Designer, drummer, and creative entrepreneur Kyle Barrett shares his unconventional journey from Whiteboard's first employee to building a successful freelance practice specializing in music industry design. This conversation explores the reality of multi-creative careers, the challenges of freelance creative work, and building sustainable practice that honors your full creative identity rather than forcing specialization.
Key Takeaways
Creative careers rarely follow linear paths: Kyle's journey from childhood fascination with CD typography to pharmaceutical consideration to design specialization demonstrates the non-linear nature of authentic creative development
Early creative obsessions often signal future professional direction: His childhood hours spent studying album liner notes directly connected to his eventual specialization in music industry design
Community and mentorship accelerate creative career development: From Jonathan Cattrell's introduction to Whiteboard founders to AJ Cheek's first album project, relationships opened doors that solo effort couldn't
Specialization can coexist with creative diversity: Kyle developed deep expertise in music industry design while maintaining his identity as a drummer and exploring other creative outlets
The freelance landscape requires constant adaptation: Success means navigating business cycles, client relationships, and industry changes while maintaining creative quality and personal sustainability
Physical practices support creative work: Regular exercise and movement are essential for maintaining creative flow and mental clarity during long design sessions
Timestamps
00:00 - Meet Kyle Barrett
07:29 - Early creative influences and childhood design fascination
15:37 - Realizing creative work could be a career
20:35 - Balancing multiple creative identities (design + music)
26:15 - Transition from Whiteboard to freelance practice
32:07 - Following creative interests vs. pressure to generalize
34:10 - Building music industry specialization
39:47 - Landing the Sleeping At Last collaboration
44:18 - The ups and downs of freelance creative practice
49:20 - Portfolio career approach and changing creative landscape
54:42 - Advice for multi-creative professionals