Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

The Busy Creator Podcast with Prescott Perez-Fox


The Busy Creator Podcast is a discussion program where creative professionals from across the spectrum share tools, techniques, and habits they use in their practice. Listeners are introduced to strategies and pro tips to be their most creative, productive selves.

Full website available at http://busycreator.com and http://busycreator.com/podcast/ for the show specifically.

Feb 22, 2016

Kristine Neil (@TheKNeil) is head of branding and design company Markon Brand Design. She purchased Markon when it was an old-fashion sign company, and has since transformed it into a small creative studio, now boasting a team of three.

In our conversation, we cover the quirks and rituals used by the team at Markon, Kristine's personal productivity habits, and the general challenges that face all busy design teams nowadays.

GET THE EPISODE

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

Subscribe in iTunes Subscribe on Android

Subscribe to The Busy Creator Podcast on iTunes or on Android

Show Notes & Links

  • Kristine describe her work as "varied"
  • Markon is a small agency focusing on branding for small- to medium-sized businesses
  • Kristine purchased Markon rather than founded it. Previously, it was a sign company.
  • The Markon team is now three strong — Kristine, Mike, and Jenna

"It's a scary thing to say 'I need some Help'."

—Kristine Neil

Tweet This

  • Kristine started by adding contractors/freelancers before bringing in full-time employees
  • Prepare to Share — an article and podcast episode about bringing additional people into your workflow
  • Kristine is a systems person, admits to being slightly ADD

"Get ideas out of your head. People aren't mind-readers."

—Prescott Perez-Fox

Tweet This

"Always organize things for how they'll work in your absense."

—Kristine Neil

Tweet This

  • Single Point of Failure — a bottleneck for decisions or skills
  • Many freelancers/solo practitioners struggle to stay organised
  • Kristine previously worked as a GM for a manufacturing company. This taught her systems and regimented behaviours.

"Have a system. It doesn't have to be fancy."

—Kristine Neil

Tweet This

  • "Meta-work" the work surrounding work such as scheduling meetings, checking email, managing your software
  • Ben Elijah, previous guest on TBCP, described "Productivity Pornography"
  • United We Brand by Mike Moser on Amazon
    United We Brand by Mike Moser

"We don't always have the time to treat ourselves as a client."

—Kristine Neil

Tweet This

"We don't just make the things. We make the ideas that make the things great."

—Kristine Neil

Tweet This

  • Space150, design firm who redesigns their identity every 150 days

"It's no longer acceptable to set a brand identity and let it ride for 20 years."

—Kristine Neil

Tweet This

Tools

Techniques

  • Divide your whiteboard by category and by day. Slot tasks accordingly.
  • Create a file-naming system that makes sense — plan ahead for others reading in the future.
  • Don't become a Single Point of Failure
  • Pomodoro Technique
  • Only keep the immediate future on the Board, save long-term stuff elsewhere
  • Test systems to find what works best
  • Get outside opinions on your brand/company, at least annually
  • Use Slack to post videos and gifs — especially after a tough day at the desk

Habits

  • Host "Board Meetings" with your team every morning
  • Build starting documents ("templates") when you have repetitive projects/tasks
  • Audit your own brand. Be willing to walk away from your previous website.
  • Create a routine strong enough so you don't need an alarm clock
  • Shut down between Christmas and New Year

TRY AUDIBLE.COM FREE FOR 30-DAYS

Visit BusyCreatorBook.com for your free trial
Audible.com trial from The Busy Creator

Get The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding by Al & Laura Reis as a free audiobook
The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding