The Busy Creator Podcast, episode 20 - Building and Growing a Small Design Firm, with Josh Miles

Josh Miles (@JoshMiles) founded Miles Design, an independent graphic design firm in Indianapolis, Indiana, after organically growing his freelance practice. Following some hi-profile work in a narrow sector, he’s grown his team to nine employees, taking care to build a healthy workplace culture along the way.

In this discussion, Josh shares some of the challenges for growing and maintaining a design business, as well as some of the tools and tactics he uses to keep the team in sync and doing great work. You can read more about Josh on his site, JoshMiles.com

Show Notes & Links

• Prescott met Josh at the Brand New Conference in San Francisco, 2011
• Josh began as a freelancer, working with clients such as Purdue University
• Josh knew he’d eventually be an independent designer
• The selling side of graphic design isn’t told much in school
• Win Without Pitching by Blair Enns
  
• David C. Baker, Recourses
• Miles Design is a nine-person design firm in Indianapolis, focusing on Professional Services (architecture, engineering, interior design, etc.)
• The award-winning website for Ratio Architects
• After about 1 year in, Josh realised the company would succeed. He needed help getting the design work done.
• Josh is the geek within the agency
• Tug McTighe on being a creative director
• Failure in graphic design isn’t “failure” as such. The end of the sentence is the end of the conversation.
• AIGA Indy Kickball League
• “No one is immune from psychology. Especially psychologists.”
• Bold Brand by Josh Miles
  
• Miles Design allowed a client to reap 7x return on investment for a new website design
• Josh is equal parts introvert and extrovert
• The Cult of Overwork
• Previous Busy Creator interview with Debbie Millman
• Pronunciation of “nitch” vs. “neesh”
• Miles Design on Dribbble

Tools

• Workamajig, total agency software for project management
• Harvest, for time-tracking
• Slack, for intra-office chat
- GTD Methodology
• Scrum meetings
• OmniFocus

Techniques

• Bring in people who are better than you
• Put workplace culture first, especially if you feel it’s missing. Maybe start over.
• Give your team permission to fail. Allow them to present their work, come what may.
• Invent company rituals. Celebrate small stuff.
• Test new workflows and tools
• Follow up with clients after 3 or 6 months to track results
• Be known for one thing and be good at it

Habits

• Arrive in the office early. Get stuff done before the gang arrives.
• Head out early on Fridays as a team. Decompress together.
• Take a few hours to work solo and clear things

Get The Episode

• Download The Busy Creator Podcast, episode 20
  (MP3, 40:11, 39 MB)
• Download The Busy Creator Podcast, episode 20
  (OGG, 40:11, 35.9 MB)

Subscribe to The Busy Creator Podcast on iTunes

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