JiaJia Smith on when purpose meets design episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 24, 2026 · 19 MIN

JiaJia Smith on when purpose meets design

from The MarketingKind podcast · host MarketingKind

​"Most purpose-driven brands make the same mistakes. They lead with themselves. It's what they believe, what they want to see, and what they stand for. It feels internal or inward facing. And they forgot this one thing that changes everything, which is 'what does the audience feel?'."In this episode ​Anna Mullenneaux and Paul Skinner, co-founders of MarketingKind explore with Jiajia Smith​, brand design expert​, what happens when purpose meets good design. ​This edit shares JiaJia's introduction to the session and part of the group discussion, but most of the discussion, where we all shared our own examples of good design and explored why they work​,​ was for live participants only.JiaJia kicks off the conversation by exploring the definition of design and saying:Purpose fails when it just stays internal.We need a process for how your purpose can connect hard with your audience.Purpose gives us direction.Then design translates that purpose into something the people can actually experience. Something they can see, touch, smell, move through.When people experience something well crafted, they feel it.That feeling, whatever it is whether it is connection, trust, inspiration, belonging, is what shifts behaviour.And that is how brands use good design to create change.​JiaJia shares visual design examples from:​- Black Lives Matter​- This Girl Can​- Extinction Rebellion- And the Fearless Girl, a bronze sculpture by Kristen Visbal facing the iconic Charging Bull in Manhattan’s Financial District.​We also discuss design elements from the websites of:​- Greenpeace​- Charity Water​- WWF​- And Patagonia​.​​And we explore how design helps brands build trust, clarity, emotional resonance and memorability.

​"Most purpose-driven brands make the same mistakes. They lead with themselves. It's what they believe, what they want to see, and what they stand for. It feels internal or inward facing. And they forgot this one thing that changes everything, which is 'what does the audience feel?'."In this episode ​Anna Mullenneaux and Paul Skinner, co-founders of MarketingKind explore with Jiajia Smith​, brand design expert​, what happens when purpose meets good design. ​This edit shares JiaJia's introduction to the session and part of the group discussion, but most of the discussion, where we all shared our own examples of good design and explored why they work​,​ was for live participants only.JiaJia kicks off the conversation by exploring the definition of design and saying:Purpose fails when it just stays internal.We need a process for how your purpose can connect hard with your audience.Purpose gives us direction.Then design translates that purpose into something the people can actually experience. Something they can see, touch, smell, move through.When people experience something well crafted, they feel it.That feeling, whatever it is whether it is connection, trust, inspiration, belonging, is what shifts behaviour.And that is how brands use good design to create change.​JiaJia shares visual design examples from:​- Black Lives Matter​- This Girl Can​- Extinction Rebellion- And the Fearless Girl, a bronze sculpture by Kristen Visbal facing the iconic Charging Bull in Manhattan’s Financial District.​We also discuss design elements from the websites of:​- Greenpeace​- Charity Water​- WWF​- And Patagonia​.​​And we explore how design helps brands build trust, clarity, emotional resonance and memorability.

NOW PLAYING

JiaJia Smith on when purpose meets design

0:00 19:07

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Big Old Life: Heather Blackbird interviews people on planet earth. Heather Blackbird loves asking questions. This podcast is a learning experience. Join me, Heather Blackbird, as I talk to people about their lives. Frequency of new episodes is a little all over the place and I'm learning as I go. Big Old Life is a small way of talking about the vastness of life, one person at a time. If you are reading this or found this podcast it's probably because someone you know gave you a link to it. :) Explicit Tales Of A Superstar DJ The Insomniac Spun seemingly out of nowhere from her complacent life in the corporate world, turned seemingly overnight from 16-Hour shift work and into the life of a literally starving artist and working musician, The Protagonist navigates her supposed rise to fame and superstardom on a journey through spiritual awakening, coming-of-age, and intimate self-realization--guided by an omnipresent force and equipped with the power of love, magic, and music. {Enter The Multiverse.} [The Festival Project] The Festival Project, Inc.™ is a multidimensional multimedia platform which encompasses exploratory and artistic social personifications and expressions on cosmic theory, spirituality, growth, health & wellness, philosophy and theoretic dynamics in entertainment such as music, design, film, television, radio, dance and festival culture, art, fashion, literature, and science. The Festival Project™ and its subsidiary Non-Profit, The Collective Complex © aims to challenge modern artistic and philosop Explicit Bitcoin Is Dead Trey Carson Welcome to Bitcoin is Dead, the ultimate Bitcoin variety show where host Trey takes you on a journey through the ever-evolving world of Bitcoin. Each episode brings new personalities, fascinating locations, and insightful conversations with politicians, educators, and innovators shaping the future of Bitcoin. Whether you're a seasoned Bitcoiner or just starting your journey, tune in for thought-provoking discussions, unique perspectives, and a deep dive into the ideas and people driving the Bitcoin revolution. Explicit The Sacred +Profane Podcast nephtaragrace The Sacred + Profane Podcast is a provocative conversation dedicated to cementing a better future for all. We specialize in unpacking the nuances of what is considered sacred and profane, particularly focusing on sex, death, and all that pertains to the circle of life. Our aim in focusing on such ”taboo” subject matter is to demystify what is unconscious, bring to light what has been known for centuries as ”the occult,” and empower the rapid transformation that is occurring on the Planet. Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The MarketingKind podcast?

This episode is 19 minutes long.

When was this The MarketingKind podcast episode published?

This episode was published on March 24, 2026.

What is this episode about?

​"Most purpose-driven brands make the same mistakes. They lead with themselves. It's what they believe, what they want to see, and what they stand for. It feels internal or inward facing. And they forgot this one thing that changes everything, which...

Can I download this The MarketingKind podcast episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!