The Busy Creator Podcast, episode 20, Building and Growing a Small Design Firm, w/guest 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.

Josh and his team at Miles Design

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.
 


 
 

 
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Show Notes & Links

Prescott met Josh at the Brand New Conference in San Francisco, 2011
Josh began as a freelancer, working with clients such asPurdue 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