Favorite Graphic Design Podcasts to Listen to Now

Graphic design podcasts are an excellent way to fill blank moments in the day and make the most of your time. Ramping up productivity is often a challenge for all types of professionals. When you consider how much time it takes to drive to and from appointments or wait on a doctor, it makes sense to fill those minutes with something that lifts you up as a professional and teaches new coping strategies and work skills. If you can think of it, there’s a graphic design podcast about the topic.

Numerous graphic design podcasts exist. Narrowing down the list made us worry we’d miss a crucial bit of advice our readers might benefit from. With that in mind, we tried to go with a range of podcast topics, so no one area was overlooked. You may know of other options you enjoy and that’s fine. 

You should also listen to podcasts on small business and how to improve your workflow.

Consider this graphic design podcast list as an excellent place to start. You can add to it or subtract from it as it makes the most sense for you. Save the ones you love to your library so you can find them more easily in future. 

1. Resourceful Designer

Mark Des Cotes hosts the podcasts, where he shares tips on how to run your design business efficiently. Mark started his graphic design journey in 1989 and began his home-based graphic design business in 2005. 

Learn about topics such as the pitfalls of hourly rates, if you should do pro bono work for charities and finding the right niche. He shares a new podcast weekly. 

2. UXPodcast

Per Axbom and James Royal-Lawson started the podcast in 2011. They were inspired by the frustration within the UX design community on a number of topics and wanted to share the tools and techniques to run a successful design firm. While not all topics apply to graphic design, many do. 

They release new podcasts every other week. Recent topics include the best ways to present design work, design methods, human-centered design, how to get past being an introverted designer and sell your business and tools to help you organize your freelance business. 

3. Bounce the Block

UK photographer Emma Croman shares some tips on being creative that apply to artists, photographers and designers. Each week, she talks to a new guest about overcoming blocks to creating and gets insider tips that keep you working. 

Croman is an outdoor lifestyle photographer. She’s worked as a freelancer for 12 years, so she has a lot of experience in the field as well as tips for moving forward. 

Some popular topics covered on the show include Being okay with some imperfection, why it’s important to make time for play, finding your self confidence and taking on meaningful work. 

4. Design Matters

Design Matters with Debbie Millman may be an older graphic design podcast but is a top favorite among many. Debbie’s show has been online for 18 years. She’s won numerous awards and authored seven books. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Fast Company and The Washington Post. 

The show looks at a variety of topics related to working as a designer by chatting with designers, artists, writers and musicians. Each has a special way of looking at the world and wisdom to share. 

Some recent guests include journalist Kara Swisher, Peabody Award winner Jad Abumrad, celebrity photographer Mary Ellen Matthews and Apple designer Alan Dye. 

5. Grayscalegorilla Podcast

Produced by the 3D image software company Greyscalegorilla, the podcast covers topics such as Cinema 4D, customer management and 3D rendering. The Chicago-based firm offers cloud-based services and software to support creatives. They have a different perspective than a freelancer or individual graphic designer working a job. 

Recent topics covered include ways to work smarter and not harder, C4D lighting tips, ways to work remotely and remain productive and an inside look at Procreate. They do seem to put up new episodes a bit sporadically but they are worth following for the unique topics when they release something new. 

6. The Profitable Graphic Designer

Kay Sandel hosts The Profitable Graphic Designer where she goes into ways to brand your agency, get more clients, charge the right prices and build a lasting and profitable business from the ground up. She started designing at 15 years old and has been named Entrepreneur of the Year in Austin. 

Some of her recent shows are about things such as how to make a living designing logos, increasing the rates you charge, dealing with clients who don’t know what they want and finding the right niche. 

7. The Angry Designer

If you’re beyond frustrated trying to make a living in graphic design, this podcast is for you. They are very straightforward and cut to the heart of what it takes to make a profit in the industry. The hosts are Massimo Zefferino and Shawn Carlisle. Both come into the industry with years of experience under their belts. Zefferino has worked as a graphic designer for over 20 years and Carlisle the same.

The men started the podcasts to cut through some of the nonsense they dealt with from clients, other designers and life in general. The result is episodes on topics such as how to build a design portfolio, misconceptions customers have and how to handle them, the most important skill a graphic designer can have and an AI survival guide. 

8. Design, Monkey!

Annalise Taber and Robert Pace host the show. They delve into an area not frequently discussed–the mental health of graphic designers. The episodes cover topics meant to help those working in the industry feel less alone and see what tools they can tap into for help. 

Some of the most recent episodes are about design depression, overcoming pressure, how to deal with the changes brought on by AI and what to do about burnout. 

Finding Your Favorite Graphic Design Podcasts

The graphic design podcasts above offer a nice range of options to listen to. Find your favorites and listen in regularly to learn from those who’ve gone before you or to catch a new perspective. Podcasts are an excellent use of your free time and help you be productive when you normally would not be.