We recently had the chance to connect with Brant Day and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brant , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Recently my family and I moved to a larger plot of land outside the hustle and bustle of the city. I needed space to work and they needed space to run. We’ve slowly been adding to and caring for the land we’ve taken on in an effort to connect back to the world that we feel was left behind. Growing our own food and raising animals with the family has been a source of immense joy and satisfaction as I feel far more connected to the world around me and life slows down in ways I didnt realize before.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brant Day and I live in Georgetown, Texas currently. We are about 40 minutes north of Austin in a town with a historic town square, very hallmark christmas-esque. I run a design and branding agency called Wattle & Daub and though I do branding, illustration, and web design for many a small business I also fund and start my own as well. Usually silly and playful, the world has enough serious brands in it I dont need to try and add anything more in that sphere. What we need is more personality, frivolity, and a joyful glint for people to enjoy. I want brands that inspire something and build their audience up.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I tink the first person who saw me clearly before I knew myself was my father. I had the rare opportunity to be born into a creative home that believed in the future a creative career could provide. My dad was a designer who ran his own branding studio, he was the living example of what was possible. It was never a matter of being able to make a living it was always but, because we were also athletes, only those who sacrificed more than the rest would become truly great. Everyone wanted to be successful, how do you make sure you’re one of them? Are you willing to put in the extra time? Push yourself outside your comfort zone and strive for greatness? Anyone thats played sports or engaged in competition can respect that feeling.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One critical moment, a crossroads of decision, was when my dad passed away when I was 16. I believe I was a sophmore in High School at the time. I had just begun discovering my love of art and drawing. I had found anime and had caught the bug and yet right at the moment I was going to get my opportunities to be mentored professionaly by my dad, he was gone. It was a moment where I decided that everything I loved I now hated. I remember that day people coming over to my house and I was just drawing something on my desk, just trying to connect with his memory and avoid talking to anyone else. Its been so long now I have a hard time remembering what life was like with him around. I do wonder often what it would be like to have him around, what my career would be like. What my life would be like. The relationship that he would have my children.
I think that it took a while for me to come to terms with those missed opportunities. I’m a man of faith and I had to work through what it meant for me, what my beliefs were, and if I really believed there was something more out there for me. I also realized that a way of connecting with him was through the traits he left me. The creative mind he bestowed upon me.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Dont be afraid to be something everyone else isnt. There’s a big trend in the industry to conform to whats popular, trendy, and accepted. Think the way everyone else thinks. Do what everyone else does. Trust me, make your own path. Explore new things. Walk the path less traveled and you’ll find more success and ultimately happiness. Truthfully success is far overrated…happiness is much more important.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
I finally was a creative leader in an agency and then a high level consulting firm. Nothing really satisfied me in those roles. Pretty soon I was slowly becoming a design leader and managing other peoples time and not doing anything creative myself. I soon had out grown my creativity and my value was in setting up other people for successful creative project but I had lost what made me happy in my own job. So I left and started my own compnay.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wattlendaub.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wattlendaub/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brant-day-56108b3a/
- Twitter: https://x.com/Wattle_n_Daub
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wattlendaub
