Kenyan Design Konversations ni podcast inaaim kuaddress dilemmas na issues za budding designers by having wazito wa industry address them for us on our podcast. Stay tuned as we address issues like venye kusaka wera ni hard, umuhimu wa kua na mentor, mbona designer anafaa kufanya research and so much more.
Why does KDK exist, and what problem was it built to solve?In this documentary, Kyendereta, founder of Kenyan Design Konversations (KDK), shares the story behind the platform, the struggle to find meaningful mentorship, and the gaps creatives face when building their careers.What began as a search for direction grew into...
Why does KDK exist, and what problem was it built to solve?In this documentary, Kyendereta, founder of Kenyan Design Konversations (KDK), shares the story behind the platform, the struggle to find meaningful mentorship, and the gaps creatives face when building their careers.What began as a search for direction grew into a mission to connect creatives through honest conversations, practical learning, portfolio reviews, mentorship, and industry connections.Building a community takes more than a good idea. It takes people, consistency, and a reason to keep going. This is the story of why KDK started, what it stands for, and why its mission must extend beyond its founder.Learn more about KDK: https://kdk.co.ke/Kenyan Design Konversations. Where creatives gather to grow.#KenyanDesignKonversations #KDK #KenyanCreatives
Why does KDK exist, and what problem was it built to solve?In this documentary, Kyendereta, founder of Kenyan Design Konversations (KDK), shares the story behind the platform, the struggle to find meaningful mentorship, and the gaps creatives face when building their careers.What began as a search for direction grew into...
Why does KDK exist, and what problem was it built to solve?In this documentary, Kyendereta, founder of Kenyan Design Konversations (KDK), shares the story behind the platform, the struggle to find meaningful mentorship, and the gaps creatives face when building their careers.What began as a search for direction grew into a mission to connect creatives through honest conversations, practical learning, portfolio reviews, mentorship, and industry connections.Building a community takes more than a good idea. It takes people, consistency, and a reason to keep going. This is the story of why KDK started, what it stands for, and why its mission must extend beyond its founder.Learn more about KDK: https://kdk.co.ke/Kenyan Design Konversations. Where creatives gather to grow.#KenyanDesignKonversations #KDK #KenyanCreatives
Episode 42 Sn 2 | Tell Younger Creatives the Truth, Even When It StingsWhy do designers and developers clash, and where does AI fit into the future of creative work? Developer Kizito Thomas, aka Kito, joins KDK for an honest conversation about ego, feedback, design, technology, and the hard truths...
Episode 42 Sn 2 | Tell Younger Creatives the Truth, Even When It StingsWhy do designers and developers clash, and where does AI fit into the future of creative work? Developer Kizito Thomas, aka Kito, joins KDK for an honest conversation about ego, feedback, design, technology, and the hard truths younger creatives need to hear.CHAPTERS00:00 Soft Skills and First Impressions02:17 Do Clients Still Need Designers?04:53 Why Feedback Hurts08:46 AI: What You Say vs What You Mean11:13 Why Experience Still Matters13:08 Prompting or Hiring Experts?14:45 Talent: Gifted or Learned?17:02 Designers vs Developers21:05 Building a Website in 24 Hours23:08 Working With Developers26:56 Does the Design Make Sense?28:40 Why Websites Feel Basic33:25 Scrolling: Good UX or Bad Design?35:37 Functionality vs Looks39:13 Is Long-Scroll Marketing Effective?41:30 Why Apps Are Addictive42:24 Can Simple Apps Win?44:17 The Fight for Your Attention47:44 A Phone Against Phone Addiction52:13 Living Without Google54:37 Who Submits: Designers or Developers?56:51 Imagination vs Logic58:23 Why Communication Breaks Down59:51 Stop Over-Engineering01:01:21 Taking Feedback Personally01:03:04 Telling Younger Creatives the Truth01:06:11 Who Is Your Poster For?01:07:56 Do Developers Feel Superior?01:09:05 Imposter Syndrome vs Superiority01:16:06 Are Developers More Creative?01:18:56 Meet Kizito Thomas01:21:13 The Hardest Part of Development01:21:43 KK Live: Come Ready for FeedbackCONNECT WITH KIZITO THOMASInstagram:X:LinkedIn:Behance:Website:KDK LINKSBook your KK Live ticket: https://kreativekonvo.kdk.co.ke/Website: https://kdk.co.ke/Campus Drive: https://campustour.kdk.co.ke/WhatsApp Community: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKMh4mGJP8E2pvqC312Community links: https://tr.ee/otMQ4zF4pOYouTube: Kenyan Design KonversationsX: https://x.com/254designkonvosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenyan_design_konversations/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenyandesignkonversationMerchandise: https://shop.kdk.co.ke
Episode 43 Sn 2 | Toxic Boss or Just Enduring It?Have we normalised toxic workplaces, or are we just afraid to leave? Nairobi designers, founders and product designers share real experiences with bad bosses, burnout, office politics, unfair workloads and resigning without a backup plan. They also discuss how to...
Episode 43 Sn 2 | Toxic Boss or Just Enduring It?Have we normalised toxic workplaces, or are we just afraid to leave? Nairobi designers, founders and product designers share real experiences with bad bosses, burnout, office politics, unfair workloads and resigning without a backup plan. They also discuss how to build your skills, know your value and find the confidence to leave.CHAPTERS00:00 If You Left Today, Who Takes Over?08:57 What Makes a Boss Toxic?11:17 Work Calls After 6 PM12:59 Designers Share Toxic Boss Stories13:28 My First Job After Campus14:58 When the Brief Keeps Changing15:46 AI Pressure at Work17:11 When Your Role Keeps Growing18:50 Resigning With No Plan20:40 How Quickly Can You Be Replaced?21:37 Are Employees Replaceable?22:03 Toxic Job or Toxic Relationship?24:08 Resigning With Immediate Effect26:12 Intern Title, Senior Workload28:44 Normalising Toxicity at Work32:28 Quitting by Text33:35 The Comfort Trap38:03 Can Design Communities Help?39:14 Surviving Office Politics41:34 A 76-Page Magazine in Canva43:21 InDesign vs Canva vs Affinity44:27 Quitting Without Fear46:42 Is Social Media Amplifying Toxicity?47:58 Upskilling to Leave49:09 Join KDK Live on 31 OctoberCONNECT WITH THE PANELInstagram:X:LinkedIn:Behance:Website:RELATED EPISODES[Add episode links]KDK LINKSBook your KK Live ticket: https://kreativekonvo.kdk.co.ke/Website: https://kdk.co.ke/Campus Drive: https://campustour.kdk.co.ke/WhatsApp Community: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKMh4mGJP8E2pvqC312Linktree: https://tr.ee/otMQ4zF4pOYouTube: Kenyan Design KonversationsX: https://x.com/254designkonvosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenyan_design_konversations/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenyandesignkonversationMerchandise: https://shop.kdk.co.ke
Episode 42 Sn 2 | Tell Younger Creatives the Truth, Even When It StingsWhy do designers and developers clash, and where does AI fit into the future of creative work? Developer Kizito Thomas, aka Kito, joins KDK for an honest conversation about ego, feedback, design, technology, and the hard truths...
Episode 42 Sn 2 | Tell Younger Creatives the Truth, Even When It StingsWhy do designers and developers clash, and where does AI fit into the future of creative work? Developer Kizito Thomas, aka Kito, joins KDK for an honest conversation about ego, feedback, design, technology, and the hard truths younger creatives need to hear.CHAPTERS00:00 Soft Skills and First Impressions02:17 Do Clients Still Need Designers?04:53 Why Feedback Hurts08:46 AI: What You Say vs What You Mean11:13 Why Experience Still Matters13:08 Prompting or Hiring Experts?14:45 Talent: Gifted or Learned?17:02 Designers vs Developers21:05 Building a Website in 24 Hours23:08 Working With Developers26:56 Does the Design Make Sense?28:40 Why Websites Feel Basic33:25 Scrolling: Good UX or Bad Design?35:37 Functionality vs Looks39:13 Is Long-Scroll Marketing Effective?41:30 Why Apps Are Addictive42:24 Can Simple Apps Win?44:17 The Fight for Your Attention47:44 A Phone Against Phone Addiction52:13 Living Without Google54:37 Who Submits: Designers or Developers?56:51 Imagination vs Logic58:23 Why Communication Breaks Down59:51 Stop Over-Engineering01:01:21 Taking Feedback Personally01:03:04 Telling Younger Creatives the Truth01:06:11 Who Is Your Poster For?01:07:56 Do Developers Feel Superior?01:09:05 Imposter Syndrome vs Superiority01:16:06 Are Developers More Creative?01:18:56 Meet Kizito Thomas01:21:13 The Hardest Part of Development01:21:43 KK Live: Come Ready for FeedbackCONNECT WITH KIZITO THOMASInstagram:X:LinkedIn:Behance:Website:KDK LINKSBook your KK Live ticket: https://kreativekonvo.kdk.co.ke/Website: https://kdk.co.ke/Campus Drive: https://campustour.kdk.co.ke/WhatsApp Community: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKMh4mGJP8E2pvqC312Community links: https://tr.ee/otMQ4zF4pOYouTube: Kenyan Design KonversationsX: https://x.com/254designkonvosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenyan_design_konversations/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenyandesignkonversationMerchandise: https://shop.kdk.co.ke
Episode 43 Sn 2 | Toxic Boss or Just Enduring It?Have we normalised toxic workplaces, or are we just afraid to leave? Nairobi designers, founders and product designers share real experiences with bad bosses, burnout, office politics, unfair workloads and resigning without a backup plan. They also discuss how to...
Episode 43 Sn 2 | Toxic Boss or Just Enduring It?Have we normalised toxic workplaces, or are we just afraid to leave? Nairobi designers, founders and product designers share real experiences with bad bosses, burnout, office politics, unfair workloads and resigning without a backup plan. They also discuss how to build your skills, know your value and find the confidence to leave.CHAPTERS00:00 If You Left Today, Who Takes Over?08:57 What Makes a Boss Toxic?11:17 Work Calls After 6 PM12:59 Designers Share Toxic Boss Stories13:28 My First Job After Campus14:58 When the Brief Keeps Changing15:46 AI Pressure at Work17:11 When Your Role Keeps Growing18:50 Resigning With No Plan20:40 How Quickly Can You Be Replaced?21:37 Are Employees Replaceable?22:03 Toxic Job or Toxic Relationship?24:08 Resigning With Immediate Effect26:12 Intern Title, Senior Workload28:44 Normalising Toxicity at Work32:28 Quitting by Text33:35 The Comfort Trap38:03 Can Design Communities Help?39:14 Surviving Office Politics41:34 A 76-Page Magazine in Canva43:21 InDesign vs Canva vs Affinity44:27 Quitting Without Fear46:42 Is Social Media Amplifying Toxicity?47:58 Upskilling to Leave49:09 Join KDK Live on 31 OctoberCONNECT WITH THE PANELInstagram:X:LinkedIn:Behance:Website:RELATED EPISODES[Add episode links]KDK LINKSBook your KK Live ticket: https://kreativekonvo.kdk.co.ke/Website: https://kdk.co.ke/Campus Drive: https://campustour.kdk.co.ke/WhatsApp Community: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKMh4mGJP8E2pvqC312Linktree: https://tr.ee/otMQ4zF4pOYouTube: Kenyan Design KonversationsX: https://x.com/254designkonvosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenyan_design_konversations/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenyandesignkonversationMerchandise: https://shop.kdk.co.ke
Episode 41, Season 2 | Why Are Some Clients Ditching Designers for AI?AI can generate a poster in seconds. But is AI really coming for design jobs, or is something else pushing designers out?KDK regulars get into the uncomfortable conversation around AI, ego, collaboration, pricing, personal branding, and what actually...
Episode 41, Season 2 | Why Are Some Clients Ditching Designers for AI?AI can generate a poster in seconds. But is AI really coming for design jobs, or is something else pushing designers out?KDK regulars get into the uncomfortable conversation around AI, ego, collaboration, pricing, personal branding, and what actually makes a designer valuable. We also debate how clients can tell the difference between a skilled designer and someone who simply knows how to prompt well, why your social media may matter more than your Behance portfolio, and whether refusing to evolve is becoming a bigger threat than AI itself.Plus, a KK Live update covering tickets, the duo hoodie giveaway, and the upcoming โChaff From the Riceโ panel.CHAPTERS00:00 It Will Never Replace... Or Will It?01:21 Welcome Back to KDK02:45 KK Live Ticket & Hoodie Update06:27 The iPhone Marketing Tangent09:09 So What Is AI Actually For?10:11 AI and the Designer13:44 Who Is Actually at Risk?17:32 When Clients Generate It Themselves20:01 Why Clients Need Better Education22:06 Red Flag Clients and Pricing29:44 Setting AI Guardrails38:44 Ego Is Breaking Design Teams43:06 AI and the Ego Problem50:06 Noise Makers vs Skilled Designers52:00 Do You Still Need a Portfolio?55:06 Online Persona vs Offline Self59:08 Free Ticket Challenge + KK Live1:01:26 Separating the Chaff From the Rice1:04:55 Closing ThoughtsKDK Merchandisehttps://shop.kdk.co.keMusicHappy Days by Scandinavianzhttps://soundcloud.com/scandinavianzMusic promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/kkN1CCQsuMkCreative Commons โ Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)Free Download / Stream:https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/scandinavianz/happy-days
Episode 41, Season 2 | Why Are Some Clients Ditching Designers for AI?AI can generate a poster in seconds. But is AI really coming for design jobs, or is something else pushing designers out?KDK regulars get into the uncomfortable conversation around AI, ego, collaboration, pricing, personal branding, and what actually...
Episode 41, Season 2 | Why Are Some Clients Ditching Designers for AI?AI can generate a poster in seconds. But is AI really coming for design jobs, or is something else pushing designers out?KDK regulars get into the uncomfortable conversation around AI, ego, collaboration, pricing, personal branding, and what actually makes a designer valuable. We also debate how clients can tell the difference between a skilled designer and someone who simply knows how to prompt well, why your social media may matter more than your Behance portfolio, and whether refusing to evolve is becoming a bigger threat than AI itself.Plus, a KK Live update covering tickets, the duo hoodie giveaway, and the upcoming โChaff From the Riceโ panel.CHAPTERS00:00 It Will Never Replace... Or Will It?01:21 Welcome Back to KDK02:45 KK Live Ticket & Hoodie Update06:27 The iPhone Marketing Tangent09:09 So What Is AI Actually For?10:11 AI and the Designer13:44 Who Is Actually at Risk?17:32 When Clients Generate It Themselves20:01 Why Clients Need Better Education22:06 Red Flag Clients and Pricing29:44 Setting AI Guardrails38:44 Ego Is Breaking Design Teams43:06 AI and the Ego Problem50:06 Noise Makers vs Skilled Designers52:00 Do You Still Need a Portfolio?55:06 Online Persona vs Offline Self59:08 Free Ticket Challenge + KK Live1:01:26 Separating the Chaff From the Rice1:04:55 Closing ThoughtsKDK Merchandisehttps://shop.kdk.co.keMusicHappy Days by Scandinavianzhttps://soundcloud.com/scandinavianzMusic promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/kkN1CCQsuMkCreative Commons โ Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)Free Download / Stream:https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/scandinavianz/happy-days
No guest this episode, just the KDK Krew, unfiltered, getting real about AI, client pricing, and why so many Kenyan designers are still undercharging for their work.They open on the one thing that still trips up designers years into the craft: not the software, not the design itself, but understanding...
No guest this episode, just the KDK Krew, unfiltered, getting real about AI, client pricing, and why so many Kenyan designers are still undercharging for their work.They open on the one thing that still trips up designers years into the craft: not the software, not the design itself, but understanding the client and the market. From there it becomes a full breakdown of value-based pricing: why a well-placed billboard can justify a six-figure quote while a random poster can't, and what designers can learn from how structural engineers price a building.Then the conversation turns to AI. The Krew tackles the question every designer is being asked right now, "why should I pay you when I can just prompt AI?", and makes the case for the human judgement no prompt can replace. They also call out the industry's race-to-the-bottom pricing culture, explain why a logo should never cost 500 bob, and close with a shoutout to a KDK community member who just graduated as a product designer.Whether you're a freelancer still guessing your rates, a design student about to enter the industry, or a studio owner tired of explaining your pricing, this one's for you. Design pricing in Kenya, AI vs designers, and building a career that pays what it's worth.Chapters0:00 - That One Has Been The Hardest5:52 - How Long Have You Been Designing?7:33 - The Hardest Part of Design Isn't The Software10:59 - Does Your Appearance Decide If Clients Trust You?16:56 - Why Charging Clients Still Feels Impossible18:47 - How Much Should You Charge For A Billboard?20:56 - What Designers Can Learn From Structural Engineers22:41 - Why Won't Designers Price Like A Supermarket?24:16 - Startup vs Corporate: Why The Price Isn't The Same26:00 - Getting Paid A Percentage Instead Of A Flat Fee29:46 - The Worst Thing A Client Has Ever Said32:16 - Why Pay A Designer When You Can Prompt AI?36:57 - Why Kenyan Designers Need To Stop Undercutting Each Other39:07 - Shoutout To A KDK Community Graduate40:44 - What To Expect At The Next KKLive EventBook your ticketGet your ticket for the next KKLiveJoin the KDK communityWebsiteCampus DriveWhatsApp CommunityLinktreeFollow KDKYouTube: Kenyan Design KonversationsXInstagramTikTokKDK MerchandiseMusicHappy Days by Scandinavianzhttps://soundcloud.com/scandinavianzMusic promoted by Audio LibraryCreative Commons, Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)Free download / stream
Design pricing, freelancing and career direction: your salary is not automatically your market value.Kenyan Design Konversations converse about what happens when designers have been in the industry for years but still feel like they are figuring things out. The conversation gets into employment, freelancing, pricing, personal brand and the uncomfortable...
Design pricing, freelancing and career direction: your salary is not automatically your market value.Kenyan Design Konversations converse about what happens when designers have been in the industry for years but still feel like they are figuring things out. The conversation gets into employment, freelancing, pricing, personal brand and the uncomfortable question of whether your work actually creates the value you are charging for.We break down a practical way to think about a minimum freelance rate using monthly bills, annual goals and realistic billable hours. We also get into why leaving employment can expose poor financial habits, why freelancing is not the freedom people imagine, and why your client can become your boss.The conversation also looks at portfolio positioning, cheap-client mindsets, Kenyan job descriptions that expect one designer to do everything, and whether creatives really need another course or simply better discipline and a clearer end goal.Whether you're a freelancer, a student, an employed designer or a creative entrepreneur, this conversation is about pricing your work, positioning your skills and making better career decisions in the creative industry. The bigger question is simple: are you building skills and value that can actually move you where you want to go?Chapters0:00 - Why are designers still figuring it out?2:46 - Should five years in design mean you have it figured out?5:41 - Are you pricing your design work properly?9:20 - How do you calculate your minimum freelance rate?13:12 - What does your lifestyle have to do with your value?16:51 - Is your lifestyle a reflection of your value?19:44 - Does your price match the value you bring?25:25 - Which is better: employment or freelancing?29:42 - Why financial discipline matters before freelancing36:42 - Is freelancing actually freedom?44:12 - Is your salary really your market value?48:49 - Does career growth mean becoming a manager?49:30 - Is the creative industry hiring talent or positioning?51:20 - Why clients choose cheap designers54:02 - Why Kenyan job descriptions ask one designer to do everything58:24 - How personal branding changes how people see your value1:01:57 - Do you really need another course?1:03:35 - What should you get from a course?1:08:20 - Why the creative industry still has so many questions1:09:05 - Why KKLive 2026 is asking these questionsBook your ticket for KKLive 2026Join and follow KDKWebsiteCampus DriveWhatsApp CommunityLinktreeXInstagramTikTokKDK MerchandiseMusic: "Happy Days" by Scandinavianz, promoted by Audio Library. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0). Free download
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