Stockholm
April 21, 2026
14°C

Episode 87: Are You Charging Enough for Design Time?

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Are you actually charging enough for your design time…
or are you just hoping the numbers somehow work out in the end?

This is one of those conversations that sounds simple on the surface, but the deeper we went, the more we realized how many designers are building their business on guesses instead of math. And when that happens, it doesn’t matter how talented you are… you will feel overworked, underpaid, and frustrated.

In this episode, we asked a question that every designer thinks about but not everyone wants to answer honestly.
Are you charging enough for design time?

We got into the real mechanics behind pricing, the actual formulas, and the uncomfortable truths that come with realizing you might be undervaluing yourself without even knowing it.

  • We talked about why pricing should start as a math equation, not a feeling.
  • Why doubling your salary can be the simplest place to begin.
  • Why discounting your services can quietly position you as the lesser option without you realizing it.
  • And why so many designers confuse recognition with profit.

We also dug into the questions that come up when you’re still building your business.

  • What if you don’t have a portfolio yet?
  • What if you feel like you can’t charge what established firms charge?
  • What if your market feels different?
  • What if you’re trying to make your money back through furniture margins instead of design time?

This conversation really turned into a reality check about how pricing affects everything.
Your team.
Your growth.
Your confidence.
Your ability to stay in business long term.

Because the truth is, most designers are not under-talented.
They’re under-charging.

And once you see the numbers clearly, it becomes very hard to go back to guessing.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re charging enough, this episode will probably make you rethink how you price your work… and maybe make a change sooner than you expected.


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