Are Brand Agencies Still Relevant in the Canva Era? T Christian Helms says yes!

T. Christian Helms is the creative force behind Helms Workshop, a branding agency based in Austin known for crafting bold, character-driven brands. He’s a designer, writer, speaker, and former Pentagram-er who once designed a logo in a Burger King bathroom (yep, really).In this episode, Christian and Nicholas Kuhne dive into why design without thinking is dead, how to build a brand that makes people feel something, and what separates a pretty logo from a movement. If you’ve ever been frustrated by clients picking the “safe” option, or wondered whether brand agencies still matter in an AI-driven world – this is the one to queue up.🔥 Expect hard truths, deep thoughts on the future of branding, and a refreshing reminder that building a brand is about making possibilities, not just pretty things.Website: helmsworkshop.comInstagram: @helmsworkshop👉 Listen in for a masterclass in creative strategy, branding bravery, and why human-first design still matters.00:00 – Meet the “Original Mr. T”: Christian Helms01:16 – A designer’s oddest workspace: the Burger King bathroom story02:25 – Why design without thinking is just art03:26 – That client always picks the worst option – why?05:12 – Convincing clients to be brave06:34 – Branding = creating new possibilities08:18 – Emotional vs functional branding (and why most banks are boring)09:58 – Do brand agencies still matter?12:57 – Competing with giants like Landor and Interbrand14:41 – What Helms Workshop actually does16:52 – Will brand agencies have a renaissance?18:33 – How Helms hires and keeps great talent20:45 – How Christian stays inspired and avoids burnout22:44 – Where to find Christian and his work Connect with me on:All my linksBecome a guestSign up for RiversideGet Descript #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.