On Leadership, Longevity and Building HEY with Verónica Fuerte

On Leadership, Longevity and Building HEY with Verónica Fuerte

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Introduction

This episode features Verónica Fuerte, founder and creative directress of Hey, a Barcelona-based design studio she has been building for more than 18 years. We cover topics such as becoming a creative professional, studio culture and work routines, hiring and developing young designers, financial sustainability, growth through small disciplined steps, navigating long-term challenges, perfectionism, defining success on your own terms, leadership in the age of AI, craft and art direction, and her experience as a woman founder in the design industry.

Biography

Verónica Fuerte is a designer, speaker and lecturer based in Barcelona, and the founder and creative directress of Hey, an independent design studio established in 2007. For over 18 years, she has been building bold, vibrant and strategic design systems that help brands, institutions and cultural organizations connect with people.

"Perfection doesn’t exist. If you look for something that doesn’t exist, you’ll never be happy."

Alongside her studio work, Verónica serves as a Board Member at Canva, is a member of AGI (Alliance Graphique Internationale), and a Board Member of the Art Directors Club in New York. Beyond client work, Hey functions as a platform to share design with the world—from Women at Work, the podcast and community Verónica founded to amplify women’s voices in creativity, to Hey Shop, a curated space for objects, prints and ideas that reflect their distinctive approach to design.

    • Introduction [00:00:00]
    • Becoming a Creative Professional & Advice for Young Creatives [00:00:33]
    • On Studio Culture, Work Routines & Building HEY [00:07:42]
    • Hiring, Directing & Developing Young Designers [00:11:52]
    • On Work–Life Integration & Wearing Multiple Roles [00:14:21]
    • Money, Investment & Building a Sustainable Practice [00:16:54]
    • On Growth & The Discipline of Small Goals [00:20:08]
    • Navigating Challenges Over 18 Years [00:24:15]
    • On Perfectionism & Letting Go [00:26:44]
    • Defining Success on Your Own Terms [00:27:43]
    • Leadership & Design in the Age of AI [00:29:46]
    • On Craft & Art Direction [00:33:49]
    • On Being a Woman Founder in Design [00:38:41]
    • Life Beyond the Studio [00:44:07]
    • How to Be a Better Creative Professional [00:46:55]
    • Episode Outro [00:47:47]

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