On making of a multidisciplinary polyamorous designer - Chris Wilson

In this heartfelt conversation, Glasgow-based designer Chris Wilson shares his journey as the one-person creative studio. He discusses his decision to embrace his solo status rather than pretending to be a larger agency, his traumatic experience being attacked with a knife as a university student, and how work became a crutch that ultimately led to burnout and hospitalisation. Chris opens up about discovering therapy later in life, managing client expectations by setting boundaries, and his ongoing evolution as a designer navigating new technologies and personal growth. His story reveals the challenges and rewards of running a small design business while prioritizing well-being. Key Takeaways Being authentic about running a solo studio created more trust with clients than pretending to be larger. Work can become a dangerous crutch that helps avoid dealing with emotional trauma. Setting clear boundaries with clients (four-day workweek, email-only communication) helped establish healthier work patterns. Traumatic events can significantly impact creative confidence and career choices. It's important to recognize burnout warnings before health deteriorates seriously. Therapy can be transformative even years after experiencing trauma. Embracing technological change (like AI) is essential for staying relevant in the creative industry. Finding a balance between personal development, client work, and emotional well-being is an ongoing journey. Small studios can build meaningful client relationships by guiding them through the entire creative process. Self-acceptance is crucial for both personal health and authentic creative work. Daring Creativity. Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic daringcreativity.com | desk@daringcreativity.com Books by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook Book bundles https://novemberuniverse.co.uk Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off) November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)