’t just a logo fail, it’s a brand disaster! It proves how dangerous it is when companies confuse modernization with progress.

Here’s the part that should sting: most graphic designers would have made the exact same mistake. Why? Because too many of us still think rebrands are about logos, not the bigger story brands are built on.

In this episode of The Angry Designer Podcast, we break down exactly what went wrong with Cracker Barrel’s rebrand and the lessons every designer needs to hear.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why Cracker Barrel’s rebrand backlash proves logos aren’t the problem — branding is
• The 10 WORST times to update an old logo (and how to avoid the same mistake)
• How to tell if your rebrand should be an evolution… not a full-blown identity crisis

This isn’t about Cracker Barrel, it’s about you. Because if you think “design” alone is enough, you’re already on the wrong side of branding.

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Bad logo design is everywhere. From stretched fonts to unreadable colors, from stolen stock icons to AI disasters, the world is flooded with logos that should never have seen the light of day.

But here’s the kicker: these aren’t accidents. They follow patterns. And if you’re not careful, you could be making the exact same mistakes without realizing it.

In this episode of The Angry Designer Podcast, we flip the script with a sarcastic “MasterClass” on how to create the world’s worst logo. It’s a roast, it’s a lesson, and it’s the kind of reality check every graphic designer needs to avoid being the punchline in someone else's roast.

In this episode, you'll discover

• The most common mistakes behind bad logo design
• How to spot (and avoid) the patterns that ruin logos
• Why good designers sometimes still fall into bad habits

Whether you’re a seasoned creative or just starting your graphic design career, this episode will help you see logo design disasters for what they are, and make sure you’re never the one creating them.

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Most graphic designers think their biggest challenge is competition, AI, or not getting enough exposure. The truth? Many designers are sabotaging themselves every time they open their mouths.

From vague feedback requests to filler phrases that kill confidence, these everyday habits destroy trust, weaken authority, and make even talented designers look like amateurs.

But here’s the good news...once you recognize these self-sabotaging phrases, you can cut them out and instantly raise how clients see you.

In this episode of The Angry Designer, we expose the cringy things graphic designers say that sabotage their credibility and show you how to replace them with language that positions you as the expert you are.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The most common phrases designers use that ruin trust and credibility
• Why vague, filler language sabotages your authority with clients
• How to stop sounding like an amateur and lead conversations like a pro

This is the wake-up call designers need. If you want clients to respect your expertise, trust your process, and pay you what you’re worth, it starts with the words you use.

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Most graphic designers think being “just” a designer is safe. But when a Reddit thread exploded over whether it’s actually risky, we didn’t just scroll past. We tore it apart!

Some takes were spot on. Others completely missed the mark and sounded like entitled designers crying because they didn't get their way (and we’re not shy about saying which is which).

In this episode of The Angry Designer, we break down the “Is Being Just a Graphic Designer Risky?” Reddit thread, calling out the most controversial opinions and revealing what really puts your career in danger. From AI replacing average work, to the trap of selling only the end product, to why skill stacking and process can be your ultimate advantage. Nothing is off the table.

In this episode, you'll discover:
- Why focusing only on design execution puts your career at risk
- How stacking complementary skills keeps you competitive
- The real reason some designers thrive while others fade away

Whether you’re freelancing, working in-house, or running an agency, this is your reality check on the future of graphic design. Learn how to stay relevant, charge what you’re worth, and outpace an industry that changes faster than ever.

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Most graphic designers think they understand logo design trends. But after reviewing nearly a million logos, Bill Gardner knows otherwise.

As the creator of LogoLounge, the most iconic logo archive in the design world, Bill has seen the good, the bad, and the painfully average. He’s judged tens of thousands of marks, built trend reports that define the industry, and helped shape what logo design looks like on a global scale.

So what are so many designers still getting wrong about Logo Design trends?

In this episode of The Angry Designer podcast, we sit down with Bill Gardner to unpack two decades of logo evolution, the dangers of chasing logo design trends, and what actually makes a logo timeless. From judging 35,000 submissions per book to identifying the difference between trendy and trend-setting, Bill doesn’t just talk about design—he proves what works.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

- Why most designers misinterpret logo trends and how it impacts their work
- The real difference between timeless logos and short-term eye candy
- How to future-proof your logos for relevance in a fast-changing design world

Whether you're an up-and-coming Graphic Designer or a seasoned pro, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom from one of the most respected voices in the logo design space.

Get ready to challenge what you think you know about logos.

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Graphic designers have mastered the art of making things look good, but the future of design demands more than pretty pixels.

The world is shifting faster than most creatives can keep up, and the biggest threat to your career isn’t AI. It’s you:
- clinging to outdated tools
- static portfolios
- a visual-only mindset 

The truth? Design is evolving beyond what you see, and those who don’t evolve with it are about to get steamrolled.

In this episode of The Angry Designer podcast, we break down what design will actually look like in the next 5–10 years and why graphic design alone won’t cut it. From spatial and sonic design to strategy, data, motion, and AI, we outline what future-ready designers need to survive and thrive.

You’ll learn:
- What the future of design will actually look like
- Why visual design is just the starting line
- What new skills clients will expect from you
- What to stop focusing on NOW

This is your Future Designer Survival Guide, brutal truths, bold predictions, and a tactical mindset shift every designer needs to hear.

Because the future doesn’t need more graphic designers. It needs creative thinkers who know how to lead, adapt, and evolve.

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Most graphic designers think their biggest threat is AI, bad clients, or lack of exposure. But the real problem? They don’t think like designers at all.

Instead, they’re still stuck in the artist mindset—chasing aesthetics, taking feedback personally, and wondering why they’re underpaid, overworked, and overlooked.

But what if one mindset shift could flip your entire career?

In this episode of The Angry Designer, we break down the Designer Mindset Shift That Changes Everything. We’re talking about the hard truth every creative needs to hear: you’re not paid for how it looks, you’re paid for how it works.

You’ll learn:
- Why embracing logic over emotion changes how clients see you
- The 6 mindset traits that future-proof designers
- How AI proves artists are replaceable—but designers aren’t
- Why thinking like a strategist makes you indispensable

This isn’t fluff. This is the reality check designers need to finally charge what they’re worth, design with purpose, and never feel replaceable again.

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Graphic designers have been fighting the wrong battle.

While the design world panics about AI taking jobs, a more dangerous threat has already arrived — Graphic Designers who know how to use AI better than you. They’re faster, sharper, and landing the work while you’re still debating whether it’s “ethical” to use the tools.

This isn’t a future problem. It’s happening right now.

This week on The Angry Designer podcast, we rip the mask off the real competition, and no, it’s not a robot. It’s the designer sitting across from you who embraced AI while you were still stuck in the past.

We’re not here to coddle. We’re here to wake you the hell up.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
• Why AI isn’t the enemy but other designers are
• How to spot the new wave of competition before it blindsides you
• What skills, strategies, and mindset shifts will keep you from getting replaced

If you’re serious about protecting your design future, it’s time to stop fearing the wrong threat and start levelling the hell up.

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Designers are freaking out about AI, and for good reason. Clients are skipping strategy, bringing AI-generated logos to the table, and treating designers like disposable decorators.

But while most designers are still obsessing over execution, the smart ones are building brands, owning strategy, evolving and becoming irreplaceable.

This week on The Angry Designer podcast, we sit down with our friend Dan Janssen of Lincoln Design Co. to unpack the real shift happening in the creative world and why most Graphic Designers are totally unprepared for it.

Recorded live at CropCon 2025 in Austin Texas, Dan lays down

• Why ignoring brand strategy is the fastest way to get replaced
• How to build a personal brand that clients actually value
• What clients really think when they hand you AI-generated work

By the end of this episode, you’ll know why brand strategy is your new superpower in this AI powered world, and how to use it to stay relevant, respected, and paid.

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Graphic Designers aren’t being replaced by AI.
They’re being replaced by their own clients using AI.

The real threat to a Graphic Designer isn’t AI. It’s lazy marketers, overconfident interns, and clueless execs showing up with AI-generated briefs, Frankensteined logos, and bloated brand docs pulled straight from a bot. And they expect you to clean it all up like a design janitor.

This week on The Angry Designer podcast, we expose the uncomfortable truth about the actual enemy designers are facing, and it’s not the tech. It’s the people using it wrong.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why Grpahic Designers are being reduced to decorators (and how to stop it)
• The rise of “confident garbage” and the illusion of quality
• How to push back, simplify chaos, and reclaim your authority

If you’ve ever been handed a “professional” AI brief that made zero sense… or had your strategy questioned because “AI said so”, this one’s going to hit hard.

This isn’t just a rant. It’s a damn wake-up call.
Because AI won’t replace you.
But your client, who THINKS they know how to use AI absolutely will.

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Many graphic designers are stuck and they don’t even know it.

They price based on feelings, take feedback like a punch to the gut, and chase originality over clarity…all because they’re thinking like artists, not designers.

This mindset starts early with crayons, sketchbooks, praise for creativity and it feels right. But in the real world? That same mindset is quietly sabotaging your career.

In this episode of The Angry Designer podcast, we’re exposing the artist mentality that’s quietly sabotaging graphic designers keeping them broke, burned out, and overlooked. You’ll learn how to spot the subtle red flags, shift your mindset, and start thinking like a designer – strategic, purposeful, and unshakeably valuable.

By the end, you’ll know:
- The real difference between artists and designers
- How the artist mindset is ruining your reputation and pricing
- What to do instead—so you get paid, respected, and future-proofed

Whether it’s pricing your work, dealing with client feedback, or trying to stay relevant in the age of AI, this episode delivers the straight-up truth that most design schools never teach. Let go of the starving artist myth. Start thinking like a designer. Your career depends on it.

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Good design is losing.
Not by better design — but by faster, cheaper, half-assed garbage.
And the worst part? Clients are eating it up.

Welcome to the new reality where timelines matter more than talent, and “good enough” is winning over great. Designers are watching their best work get ignored while AI bots, Canva templates, and $5 Fiverr hacks get the green light.

And yeah, we might have been the ones to let this happen.

This week on The Angry Designer podcast, we rip into the real reason good design is losing to fast design and what graphic designers need to do to stay relevant in a world that values speed over skill.

In this episode we discuss:

- Why clients think fast = progress (and how to flip that on them)
- How designers became their own worst enemy
- A better way to deliver work without compromising quality
- The process tweak that keeps clients off Canva and on your side

If you're sick of watching garbage design win just because it's quick, this episode gives you the tools to fight back and win the long game.

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Too many Graphic Designers forget one brutal truth. Design is NOT for you, your portfolio, or even your client. It’s for their audience. Period. The client pays the bill, sure. But they’re not the one your work is for. And every time you forget that, your design gets weaker. Less effective. Easier to ignore.

This week on The Angry Designer podcast, we’re calling out one of the biggest blind spots in design: the end user. We break down why obsessing over client approval is killing your impact, your confidence, and your portfolio! And how to flip that mindset before it wrecks your career.

From billion-dollar branding flops to ego-driven design disasters, we expose how even the biggest companies forget who they’re actually designing for and why smart designers never make that mistake twice.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why pleasing your client doesn’t mean serving their goals
- How to shift from design decorator to design translator
- The red flags that prove you’re designing for approval, not impact

If you’re tired of chasing trends, bending to bad client opinions, or wondering why your work isn’t landing, this is your wake-up call.

If you’re designing to impress other designers, or to stay on your client’s good side, this episode is the slap you need.

Because at the end of the day, design starts and ends with the end user.
Ignore that, and you're just making things pretty.

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Most Graphic Design advice is garbage wrapped in a motivational quote.

From “charge what you’re worth” to “design is storytelling,” these overused sayings sound deep but do more harm than good. They confuse young designers, create false expectations, and let lazy pros pretend they’re being profound.

In this week’s episode of The Angry Designer, we tear apart the most misleading sayings in the graphic design industry, line by line.

You’ll discover:
• Why “Do what you love and the money will follow” is a trap
• How “Good design sells itself” actually screws over talented creatives
• Why “The client is always right” might be the worst lie you’ve ever believed

This episode isn’t about nitpicking words, it’s about exposing the phrases that shape careers in all the wrong ways. If you’re tired of cliché wisdom, fake gurus, and advice that leads nowhere, this one’s for you.

By the end, you’ll know what to ignore, what to challenge, and how to think for yourself in a sea of copy-paste career advice.

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Graphic designers love to blame AI, cheap clients, and garbage logos for the downfall of the industry. But what if those things are actually your biggest opportunity?

While most designers are panicking about race-to-the-bottom pricing, automation, and template trash flooding the market, a small percentage are flipping the script and using it all to their advantage.

In this episode of The Angry Designers LIVE at Creative South, we sit down with two of the most popular Logo Designers; Allan Peters and James Barnard, to break down how designers can not only survive this chaos but dominate it.

From navigating Fiverr clients to using social proof as ROI, to the real debate between one-concept versus 15-concept logo presentations, this episode delivers brutal truths, tactical gold, and industry insights straight from two legends who have been through it all.

By the end of this episode, you’ll learn how to:
• Flip cheap work into long-term high-ticket clients
• Build authority while others build excuses
• Create logos that stand the test of time while others chase trends
• And turn AI into a tool, not a threat

This isn’t about fear. It’s about fire.
It’s time to stop blaming the game and start mastering it.

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The most common misconception of being a graphic designer?
To “make things look good.”

That mindset is exactly why clients are moving on. Fast.

AI can make things look good, faster, and cheaper. And customers are quickly flocking to a "Good enough" mentality.

In this unapologetic episode of The Angry Designer, we expose the dangerous gap between what designers think clients want… and what clients actually need in today’s AI-fueled, shortcut-obsessed world.

We’re diving deep into:

• Why execution-first designers are being replaced by “good enough”
• What today’s clients really value (hint: it’s not your color palettes)
• How to shift from being a pixel pusher to a strategic powerhouse
• The first move every future-ready designer must make

If you’re still handing off logos and layouts without asking deeper questions, your days are numbered.

But if you’re ready to solve real business problems, lead with strategy, and think bigger—you won’t just survive. You’ll own the damn future.

This episode kicks off a multi-part series on becoming the future designer—smarter, sharper, and impossible to ignore.

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Graphic designers pour blood, sweat, and sleepless nights into their portfolios—only to be ghosted, passed over, or worse… completely forgotten. The harsh truth? Good design doesn’t speak for itself. And if your portfolio isn’t telling a story, it’s telling the wrong one.

In this no-holds-barred episode of The Angry Designer, we expose why most design portfolios fail—regardless of how good the work is—and what actually makes creative professionals unforgettable.

Straight from our experience reviewing student portfolios at CropCon 2025 in Austin, we break down the real problem with Graphic Design portfolios. You’ll learn why storytelling is your secret weapon, how to lead with personality, and the exact framework to pitch like a pro—whether you're just starting out or 20 years in.

Forget the fluff. This is the portfolio reality check you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The 3 deadly mistakes killing your portfolio pitch
• Why being memorable matters more than being perfect
• The storytelling structure that gets designers hired

If you’re tired of being overlooked, underestimated, or just plain forgotten—this one’s for you.

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Most Graphic Designers think they know logo design, until they see how the legends did it.

While the internet’s flooded with trend-chasing tips and lazy logo lists, the truth is: there are laws. Rules. Principles. And the greats like Paul Rand, Saul Bass, Massimo Vignelli lived by them. That’s why their work still hits decades later, while most logos today barely survive a rebrand cycle.

In this episode of The Angry Designer podcast, we dig deep into the 18 Irrefutable Laws of Legendary Logo Design. Not recycled advice, but timeless lessons pulled straight from the icons of our industry such as Saul Bass, Paul Rand, Massimo Vignelli, Josef Müller-Brockmann, Milton Glaser, Herb Lubalin, Cipe Pineles, Sylvia Harris, Lella Vignelli, James Barnard, Scott Fuller & Allan Peters.

If you're tired of generic design fluff and want to level up your thinking, craft, and confidence, this episode will give you the firepower. These aren’t just logo tips — they’re the rules that turn good designers into great ones.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The foundational truths behind logos that last
• Why most designers unknowingly sabotage their own work
• And what it actually takes to earn the title of "Logo Designer"

Whether you're designing for clients, building your portfolio, or trying to future-proof your Graphic Design career, this episode will help you ditch the guesswork and design with purpose.

Stay Angry our Friends
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Most graphic designers are told to niche down, play it safe, and follow the damn rules. Pennybridge did the opposite—and built a global, wildly successful studio from a surf town outside Australia’s big cities.

This isn’t your typical design story.

In this episode of The Angry Designer Podcast, we sit down with the unapologetically raw, fiercely independent founders of Pennybridge—a creative powerhouse known for high-energy branding, punk rock vibes, and logos that landed them clients like Porsche, Wu-Tang, and Red Bull.

But behind the bold visuals and Blink-182 posters is a brutally smart business strategy that every designer needs to hear.

We dive deep into:
• Why “niching down” is overrated—and how to stand out without selling out
• How Pennybridge built a design studio around lifestyle, values, and vibe
• The real reason clients trust them with million-dollar brands—and why most designers never get that chance

By the end of this episode, you’ll rethink what it means to run a design studio, how to attract dream clients without compromise, and why your edge is your advantage.

Stay Angry our Friends
–––––––––––
Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3
Want to see more?
See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner
Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.com
Join in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast

Graphic designers chase inspiration like it's gold—but most are flushing it down the drain without even realizing it.

You feel the rush after a conference, a workshop, a killer keynote... but days later?
Poof. It’s gone. And you're back to the same-old grind.

But what if that crash wasn’t inevitable?
What if you could actually capture that inspiration—and turn it into real, unstoppable growth?

This week on The Angry Designer Podcast, we tear into the brutal truth about why most designers waste perfect inspiration after events—and how YOU can break free from the endless hype-and-crash cycle.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to lock in inspiration before it slips away
• Why most designers crash after events—and how to avoid it
• A simple 3-step system to turn creative highs into real growth

By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to lock down your ideas, build unstoppable momentum, and transform a moment of hype into a lifetime of growth.
No excuses. No wasted potential.

Stay Angry our Friends
–––––––––––
Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3
Want to see more?
See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner
Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.com
Join in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast

Graphic Designers used to be the chosen ones—the creatives, the artists, the ones who thought differently. But times have changed. AI is generating. Clients are prompting. And the gap between relevance and replacement is closing fast.

Most Graphic Designers? They don’t even see it coming.
They’re still fussing over colors and kerning while AI pumps out results in seconds. And the real kicker? Clients don’t care how it was made—just that it’s done.

This week on The Angry Designer podcast, we expose the brutal truth behind why Graphic Designers are being replaced by AI—and the ONE shift that separates those who’ll thrive from those who’ll fade into irrelevance. It’s not your tools, your talent, or your timeline… it’s how you THINK.

You’ll learn how to:
 • Identify the new creative divide that’s catching Graphic Designers off guard
 • Shift from pixel pusher to strategic thinker before it’s too late
 • Use AI as an ally, not a replacement
 • Elevate your role from executor to problem-solver

The Graphic Designers who survive this shift won’t be the flashiest—they’ll be the smartest.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what it takes to stay valuable in a world that’s evolving faster than your next deadline.

Stay Angry our Friends
–––––––––––
Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3
Want to see more?
See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner
Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.com
Join in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast