Behind the Scope

We may have unintentionally triggered the AI vibe coders on Threads. We pointed out an obvious issue: many AI-generated websites look impressive at first, but fall apart once a real client needs to edit or maintain them. No proper content management, no flexibility, and no clear handover after launch. So we asked ourselves is this really the future or are we setting clients back decades while devaluing our industry further?

Some freelancers might know deep down that they should be charging more, but have they ever actually looked at their own numbers to confirm?

In this episode we talk about the psychology behind bad pricing decisions in the creative industry. Competition anxiety, fear of losing out on projects, and the discomfort of looking at your own financial reality. We explore why pricing stubbornness can be tied to identity and/or insecurity.

This week we’re joined by wedding stationery and branding designer Marina Brooks, who has spent years inside one of the most emotionally charged corners of the design industry. We talk about what really happens when design stops being a business decision and becomes identity, taste, pressure, and expectations all at once.

We also get into the stories. Unrealistic requests, disagreements between partners… and one project that sadly didn't end in a wedding. This episode is less about weddings and more about what happens when design becomes a deeply personal product.

Guest links:
Website: https://vonschoenstein.at
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vonschoenstein

In this episode, we talk to Alber Armendáriz, co-founder of Armen + Max, about building a creative business that’s rooted in values, purpose, and transparency. Alber shares how he went from studying engineering to building a creative career working with founders, helping them articulate what they stand for and why it matters. We talk about following your passions, navigating perfectionism, and learning to define success on your own terms instead of borrowing someone else’s version of it.

Guest links:
Website: https://www.armenmaks.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armenandmaks/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@alber_armendariz

In this episode, we talk with freelance illustrator Carina Lindmeier about her path from agency project management into a full-time freelance illustration career. Carina shares what it really looked like to leave a structured role behind, finding her style, and start taking her own creative work seriously.

Guest links:
Website: https://carinalindmeier.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carinalindmeier/