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This week on the podcast, Claire sits down with Jessie McGuire — Managing Partner of the independent design & creative studio Thought Matter. This year’s winner of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Communication Design.
With a career spanning some of the most respected studios in the industry, Jessie has built a reputation for shaping work that is not only beautifully crafted, but effective — helping brands connect more meaningfully with their audiences.
In this episode, Jessie shares her journey into design and how her career has evolved over time, reflecting on the realities of building a creative career that doesn’t always follow a straight path.
She also talks about the tension between creativity and commerciality — why great design can’t just look good, it has to work — and what success really means for studios today.
Along the way, we explore leadership in creative environments, the importance of knowing when to push and when to listen, and why the value of design is often only recognised in hindsight.
LINKS:
Red Setter
Dba
Thought Matter
Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards
My Life In Design Podcast