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

In this episode of Mark It 2 Me, Joe Baron sits down with New Jersey's Larry Krayn an attorney, street photographer, curator, and rapper known as IL Lusciato.

Larry opens up about rediscovering his creative identity after building a legal career, releasing his album Life’s Legacy and A World Not For Everyone, and embracing the idea that none of us are one-dimensional.

The conversation explores:

• Releasing music after 10+ years and overcoming self-doubt
• Balancing a professional career with creative passion
• The rise of Newark as a cultural hub
• Building community through Grit Gallery
• Breaking through gatekeepers by creating your own platform
• Why thinking like a beginner can elevate advanced creative work
• The tension between art and algorithms in the social media era

This episode is about confidence, proof of concept, creative resilience, and embracing all dimensions of who you are.

Follow Larry Krayn

https://www.instagram.com/xquisite_grit/

http://youtube.com/il_lusciato

Don't forget to follow Joe Baron

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

https://www.brandedbaron.com/

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

In this episode of Mark It 2 Me, Joe Baron sits down with designer, dad, and community builder Michael Smith, founder of Dadsigner, host of The Dadsigner Podcast, co-owner of R5 CoLab, and creator of two successfully crowdfunded children’s books.

They dive into what it really means to build community, not just online, but in real life. Michael shares how a lonely coffee shop routine turned into launching a coworking space that prioritizes intentional connection. From setting clear expectations with a community handbook to fostering genuine engagement through pre-scheduled events, he explains why structure is essential to making culture work.

The conversation also explores entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and the mental tug-of-war creatives face between making meaningful work and monetizing everything.

Michael opens up about:

• The importance of hiring an accountant early
• Why crowdfunding is really a marketing tool in disguise
• What surprised him most about launching on Kickstarter
• How personal creative projects can have value years later
• Why professional growth isn’t just about titles and promotions
• The tension between ambition and family presence

They close with rapid-fire questions (including the official dad sneaker debate) and reflections on what it means to build something sustainable both in business and at home.

This episode is about ownership, intention, and creating community that actually feels real.

You can follow Michael Smith on Instagram, Threads, and Youtube at @dadsigner

His website: https://www.dadsigner.com/

You can follow the Mark It 2 Me official instagram: @MarkIt2Me

You can follow Joe Baron specifically at @brandedbaron
The website: https://www.brandedbaron.com/

Joe Baron sits down with Creative Director and founder of the Artoholiks, Iquan Worthington, for a real conversation about creativity, leadership, ego, A.I., and long-term sustainability in the creative industry.

Iquan breaks down why your full-time job should be treated like your biggest client, how setting boundaries protects your creativity, and why most designers misunderstand agency vs. in-house dynamics. He shares hard-earned lessons from building an agency, working inside a fast-growing Fintech company, and why "take all the work, figure it out later" isn't always what it seems.

• They also dive into
• The truth about designers "fixing" brands
• Why A.I. isn't your enemy and what actually is
• The importance of ego management in creative leadership
• Community building through flag football and art events
• Why authenticity beats clout chasing

Plus the return of the "Rapid Fire Questions" segment.

You can follow Iquan Worthington at

https://www.everydayimdoodling.com/

On his personal instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iquanw

On the Artoholiks instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theartoholiks/

You can follow the Mark It 2 Me Podcast instagram at https://www.instagram.com/markit2me/

Follow Joe Baron on instagram https://www.instagram.com/brandedbaron/

And his creative agency website https://www.brandedbaron.com/

In this conversation, Joe Baron and Ryan Roghaar explore the evolution of Ryan's career from agency owner to consultant, emphasizing the importance of building genuine relationships over transactional networking. They discuss the significance of intentionality in networking, the concept of the '10-year overnight success,' and the balance between work and personal life. Ryan shares insights from his experiences in the music industry and the freelance landscape, highlighting how personal connections can lead to opportunities. The discussion wraps up with rapid-fire questions, revealing Ryan's personality and preferences.

In this episode of Mark It 2 Me, I sit down with Anderson Bluu to talk about the unexpected start of his creative career, how an injury during a kids’ game led him into art and design, and eventually to designing multiple sneaker exclusives with Foot Locker.

We break down the full process behind the Foot Locker x Diadora Ice Cream Collection, from pitching the idea and designing during the pandemic to creative direction, lifestyle photography, fast timelines, and the in-store release.