Jacob Cass started a blog in 2007 as a design student in Sydney, documenting his learning journey. That simple act of sharing imperfect work caught the attention of a New York agency and launched a career designing for Disney, Nike, and Red Bull. Nearly 20 years later, Jacob has traveled to 88 countries as a digital nomad, hosted the Just Branding podcast for six years, and founded Brand Builders Alliance — a thriving membership community serving brand builders across 29 countries.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How a student blog documenting imperfect design work landed Jacob a dream job in New York
• The visa rollercoaster: getting denied in Canada, kicked out of the country, and learning never to get comfortable
• Traveling to 88 countries while working four hours a day as a fully booked visual identity designer
• Why South Africa's private game reserves were the top travel experience
• How losing 90% of his blog traffic became the catalyst for building Brand Builders Alliance
• Why he'd give student Jacob the same advice today: keep sharing where you're at, even when work isn't polished
• Taming the "advice monster" and why asking questions beats giving answers
• Running a global community with four young children: work-life integration and boundaries
• Pivotal moments: getting fired, discovering brand strategy, major setbacks, and adapting
• Why sharing process matters more than polished outcomes
• How podcasting gets easier after doing the reps

Jacob's core philosophy: share your process, not just your final work. Don't wait for impressive results before building an online presence. Share the journey of learning itself and let opportunities find you.

ABOUT JACOB CASS: Jacob is an Australian brand designer, community builder, and founder of Brand Builders Alliance. He started his career with a student blog in 2007 that led to designing for major brands in New York. After several years as a digital nomad traveling to 88 countries, he now co-hosts the Just Branding podcast and leads a membership community focused on helping brand builders master branding and build thriving creative businesses.

CONNECT WITH JACOB:

Brand Builders Alliance: https://joinbba.com

Website: https://justcreative.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justcreative/

Just Branding Podcast: https://justcreative.com/podcast/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jacobcass

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CAPTNOffScript

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Website: https://captnoffscript.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captnoffscript

Newsletter: https://captn.myflodesk.com/newsletter

What do you want to be known for in five years? Austrian brand designer Geri Kriechbaum asks himself this question constantly — and it's transformed how he builds Stroncton, his brand design studio. In this episode, Geri shares his journey from technical engineer to self-taught designer, the trademark setback that led to Stroncton's creation, and why putting your work out there (even when it's imperfect) is the most important thing you can do.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How Geri left his engineering job after realizing the nine-to-five mindset didn't align with his creative calling
• The story behind Stroncton's name and the anchor-lighthouse symbolism that drives his brand
• Why he spent nearly 10 years building apparel brands before offering design services to clients
• Overcoming imposter syndrome as a self-taught designer without a formal degree
• The difference between intrinsic motivation (genuine passion) and extrinsic motivation (money, status)
• How to define your designer identity instead of constantly comparing yourself to others on social media
• Why sharing imperfect work creates opportunities — and how you can put yourself out there so "luck" can happen
• Burnout lessons: Why sustainable daily progress beats unsustainable all-night work sessions

Geri's core advice to young designers: Stop waiting for your portfolio to be perfect. Start by designing for yourself, share your work publicly, and regularly ask yourself "What do I want to be known for in five years?" This question will clarify your identity, focus your efforts, and help you build a creative career on your own terms.

ABOUT GERI KRIECHBAUM: Geri is an Austrian brand designer and founder of Stroncton, a brand design studio specializing in visual identity, logo design, and brand strategy. Originally from a technical engineering background, he's completely self-taught in design and spent years building personal apparel brands inspired by skateboard culture before transitioning to client-focused brand work.

CONNECT WITH GERI:

Website: https://www.stroncton.com/en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stroncton/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geri-kriechbaum-9a1233169

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CAPTNOffScript

MORE FROM CAPTN OFFSCRIPT:
Website: https://captnoffscript.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captnoffscript

Newsletter: https://captn.myflodesk.com/newsletter

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Fuller to talk about what it truly means to succeed as an independent designer.

We move beyond surface-level advice and dig into the realities of building a sustainable design career. Scott shares how consistency, reliability, and long-term thinking have shaped his path, and why independence requires more than just talent.

A large part of our conversation focuses on client relationships. How do you win trust? How do you maintain it? And how do you position yourself as dependable in a competitive industry?

We also talk about creative discipline, comparison, imposter syndrome, and the emotional weight of working independently. Scott speaks honestly about competing with himself rather than chasing trends, and why focusing on steady growth often beats short bursts of attention.

This is a grounded conversation about creative independence, responsibility, and playing the long game in design.

In this episode, I talk with Armin Vit and Bryony Gomez-Palacio about building a creative life together and what that really looks like behind the scenes.

We discuss their path into design writing, publishing, and criticism, the origins and evolution of Brand New, and the choices that led them away from traditional career structures toward independence. This conversation explores how creative identity forms over time, and why staying curious and opinionated matters more than chasing relevance.

A large part of the episode focuses on partnership – how two strong creative voices coexist, how decisions are made, and how trust becomes the foundation for long-term work. Armin and Bryony speak candidly about risk, responsibility, and the emotional realities of running something influential while remaining grounded.

We also talk about defining success, protecting creative energy, and what it takes to build a life around creativity rather than fitting creativity into life.

An honest, thoughtful conversation about creativity as a practice, a profession, and a way of living.

In this episode, I sit down with Paul and Jan, founders of Hyperfocus, to talk about building a design studio with intention in an industry that constantly pulls your attention in a hundred different directions.

We discuss how Hyperfocus was founded during a moment of uncertainty, and how that experience shaped their approach to work, culture, and decision-making. From the influence of skateboarding and street culture to working with international clients, they share how personal background often becomes the invisible foundation of strong creative systems.

A big part of the conversation centers on focus – not as a productivity trick, but as a philosophy. We talk about why brand and product should never be disconnected, how clarity improves collaboration, and why doing fewer things well often leads to better outcomes than chasing everything at once.

Paul and Jan also open up about imposter syndrome, leadership, and the emotional realities of running a studio. We explore how creative confidence evolves over time, how doubt never fully disappears, and why building healthy boundaries is just as important as building strong work.

The episode closes with reflections on AI, craft, and the future of design. Rather than replacing creativity, new tools are forcing designers to be more intentional, more thoughtful, and more human.

A grounded, honest conversation about focus, culture, and building a studio that lasts.

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Trochut for one of the most personal and reflective conversations we’ve had on the podcast.

We talk about creativity, identity, and what it really means to stay human in a world that constantly pushes optimization, speed, and output. Alex shares stories from growing up in Barcelona, discovering graphic design early, and being shaped by a family environment where creativity, culture, and craft were always present.

A particularly moving part of the conversation centers around Alex’s grandfather.

We also explore Alex’s decision to leave Spain, his years in New York and California, and what it means to build a creative life as an immigrant. Alex speaks openly about belonging, distance, and how moving away from home can sharpen your sense of identity rather than dilute it. We talk about cities as creative accelerators, but also about the personal cost of constantly adapting.

The conversation moves into creative evolution. Alex shares his honest resistance to new tools, the fear of change, and the moment he realized that repeating what already worked was quietly limiting him. Learning 3D later in his career became less about technology and more about breaking patterns, opening new creative doors, and reconnecting with curiosity.

We also talk about music, DJing, personal projects, and the importance of having creative spaces that exist outside commercial expectations. Alex reflects on freedom, experimentation, and why staying playful is not a luxury, but a necessity for a long creative life.

This episode isn’t about trends, tools, or success metrics. It’s about roots, evolution, vulnerability, and designing a creative career that stays emotionally honest over time. If you’ve ever questioned your direction, felt stuck in repetition, or wondered how to grow without losing yourself, this conversation will resonate.

Cat How is the co-founder of How&How and one of the most thoughtful voices in purpose-driven branding today.

In this episode, we talk about her journey from journalism into design, founding and growing a global branding agency during the COVID pandemic, and what it takes to build a business that reflects your values in practice, not just in theory.

Cat shares how storytelling shaped her approach to branding, why she believes creativity carries responsibility, and how her studio committed to climate-focused and impact-driven work early on. We discuss leadership, growth, working with a partner, burnout, and the realities behind values-led decision-making.

We also talk about AI and creativity, why Cat sees emerging tools as an opportunity rather than a threat, and why human intuition and conviction remain essential.

This is an honest conversation about purpose-driven branding, long-term thinking, and building a creative business with integrity.

Michael Flarup is a designer, creative entrepreneur, and co-founder of Northplay. His career spans icon design, self-published books, and independent game development, shaped by curiosity rather than a fixed plan.

In this conversation, we talk about growing up not fitting into traditional systems, discovering creativity through making, and building long-term projects that take years to mature. Michael shares insights into self-publishing the App Icon books, designing games, and why trusting long timelines became a defining part of his approach to work.

We also discuss switching between different creative disciplines, avoiding burnout, and how following what feels genuinely fun often leads to more meaningful and sustainable creative work. Michael opens up about fatherhood, balance, self-doubt, and the idea of healthy self-delusion as a creative strategy.

This is an honest conversation about patience, curiosity, and designing a creative life that lasts.