The Kirk + Kurtts Design Podcast
Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts take a fun look and analysis at branding and design. The fun nuances, textures, colors, and disruption that branding and all that goes with it may take on. Their insight is fun and honest with the hopes of educating those who tune in. And, being small business owners, they face many of the trials and obstacles that others face and speak towards that as well. No matter what, it's always a good time when these two get together and you might learn a little something new about that pretty little design or branding that you just saw.
The Kirk + Kurtts Design Podcast
Fred Hart, Creative Consultant & Design Strategist at Hart Brands, Advisor, Mentor
Kicking off Season 4 of the K+K show!!!
In this episode we welcome Fred Hart, a dynamic designer, strategist, and sneaker aficionado who recently went on his own after nine years at the helm of Interact. Fresh off a major life transition and celebrating his child's first birthday, Fred sits down with Kirk and Andy K, to dive into a conversation packed with creativity, culture, and career reflections.
Fred’s journey into design started with a love for sneakers and basketball, growing up in Hawaii and inspired by the likes of Jordan, Garnett, and Iverson. From sneaker sketches in notebooks to studying architecture, visual communications, and eventually finding his niche in packaging design, Fred shares how his passion evolved into a flourishing career. The episode is peppered with sneaker talk, from favorite Reebok and Nike designs to the cultural impact of footwear on art and identity.
The conversation also touches on the challenges and joys of navigating the creative world. Fred, with his wealth of experience, discusses how building strong relationships with clients can make all the difference in design projects. He reflects on the strategic side of design—understanding what clients need beyond just visuals—and how aligning design with business objectives is crucial for success. Kirk and Andy add their own perspectives on the design industry, from working with challenging clients to developing genuine business relationships built on mutual respect and trust.
This episode is more than just design talk; it’s about life, relationships, and how design connects to larger business challenges. Fred emphasizes the importance of staying authentic to oneself while understanding the client’s world and how a strategy-led approach to design can be a game-changer.
Listen in as Fred Hart drops insights on creativity, business strategy, and the journey from sneakers to brand strategy. Get ready for laughs, deep dives, and a refreshing take on what it means to truly love what you do.
Connect with Fred here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredwhart/
About Kirk and Andy.
Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.
Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.
Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics
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