Design Smarter: Business Strategy for Creatives | Ep 193

Learn how to build a profitable career in design with Fred Hart.

Fred Hart is an experienced designer and brand strategist who recently transitioned into a new venture after building and leading the design agency, Interact Brands, for nine years. Under his leadership, Interact Brands grew from a 3-person team to a thriving 30-person agency known for its work in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) space, collaborating with notable brands like Nestle and Dr. Squatch. Fred is recognized for his strategic approach to design and his ability to connect business challenges with creative solutions.

In this episode, Evelio Mattos is joined by Fred Hart, an industry veteran who recently stepped away from his successful design agency, Interact Brands. Fred shares his journey from moving to Boulder to join a small agency to growing it into a significant player in the CPG branding space. He highlights the importance of learning on the job, the challenges and rewards of scaling an agency, and the nuances of integrating sustainability into brand strategy. Fred also talks about his new endeavors and the insights he's gathered from years of experience in the design industry.

As Fred delves into the episode, he explains the dynamics of transitioning from student to professional, emphasizing the necessity of being "paid to learn." He discusses the critical moments that signal agency growth, the impact of COVID-19 on work culture, and the delicate balance of hiring for talent while managing workload. Fred offers practical advice on entering and thriving in the design industry, focusing on the need for strategic thinking and understanding the multifaceted nature of brand building.

• Building a Design Career: Fred Hart highlights the journey from learning on the job to becoming a proficient performer in the industry.
• Scaling an Agency: Key insights into growing a small design team into a 30-person agency, including the importance of hiring and embracing remote work.
• Strategic Brand Building: Fred discusses the role of strategic thinking in creating successful brands and navigating challenges like sustainability.
• Consumer-Centric Design: The need to understand consumer priorities and how to position brands effectively to meet their desires and needs.
• Industry Trends: Fred shares his thoughts on the future of design, the rise of freelance contractors, and the potential shift away from traditional agency models.

1. "There are times in your career where you're paid to learn, and then there are other times where you're paid because you can perform."
2. "If you're great at it, you will be paid."
3. "We hire for character because everyone's going to learn skills on the job."
4. "The more stable a business is or the more that it's found a product market fit, the more I love to work with them to help accelerate that growth."
5. "The better you are at working with others, the more likely you are to succeed in your career long term."

• Fred Hart's Website: fredhart.com

Tune into this insightful episode to gain in-depth knowledge about building a successful design career, scaling an agency, and the evolving landscape of the design industry. Stay tuned for more enlightening content from our podcast series!

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