The NDA Podcast

Join your host & producer, Katie Cadwell & Hatty Wytton, as they reflect on Season 3. With a whole host of new listener stories and opinions, we look back on all the great conversations from the past 10 episodes – and talk about what's next.Huge thanks to all our guests and contributors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pro bono work. Is it too good to be true? Some view it as a generous donation of our skills. Others as a strategic way to entice new clients. And for those who've been burned, believe it's devaluing the industry.In the last episode of season 3, we're joined by two industry heavyweights to discuss the benefits and pitfalls of working for free. Legendary Paula Scher, Partner at Pentagram, who shares the story of her prolific pro-bono projects for The Public Theatre and other charities – and the importance of a collaborative relationship with creative freedom.While Mirella Arapian, Founder and ECD at MEK, started a studio with the intention of donating their time to pro-bono projects – but the reality was more complex than they realised. Low effort from clients, endless rounds of feedback, scope creep and lackluster creative results. So what is the key to pro bono projects that benefit studios and clients alike? And are we doing a disservice to the industry by giving away our skills for free, even if it is for a good cause.Join us in an honest, authentic conversation about generosity, labour, and where to draw the line.—Netflix documentary: ‘Abstract: The Art of Design' DAIS 10 year project: https://dais.com.au/passion-project/ten-year-project-2020-2030/The One Percent programme: https://buildingelements.com/theonepercent/Studio Every: https://www.studioevery.com/perspectives/-2-weeks-2-charitiesJonty Sharples article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pro-bono-sucks-everyones-blame-jonty-sharples/The Resourceful Designer article: https://www.resourcefuldesigner.com/navigating-pro-bono-design-work-for-non-profits-and-charities-rd320/—Stories: Jennie Potts, Martin Boath & Andy Cooke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are around 2 million posts published on Linkedin every day. Once a business platform, it has become the home of the ‘professional personal brand'.Creative leaders are fighting in the feed for engagement – chiming in with thought-leadership, hot takes and opinions of the work & world. The pressure to have an online persona (and a following to match) is bigger than ever.This week we're asking, is building your personal brand a smart business tool, or just a way to chase validation and satiate our egos?Joined by two titans of the feed, Amy Kean (CEO & Creative Director of Good Shout) and Helena Langdon (Freelance Copywriter / Comedy Writer) – we asked them if they believe they're influencers. We talk about the wins and losses of growing an online following. Fears of being cancelled, trolls, time wasting, and whether they reap the rewards of their investment.A candid conversation about whether the algorithm is really worth your energy.—Statistics: https://www.cognism.com/blog/linkedin-statistics#:~:text=Content%20Impressions:%20LinkedIn%20generates%209,45.Gender article: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/22/bro-boost-women-find-linkedin-traffic-drives-if-they-pretend-to-be-men Book: Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams AI content: https://originality.ai/blog/ai-content-published-linkedin#Creative Boom article: https://www.creativeboom.com/tips/what-the-heck-is-a-personal-brand-in-2025/Creator economy: https://digiday.com/media/linkedin-emerges-as-a-serious-player-in-the-creator-economy/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/noam-nisand_linkedins-biggest-growth-is-coming-these-activity-7364574631187406848-ysdH/Huge thanks to all our anonymous contributors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The creative industry loves to talk about creatives. But what about the hidden army of people that keep our studios afloat?The split of creative vs ‘non-creative' roles is around 50/50 – but it's rare to hear from those behind the scenes. Client services, operations, finance, HR… Seen as the vital cogs to a studio's success, but too often reduced to emails, admin, or budget police.This week, we're joined by Katie Lyons (Studio Manager at Pentagram) & Anna Victor (Business Lead at Mother Design) to unpack how they define themselves, whether they feel valued, and if they get enough credit.From being ignored in crits, reduced to admin, shielding teams from chaotic clients, impossible budgets, and emotional fallout — they share the invisible labour, the cliche “bad guy” role, and what they wish the industry would do to make them feel welcome.This is a candid conversation about how we can better support, and celebrate, the backbone of the creative industry. —HS Creative Operations: https://www.henrystewartconferences.com/creative-operationsInside Out Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-future-of-in-house-creative-leadership/id1747200978The Industry Club: https://www.theindustryclub.co.uk/trainingHuge thanks to all our anonymous stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To partner or not to partner?83% of our listeners say they want a business partner. But the reality? It's complicated. You spend more time with your co-founder than you do your family. How do you choose the right person to go into business with? Handle conflict when creativity clashes with cash? And what is it like for the teams caught in the middle of founder tension?In this episode, we unpack the partnership recipe: why most billion-dollar startups are built by teams, why solo founders are more likely to survive, and why partnerships fail more often than we like to admit. Joined by two brilliant creative duos – veteran partners Matt Baxter & Dom Bailey (Baxter & Bailey) and a new relationship, Gemma Ballinger & Johanna Drewe (Output)From two-person dream teams to three-way creative standoffs, married co-founders to messy breakups – this is a frank, unfiltered conversation about building (and breaking) business relationships.—Partnership stats: https://startersreview.com/solo-or-sidekick-weighing-the-pros-and-cons-of-business-partnerships/https://www.equidam.com/the-case-for-solo-founders/Creative Counsel with Brittany Ratelle Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-start-and-fix-your-business-partnerships-with/id1314211690?i=1000585724842Co-founders Lab: https://cofounderslab.com/Partnership Agreement: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/partnership-agreement-guidanceStories: James KapeHuge thank you for all the anonymous stories in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the episode you've been asking for — and the one we were nervous to record.When we asked our listeners if they'd experienced burnout, 97% said yes. Nearly a quarter have been signed off work. That's not a coincidence. It's a sign of an industry that's ignoring the primary reason for losing their workforce.In this episode, we talk honestly about what burnout really looks like: physical symptoms, loneliness, losing creativity, and forgetting your purpose. Joined by two guests with lived experience, James Horwitz (Founder of Two Times Elliott) & Rebecca Price (Previous Senior Brand Manager at Monotype) and a whole host of anonymous listener submissions. We're unpacking how burnout happens, how it affects business, whose responsibility it is, and why so many people feel unable to speak up.If you've ever been on the burnout scale, this episode is for you. Content note: this episode includes discussion of panic attacks and mental health struggles.—Jackie Ivy TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nunvox1QqVsMental health burnout report: https://euc7zxtct58.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/16142505/Mental-Health-UK_The-Burnout-Report-2025.pdfEmmi Salonen ‘The Creative Wellbeing handbook': https://www.creativeecosystem.org/bookNHS burnout resources: https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/services/newcastle-occupational-health-service/information-for-staff/covid-support-materials/managing-occupational-burnout/Stories: Megan Fry, Chris WilsonHuge thank you for all the anonymous stories in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many disabled creatives have you worked with?27% of the EU population has a disability. By the time we all reach 65, half of us will be disabled. But the creative industry? Surprise, surprise, that number drops to just 12%.We went on a mission to find out why — and ask some of the questions we're all afraid to. Like, how do I approach someone to find out about their disability? What words can't I use? Will it get me cancelled? Is my studio accessible? What does that actually look like?And most importantly, what more can we be doing?To answer all our questions, we're joined by Paul Hewitt (Executive Creative Director at That Lot) and Julie Seal (Founder & CCO Republic of Imagination) in a candid conversation about their experiences being disabled creatives.— Stats: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/disability-eu-facts-figures/https://advertisingallin.co.uk/ (The stat included in the episode was based on the 2021 census, there has since been new data released which has seen a rise from 9% to 12%)https://creativeaccess.org.uk/app/uploads/2024/01/disability-report-28th-nov.pdfRyan Hudson-Peralta: https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2022/01/19/ryan-hudson-peralta-designing-with-a-disabilityGeorgia Lupi: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/12/14/opinion/my-life-with-long-covid.htmlCreative Equals: https://www.creativeequals.org/disabledcreativesSCOPE: https://www.scope.org.uk/ Stories: Opal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our freelance listeners are furious – and maybe they have a right to be.Cancelled bookings. Late payments. Chaotic onboarding. Loneliness. But with nearly half of the creative industry being self-employed and studios relying on freelancers to bolster their teams, what's going wrong?This week, we talk to two experts in all things freelance. Sadia Noor, Creative Partner at Small World shares what it's like to run an entirely freelance model. Matthew Knight, Chief Freelance Officer at The Independency Co. discusses the issues his community encounters time and time again.They discuss the benefits of hiring freelance talent, the biggest frustrations, and what we need to do to help change the way the industry looks after its largest talent pool.— Stats: https://www.leapers.co/research/2024/#chapter-headlineshttps://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2025/03/report-finds-creative-freelancers-hit-by-loss-of-work-late-pay-and-rise-of-ai/#https://www.thedoers.co.uk/blog/are-freelancers-more-productive-than-employeesLeapers: https://www.leapers.co/ Freelancing support: https://www.freelancing.support/resources/guide-to/dealing-with-late-payments/at-a-glance/WithJack: https://withjack.co.uk/South West Freelancers: Kerry WheelerStories: Sam Edwards / Tarn / Ellen / Chris Greenwood / Miltos Bottis / Jack Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the rise in conversations around ‘working mums', we wondered, why don't we call fathers ‘working dads'?As we strive for equal parenting, Dads are picking up more of the mental, emotional and physical load of raising children. Juggling being hands-on both at home and in the studio. All with less parental leave, less support and less opportunity to share how they're coping.Our two guests are fathers of children, teenagers and creative teams, Ali Ozden (Universal Favourite) & Jamie Ellul (Supple Studio)We asked them how becoming Designer Dads has impacted their careers, creativity and mental health (and if they want their children to follow in their footsteps)–Stats: https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/70-of-dads-who-didnt-take-their-full-paternity-leave-entitlement-had-to-cut-it-short-due-to-cost/https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/familiesandthelabourmarketengland/2019https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/why-we-are-campaigning-for-6-weeks-paid-paternity-leave/Dadwell & Co: https://dadwell.co/Fathercraft: https://fathercraft.com/fathers-ed/Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/Calm: https://www.thecalmzone.net/Andys Man Club: https://andysmanclub.co.uk/groups/Tommys: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/dads-and-partners/looking-after-your-mental-health-after-baby-bornStories: Samuel / Lee Davies / Jack Trotman / Sam / Adam Ding–The NDA Podcast is created by Lucky Dip. Hosted by Katie Cadwell & produced by Hatty Wytton.Edited by James from Be Heard. Original music 'The Theme from NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is a fact that multicultural teams outperform homogeneous ones.But roughly 9% of the design industry is made up of people in minority groups, whereas the wider workforce is 17%. And that's not factoring in how many of those are in junior positions.So why are we taking so long to catch up?Our guests in this episode think there's too much talk, and not enough action. So join us, Andy Khatouli & Priyjah Paramasivam as we ask them –How they're perceived in studios and whether they feel the need to mask their authentic selves?What it's like being the only voice in the room calling things out, or being pushed into the role of 'spokesperson' for diversity?And ultimately, what is our industry missing out on by not welcoming different cultures with open arms.–There are some brilliant orgs really doing the work to rebalance our industry. Make sure you check them out.Stats: https://www.cipd.org/uk/about/news/managing-multicultural-teams/Andy's article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/other-0-andrew-khatouli-7sqkc/Ahmed Abokor's article: https://www.itsnicethat.com/news/ahmed-abokor-on-being-a-black-creative-in-a-homogenous-industry-opinion-240620Samar Maakaroun intervew: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/typography-expression-language-identity-dad-jury-president-samar-grnde/ POCC: https://www.instagram.com/wearepocc/?hl=enOtherbox: https://otherbox.co/Stories: Kay / Agata Gray / Sibin –The NDA Podcast is created by Lucky Dip. Hosted by Katie Cadwell & produced by Hatty Wytton.Edited by James from Be Heard. Original music 'The Theme from NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

80% of our listeners are only just managing financially. The creative industry has taken a pummelling over the past few years. From an unstable economy, unpredictable politics, a rise in the cost of living and staffing costs… It's harder than ever to make money as a creative business.But how are the ‘big' studios really doing? From their LinkedIn feeds, all seems well – but we wanted to ask them about the reality of their accounts.In this episode, Cashflow & Creativity, we speak to studio founders Caterina Bianchini (Studio NARI) & Max Ottignon (Ragged Edge) about how they're managing in such an unstable climate. Are the budgets shrinking? How do they pay their staff a fair wage? And, perhaps most importantly, are they making a profit?Don't miss this unprecedented peek into their P&Ls.–Stats: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1454650/number-advertising-agencies-worldwide/https://www.creativementornetwork.org/news/cost-of-living-surveyhttps://www.itsnicethat.com/features/ones-to-watch-new-views-a-gen-z-outlook-on-the-creative-industry-050625Scott Galloway podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moIfa0IqlO0Nils Leonard talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzER-_odM30Stories: Lucie Kim / Michu–The NDA Podcast is created by Lucky Dip. Hosted by Katie Cadwell & produced by Hatty Wytton.Edited by James from Be Heard. Original music 'The Theme from NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with Season Three.Debating and debunking all the biggest secrets in the creative industry. Joined by leaders from all the best design and advertising agencies, we'll be talking about the issues usually kept under NDA – and hearing from our listeners with anonymous stories, to really hear what's going on in our studios.Tune in every Wednesday.–The NDA Podcast is created by Lucky Dip. Hosted by Katie Cadwell & produced by Hatty Wytton.Edited by James from Be Heard. Original music 'The Theme from NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join your host & producer, Katie Cadwell & Hatty Wytton, as they reflect on Season 2. With a whole host of new listener stories and opinions, we look back on all the great conversations from the past 10 episodes – and talk about what's next.Huge thanks to all our guests and contributors.—————Comments from: Pearse O'Halloran / @pearseohalloranMirella Arapian / @mek.studioMike Andrews / @mandrews.studioVictoria Mackintosh Algy Batten / @algybattenSonia Uznadze /@sonia.uzEmile Chen / @spottedbyemMark Adams / @markadamspictures Sophie Bowyer / @sophierbowyer_creative Natassia Swulinska / @swulinstaIsaac / @isaacnnz Kim Majkut / @kimmajkut Graham Wood / @grahamwood7 Hannah Gander / @gander.hannah Design Business Council / @designbusinesscouncilJamie Samman / @jamiesammanMaisie Benson / @_maisiebensonSarah Grech / @grechsarLucy Hobbs / @lucykhobbsHB Thompson David Nichols Ben Mottershead / @_studiobnd_ Ash Schofield / ash_schoRachel Lewis / rachel.lewis.designRoy Murphy / @g3nr8Laura Shepherd / @ls528Adnaan Narot / @loveandmoney.agency Alister Shapley / @alistershapleyprint Eve Warren / eveawarrenJames Horwitz / @twotimeselliottTim Perry / @timperryconsultingMentions: https://cleancreatives.org/ / @clean_creativeshttps://withjack.co.uk/ / @_withjack https://www.nevernotcreative.org/never-not-finishing-school / @nvrnotcreative https://www.itsnicethat.com/authors/katie-cadwell / @itsnicethatRefs: Clean Creatives on the Edelman Trust Barometer: https://cleancreatives.org/news/edelman-trust-barometer-fact-checkRichard Prince lawsuit - ​​https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/26/arts/design/richard-prince-copyright-lawsuit.htmlAndy Warhol lawsuit - https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/warhol-foundation-settles-lawsuit-lynn-goldsmith-prince-series-1234700191/Anthropic AI lawsuit - https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/anthropic-asks-court-to-prune-universal-lawsuit-to-focus-court-battle-on-whether-it-is-fair-use-to-train-ai-using-copyrighted-works/Arts and Crafts movement - https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/arts-and-crafts-an-introduction Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

83% of NDA followers have pitched for a project.Widely debated and often condemned, pitching for creative work is still rife. In an economic climate that gives clients more power than ever, we're seeing a steady return to speculative work to win projects. We want to get to the bottom of it, talking to Leo Porto & Felipe Rocha (Porto Rocha), who have publicly declared their anti-pitching stance, and Toby Wilkinson (AUFI), who is privy to more studio pitch decks than most, working closely with brands to help them find the right agency partner.We also invite the clients in — with anonymous stories from their point of view, we try to unpack who really benefits from the ambiguity of the ‘pitching' process.Asking questions like… Why do clients need pitches to choose partners? Do creative teams enjoy working on them? Is the condensed process devaluing creativity? Does it create inequity in the industry? How can we change that?And, let's be honest, does everyone have a project they would throw their morals away for?Credits —Small print: British Design Association resources - https://www.dba.org.uk/members-area/resources/?keyword=free+pitchAUFI guides - https://aufi.com/insights/good-agency-relationshipPaul Woods, How to do great work without being an arsehole - https://www.amazon.com/Great-Work-Without-Being-Asshole/dp/1786273918Mentions: No free pitches - https://nofreepitches.com/Stories: Rita Juárez / Jenny PowellSponsored by Lucky Dipluckydip.studioGet in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who has the best ideas – humans or robots?The topic on everyone's feeds. AI is snowballing faster than anyone can keep up with, with billions of dollars being invested, new models appearing everyday, and a plethora of opinions to boot.But, how does this relate to the creative industry? Some are embracing it, others fear it, and some feel underwhelmed by it. In today's episode, we want to understand its role in our process.Joined by our guests Pip Bingemann (Co-founder of springboards.ai) & Jess Macintyre (Co-founder of Mac+Moore) we discuss whether it's homogenising creativity. How it impacts those at the start of their career. Whether it adds or subtracts value from creatives. Who we're trusting to build the models – and to what extent it's perpetuating the worst parts of society.A great summary conversation about AI and creativity – a good place to start if you're unsure how it can benefit your practice. But remember, use responsibly.Credits —Small print:Midjourney - https://discord.com/invite/midjourneyRunway - https://runwayml.com/Not Content - https://www.notcontent.ai/Monika - https://m-o-n-i-k-a.com/Paige - https://air.inc/paigeIt's Nice That, Shades of Intelligence https://www.itsnicethat.com/shades-of-intelligenceMarcus Byrne, 101 prompt secretshttps://marcusbyrne.gumroad.com/l/101promptsecretsbookMentions:Zoe Scaman, Strategy in the era of AIhttps://zoescaman.substack.com/p/strategy-in-the-era-of-aiOrlaith Wood, Why AI is the kick up the arse copywriters need https://www.creativereview.co.uk/ai-copywriting-reed-words/Stories: Jack Wimmer (Monika) / Engy Elboreini (@engythedesigner) Sponsored by Lucky Dipluckydip.studioGet in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the agency model as we know it dying out? Big office spaces, permanent teams, mandatory in-person working, rigid processes and hierarchies — all symbols of the traditional creative studios that have been pillars of the industry for decades.But the pandemic accelerated the rise of the small agency. Those working in a nimble way, remote from anywhere in the world, with bespoke freelance teams built for each project.So, which one is better? Together with Ayo Fagbemi (Explorers Club) & Andy Cooke (Creative Director) we discuss how the different models impact creativity, hiring talent and building a culture — and what clients are looking for; if they want to be seen with the latest ‘underdog agency' or have the kudos of working with one of the legends.It's a classic David vs. Goliath story. We try to guess who will come out on top. And ask if the established agencies don't adapt, are they destined for extinction?Credits —Small print:Dan Salkey (Small World), Hub and spoke creative agencieshttps://www.contagious.com/news-and-views/hub-and-spoke-creative-agencies-why-this-time-its-differentStephanie McCarty, Here's my beef with ad agencieshttps://www.adweek.com/agencies/cmo-ad-agency-model-broken/Comprehensive flexibilityhttps://hbr.org/2023/08/the-radical-promise-of-truly-flexible-workMentions: Collins New York CoffeehouseStories: Naomi Dacosta (NDC Creative) / Dylan Young (Koto)Sponsored by Lucky Dipluckydip.studioGet in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, we're tackling one of the industry taboos – ageing.Joined by two creatives proudly in ‘mid-life', Michael Johnson (Johnson Banks) & Jane Evans (Visible Inc.) we're asking all the questions no one else dares.Hearing the statistics on age diversity in the industry, it's obvious there are empty seats where older creatives should be. To figure out why that is, we discuss how ageing is perceived. And how these outdated views of ageing are impacting our agency diversity.We talk about clients, and whether they care about the age of their partners. Do they want energised young scrappy upstarts, or mature teams with a proven track record? We hypothesise why there's a big drop off, as our guests reflect on where their peers are now. Asking them when they were doing their best work, and if their creativity is as fierce now as it was in their 20s. And what next? Talking about how to ‘be relevant' in an ever-changing landscape, and what retirement looks like for this generation.Ultimately, our guests believe that mid-life creatives are a huge untapped resource, ready to help us access the largest consumer group. So if that's true, where are they? And why isn't anyone harnessing their power?Credits —Small print: Invisible to Invaluable: Unleashing the Power of Mid-Life Women, Jane EvansVisible Start - https://visiblestart.com/Olivia Stubbings ‘The Late Radicals' for the IPA Excellence Diploma in Brands -https://ipa.co.uk/knowledge/ipa-blog/the-late-radicalsMentions: Vera Wang / JR Tolkein / Barabara Beskind / Anne RothensteinStories: Brett Allan / Belinda HubbalSponsored by Lucky Dipluckydip.studioGet in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we want to understand what it's like for juniors entering the creative industry. We're asking who's responsible for their success, and if we might be failing them.We talk to DINES (STUDIO BLUP) & Ellen Ling (LINGO) about whether the expectations we're placing on our newest creatives are unrealistic. Can we really expect them to be multi-disciplined? What about having side hustles, or knowing what their creative passions are? Job role descriptions seem to be asking for all that and more. We learn that juniors are feeling undervalued, overworked, and underpaid — as though their development is the last on the priority list. We also discuss veteran creatives' experiences working with young talent. Some think juniors are having an easier time today, and others feel they are coming out of universities less prepared for agency life than ever before. Ultimately, we unpack if we, both as individuals and the industry at large, support the next generation. Are we expecting too much? Do we secretly want them to have the same (traumatic) initiation as some of us did?Or is the fact they're raising the bar better for us all?Credits —Small print: Blup Academy - https://studioblup.com/academy/Somerset House, ‘Upgrade Yourself' - https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/inclusive-talent-engagement/upgrade-yourself-creative-industry-placements-participantsShillington - https://www.shillingtoneducation.com/uk/Mentions: Mother / Dixon Baxi / Havas / Wolff Olins / New Blood / D&ADStories: Jenny Potts / Hello Katy StudioSponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time, NDA is coming to you live from Birmingham Design Festival. Host Katie Cadwell sits down with Christopher Doyle (CD&Co) and Elise Santangelo-Rous to demystify culture in creative agencies. Alongside the BDF audience, they explore how culture shapes the intangible yet essential energy within a studio, influencing everything from employee satisfaction to client relationships.We put them on the stage, and on the spot. We discuss if it's possible to cultivate culture when it's so difficult to define, and how integral business leaders are in setting the studio tone. We chat about toxic culture – why it can turn sour, and whether there's any way to save it. And we ask some tricky questions; does culture impact the standard of creative work? Can a nurturing workplace be compatible with a high performance one? And when it comes to building your teams, is ‘culture fit' really outdated & irrelevant? A brilliant conversation where we discover that culture needs a lot more than ping-pong tables & Friday beers.Credits —Small print: BBC ‘Office culture is dead' - https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20240229-office-culture-is-deadDare to Lead Podcast ‘How toxic cultures are driving the great resignation' -https://brenebrown.com/podcast/how-toxic-work-cultures-are-driving-the-great-resignation/It's Nice That's ‘Top Creative Company' awards - https://topcreativecompanies.com/A huge thank you to Dan & Luke from Birmingham Design Festival for inviting us, and to Lánre for the tech support.Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, we're diving into the harsh realities that new parents, especially mothers, face in the creative industry. From announcing your pregnancy to the daunting return post-baby and beyond — what effect does parenthood have on your career, your creativity, and how you navigate your professional life?Guests Rachel Allison, Founder of Axe + Saw, and Laura Randall, Creative Director, share their personal experiences of motherhood. Telling candid stories about how their careers have changed since starting a family. Alongside their tales, we hear from listeners who have experienced discrimination at the hands of the creative industry.We try to uncover what contributes to the stigma mothers face in the industry. Asking tough questions like, how do you stay relevant after taking maternity leave? Do your peers feel slighted when you have to leave for the school run? Is it bad for business? And do you really come back at 100%?This episode is an eye-opening conversation unpacking why so many mothers choose to leave our industry entirely, and what we can all do to start to change that.Credits —Stories: Emma Watson / Amy Gettings / Halley Anne Kennedy / Mary Vertfulo Mentions: Lucy WernerSmall print: Creative Equals https://www.creativeequals.org/blog/the-30-women-trailblazing-in-creative-right-nowExplained: Why women are paid less https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP8dLUxBfsUPeanut app https://www.peanut-app.io/Invisible Mother's campaign https://invisible-mothers.peanut-app.io/Pregnant Then Screwed https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/Study https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/1-in-61-pregnant-women-say-their-boss-insinuated-they-should-have-an-abortion/The Good Return https://bima.co.uk/the-good-return/Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're tackling the epidemic of copying in the creative industry. Whether you're the copied or the copier, originality is a constant battle for creatives. We're exploring the emotional and practical impacts of being ripped off. Malika Favre, globally renowned French artist, is arguably one of the most copied creatives of the past decade. She shares her journey from anger to legal action, and how it has impacted her business. Lifting the lid on what it looks like (and can cost) to go after copycats.Tyler Hendy, design lead at New Commercial Arts and creative on the recently controversial Nationwide rebrand, recounts how the industry responded to his work. Sharing learnings from that experience, both in his creative process and how work is presented online.Ultimately, we try to unpick how to best defend your ideas and your style, and if the elusive search for originality is achievable. Credits —Stories: Rita Juárez / Louise Lockhart @theprintedpeanut Mentions: Mot3l / M&S / Daren Thomas Magee @fakefunwow Small print: The Red Hand Files - https://www.theredhandfiles.com/originality-hard-to-obtain/AOI resources - https://theaoi.com/resources/copyright/AOI ‘Keep your copyright campaign - https://theaoi.com/campaigning/campaigns/consultations-blocks-2/keep-your-copyright/Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're going in-house. Asking whether there's a stigma attached to moving client-side. And more importantly, if it's deserved.Joined by industry experts Emma Sexton, founder of Inside Out, and Kieran Mistry, Head of Design at YouTube, we unpack what in-house creativity really looks like. Covering everything from work/life balance and stakeholder management to creative freedom and career progression. We hear from listeners who have witnessed negative perceptions of in-house from the industry first hand, and from some who have made the change and are reaping the benefits.Whether you agree with our guests or not, the truth is that in-house creative teams are on the rise. And they are not to be underestimated. If we're not prepared to park our preconceptions and collaborate, do agencies risk being phased out altogether? Credits —Stories: Emilie ChenMentions: Ivan Pols (what.three.words) / Penguin Books / National TheatreSmall print: ANA study on the rise of the in house agency: https://www.ana.net/miccontent/show/id/rr-2023-05-rise-in-house-agencyHow the agency / client relationship is evolving: https://www.creativereview.co.uk/agencies-its-time-to-be-better-friends-with-your-in-house-partners/“The Future of In-House Creative Leadershi” report from Inside Out: https://theinsideout.community/resources/the-future-of-in-house-creative-leadership/Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of the new season, we dive straight into the deep end. We're talking about how we choose our clients. Join us and our guests Johanna Roca (Accept & Proceed) & Pedro Messias (OMSE) as we unpack ethical dilemmas, personal morals, and the realities of running a business alongside them.We confront some tough questions: How do we feel about industries like oil, gambling, politics or religion? Do ‘good' clients even exist? Does B-corp mean anything? How much privilege do you need to turn down projects?We dissect real-world examples, including the controversy surrounding Havas's partnership with Shell, and hear from listeners who are grappling with morality while making money.Tune in for a powerful conversation, which should encourage everyone to be critical of who they lend their creativity to.Credits —Stories: Mirella Arapian / Jonny, Hey What! Studio / Michael JohnsonMentions: Hackney Church / First Things First / Rob MayhewSmall print: Edelman Trust Barameter: https://www.edelman.com/trust/trust-barometerBrian Eno at Imperial College: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/241832/brian-eno-we-need-creative-industry/Gambling statistics: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/16/mps-online-gambling-companies-health-at-risk-problem-gamblersSponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with Season Two.The NDA Podcast debates contentious topics the creative industry has been keeping under waiver for years. It's a space for unfiltered conversations about the biggest issues creatives face today. A space to challenge opinions, disagree & learn with no fears of being cancelled. Season Two tackles everything from free pitching to the stigma of going in-house, and features some of the biggest and best creatives that the industry has got. And new to this season, we'll be hearing stories from our listeners. Some anonymously, to make sure we really get under the skin of every topic.Tune in every Wednesday to break some NDAs.—Hosted by Katie Cadwell. Produced by Hatty Wytton. Sponsored by Lucky Dip.Edited by James from Be Heard. Original music 'Theme from NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're looking back on season one of NDA. Sharing all the opinions and stories from our listeners on each episode, and chatting about what season two has in store.The DICE Charter – www.getdice.co.uk–Hosted & created by Katie CadwellEdited by James from Be HeardOriginal music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The topic that everyone has an opinion on — creative awards. One of the most contentious conversations in the industry, you either love them or hate them. Which is exactly where our guests stand this week. We're asking those who've won them, lost them, judged them and scorned them some of the questions we all want answered.How can you judge something so subjective? Are the projects real? Are judges biased towards the studios & clients? Is it just a money-making exercise? How does it impact our teams? Do our clients care? Rob Duncan, Creative Director at Mucho, believes they enable him to hire the best talent in the world and help the studio cast a critical eye over the work they're making. But that remote judging has lowered the standards of the shortlists.Mitch Paone, Partner & Creative Director at DIA, has boycotted them entirely. Believing they're a business first & foremost. And having been in the judging room, he thinks bias runs too deep to ever be truly objective when choosing the winners.Katherina Tudball, Creative Director at Superunion, sees the good in them. A chance to celebrate good ideas and your team's hard work. Having been involved for years, she shares the criteria for jury selection and what it's like narrowing down a year of industry hard work.Alice Ishiguro Tosey, Independent Creative, sits on the fence, acknowledging that getting them early in your career opens doors, but that the mental health repercussions of rejection have a long-lasting impact.And ultimately, are the people who hate them, just bitter because they don't win them?* It's not won any awards.–Hosted & created by Katie CadwellEdited by James from Be HeardOriginal music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every agency website says “We're an inclusive studio” but are they? Beyond the buzzwords, how does that play out for those working there? What are they doing day-to-day to action the claim? Because it's not a simple one. Especially when what's inclusive to one person, isn't to another. So is it even possible to build a studio that doesn't exclude anyone in it? This week, we're trying to define inclusivity. Asking what it means to each guest, how it affects client relationships, the red tape and policies need and how to challenge exclusion when you see it.Wale Osunla, Designer at Studio Moross, shares what it's like to work somewhere that puts so much emphasis on inclusivity, how it works in practice and compares it to other studios he's worked in.Aries Moross, Creative Director at Studio Moross, reflects on over a decade of building a studio that strives to be inclusive. The lessons, the red flags and the advice they have for other leaders wanting to make changes.Ebony Montague, Director & Founder at HR Said That, helps us understand the practicalities of inclusion, and how HR can empower employees. She also shares her experience witnessing exclusion of all forms.Yee Poon, Illustrator & Designer at Hey What Studio, explains what she's looking for in a workplace, and how she tackles raising issues without upsetting the status quo.A conversation that asks more questions than it answers, but at least, starts to uncover the issues we so often tip-toe around.–ACAS helpline https://www.acas.org.uk/contactCIPD Knowledge hub https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledgeDefinition of the psychological contract https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/relations/employees/psychological-factsheet#grefThe Other Box https://www.theotherbox.org/Resources for D&I in theatre https://uktheatre.org/theatre-industry/guidance-reports-and-resources/diversity-initiatives-for-uk-theatres/BBC guidance on Neurodiversity in buildings https://bbc.github.io/uxd-cognitive/Job Ad Gender decoder http://gender-decoder.katmatfield.com/Supporting mental health at work: guide for people managers (CIPD & MIND) https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/culture/well-being/mental-health-support-reportHR Rewired: Anti-racism & racial equity advisory firm for the workplace https://hr-rewired.com/ –Hosted & created by Katie CadwellEdited by James from Be HeardOriginal music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On average, 1 in 7 people are neurodiverse. In the creative industry, that number jumps to 1 in 5. If we all take a look around our studios, there could be a lot more divergent thinking than we realise.In this week's episode, we try to unpick what it's like to be an ND creative and what ND actually is. We discuss all the obstacles neurodiverse people face in our industry. Having to fit into different ways of working, challenging studio environments, attention spans and how those things deteriorate mental health. And of course, the benefits. How masking helps clients, divergent thinking being brilliant for creativity, the freedom in diagnosis and how adjustments for ND creatives would serve us all. Lucy Hobbs, Founder of The Future is ND, reflects on how the industry has changed in the fifteen years since her diagnosis and how she helps studios create more inclusive environments.Ali Slater, Designer Director at Chase Design Group, shares her experiences being in studio environments and the negative impact working from home has on productivity.Ana Jaks, Illustrator & Artist, discusses how working freelance suits her ways of working and the journey to finding an agent who helps facilitate space that enables her best ideas.Daniel Edwards, Founder of Bloody Lovely Branding Co. talks about his dream of setting up the first neurodiverse agency and the strength in divergent thinking for clients and work alike.An insightful conversation that should help us all become more educated about the diversity of thinking in our industry, and question the historic working practices that may not suit us all.–The Future is ND https://thefutureisnd.com/LS:N Global ‘Divergent Design' Creative Equals Quality StandardLocal Government Association ‘Neurodiversity'BIMA 'Tech Inclusion & Diversity Report 2019'–Hosted & created by Katie CadwellEdited by James from Be HeardOriginal music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Female leadership is on everyone's radar, as the industry works to reverse the sad statistics of the gender split at the top. While we should be celebrating the women who've made it there, not many people are asking, how did you manage it? With all the barriers and biases in the way, how did you tackle them? Especially in environments that aren't set up for women to succeed.In this week's episode, we hypothesise that the changing of the tide might not be because the industry is creating space for female leadership, but because women are altering their working style to mimic their male counterparts. We're talking to four female leaders and asking them some really difficult questions about how authentic they've been during their career, whether they code-switch, what they've witnessed in female colleagues, and whether looking back, they believe they've carved a path they want other women to follow.Livia Lima, Freelance Design Director & Lecturer at UTS talks about the stereotypes she's witnessed being a Brazilian woman, and how she's embarrassed to have suppressed some of the attributes she believes make her a great leader.Katy Cowan, Founding Editor of Creative Boom tells some shocking stories from her career, and what she can do to ensure young female creatives do not have the same experience she did.Rebecca Harrison, Creative Director of Love Blood Creative recalls women she's worked with who have defended their hard-won title, and challenges the notion that all women lead with empathy. Jack Renwick, Founder & Creative Director of Jack Renwick Studio opens up her meeting room and tells us what goes on inside – how she runs a successful studio in the face of clients who want her to fulfil a stereotype. An incredible conversation with candid anecdotes from the industry. And a level of introspection that digs deeper into whether we're truly addressing the gender imbalance in our studios. –Hosted & created by Katie CadwellEdited by James from Be HeardOriginal music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLarenStatistics from Creative Equals 'Future Leaders 2021' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The dirty topic of money. A conversation held in hushed tones in the staff kitchen. Tentatively approached around the pub table. Awkwardly brought up in a final interview. The creative industry has long had a money problem. But why is it so difficult to discuss? Today's episode lifts the lid on salary secrecy, debating the pros & cons of transparency, and interrogating why we're all so tight-lipped about our finances. Cat How, Founder of How&How shares how salary transparency works in their studio and whether her team (both present and future) is on board with telling the world what they earn.Alec Dudson, Founder & Editor-in-Chief at Intern, talks about the creative industry being chronically undervalued and how this bleeds into our view on salaries.Josie Young, an independent designer, reflects on negotiating with employers & sharing with peers, and how those experiences have shaped her negative feelings around money.In an episode filled with those awkward, difficult questions… ultimately, we're asking today's guests to put their money where their mouth is. –Hosted & created by Katie CadwellEdited by James from Be HeardOriginal music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLarenHonourable mentions include Johnson Banks & BufferState salary increase bans 'https://www.hrdive.com/news/salary-history-ban-states-list/516662/' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not many of us can relate to being in university during a pandemic. But we will all meet those who can, as a new generation of epidemic trained academics enter the industry. Creative courses are known for their collaboration, the osmosis of ideas, and use of amazing facilities…. Experiences the 2020 – '22 graduates missed out on.In this episode, we're hearing from both sides of the desk. Neeraj Kainth, 2021 BCU graduate, talks about lockdown fatigue affecting his projects and a year's worth of work that's banished to the bottom drawer. Claudia Aggett, 2020 Falmouth alumni shares how anti-climactic the end of her degree was and the fear of graduating into a stalled job market.Lecturers Nicola Salkeld (Senior Lecturer at Falmouth, UAL External Examiner) and Martin Schooley (Course Leader at Norwich) look back on how the universities handled the pandemic, the long-lasting effects on the graduating years and how education has changed forever. We ask them all, was it worth the money? And ultimately, did an epidemic education produce designers armed and ready to hit the workforce? –Hosted & created by Katie CadwellEdited by James from Be HeardOriginal music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Good managers and bad managers. We've all had them. And do we all become them?In today's episode, we're going to be discussing progression in the creative industries, and the realities of updating your LinkedIn status. After years spent learning a craft, creatives are promoted into roles where they're taken off the tools and dropped into resourcing meetings. A leap that doesn't suit everyone — are there other ways to move up the ladder? Are we all suffering at the hands of those pushed into management before they're ready?We're talking to Kim French, Head of Production/Marketing at Preen, who shares her decision to step down from the boardrooms and budgets in order to be closer to the work she loves. Senior Designer at JKR, Maisie Benson, discusses what it's like to be in the grey area between Designer/Director, and the pressure to choose between your craft & your career. Along with Gerald Torto, Practice Director at Re about the importance of job titles and how we can use them to our advantage. Plus a whole lot of stories from the DMs about the worst managers out there. One not to miss.–Hosted & created by Katie CadwellEdited by James from Be HeardOriginal music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I can't believe they paid for that” “That kerning burns my eyes” “Seen this a million times” “Wouldn't touch this project with a barge pole”Scrolling to the bottom of the page to see the comments is some people's guilty pleasure — but if it's your work they're commenting on, it becomes a more sinister read.What's the purpose of this echo chamber? Should we be stepping in when comments turn personal? Are we making the work better, or damaging the designers behind it? These are just some of the questions we'll be asking in this week's episode, chatting to the people both behind and at the mercy of the keyboards. Speaking to Armin Vit, Co-Founder of UnderConsideration / Brand New and Tom Banks, Editor of Design Week, about the platforms they've created and the commentary they incite. To understand what it's like on the other side, we're talking to James Greenfield, CEO & Founder of Koto Studio and the designer behind some of the most reviewed projects in history. Plus Olivia King, Head of Design at Eucalyptus discusses a project that was revered in the industry and ripped to pieces by the audience. A conversation that will make you think twice before you hit post.–Hosted & created by Katie CadwellEdited by James from Be HeardOriginal music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just 12% of the creative industry is from a working-class background. Did this statistic happen by accident? Or is there more we can do to diversify our studios? Discussing parental privilege, accent mocking, social embarrassment, regionality importance and so much more – this episode highlights some of the barriers to working-class creatives trying to crack the industry, and those already working within it.Relaying lived experience is Verity Wheatley, a Senior Designer who faced some post-graduate hurdles that impacted her whole career. Co-founder of Common People, Lisa Thompson shares stories from her network of working-class creatives and how a lack of diversity affects work. We hear from Craig Oldham, Founder of Office of Craig, who shares how he's code-switched during his career and how those experiences influence his running of a studio. Along with recent graduate Charlotte Cole who shares what it's like to study and enter the industry with these additional barriers.A very powerful discussion that should be heard by every creative striving for social diversity. –Hosted & created by Katie CadwellEdited by James from Be HeardOriginal music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLarenHonourable mentions include Fiasco Studio, DixonBaxi, Koto, Common People, The Working Class Creatives Database, ‘What Is Your Working Class?' podcast by Aidan TeplitzkyStatistics from The Sutton Trust ‘Bridging the Gap' report Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When did it become normal to set a brief for an interview? Why are agencies ashamed to admit they do it? How much work is too much work? And should it be free?This week, we're discussing Interview Tasks and the effect they're having on hiring in the creative industry. We'll be hearing from Nikky Lyle who is a Creative Recruiter, and hear all the inside info on what these tasks look like and who is setting them. Fauzima Fazilat Rafiq tells us about her relatively positive experience doing one as a Junior Designer, and how it opened doors for her. Whereas Senior Designer Josie Evans relays a pretty terrible interview experience and a task that became very taxing. We'll hear from Luke Woodhouse, Creative Director of Ragged Edge discussing the reasons he'd never set them (and how his mind was changed)A brilliant conversation, interrogating a practice that's becoming commonplace without anyone realising.–Hosted & created by Katie CadwellEdited by James from Be HeardOriginal music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The NDA Podcast. The creative podcast that's here to challenge topics the industry has been keeping under waiver for years.Unfiltered conversations, without the fear of being cancelled. Bringing creatives of different levels, different backgrounds and very different opinions together. To debate the contentious issues we only dare discuss in our DMs.This season, we'll be exploring topics like Salary Secrecy, Design Commentary, Working Class Barriers and so many more. With over 25 guests from across the creative industry. Speakers from the top agencies, best publications, most awarded universities, fresh graduates, creative veterans... the list goes on (and the opinions are plentiful)So, get ready for some honesty. Because we're about to break all the NDAs.Hosted & created by Katie CadwellEdited by James from Be HeardOriginal music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.