Joshua Merrill

The “I only do XYZ” mindset is officially dead. Designers today? They animate. They edit. They build. They code. They experiment like crazy. Because in 2025, being multi-disciplinary isn’t a flex, it’s survival. The best creatives aren’t boxed in by one tool or medium. They see the story. Then they figure out the best way to bring it to life , motion, graphics, UI, whatever it takes. I’ve seen graphic designers become motion artists. UI designers diving into video. Brand designers building entire campaigns. That’s the future: - Curious minds - Crossover skillsets - Tool-agnostic creativity The industry doesn't care if you're a “specialist.” It wants people who solve problems and make things happen.

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Don’t be afraid to talk to strangers. You never know who the person you’re sitting next to just might be. Designers get so stuck in the digital world, trying to find work online. There are tons of people you cross paths with every single day! And guess what, they don’t know the first thing about the design industry. They have businesses, they have ideas, they have a vision. But many don’t have the first clue about where to start. They’d love to have a designer with half of your skill set and knowledge at their disposal. They don’t know what they don’t know and you’ll be their beacon of hope. Imagine designing something for them that could help them fulfill their own vision? It’ll never happen if you don’t have that conversation.

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Your font choice won’t save you. Your structure will. . I see it every week. Designers obsessing over fonts, colors, and tiny details. They zoom into pixels. They debate Helvetica vs. Inter like it’s life or death. But here’s the truth: None of that matters if your content has no flow. Structure beats style. Every single time. Because structure decides if people read past slide one. Think about it: A messy story in perfect typography still fails. But a clear story in average design still wins. So what does strong structure look like? → One big idea per slide. → Short, easy sentences. → White space that breathes. → A beginning, middle, and end. That’s the stuff that keeps attention alive. That’s the stuff that makes readers stick around. Fonts, colors, shadows.. they’re just decoration. Structure is communication. And communication is what actually sells. So next time you design, ask yourself: “Does my structure make people want to keep going?” Because if the answer is no, No font in the world will ever save you. ------------------------------------------- Need design that sells, not just looks good? Let’s talk.

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One of my favorite parts of design work is figuring out what clients actually mean when they describe something. They’ll say things like “This section feels heavy” or “Can we make this a little happier” or “It needs more energy.” None of those are technical terms, but they always point to something real. “Feels heavy” is usually spacing or hierarchy. “Happier” is often color or tone. “More energy” might mean contrast, pacing, or flow. Just like their customers, clients aren't dissecting the specifics, but they know exactly how something should feel.

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KIT Plugins NP A67 released New plugin based on the analog chain from the historic A-Room in Nashville. Modeled tube preamp, EQ with mid-peaking band, HP/LP filters with resonance. Simple interface, direct controls, no unnecessary steps. For anyone who likes the Clovis sound - this is a modern way to get it in the box. Link: https://lnkd.in/gSxFXU_v

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Use Case: How creative teams turn scripts into storyboards in minutes Stop spending hours sketching layouts or struggling to visualize ideas. With Manus AI, you can: 👉Auto-generate storyboards from any script 👉Experience effortless visual planning even if you are not a designer 👉Watch campaigns go from concept to execution faster Bring your ideas to life in minutes! No pencil required.

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𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙜 Analog photography invites a different tempo.
With 36 frames (or fewer), each click matters. You meter, compose, breathe, and then commit. Why it’s beautiful: Intentionality: Limited exposures encourage pre-visualization and cleaner framing. Presence: No LCD to review—your attention stays with the subject. Rhythm: Load, wind, shoot, advance. The ritual builds focus. Practical takeaway: try a “12-frame exercise” on your digital camera—limit yourself to 12 shots for an entire walk. Notice how your seeing changes. #analogphotography #mindfulmaking #visualcraft

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Do you animate your slides? Here are two innovative ways to use it well: 🎯 1. Use simple builds on simple slides: Simple builds deliver information in comprehensible portions. Viewers will follow each point as you make it, rather than reading and not listening. 🎬 2. Break out critical slides into story builds: Wherever you deliver that big idea, break it into multiple slides that use animation, illustration, and story to walk your viewers through each point like it matters. It’s easier for you to deliver and for them to consume, and they’ll be with you on every step of the journey. Animation done right isn’t distracting—it focuses attention and drives the show.

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From Sketchpad to Screen: The Design Process Unveiled Every great brand identity starts with a solid process. It's not magic, but a structured approach that ensures strategic outcomes. I often start with research, then sketching. What's one non-negotiable step in your design process? Share below! #DesignProcess #BrandIdentityDesign #CreativeWorkflow #StrategicDesign

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If I see one more AI-generated Studio Ghibli image… I swear to god. Lately, my feed looks like Miyazaki opened a new studio, except—plot twist—it’s all AI. Every cozy, sunlit street and ramen shop has that perfect Ghibli glow. And honestly? It looks amazing. But it also makes me think. Hayao Miyazaki called AI-generated art an “insult to life itself.” (Ouch.) He believes true creativity comes from human experience, not just data patterns. And as a designer, I get why that hits a nerve. Design isn’t just about making things "look good"—it’s about problem-solving, storytelling, and crafting experiences that actually connect and work with and for people. AI can generate beautiful images, but can it design with intention? But let’s be real—AI isn’t the villain here. (Shoutout to my boy ChatGPT—Max, you’re doing amazing, sweetie.) AI is an incredible tool. It can enhance creativity, speed up workflows, and help us visualize ideas in seconds. What it can’t do is replace the messy, strategic, deeply human part of design—the part that gives work meaning. That’s on us. So yes, I’ll probably roll my eyes at the 500th AI Ghibli image this week. But I also know AI is here to stay, and instead of fighting it, we should figure out how to design with it, not just generate with it. Oh and here’s the 501st AI generated Ghibli image. Max has had enough lol.

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Ever look at a design and it just feels right? It's not an accident. Behind every powerful layout are fundamental rules of composition. These aren't just textbook theories; they are the practical tools I've relied on for years to transform chaotic information into clear, compelling visual stories. Swipe through for 5 foundational rules that will instantly improve your design and layout work. Whether you're a designer, a marketer, or a founder, understanding these principles is key to creating effective visual communication. Which rule do you focus on the most? Let's discuss in the comments. #DesignPrinciples #GraphicDesignTips #Composition #VisualHierarchy #ArtDirection #DesignFundamentals #LayoutDesign

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Most complex patterns aren’t drawn. They’re built. In this tutorial, I break down how to create dynamic spiral patterns in Adobe Illustrator using a simple workflow — Trim, Repeat, and smart alignment. No plugins. No shortcuts. Just understanding the tool properly. If you’re a designer who wants more control, cleaner results, and faster execution, this one’s for you. Save this for later ✨ Comment “PATTERN” if you want more Illustrator breakdowns like this. #AdobeIllustrator #GraphicDesign #PatternDesign #DesignProcess #IllustratorTips #VisualDesign #DesignTutorial #CreativeWorkflow

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Helvetica is not a font. It’s a typeface. Let’s break it down: Font vs Typeface - what’s the difference? Most people use them interchangeably. But they’re not the same. → Typeface = The overall design. A full set of characters - letters, numbers, symbols - all with a consistent visual style. → Font = A specific version of that typeface. It includes: → Weight (Bold, Thin) → Style (Italic, Regular) → Size (12pt, 72pt, etc.) Think of it like this: → Typeface = The family → Font = One member of that family Example: Helvetica = TypeFace Helvetica Bold 16pt = Font Why does this matter? Because understanding the difference helps you: Communicate better with designers Make smarter typography choices Respect the craft of design → Fonts are what you use → Typefaces are what you design with Knowing both = Better decisions, cleaner visuals. Now you know: Helvetica isn’t just a font — it’s a legacy. #design

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