In Part 2 of this conversation, Joe Baron continues his discussion with logo designer, author, and Logo Geek founder Ian Paget.

The episode picks up as Ian shares the thinking behind his book, including an overlooked intermediate step in the logo design process that helps clients better understand creative decisions. From there, the conversation expands into self-publishing, his Kickstarter experience, and the realities of using Amazon KDP.

Joe and Ian also discuss design awards, industry trends, and why designers should focus less on gatekeeping and more on helping the next generation grow.

The conversation ends with some fun conversation on pop culture and history as Ian discusses his fandom for Star Wars and meeting Mark Hamill as well as Stan Lee and moon walking astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• The missing “intermediate step” in logo design
• Why Ian wrote his book and what designers should take from it
• Lessons from launching a Kickstarter campaign
• Pros and cons of Amazon KDP and print-on-demand
• Why community matters in creative careers
• Thoughts on design awards and industry credibility
• Easy hack to win design awards
• The problem with “fixing” brand logos
• Why sharing knowledge matters
• Getting an autograph from Buzz Aldrin
• What Mark Hamill is really like
• What makes a good logo
• Ian talks about his logos
• Does it matter if you go to school for design

0:00 - Preview
0:10 - Intro
0:46 - New Book and Presenting Concepts
11:35 - Awards and how to win them
20:21 - What makes a good logo - Logo Reviews
32:42 - Ian talks about his logos
39:53 - Not going to University for Design
44:12 - 16 Year Old Me would learn AI Tools
50:07 - Running a Science T-shirt Company
52:31 - Moon Landings and Buzz Aldrin
56:16 - Star Wars Fan
59:31 - Meeting Stan Lee
1:01:58 - Leaving a Legacy

Website: https://logogeek.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/logogeek

Website: https://www.brandedbaron.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandedbaron

Website: https://www.markit2me.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markit2me

If you haven’t already, check out Part 1 of this conversation where we discuss:

• Mental health in the creative industry
• The reality behind “fixing” brand logos
• Why creative block might not actually exist
• The importance of community

What does it actually take to build something meaningful as a creative without burning yourself out in the process?

In this episode of Mark It 2 Me, I sit down with logo designer, educator, and founder of Logo Geek, Ian Paget, to break down the early stages of his journey to building a respected platform within the design community.

We talk about how he got started in graphic design, the realities of freelancing, and what it takes to stay consistent long enough to see real progress.

A major part of this conversation also focuses on mental health. the pressure creatives face, the importance of work-life balance, and why taking care of yourself is just as important as developing your skills.

Ian shares insights on overcoming creative block, why it’s often more about mindset than ability, and how building a supportive community can change the trajectory of your career.

This isn’t a conversation about shortcuts or overnight success. It’s about the long game, building something sustainable, staying grounded, and creating work that actually lasts.

If you’re a designer, freelancer, or creative trying to find clarity in your path while protecting your mental well-being, this episode will resonate.

Ian Paget

Website: https://logogeek.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/logogeek/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpaget/

Joe Baron

Website: https://www.brandedbaron.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandedbaron/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/brandedbaron

Mark It 2 Me

Website: https://markit2me.com/

Instagram: instagram.com/markit2me

• Ian Paget’s journey into graphic design
• From warehouse job to building Logo Geek
• The realities of freelance design and early career growth
• Mental health in the creative industry
• Work-life balance and avoiding burnout
• Creative block and why it’s often a mindset issue
• The importance of community for designers
• Staying consistent and building something over time

Mark It 2 Me explores how working creatives turn their work into brands, careers, and creative communities.

In this episode of Mark It 2 Me, I sit down with Brianna Calero, founder of Pastel Creative and Fractional CMO, to unpack what real strategic marketing leadership actually looks like.

We talk about the difference between visibility and authority, why most companies chase acquisition instead of retention, and how serving your “super fans” can build stronger revenue than chasing mass audiences.

Brianna shares how she transitioned from wanting to be a pastry chef to becoming a growth engine for founders, how she approaches market intelligence before building strategy, and why she believes discernment is more profitable than hype.

We also dive into marketing alignment, authenticity in business, and the mindset shift that separates sustainable growth from hustle culture.

If you’re a founder, creative, or marketer trying to build authority instead of just traffic this conversation is for you.

Guest Info

Brianna Calero - https://pastelcreative.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/pastel-creative/

Host Info

Joe Baron - https://www.brandedbaron.com/

Mark It 2 Me instagram - https://instagram.com/markit2me