Today, we have the privilege of hosting the multi-faceted, multi-pierced, and multi-tattooed designer, Justin Dauer. Over the past few years, Justin has established himself as a sought-after speaker at culture and design conferences worldwide, captivating audiences at events such as UXPA, AIGA, and Design Week. Now, he is about to share his invaluable insights in a new book specifically crafted for the creative community.

Drawing from his extensive experience and diverse expertise, Justin delves into a wide range of topics that resonate deeply with designers and creatives alike. From nurturing people-first workplace cultures and effective leadership to fostering creativity and establishing meaningful connections, Justin's book covers it all.

During our interview, Justin will guide us through various thought-provoking subjects. He will enlighten us on the importance of identifying and following our ""North Star,"" harnessing its guiding force to bring forth our best work. Furthermore, we will explore how design can significantly impact company culture, shaping environments that foster collaboration and innovation.

Justin will also challenge the notion of rigid career paths and shed light on the pitfalls of striving for ""thought leader"" status in the design industry. Instead, he will inspire us to embrace evolution and continuous learning, leveraging humility as a core value to remain students of our craft.

Drawing upon his own experiences spanning over 25 years in the industry, Justin will provide valuable insights into his transformation from a dot-com era designer to the influential figure he is today. We will unravel how these experiences have influenced the perspectives he shares in his book and discover the synergies between his concepts and the development of his new company, Anomali.

Beyond his forthcoming book, Justin's contributions have been recognized by reputable publications such as Forbes magazine, Medium's ""Forge"" publication, Aquent, CEO World Magazine, and A List Apart. Through this interview, we have the privilege of tapping into his vast knowledge and gaining invaluable wisdom from a seasoned design professional.

Join us on the Design Atlas Podcast as we delve into Justin Dauer's fascinating journey and explore the transformative power of design, fulfillment, and company culture. Prepare to be inspired and enlightened by his unique perspectives, leaving you with profound insights that will help shape your own creative path.

If you’d like to support the show or to learn more about Design Atlas, please visit ⁠www.designatlaspod.com⁠ [//www.designatlaspod.com]. To get in touch with us, DM us on Instagram ⁠@designatlaspod⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/designatlaspod/], tweet us ⁠@designatlaspod⁠ [https://twitter.com/designatlaspod?lang=en], or send us an email at ⁠hello@designatlaspod.com⁠ [hello@designatlaspod.com]. 

Produced by Jens Bringsjord and Megan Luedke. Sound engineered and edited by Jens Bringsjord. All rights reserved. ©2023 Design Atlas Media.

Justin Dauer | Graphic Designer, Author, and Design Strategist

Design Atlas recently had the pleasure of hosting an exceptional guest, Shiz Aoki, who has revolutionized the way scientists communicate their research visually. With a deep-rooted belief in the power of simple and easily understood visuals, Shiz has carved out a remarkable career that transcends the confines of traditional design.

Having spent seven years at National Geographic as a leader in Science Illustration, Shiz's expertise and passion for visual storytelling became the catalyst for a groundbreaking idea. Realizing the limitations faced by scientists in creating compelling illustrations due to a lack of accessible tools, Shiz set out to bridge the gap. This led to the founding of a firm that catered to the visualization needs of textbooks, biotechs, and research journals.

However, the demand for their services grew at an unprecedented pace, highlighting a critical need for accessible and user-friendly platforms tailored specifically for life sciences. Inspired by this realization, Shiz embarked on a journey to democratize scientific illustration, leading to the creation of BioRender. BioRender is a remarkable platform that empowers scientists to effortlessly create and share beautiful, professional scientific figures. With over 2 million scientists benefitting from the platform's capabilities, it has become an invaluable resource for visually communicating groundbreaking research.

Join us as we delve into Shiz Aoki's unique perspective, exploring their experiences in designing a platform meant for design but not necessarily for designers. We'll uncover the challenges they faced and the triumphs they achieved while navigating the intersection of art, science, and technology. Furthermore, we'll gain invaluable insights into their time as an illustrator for National Geographic, immersing ourselves in the captivating world of visual storytelling and the impact it can have on scientific communication.

Whether you're a designer seeking inspiration outside the conventional boundaries of design or someone passionate about the intersection of creativity and science, this episode of Design Atlas is a must-listen. Shiz Aoki's journey will leave you inspired, and their invaluable lessons will provide guidance for those looking to break through in non-traditional design career paths.

Tune in to the Design Atlas Podcast and embark on a captivating exploration of design's transformative power and its boundless potential to shape the world we live in.

If you’d like to support the show or to learn more about Design Atlas, please visit ⁠⁠www.designatlaspod.com⁠⁠ [//www.designatlaspod.com]. To get in touch with us, DM us on Instagram ⁠⁠@designatlaspod⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/designatlaspod/], tweet us ⁠⁠@designatlaspod⁠⁠ [https://twitter.com/designatlaspod?lang=en], or send us an email at ⁠⁠hello@designatlaspod.com⁠⁠ [hello@designatlaspod.com]. 

Produced by Jens Bringsjord and Megan Luedke. Sound engineered and edited by Jens Bringsjord. All rights reserved. ©2023 Design Atlas Media.

Shiz Aoki│CEO of BioRender

In today's episode we meet with Falak Khoja, a graduating senior from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City. We discuss the process of becoming a design students, and how getting a design degree can really help prepare anyone interested in pursuing a design profession. 

If you’d like to support the show or to learn more about Design Atlas, please visit www.designatlaspod.com. To get in touch with us, DM us on Instagram @designatlaspod [https://www.instagram.com/designatlaspod/], tweet us @designatlaspod [https://twitter.com/DesignAtlasPod], or send us an email at hello@designatlaspod.com.

Produced by Jens Bringsjord and Megan Luedke. Sound engineered and edited by Jens Bringsjord. All rights reserved. ©2022 Design Atlas Media.

Meet Falak Khoja | Graphic and Motion Designer

In today's episode we meet with Chalsey Falk, founder of the illustration and graphic design studio Full Mood. Coming from a graphic design education and 6 years working in in-house and at agencies for public health, product design, and advertising, we learn from her what takes to start your own design business and how to overcome your biggest fears. 

To learn more about Full Mood agency, visit the website over a www.fullmood.co [//www.fullmood.co]. 

If you’d like to support the show or to learn more about Design Atlas, please visit www.designatlaspod.com. To get in touch with us, DM us on Instagram @designatlaspod [https://www.instagram.com/designatlaspod/], tweet us @designatlaspod [https://twitter.com/DesignAtlasPod], or send us an email at hello@designatlaspod.com.

Produced by Jens Bringsjord and Megan Luedke. Sound engineered and edited by Jens Bringsjord. All rights reserved. ©2022 Design Atlas Media.

Meet Chalsey Falk | Owner of Full Mood Agency

The dust has finally settled, and the show is just getting started again. In this episode get ready for a life update from both Jens and Megan. Oh, and listen to the end as there’s some big news over at the Design Atlas Podcast. Don't miss it!

If you’d like to support the show or to learn more about Design Atlas, please visit www.designatlaspod.com. To get in touch with us, DM us on Instagram @designatlaspod [https://www.instagram.com/designatlaspod/], tweet us @designatlaspod [https://twitter.com/DesignAtlasPod], or send us an email at hello@designatlaspod.com.

Produced by Jens Bringsjord and Megan Luedke. Sound engineered and edited by Jens Bringsjord. All rights reserved. ©2022 Design Atlas Media.

Life and Podcast Update: What's Next? 

Join Megan and Jens as they talk about their study abroad experiences in Germany. Learn about Jens’ time also working at adidas HQ in Herzogenaurach, and Megan’s semester project at the Hochschule Darmstadt in connection with the European Space Agency (ESA).

If you’d like to support the show or to learn more about Design Atlas, please visit www.designatlaspod.com. To get in touch with us, DM us on Instagram @designatlaspod, tweet us @designatlaspod, or send us an email at hello@designatlaspod.com.

Produced by Jens Bringsjord and Megan Luedke. Sound engineered and edited by Jens Bringsjord. All rights reserved. ©2022 Design Atlas Media.

Jens' and Megan's Study Abroad and Internship Adventures

In today’s episode we will meet with Mi Cao (Zaho) a master’s student currently studying at the Hochschule München in Munich Germany. Mi’s story is super inspirational – and we will dive deep into why she chose the design path and how creative industries like the fashion industry helped inspire her to create a freer and more just world with her design work. In our chat today, we talk about trying to break free from old and unsustainable patterns that we as designers face and instead try to think outside of the box.



If you’d like to support the show or to learn more about Design Atlas, please visit www.designatlaspod.com. To get in touch with us, DM us on Instagram @designatlaspod, tweet us @designatlaspod, or send us an email at hello@designatlaspod.com. 



Produced by Jens Bringsjord and Megan Luedke. Sound engineered and edited by Jens Bringsjord. All rights reserved. ©2022 Design Atlas Media.

Meet Mi Cao

In today’s episode, we sit down with creative director Michelle Wintersteen who runs her own business called MKW Creative Co. MKW Creative Co. is a full-stack branding and social media marketing company helping its clients grow. Based out of sunny-side San Diego California, Michelle’s chat today hits so many points and is relatable to anyone who’s working in the design industry or even just getting started.

Learn more about Michelle

 * Website: mkwcreative.co  [https://mkwcreative.co/]
 * Instagram: instagram.com/mkwcreative.co [https://www.instagram.com/mkwcreative.co/]
 * Podcast: Kiss My Aesthetic [https://open.spotify.com/show/4w42Ea2vDLysXswUnENNOT?si=5e29946c5adf4faa] 
 * Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/kissmyaesthetic [https://www.facebook.com/groups/kissmyaesthetic]
 * Tik-tok: Tiktok.com/@mkwcreative.co [https://www.tiktok.com/@mkwcreative.co]
 * Resources: mkwcreative.co/links [https://mkwcreative.co/links]

If you’d like to support the show or to learn more about Design Atlas, please visit www.designatlaspod.com [https://www.designatlaspod.com/]. To get in touch with us, DM us on Instagram @designatlaspod [https://www.instagram.com/designatlaspod/], tweet us @designatlaspod [https://twitter.com/designatlaspod?lang=en], or send us an email at hello@designatlaspod.com.

Produced by Jens Bringsjord and Megan Luedke. Sound engineered and edited by Jens Bringsjord. All rights reserved. ©2022 Design Atlas Media.

Meet Michelle Wintersteen, Creative Director at MKW Creative Co.

Remote work, hybrid work, work from office, work from home...so many options! In today’s episode we will uncover where the design industry is today where it is headed to tomorrow. 

If you’d like to support the show or to learn more about Design Atlas, please visit www.designatlaspod.com [//www.designatlaspod.com]. To get in touch with us, DM us on Instagram @designatlaspod [https://www.instagram.com/designatlaspod/], tweet us @designatlaspod [https://twitter.com/designatlaspod?lang=en], or send us an email at hello@designatlaspod.com. 

Do you like the music we used in this episode? Try a 30-day free trial of Epidemic Sound. Simply sign-up and see why Epidemic music is one of the best platforms for music licensing for creatives. Grab you free trial at https://share.epidemicsound.com/dlk28x

Produced by Jens Bringsjord and Megan Luedke. Sound engineered and edited by Jens Bringsjord. All rights reserved. ©2022 Design Atlas Media.

Remote vs. Office (where is the industry headed?) 

Have you ever felt the need as a designer to start a side project just to get your mind off the daily grind at your day job? In this session, we will uncover the basics of getting started on a creative side project that can both motivate you and facilitate a sense of learning that might even make you better in other areas in your life too. Both Megan and Jens have successfully launched two podcasts through an initiative called Design Atlas.

Through their learnings, they have discovered the secret to sustaining their podcasts, while still staying motivated, having fun, and learning a thing or two along the way. In this session we will talk about how to choose the perfect side project, how to set small goals, how to get a friend involved, and how to focus on the urgent and not the perfect. By using Figma to better collaborate ideas, facilitate workshops, and create their podcast brand identity for the show, they’ve been able to work on their side-project no matter where they are located on the planet. 

If you’d like to support the show or to learn more about Design Atlas, please visit www.designatlaspod.com. To get in touch with us, DM us on Instagram @designatlaspod, tweet us @designatlaspod, or send us an email at hello@designatlaspod.com. 

Do you like the music we used in this episode? Try a 30-day free trial of Epidemic Sound. Simply sign-up and see why Epidemic music is one of the best platforms for music licensing for creatives. Grab you free trial at https://share.epidemicsound.com/dlk28x

Produced by Jens Bringsjord and Megan Luedke. Sound engineered and edited by Jens Bringsjord. All rights reserved. ©2022 Design Atlas Media.

The Importance of Having a Creative Side Project

Design Atlas Chats (@chatsbyda) · Zencastr

Design Atlas Chats (@chatsbyda)

We get it. Being a designer isn't always easy. In Chats by Design Atlas our mission is to help young designers deal with the day-to-day of being a creative in the industry, in the hopes of inspiring and making you become a better designer. Follow along to be the first to get insider tips from product design, brand building, typography, and more. We also focus on all the challenges, exciting opportunities, and everything in between that comes with simply being a designer. Occasionally our chat will feature a special guest from the design industry. We’ll catch you on the other side of the show!