I'll watch it if you record yourself watching it and provide commentary for me via text message videos.

I typically work very closely with the clients I take on and it feels more like I'm a temporary part of their team. That and I also have a decent amount of variety with products, etc. Also, working from a creative coworking space helps a lot too.

I use Google docs/sheets as well as Dropbox Paper for organizing and sharing things with clients/collaborators, etc. If things really big, I'll spin up Trello or Basecamp.

Daily routine-wise. I really aspire to wake up as many days as I can around 4:30-5AM. With 4 kids, it's gets loud and crazy fast. I'm a much better person/designer/husband/father when I get some good me-time in. Current daily schedule is strength training/lifting on M/W/F and running (when I can) on Tu/Thurs/Weekend.

Dude, thanks so much. Just checked your site and the feeling is mutual. Great stuff. Love the flame emoji as the

Fun fact: The RIFT font was designed by my studio-mate, Mattox Shuler, while sitting right beside me. Originally made for his card game, Control

Hmm, favorite song right now... I've had "Hit Parade" by Mutemath on repeat for a few days now. Can't say favorite-favorite because that's just too much commitment. =)

So good to hear, Juan! I feel the same way and use it all the time. You may have seen this, but here's a blog post on making Contrast. http://mds.is/designing-contrast/

If there is, I don't wanna know about it.

Wow, Eduardo. Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment!

I've definitely seen my fair share of toxicity in the industry and that's just simply not in line with my values. I find great joy in being as kind as possible and I'm genuinely motivated to encourage people and want them to do their best. It means so much that you've gotten a little motivation from that. Thank you for letting me know! =)

Here's my super quick autobiography in design....

I was always drawn to art as a kid (most kids are, right?) I used to draw tons of Mortal Kombat characters, Simpsons, and any other random cartoon or video game I was into. We had a computer around ever since I can remember. I'd always make digital birthday cards, mothers day, fathers day, cards etc. with this program called Print Shop Deluxe. Even had an illegal business in high school burning CDs for friends from songs I downloaded on Napster. I'd design and print a custom CD jewel case for every CD I sold.

I started taking art classes in college, drawing, painting, sculpting, etc. and loved it. That led to going into the Graphic Design program for 2 years and graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

First job out of college was designing anything and everything at a small cycling and diving component manufacturer. Here I started learning Flash on my own and making horribly awesome animated websites. Slowly taught myself HTML/CSS along the way.

Started contracting at agencies for a few years, then started getting more clients. More and more clients. Many years later... and here we are. =)

Hey Michelle! I can't say that I've ever really "managed" a design system, but I have created lots of them—usually in Sketch—but tools like Figma, Studio, and Framer X are definitely on the rise and tackling similar problems.

I typically choose design software based on speed. Performance and optimized workflow capabilities that give me lots of quick key shortcuts and the ability to create my own. Figma as been a great experience coming from Sketch... and I'm doing a lot more with Studio right now too. The speed at which you can create animations and rich prototypes with Studio is pretty mind-blowing.

Biggest challenge now is thinking about things with a longer-term lens rather than doing anything and everything to pay the bills. Thinking and working towards creating more sustainable projects, income, etc. that I feel really good about sticking with for a long time.

P.S. Thanks for watching my videos! I reeeeaaallly wanna get back into a regular video schedule soon. Also, I love answering questions and being responsive. Thanks!! =)

I don't have any "you must read this" type of books for designers, but I would highly recommend reading books on psychology, persuasion, business, etc. to get a really well-rounded view of what motivates people. Knowing why/how/when people are motivated plays a paramount role in designing products. That to me, is just as important as knowing design patterns, and what not.

I have a small list on my site of some books that I've read, though it's missing probably 12 or so of the latest reads. http://mds.is/reading

Constantly learning from others in non-related fields also helps me make a lot of connections, even if metaphorically, to business ideas, design ideas, etc.

Hey Jason. I've come to several points where it was necessary for me to contract both designers and developers. It's definitely kind of stressful being in the manager role when multiple projects are going and it's you personally that are on the line for each. Ultimately I decided, I enjoyed being "the guy" coming in and doing "the thing" on projects, without having to worry about making payroll for a company. I've become very accustomed to hitting income goals on my own and adding employees to that always scared me. I've come very close to hiring before, but ultimately decided it's not really what I wanted.

I'm much more excited when I'm working on products too, that have potential to earn income without crazy expenses that can come with keeping someone on staff fed with work.

Hah, thanks for calling my IG stories awesome. Each one I post I think to myself, “this is stupid and probably no one cares” lol

Really loving InVision Studio for this now.

Thanks for the support.

I don't really go anywhere in particular for inspiration. I'm constantly inspired all day, everyday. Just being generally observant and looking for new ways to make new connections with new things.

I do love some good heavy metal and hard rock, but the majority of the time I find myself listening to quirky electronic music that I can kind of jam to at a medium to high tempo—whether it's design or code.

When I'm really trying to be productive, I'll listen to the same song on repeat all-day long for multiple days in a row.

Tough to say one individual in particular, but probably someone who has like 10–20 years more experience than me that has already produced amazing work in their career.

Probably Dann. I'm not much of a fighter. Unless you are hurting my wife or kids, then I would destroy you. ;)

Mostly all were local to the Atlanta area when I first started out. Started out with a project and an estimated bucket of hours—billed hourly. Later I secured a contract retainer for a year with a guaranteed 20 hour/week minimum. After that, definitely hourly per project with just about any larger agency.

Not usually ever doing multiple agency work at the same time, because most of my work was always pretty full-time when I was doing the projects with them.

Oh, and as far as process goes. My first solid agency project came in around 2007 or 2008 because one of their recruiters found my work on some random portfolio site of mine. I had a few phone calls, and pretty much came in and got to work on the first day I got there. Sorted out HR stuff on the spot and got to work. It was kind of hectic that day and they needed a designer quickly. In those times you have an advantage of zipping through any type of hiring process, because they simply nee the work done.

Other times happened in a similar way at different agencies, especially as I began to have a reputation for delivering good work, communicating well, and just being kind and nice to work with in general.

The more work I did for agencies the bigger my network grew and it became easier and easier to get work at other places, when someone who had worked with me in the past would vouch for me. Borrowed credibility is a beautiful thing.

Eventually it slowly turned into more client work and less agency work. It's more stressful, easier to get burned, but you can make more money.

I still really like float labels. To me they make typing into input fields more fun. They're definitely not to be used at all times, at all costs, but if it makes sense for your project or product, then you should go for it. If not, don't... no problem. =)

The balance definitely comes down to a good structure. If I'm waking up a little early and working out consistently, my days feel like they fall into place much more easily. I go to my office around 8 or 9 (sometimes I'll do a few small things earlier) and always come home by 5:30 PM. Then I hang out with my wife and kids until their bedtime around ~9 or so depending on the time of year. I rarely work at night, unless there are some critical deadlines here and there, but those are rare.

My wife and I always watch shows and/or movies together (we're best friends) and go to bed at the same time (99% of the time) Unless I'm staying up late playing Fortnite. Which has been happening a little too much lately. =)

Haha. Yes!

1. Scar, for sure
2. Heavy
3. One of the new SMGs (or Sniper, but I'm not great at long range)
4. Minis
5. Medkits

This is a really tough hypothetical question for me, because I'm incredibly pragmatic and have been thinking about money (worrying?) non-stop for the last 10 years as I've been the sole income earner and we've gone from a family of 2 to a family of 6.

The products I really enjoy building are focused heavily on problem solving for a very specific thing. More so than some cool new thing that may or may not stick because it's not a pain point for others.

This one is really tough. I'm gonna have to make a list and come back to it... =)

Ooo good one. Our day to day is typically pretty structured. We get up, kids get up, eat breakfast and hang out together. I go to work, wife is home with the kids (much harder job than mine) and I'm home by 5:30 PM 95% of the time. We try to limit their technology as best we can, encourage reading and trying new things.

I often talk to them about their mindset (and having a positive one) and the impact their words and decisions have on others.

I don't often feel "busy" per se, but I do make a big effort to prioritize family and work time appropriately, which often might look "busy" on the outside, but it's more of a focused schedule without a lot of wiggle room for too many extra things.

Thanks for the encouragement =)