In this episode of CAPTN OffScript I sit down with David Airey, a designer whose books, thinking, and calm perspective have shaped how countless creatives approach identity design. But we go far beyond the craft in this conversation and explore the human side of a long creative life.
David talks openly about growing up during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, finding his way through early jobs, and how traveling across Asia shifted his understanding of the world. He shares the story of building a twenty year independent career, how he learned to slow down, and why he chooses a life defined by intention instead of speed.
A big part of this episode focuses on comparison, self doubt, and the quiet pressure that follows every creative who works in public. David explains why comparing yourself to other designers is never healthy and why the only comparison that matters is the one with your past self. He talks about fatherhood, family, burnout, balance, the need to disconnect, and the small moments that bring meaning back into your days.
We also dive into the third edition of Logo Design Love. David walks through what it feels like to revisit and rewrite work more than a decade later, how much of the book has changed, and why designing for yourself is always harder than designing for others.
This is a calm, thoughtful, and deeply human conversation about creativity, life, focus, and the choices that shape who we become. If you are a designer, freelancer, or someone trying to build a creative career without losing yourself in the noise, this episode will resonate on a different level.
Tune in for one of the most grounding conversations of the season.
🎧 Real creatives. Real stories. Real lessons.
Welcome to CAPTN OffScript.
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🔗 Full show notes and episode transcript:
https://captnoffscript.com/s02-e09-david-airey-on-creativity-calm-and-a-life-built-with-intention
🎧 Listen on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/captn-offscript/id1837469433
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7nJ5dKTP2dQN5OwICKjTY5
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@captnoffscript
📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/captnoffscript
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