Mike and Chara Smith - Designing for the love of the game

In this episode of the Dive Club podcast, hosts Mike and Chara from Smith & Diction explore the fragmented landscape of design agencies and share their insights on AI's role in branding. They discuss how AI can both limit and enhance branding efforts, while highlighting the importance of crafting brand strategies that resonate emotionally with audiences. Mike and Chara critique the subscription agency model, advocating for stronger client relationships through retainer agreements instead. Ultimately, the podcast champions the idea of building brands that foster deep emotional connections, focusing on thoughtful strategies and distinct visual identities rather than quick, trend-based fixes.