Rob Duncan reflects on his creative journey in a changing industry
Rob Duncan, Partner and Creative Director at Mucho San Francisco, joins Dave Hale on Journey Map, the Craft & Crew podcast exploring the people and ideas shaping the creative industry.
As a kid, Rob dreamed of becoming a Disney animator. He also had little interest in computers and never imagined he’d end up living in America. Years later, he found himself working at Apple in California.
In this conversation, Rob reflects on the unexpected turns a creative career can take, from his early days at Pentagram in London to Apple, before becoming Partner and Creative Director at Mucho San Francisco, where he has led branding projects for clients including Visa, Paypal, Dell and Kodak. Along the way, he shares insights on creative partnerships and the experiences that have shaped his career.
“It’s not about style, trends, aesthetics, or a signature look. It’s about solving a problem with an idea that makes you smile.”
The interview explores how the industry has evolved over the last twenty-five years, from the design culture that defined Rob’s early career to a landscape increasingly influenced by technology, accessibility, and AI.
What remains constant, however, is the value of collaboration. Throughout the episode, Rob returns to the power of creative relationships, shared standards, and working with people who genuinely care about creating meaningful design.
Interested in hearing the full conversation? Listen to the complete episode here.
