Women Designers You Should Know

049. Carolyn Davidson and Sarah Williams: The Woman Behind the Swoosh

Sarah Williams — Tue, 9 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

When it comes to recognizable icons, few rival Nike’s Swoosh, designed by student designer Carolyn Davidson for $35. We unpack her quiet career, late recognition, and lasting influence with guest Sarah Williams, Co-CEO of Beardwood & Co. and President of AIGA NY.

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About Carolyn Davidson:

We’re pulling back the curtain on one of design’s most enduring marks: the Nike Swoosh. In 1971, Portland State University student Carolyn Davidson sketched a fluid, wing-like “stripe” directly over a shoe drawing—a fast, simple symbol that Phil Knight didn’t love at first but chose under production pressure. She invoiced $35, kept freelancing for the scrappy company as it rebranded from Blue Ribbon Sports to Nike, and later stepped away from the spotlight. Years afterward, Nike surprised her with a gold Swoosh ring and stock—an act of overdue recognition that grew to life-changing value. We trace Davidson’s process, her broader early contributions beyond the logo, and how the Swoosh eventually stood alone without the wordmark.

About Sarah Williams:

Sarah Williams is Co-CEO of Beardwood & Co. and President of AIGA New York. She joined Beardwood early (2006) after starting at Landor and rose to co-owner, leading brand programs for companies like Danone and Colgate while advancing mentorship and access across the NYC design community.

Follow Sarah:
Instagram: @_sarah_aw_
Beardwood & Co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beardwoodco/
https://beardwood.com/

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048. Lorraine Wild: Redefining Design Education (w/ Louise Sandhaus)

Louise Sandhaus — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this dual feature episode we take a celebratory look at Lorraine Wild’s influence as a writer, educator, and designer who helped shift graphic design from a formal practice to a cultural one, with personal insight from friend and fellow designer, Louise Sandhaus.

Lorraine Wild resources:

Green Dragon Office
“More Than a Few Questions About Graphic Design Education” (1983) via Emigre archive
Design Observer Archive – Lorraine Wild

Louise Sandhaus links:

Buy Earthquakes, Mudslides, Fires & Riots

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About Lorraine:

Lorraine Wild is a Canadian-born graphic designer, educator, and writer whose work has shaped the trajectory of contemporary design. After studying at Cranbrook and Yale, she launched a career that bridged cultural criticism, publishing, and pedagogy. At CalArts, she reimagined graphic design education to focus on personal voice and authorship, mentoring generations of now-prominent designers. Through her studio Green Dragon Office, she’s known for crafting visually rich books and catalogs for artists, architects, and cultural institutions, always rooted in research, narrative, and materiality.

About Louise:

Louise Sandhaus is a Los Angeles–based graphic designer, educator, and historian. A former director of the CalArts Graphic Design Program, she’s the founder of Louise Sandhaus Design (LSD) and co-founder of the initiative “The People’s Graphic Design Archive.” Her celebrated book Earthquakes, Mudslides, Fires & Riots helped redefine how we archive and celebrate California graphic design. Known for her bold, joyful aesthetic and deep commitment to inclusive design history, Louise has been a vocal advocate for amplifying overlooked voices in the field — especially women.

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047. Claire McCardell: Inventor of Casual Fashion (w/ Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson)

Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson — Tue, 5 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Discover the untold story of Claire McCardell, the woman who invented casual wear, defied Dior, and changed the way American women dress (with insight from author Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson, who finally put her name back on the label).

Buy the Book: Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free

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About Claire:

Claire McCardell put zippers on the side so women could dress themselves. She gave us pockets when men said we didn’t need them. She invented the wrap dress before Diane von Furstenberg and made ballet flats a thing—during wartime, using Capezio dance shoes. At a time when women were being arrested for wearing pants, Claire McCardell was designing clothing that made women feel powerful, stylish, and free.

While Dior was cinching waists and romanticizing restriction, Claire was pioneering what became known as the “American Look”—comfortable, functional, and modern. Her name was once as big as Chanel’s, and she was the first designer to have her name on a ready-to-wear label. So why don’t we remember her?

Find out on this week’s episode.

About Elizabeth:

Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson is an award-winning journalist and author based in Baltimore. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Harper’s Magazine, The Washington Post, and more. Her debut book, Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free, was published in June 2025 to wide acclaim, including praise from The New York Times Book Review, which called it “the linchpin I didn’t know I needed.”

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046: Sharon Werner: Imposter Syndrome

Sharon Werner — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This episode explores the remarkable career of Sharon Werner, founder of Werner Design Werks, and her candid reflections on misogyny, imposter syndrome, and staying small by choice. From childhood paper dolls to running a studio for nearly 35 years, Sharon’s story is filled with wit, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom.

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About Sharon:

Sharon Werner is the founder of Werner Design Werks, an award-winning design studio in Minneapolis known for its bold, thoughtful branding and packaging work. With nearly 35 years at the helm, Sharon has worked with clients ranging from Target and Nick at Nite to Moët Hennessy and Planned Parenthood. Her studio is known for its collaborative approach, small-team mindset, and deep respect for craft and storytelling.

Follow Sharon:
Website: wdw.com
Instagram: @wernerdesignwerks
Sharon's Instagram: @sharon_werner660

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045. Clara Porset and Lindsey Colhoun: Frida Kahlo’s Favorite Chair

Lindsey Colhoun — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This designer-on-designer episode explores Clara Porset’s legacy of cultural modernism and political courage, with insights from interior designer Lindsey Colhoun, whose own work echoes Clara’s timeless use of natural materials and storytelling.

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About Clara:

Clara Porset (1895–1981) was a Cuban-born, Mexican-adopted designer known for fusing modernist principles with indigenous Mexican craft and materials. Trained at Columbia University, the École des Beaux-Arts, and influenced by the Bauhaus, she developed a design philosophy centered on functionality, ethics, and cultural identity. Forced into political exile from Cuba, she found her voice in Mexico — redefining the field of interior design, mentoring students, and designing iconic furniture like the Butaca chair, which remains on display in Frida Kahlo’s home. Her work lives on in warm, handmade modernism and in the generations of designers she inspired.

About Lindsey:

Lindsey Colhoun is the Founder and Creative Director of her eponymous interior design studio, where she creates warm, livable sanctuaries that merge functionality, style, and sustainability. A Los Angeles native raised in a historic Frank Gehry home, Lindsey was immersed in architecture and interiors from a young age — influenced by her mother, also an interior designer. Today, she works with celebrities, Hollywood executives, and discerning clients, known for her timeless Southern California aesthetic and thoughtful, layered spaces that reflect the personalities and lifestyles of the people who live in them.

Follow Lindsey:
Website: lindseycolhoun.com
Instagram: @lindseycolhoundesign

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044. Rachel Saunders: From Burnout to Alignment

Rachel Saunders — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Ceramicist Rachel Saunders shares her self-taught creative journey—from leaving LA burnout behind to launching a soul-led business, shifting into retreats, and redefining success on her own terms.

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About Rachel:

Rachel Saunders is a self-taught ceramicist and designer based on Vancouver Island, Canada. She is the founder of Rachel Saunders Ceramics, a brand known for its sculptural yet functional pieces that explore themes of femininity, sustainability, and intuitive design. Her now-iconic Woman Vase has become a symbol of empowerment and creativity.

Rachel began her creative journey in visual merchandising in Los Angeles, but after experiencing burnout in a toxic work environment, she returned to Canada and immersed herself in clay—learning through community studios, YouTube videos, and trial and error. Over time, she built a globally recognized brand, with her work featured in publications like Architectural Digest, Vogue, and Elle Decor.

In 2022, Rachel made a major shift away from product-based production toward more intentional, holistic offerings—launching an online creative membership and hosting artist retreats in Greece and Tuscany. Through her work and her story, she continues to inspire creatives to define success on their own terms and prioritize a sustainable, soul-led life.

Follow Rachel:
Website: rachelsaundersceramics.com
Instagram: @rachelsaundersceramics.

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043. Edith Head: Hollywood Costumes & Controversies

Darrian Wright — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This deep-dive episode explores the jaw-dropping career of costume designer Edith Head—Hollywood’s most awarded woman—whose designs for stars like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly came with a trail of secrets, rivalries, and reinvention, with fashion enthusiast Darrian Wright joining for the ride.

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About Edith:

Edith Head was a legendary Hollywood costume designer whose career spanned over 50 years and more than 440 films. Known for her iconic round glasses and modest demeanor, she was the behind-the-scenes architect of some of the silver screen’s most iconic looks. With 8 Academy Awards—more than any woman in history—Head crafted wardrobes that shaped characters, stars, and an entire era of film, often blurring the lines between credit, creativity, and control.

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042. Justina Blakeney: Creative Evolution

Justina Blakeney — Wed, 28 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This episode features designer and Jungalow founder Justina Blakeney as she opens up about work-life balance, her art show California Poppy, the impact of the LA fires, and the quiet courage it takes to keep evolving creatively.

Checkout her art show: California Poppy at The Art Wolf
Checkout her latest book: Jungalow: Decorate Wild

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About Justina:

Justina Blakeney is a true multi-hyphenate—artist, designer, author, creative director, entrepreneur—and the founder of the wildly popular lifestyle brand, Jungalow. Her signature style is instantly recognizable: bold, bohemian, colorful, and deeply rooted in personal expression and global inspiration. But beyond aesthetics, Justina has reshaped what a modern creative career can look like.

Over the years, she’s collaborated with a long list of major brands including Target, Anthropologie, Loloi Rugs, Selamat, Opalhouse, and Keds—bringing her joyful sensibility into homes, wardrobes, and even our feet. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Vogue, The New York Times, Dwell, and more. She’s also the author of The New Bohemians, The New Bohemians Handbook, and Jungalow: Decorate Wild—books that have helped countless readers reclaim their homes as spaces of healing and self-expression.

In this conversation, we talk about the LA fires that forced her to evacuate her home, the symbolism behind her solo art show California Poppy, and how she’s finding her way back to forgotten parts of herself through painting, song, and joy. We also dive into work-life balance, creative risk-taking, identity, motherhood, and what it means to define “enoughness” in a culture that always demands more.

Follow Justina:

Instagram: @justinablakeney
justinablakeney.com
jungalow.com
Jungalow: Decorate Wild

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041. Maria Giudice: Design Superpowers & Big Tech

Maria Giudice — Tue, 13 May 2025 18:47:48 +0000

This episode features legendary designer and leader Maria Giudice, who shares her journey from Staten Island art kid to founding Hot Studio, navigating Facebook’s acquisition, and using design to shift culture, leadership, and the C-suite.

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About Maria:

Maria Giudice is a trailblazing designer, creative leader, and author who has spent over three decades redefining what it means to lead with empathy. She’s the founder of Hot Studio, one of the first woman-led digital design studios in the country, which was acquired by Facebook in 2013. Maria went on to become Director of Product Design at Facebook and later VP of Experience Design at Autodesk, helping bring people-centered thinking into the heart of tech culture. She’s the co-author of Rise of the DEO and Changemakers, two influential books that empower designers to lead change. From painting in Staten Island to reshaping Silicon Valley—Maria’s story is as bold as it is inspiring.

Follow Maria:

Instagram: @mgiudice
LinkedIn: Maria Giudice
Rise of the DEO
Changemakers

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040. Tomoko Miho and Jessica Strelioff: Designing Space with Soul

Jessica Strelioff — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 18:32:03 +0000

This dual feature episode explores the legacy of Tomoko Miho’s masterful use of space and quiet modernism, alongside Jessica Strelioff’s thoughtful approach to building timeless, soulful brands through her studio, Goodside.

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Sources:

About Tomoko:

Tomoko Miho (1931–2012) was a pioneering American graphic designer known for her elegant use of space, clarity, and restrained modernism. A graduate of the Institute of Design in Chicago, she worked for George Nelson Associates and Unimark International before founding her own studio, Tomoko Miho & Co. Her clients included Herman Miller, MoMA, and the Smithsonian, and in 1993, she was awarded the AIGA Medal for her outstanding contributions to design. Miho’s work masterfully blended Swiss modernism, American pragmatism, and Japanese aesthetics to create timeless, poetic visual communications.

About Jessica:

Jessica Strelioff is the founder and creative director of Goodside Studio, a design practice known for its emotionally resonant, timeless branding. With a background in creating thoughtful, human-centered design, Jessica builds brands that are both strategic and soulful, always with a strong editorial and visual clarity. Her work embodies restraint and intentionality, carrying forward the spirit of designers like Tomoko Miho into a modern, digital world.

Follow Jessica:

Goodside Studio Website: goodside.studio
Threads: @jessicastrelioff
Instagram: @jessicastrelioff
LinkedIn: Jessica Strelioff
Behance Portfolio: behance.net/strelioff

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039. Alex Proba on Persistence: From Pools to Posters and More

Alex Proba — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, multidisciplinary designer Alex Proba shares how persistence, daily creative rituals, and an unwavering belief in color have shaped her global design career—from posters and murals to pools and product lines.

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Alex Proba is a German-born, New York-based multidisciplinary designer and the founder of Studio Proba. Known for her playful use of color and pattern across murals, furniture, textiles, installations, and branding, she has collaborated with global brands like Nike, Google, and Louis Vuitton. Her iconic “Poster a Day” project launched her career and continues to inspire creatives worldwide with its message of consistency and exploration.

Follow Alex:

Instagram: @alexproba
Website: studioproba.com

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038. Tamara Mellon: The Woman Behind Jimmy Choo (w/ Rachelle Bergstein)

Rachelle Bergstein — Tue, 1 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This episode we talk about the high-heeled rise, fall, and fierce reinvention of designer Tamara Mellon, co-founder of Jimmy Choo, whose resilience redefined what it means to be a woman in luxury fashion—with cultural insight from author Rachelle Bergstein.

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Sources / Links:

In My Shoes: A Memoir by Tamara Mellon
Tamara Mellon on the Shopify Plus Blog
Women from the Ankle Down: The Story of Shoes and How They Define Us by Rachelle Bergstein
Tamara Mellon Interview on Inc.

Tamara Mellon is a British-American fashion designer and entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo. A former accessories editor at British Vogue, Mellon played a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s aesthetic and global success. She later launched her own label, Tamara Mellon Inc., where she continues to design with a focus on empowering women and disrupting the fashion business model.

Rachelle Bergstein is a writer and cultural commentator, best known as the author of Women from the Ankle Down: The Story of Shoes and How They Define Us. Her work explores the intersection of fashion, identity, and culture. With a background in literature and a sharp eye for symbolism in style, Bergstein brings a unique voice to fashion history and its impact on women’s lives.

Follow Rachelle:

Instagram: @rachellewb
Website: rachellebergstein.com

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037. Susan Kare and Amy & Jennifer Hood: Pixel Pushing and Powerful Branding

Amy Hood, Hoodzpah, Jennifer Hood — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode explores the legacy of Susan Kare, the designer behind the original Mac icons, with guests Amy and Jennifer Hood, the twin creatives behind Hoodzpah, known for their bold branding and empowering creative business strategies.

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Sources / Links:

Susan Kare's Prints: kareprints.com
Smithsonian Article
Amy and Jen's Book: Freelance and Business and Stuff by Amy Hood and Jennifer Hood

About Susan

Susan Kare is a graphic designer and pioneering iconographer best known for her work on the original Apple Macintosh in the early 1980s. With a background in fine arts, she had no prior experience in computer graphics when she was hired to design the first digital icons and typefaces for the Mac. Using graph paper and pixel constraints, she created some of the most enduring symbols in tech history, including the Happy Mac, the Command key symbol, and the original Mac fonts like Chicago and Geneva. Her designs humanized technology, making computers intuitive and accessible to non-technical users. After Apple, she continued shaping digital interfaces at NeXT, Microsoft, Facebook, and Pinterest, and today, she serves as a Design Architect at Niantic Labs while selling limited-edition prints of her iconic designs.

About Amy & Jen Hood

Amy and Jen Hood are the twin sister duo behind Hoodzpah, a Southern California-based branding agency known for its bold, strategic, and personality-driven design work. Since founding Hoodzpah in 2011, they have worked with major brands like Disney, Nike, and 20th Century Fox, creating memorable identities and custom typefaces. Beyond client work, they are passionate about helping creatives build successful careers—they wrote Freelance, and Business, and Stuff, a practical and empowering guide to running a creative business, and have launched resources for designers, including brand identity courses and custom fonts. With a fearless approach to branding and a deep understanding of creative entrepreneurship, Amy and Jen have carved out a distinctive place in the design world while uplifting the next generation of creatives.

Amy and Jen's Book: Freelance and Business and Stuff by Amy Hood and Jennifer Hood

Follow Amy & Jen:

Amy's Instagram: @amyhoodlum
Jen's Instagram: @thegoodhood
Studio Instagram: @hoodzpahdesign
Website: hoodzpahdesign.com

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036. Gee's Bend Quilters and Francine Thompson: Threads of Resistance

Francine Thompson — Tue, 4 Mar 2025 11:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode highlights the artistry of the Gee’s Bend Quilters, whose improvisational designs and cultural resilience transformed necessity into celebrated textile art, alongside Francine Thompson, Design Director at Hims & Hers, who shares insights on visual storytelling and building compelling brand narratives.

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Sources:

About The Quilters of Gee's Bend

The Gee’s Bend Quilters are a collective of African American women from the small, rural community of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, whose quilting tradition dates back to the 19th century. Descendants of enslaved people who once worked the land as sharecroppers, these women transformed necessity into artistry, crafting bold, improvisational quilts from repurposed fabrics like denim, flour sacks, and worn-out clothing. Their work remained largely unknown outside their community until the early 2000s, when museum exhibitions catapulted them into the national spotlight. Now celebrated as one of the most significant contributions to American textile art, Gee’s Bend quilts have been displayed at the Whitney Museum, the Met, and the Smithsonian. Their distinctive designs—like the Housetop and Bricklayer patterns—have influenced modern art and design, blending tradition with innovation. Today, their legacy continues through exhibitions, workshops, and direct sales, ensuring their craft remains both an artistic and economic lifeline for the community.

About Francine

Francine Thompson is the Design Director of Brand at Hims & Hers, where she brings a strategic and thoughtful approach to branding, creating design systems that feel both human and impactful. With a foundation in graphic design, brand identity, typography, and creative strategy, she has built a career helping brands tell compelling stories that connect with people on a deeper level. Her work spans everything from printed materials to physical products, and she’s known for her ability to turn big ideas into tangible, beautifully executed realities. Based in California, Francine’s expertise in editorial design and brand storytelling has shaped her approach to crafting experiences that feel cohesive from the macro to the micro. In this episode, she shares insights on the power of visual storytelling and what it means to build a brand that resonates.

Follow Francine:

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035. Jeanetta Gonzales on Mentorship

Amber Asay — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Mentorship isn’t just about giving advice—it can be a full-circle moment that shapes both the mentor and the mentee. In this episode, Jeanetta Gonzales, a celebrated surface designer, illustrator, and creative coach, shares how mentorship has impacted her career, why representation in design matters, and how guiding others can be just as transformative as being guided.

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Sources:

Sika Design — Nanna & Jorgen Ditzel
Fredericia Furniture — 100 Year Tribute E-Book

About Jeanetta

Jeanetta Gonzales is a surface designer, illustrator, and creative mentor with over 25 years of experience in the design industry. She has collaborated with major brands like Target, Adobe, The New York Times, and Crayola, creating bold, vibrant artwork infused with energy and empowerment. In addition to her design work, Jeanetta is passionate about mentorship, offering coaching programs, workshops, and online classes to help emerging artists develop their unique style and navigate their careers. She also teaches a popular Skillshare course on discovering your artistic voice. Through her work, Jeanetta champions representation in the creative industry and encourages artists to embrace their individuality. You can find her work and mentorship offerings at jeanettagonzales.com and follow her on Instagram at @nettdesigns.

Follow Jeanetta:

Instagram: @nettdesigns
Website: jeanettagonzales.com

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034: Ti Chang on Designing for Human Connection

Ti Chang — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 23:52:02 +0000

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, join us as Ti Chang, cofounder of CRAVE, shares how she’s revolutionizing the way we connect through design, pioneering the category of pleasure jewelry with elegant, empowering products that redefine intimacy and human connection.

Ti Chang is a designer and cofounder of CRAVE, a brand known for pioneering pleasure jewelry. With a background in industrial design, she combines luxury with functionality to create innovative products that foster human connection and empower individuals to embrace their sexuality. Through CRAVE, Ti has redefined intimacy products, offering elegant and discreet designs that prioritize both beauty and personal empowerment.

Follow Ti and her company:
lovecrave.com
@lovecrave
@designerti

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033. Nanna Ditzel and Kate Arends: Furniture That Sparks Conversation

Amber Asay — Tue, 4 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode explores the visionary work of Nanna Ditzel—who designed furniture for movement, conversation, and mental well-being—alongside Kate Arends, founder of Wit & Delight, as we discuss how design shapes our emotions, interactions, and everyday lives.

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Sources:

Sika Design — Nanna & Jorgen Ditzel
Fredericia Furniture — 100 Year Tribute E-Book

About Nanna

Nanna Ditzel wasn’t just a designer—she was a revolutionary. The first woman in Denmark to carve out an independent career in furniture design, she shattered conventions and reshaped the way we interact with our spaces. While her male counterparts built rigid, functionalist structures, Ditzel asked a radical question: What if design made us feel free?

She and her husband, Jørgen Ditzel, pioneered furniture without legs, believing that people think, feel, and connect better when they aren’t confined to stiff, upright chairs. The result? Some of the most iconic, boundary-breaking designs of the 20th century—from the cocoon-like Hanging Egg Chair to tiered seating landscapes that invited movement and conversation.

But her story didn’t end there. When Jørgen died young, Nanna didn’t fade into obscurity—she became Denmark’s reigning queen of modernism. She mastered textiles, designed jewelry for Georg Jensen, and, at 70 years old, created the Trinidad Chair, a masterpiece of technology and craftsmanship that’s still a best-seller today.

For decades, her male contemporaries stole the spotlight, but now, finally, the world is catching up. Nanna Ditzel wasn’t just part of Danish modernism—she expanded its very definition.

About Kate

Kate Arends is a designer, brand strategist, and the founder of Wit & Delight, a lifestyle brand that blends storytelling with intentional design. With a background in graphic design and advertising, Kate launched Wit & Delight in 2009 as a personal creative outlet, which has since evolved into a trusted voice in modern living, interiors, and mental well-being.

Her work explores the intersection of design and emotion—how our environments shape our mood, creativity, and daily life. Through her platform, she shares insights on everything from home styling to personal growth, fostering a deep connection with her audience. With collaborations spanning major brands and a keen eye for cultural shifts, Kate continues to redefine what it means to live and design with purpose.

Follow Kate:

Instagram: @witanddelight_
Website: witanddelight.com

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032. Elsa Schiaparelli: Where Fashion and Surrealism Began (w/ Darrian Wright)

Darrian Wright — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Hear the extraordinary life of Elsa Schiaparelli. From her rebellious youth and surrealist collaborations to her iconic designs like the lobster dress and shocking pink, discover how Schiaparelli redefined fashion as art and left a legacy of daring innovation, with guest and fashion enthusiast, Darrian Wright.

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Sources:

Shocking: The Surreal World of Elsa Schiaparelli by Marie-Sophie Carron de la Carriere
https://www.schiaparelli.com
Podcast — Dressed: The History of Fashion on Schiaparelli

About Elsa

Elsa Schiaparelli was the ultimate rebel of fashion, a designer who turned shocking ideas into art. Born in 1890 to an aristocratic family in Rome, Elsa’s life was anything but conventional. As a child, she released a box of fleas under her parents’ dinner table and later staged a hunger strike to escape a Swiss convent. After a whirlwind marriage to a charming con man, she found herself as a single mother in New York, scraping by while mingling with avant-garde artists like Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray. It wasn’t until she moved to Paris and met legendary designer Paul Poiret that she discovered her true calling: inventing fashion. From surrealist collaborations with Salvador Dalí to creating her signature shocking pink, Schiaparelli defied norms, blending wit, art, and bold femininity. She gave us iconic designs like the lobster dress, the shoe hat, and the first wrap dress. A pioneer who refused to play by the rules, Elsa didn’t just make clothes—she made statements.

Follow Darrian

@iamdarrian

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031. Mary E. J. Colter: Fred Harvey’s Architect and the Fate of Altadena’s Past

Amber Asay — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Explore the life and legacy of Mary Colter, a groundbreaking architect and interior designer who crafted iconic buildings at the Grand Canyon and beyond, blending Native American traditions with innovative architectural design, who also lost a home in a 1968 Eaton Canyon fire, which felt oddly topical.

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Sources:

About Mary

Mary Colter (1869–1958) was a pioneering American architect and designer known for her work with the Fred Harvey Company, where she designed several notable landmarks, including the Hopi House and Desert View Watchtower at the Grand Canyon. Colter was one of the few women in her profession during the early 20th century, and she gained a reputation for her ability to merge architecture with the natural landscape and Native American culture. Her designs were not only functional but also deeply respectful of the local environment and history. Colter's commitment to integrating local materials and employing indigenous builders reflected her dedication to authenticity. She was a visionary who shaped the aesthetic of the American Southwest and remains a defining figure in the architectural landscape.

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RERUN 006. Gail Anderson: On Racism, Resilience, and the Power of Mentorship

Gail Anderson — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000

This episode didn't get nearly as many listens as it should, probably being that it was only episode 6, so now is a good time to push this rerun out into the world. Especially since LA is on fire, and I've been temporarily displaced by the fires. Enjoy!

Renowned graphic designer Gail Anderson shares her journey from creating magazines in her youth to working at Rolling Stone and beyond, discussing her experiences as a woman of color in the design industry and the evolution of her career. Listen in on how Gail's mentors shaped her path and the fulfillment she finds in seeing her designs in the world.

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About Gail:

Gail Anderson is a distinguished designer, writer, and educator, renowned for her impactful work at Rolling Stone magazine where she served as senior art director. She’s an AIGA Medalist, has authored 14 books and currently chairs the BFA Advertising and BFA Design departments at the School of Visual Arts. Anderson's creative portfolio extends to Broadway, where she has designed posters for notable productions, and she has several awards, including the 2018 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Lifetime Achievement

In this episode, Gail shares her journey, starting from her early years as a creative in grammar school to what it was like navigating the challenges as a Black woman designer in the 80s and 90s, while breaking barriers in the industry.

Join us as we explore Gail's career, her inspirations, and her thoughts on the evolving world of design. Today, we’re bringing you a firsthand look into the mind of a true design trailblazer.

A massive thank you to Gail for sharing her incredible journey, insights, and wisdom with us. It’s been an absolute honor to have her on the show and to learn from her experiences and expertise. Her story is a testament to the power of creativity, perseverance, and passion.

Highlights:

Gail's creative beginnings and inspirations in the Bronx
Her education at SVA and women teachers like Paula Scher, Carin Goldberg, Louise Fili
Navigating the design industry in the 80s and 90s as a black woman
Iconic work at Rolling Stone and Broadway
The importance of writing books on design for continual learning
Reflections on her career and legacy in the design world

Links:

Learn more about Gail Anderson's work at her website
Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Social Media:

Instagram: @amberasay
Instagram: @WomenDesignersPod

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030. Mary Blair: Designing Disney’s Worlds (w/ Mike Asay)

Amber Asay — Tue, 7 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Explore the extraordinary life and career of Mary Blair, the visionary artist behind Disney classics like Cinderella and It’s a Small World, whose bold use of color and modernist style transformed animation and design history, with special guest, Mike Asay.

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About Mary

Mary Blair wasn’t just an artist—she was a design visionary who transformed Disney’s visual language during its golden age. With her bold use of color, clean lines, and modernist sensibilities, Mary brought a fresh, imaginative approach to classics like Cinderella, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland. Her work challenged the traditional realism of animation, introducing a playful, graphic style that still resonates today.

Beyond the big screen, Mary was the creative force behind the iconic It’s a Small World attraction, where her vibrant, harmonious designs celebrated global unity and joy. She also applied her design genius to murals, advertising campaigns, and book illustrations, always pushing the boundaries of what design could achieve.

In a male-dominated industry, Mary often faced challenges, but her influence was undeniable. She has even been said to be Walt Disney’s favorite artist, with him entrusting her with some of the studio’s most visionary projects. Mary Blair didn’t just design beautiful things—she pioneered a new visual language that shaped animation and continues to inspire designers worldwide.

If you’re ready to uncover the story behind one of Disney’s most groundbreaking designers, listen to this episode now and step into the colorful world of Mary Blair.

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2024 Rewind: Highlights and Insights

Amber Asay — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

2024 has been a whirlwind year for Women Designers You Should Know, with 29 inspiring episodes celebrating groundbreaking women in design + 6 bonus episodes that dive into the layers between these stories. This recap dives into the podcast’s journey, from tackling the glaring absence of women in design education to uncovering recurring themes in their stories. Host Amber Asay explores why humanism, patience, and breaking free from societal constraints are central to these women’s legacies. The episode also celebrates trailblazers who pioneered new design paths and shares the most inspiring philosophies from the year’s episodes. Packed with insights and memorable clips, this reflection honors the women who’ve shaped design while inspiring us to continue amplifying their stories.

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029. Corita Kent and Britt Rohr: Peace & Love & Printmaking

Britt Rohr — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode highlights Corita Kent’s journey from nun to Pop Art pioneer, using screen printing to champion love and justice, and Britt Rohr’s modern take on printmaking as the founder of Swell Press, blending craftsmanship and storytelling in her designs.

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Sources:

Book: Learning by Heart: Teaching to Free the Creative Spirit by Corita Kent and Jan Steward

About Corita

Corita Kent (1918–1986), also known as Sister Mary Corita, was a nun, artist, and educator whose screen prints and serigraphs fused Pop Art with powerful messages of love, justice, and activism. As chair of the art department at Immaculate Heart College, she inspired a generation of students with her innovative teaching methods and bold use of everyday imagery. Her works, including the iconic Love stamp and Rainbow Swash mural, continue to resonate globally as symbols of creativity and compassion. Today, Corita is celebrated for her unique ability to elevate the ordinary into the extraordinary.

About Britt

Britt Rohr is the founder of Swell Press, a California-based letterpress studio known for its meticulous craftsmanship and timeless designs. With a passion for tactile art forms, Britt has carved out a niche in creating bespoke print pieces that marry modern aesthetics with the classic charm of letterpress. Her work has been featured in numerous publications and admired for its ability to tell meaningful stories through design.

Follow Britt:
Instagram: @swellpress
Website: SwellPress.com

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028. Jacqueline Casey: Shaping the MIT Style (w/ Michael Bierut)

Michael Bierut — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Explore the life and legacy of graphic design pioneer Jacqueline Casey, whose bold, modernist posters defined MIT’s visual identity for decades — with insights from designer Michael Bierut, we uncover how Casey infused Swiss design principles with American ingenuity, led campus-wide design efforts, and created work that remains timeless and influential.

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Sources:

About Jacqueline (Jackie)

Jacqueline Casey was a pioneering graphic designer whose work defined the visual identity of MIT for over three decades. Born in 1927 in Quincy, Massachusetts, she studied fashion design and illustration at MassArt before finding her way into graphic design. In 1955, her lifelong friend Muriel Cooper recruited her to the MIT Office of Publications, where Casey absorbed the principles of Swiss modernism and gave them her own twist—infusing wit, visual metaphors, and bold typography into her work.

As Director of MIT’s Design Services Office, she led campus-wide design efforts, creating posters and materials for scientific conferences, exhibitions, and cultural events. Her ability to simplify complex ideas with elegance and playfulness made her work timeless and celebrated globally. Today, her posters are held in the collections of MoMA, the Cooper Hewitt, and the MIT Museum, solidifying her as a quiet yet powerful force in modernist design history.

About Michael

Michael Bierut is one of the most influential graphic designers of our time. A partner at Pentagram since 1990, his work spans iconic logos, brand identities, and campaigns for clients like The New York Times, Mastercard, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Bierut has been a longtime educator at Yale, co-founded Design Observer, and authored celebrated books, including How to Use Graphic Design to Sell Things. His work is held in the permanent collections of MoMA and the Cooper Hewitt, and his thought leadership continues to shape the design world.

Follow Michael:
Instagram: @mbierut
Website: Pentragram.com
Threads: @mbierut

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027. Marget Larsen: Revolutionizing Mid-Century Advertising (w/ Sean Adams)

Sean Adams — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Discover the story of Marget Larsen, a trailblazing designer whose iconic Christmas boxes, bold typography, and fearless creativity shaped mid-century advertising and design in San Francisco right as the psychedelic / counterculture era was budding, with industry insights from guest Sean Adams, previous AIGA President, and Dean at Art Center.

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Sources:

Book — Baseline Shift
Design Observer Article by Sean Adams
Communication Arts Feature
Book — Earthquakes, Mudslides, Fires & Riots: California and Graphic Design by Louise Sandhaus

About Marget

Marget Larsen was a trailblazing designer and art director who transformed mid-20th-century advertising with her bold, unconventional approach. Born in San Francisco in 1922, Larsen began her career at I. Magnin, where she discovered her passion for typography and lettering while taking night classes at the California School of Fine Arts. She rose to prominence as the art director at Joseph Magnin, a trendsetting department store, where her iconic Christmas boxes turned gift packaging into collectible works of art. Larsen later joined the boutique agency Weiner & Gossage, where her groundbreaking ads combined witty copy with daring typography, earning national acclaim. From designing bread wrappers to creating fundraising sweatshirts for Beethoven enthusiasts, Larsen’s fearless creativity knew no bounds. Despite her immense contributions, Larsen’s name remains largely forgotten in design history, though her work continues to inspire with its playful wit and timeless innovation. She passed away in 1984, leaving behind a legacy that shaped advertising, packaging, and graphic design as we know it.

About Sean

Sean Adams is a celebrated designer, author, and educator whose work has shaped the design industry for decades. As the Dean of the Visual Art and Communication Design Department at ArtCenter College of Design, Sean has mentored countless designers while championing the importance of design history and storytelling. He is the only two-term national president in AIGA’s 100-year history and a recipient of the prestigious AIGA Medal, the organization’s highest honor. Sean co-founded the renowned design firm AdamsMorioka, working with iconic clients like Disney, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and The Metropolitan Opera. He has authored several influential books, including The Designer’s Dictionary of Color and How Design Makes Us Think. As a passionate advocate for elevating overlooked figures in design history, Sean brings his expertise and insight to today’s conversation about Marget Larsen’s remarkable contributions to the field.

Follow Sean:
Instagram: @seanaadams
Website: AdamsMorioka.com
LinkedIn: Sean Adams

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Extra Sketches: The Oppression of Women

Amber Asay — Tue, 3 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

For hundreds of years, society has systematically kept women from rising to their full potential—whether through laws denying them the right to own property, vote, or even open a bank account without a man’s signature—and today, I'm diving into the receipts.

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026. Ellen Raskin and Briar Levit: Storytelling through Design and Writing

Briar Levit — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000

(**Trigger Warning: This episode discusses Suicide) This dual feature episode celebrates Ellen Raskin’s transformation from a prolific book designer to an award-winning author, seamlessly blending design and storytelling in works like The Westing Game. Briar Levit shares her own journey as a designer and author, using mediums like film, exhibitions, and publications to champion stories that inspire.

Important Links:

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Sources:

About Ellen

Ellen Raskin (1928–1984) was a trailblazing designer and author who seamlessly blended her expertise in graphic design with her passion for storytelling. Born in Milwaukee during the Great Depression, Raskin pursued a fine arts degree at the University of Wisconsin before launching a prolific career in New York City, where she designed over 1,000 book covers, including the original cover for A Wrinkle in Time. Later, she transitioned to writing, creating critically acclaimed children’s books known for their intricate plots and visual clues. Her most famous work, The Westing Game, won the Newbery Medal in 1979 and remains a beloved classic. Ellen’s books, including The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel) and Figgs & Phantoms, exemplify her unique ability to combine puzzles, humor, and thoughtful storytelling, leaving an enduring legacy in children’s literature.

About Briar

Briar Levit is a graphic designer, educator, and filmmaker whose work brings underrepresented voices in design history to light. With nearly two decades of teaching at Portland State University, Briar encourages her students to explore design’s role in shaping culture and amplifying diverse perspectives. She gained widespread acclaim for her documentary Graphic Means: A History of Graphic Design Production, which chronicles the evolution of design tools and highlights women’s significant contributions during the shift from manual to digital production. Briar’s feminist advocacy is further reflected in her book Baseline Shift, which celebrates the pivotal yet often overlooked roles of women in design. A former art director at Bitch magazine, she’s dedicated her career to showing how design can be a tool for activism, history, and cultural critique.

Follow Briar:
Instagram: @briarlevit
Website: briarlevit.com

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025. Eileen Gray and Emily Farnham: Protecting Stories in Modernist Architecture

Amber Asay — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode explores Eileen Gray’s journey from interior design to groundbreaking modernist architecture, including the challenges of vandalism, loss, and rediscovery, alongside Emily Farnham’s dedication to preserving architectural history and working on both Mandy Moore and Lilly Collin's Mid-Century homes.

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Sources:

About Eileen

Eileen Gray (1878–1976) was a groundbreaking designer and architect whose work pioneered modernism in the 20th century. Originally born in Ireland, she spent her career in France, becoming a self-taught architect and an innovator in furniture design. She's known for blending functionality with bold, avant-garde aesthetics. Her early career began with mastering lacquer work, a craft she honed despite its physical challenges, and she became a leading figure in Art Deco. Gray’s most iconic work is the E-1027 house, a modernist masterpiece designed with meticulous attention to detail and human-centered design principles. Despite her contributions, her achievements were often overshadowed by her male contemporaries, including the controversial vandalism of her work by Le Corbusier. Gray’s designs, like the Bibendum Chair, the E-1027 table and her modular lacquer screens, continue to inspire today. Rediscovered in her later years, she is now celebrated as a trailblazer who forged her own path, proving that vision and resilience can leave a lasting mark on the world of design.

About Emily

Emily Farnham is the founder of Emily Farnham Architecture, a Los Angeles-based practice known for its innovative and holistic approach to residential design. With an impressive career that spans architecture, interiors, and custom design, Emily's projects balance aesthetics, function, and personalization. She holds a Master of Architecture degree from Harvard's Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia's School of Architecture. Before establishing her practice in 2014, Emily honed her skills at several leading design firms in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, and San Francisco. This diverse background equipped her with the expertise to tackle projects of varying scales and complexities, from residential spaces to large-scale civic and educational buildings. Emily is a licensed architect in California and a LEED-accredited professional, known for her meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of the construction process.

Follow Emily:
Instagram: @emilyfarnhamarchitecture
Website: emilyfarnham.com

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024. Agnes Martin and Michelle & Ellen: Creative Risks, Process, and Balance

Michelle Brutto Manfre, Ellen Catlin — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000

This TRIPLE feature episode delves into the life of Agnes Martin, whose serene abstract expressionist art was born from a strict, meditative process and a journey of balancing inner turmoil. Michelle and Ellen, co-founders of Nature, share their layered stories of changing creative disciplines, finding balance, and embracing risks in their own design process.

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Sources:

About Agnes

Agnes Martin may not be a household name, but her influence on abstract art is profound and lasting. Known for her minimalist grids and soft color bands, she crafted paintings that evoke pure calm and joy, all while living in near-total solitude in the New Mexico desert. Martin’s life is as intriguing as her art—she left the bustling New York art scene at the peak of her career to follow a deeply personal path. Though she struggled with mental health challenges, her discipline and commitment to simplicity made her a ‘desert mystic’ of the art world. Her story is one of resilience, solitude, and visionary work. Discover her life and legacy on episode 24 of the podcast.

About Michelle & Ellen

We take a curious and open-minded approach to the work that we do. We ask a lot of questions and have an affinity for both referencing the past and co-creating the future. We value our clients, their trust and their brands over everything. Relationships above all else. Our work is far beyond transactional and the connections that we create with the people we work with usually far out-live the span of the project. We have a lot of repeat clients and we take that as the highest compliment. We don’t believe that cold + pixel perfection equals luxury and we ardently swear by moments of wabi sabi and human-ness as drivers of resonance. We think that design done well and that is built from your narrative has the ability to cut through noise and stand out in vivid definition to the right people. Along with our client work we have a tightly edited resource shop for fellow designers. We believe that a rising tide lifts all boats and anything we learn the hard way on this journey we happily share with others.

Follow Nature:
Instagram: @hellowearenature
Website: by-nature.co

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Design Dialogues: Creative Burnout (w/ Badal Patel)

Badal Patel — Tue, 5 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000

67% of creative professionals reported experiencing burnout, with women more likely to report feeling overwhelmed by their work environments. Badal Patel opens up about how she struggled with creative burnout, and what she does now to prevent it from happening.

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About Badal:

Badal is the founder of Super Spicy. A small yet seasoned studio focusing on creative direction, branding, and design with extra flavor. She creates impactful brand experiences that merge style with substance through her unique perspective and design sensibilities. Her studio, Super Spicy, focuses on a variety of different areas including branding, packaging, website, campaign, print, and more. Badal’s goal with Super Spicy is to drive culture forward by sharing more nuanced stories and creating more representation.

Working remotely between NYC and LA, Badal has built up a roster of talented individuals that she collaborates with including but not limited to: strategists, designers, copywriters, illustrators, and photographers. She believes collaboration creates better work and aims to create the diverse teams of talent specific to the needs of each project.

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023. Ray Eames and Amanda Jane Jones: Modernism and Motherhood

Amber Asay — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000

A dual feature episode exploring Ray Eames' transformative impact on mid-century design and Amanda Jane Jones' reflections on creativity, authorship, and the lessons we can draw from Ray's life.

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About Ray

Ray Eames was more than a design partner—she was the quiet force behind every iconic creation that bears the Eames name. From the revolutionary Lounge Chair to the vibrant, Mondrian-inspired glass walls of their Case Study House, Ray’s vision and meticulous artistry shaped modernism as we know it.

But behind the sleek lines and bold colors was a woman often mistaken for a man—'Ray,' they assumed, must surely be Charles's male counterpart. This misconception gave her an unexpected advantage, opening doors that might have otherwise stayed closed.

Yet, Ray’s journey was anything but easy. She endured a lifetime of her contributions being overshadowed, her name eclipsed by Charles’s fame, and even the painful betrayal of his infidelity. Still, she poured everything into their work, her impact far deeper than most people know.

About Amanda

NEW BOOK! Mother / Founder

Amanda Jane Jones is a graphic designer, author, and illustrator whose minimalist aesthetic has redefined modern editorial and product design. Amanda’s talent became widely recognized through her role as the founding designer of Kinfolk, where she crafted the magazine's iconic, minimalist style, inspiring countless designers and publications.

Her creative influence extends beyond editorial design; she has collaborated with major brands such as Opinel, Revival Rugs, Solly Baby, and Schoolhouse Electric, blending her clean and thoughtful aesthetic across diverse projects. In addition to brand collaborations, Amanda has illustrated children’s books, including Yum Yummy Yuck and The Hair Book, inspired by her own children and designed to engage young readers with playful simplicity.

Amanda’s latest project, Mother / Founder, celebrates the journeys of 68 women balancing the challenges of entrepreneurship and motherhood. Her work has been featured by Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, and online platforms such as Mother Mag, Cup of Jo, and Domino. Now based in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, Amanda continues to shape the design world with her distinctive vision, seamlessly blending elegance, versatility, and purpose into each project

Follow Amanda:
Instagram
Website: amandajanejones.com

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022. Charlotte Perriand and Adi Goodrich: Redefining Spaces Through Design

Adi Goodrich — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Learn the untold story of architect and furniture designer, Charlotte Perriand, whose innovative designs and fearless independence reshaped modern interiors and how she escaped Le Corbusier's shadow, with insights from special guest Adi Goodrich, spatial designer, who reflects on how Charlotte's legacy continues to inspire today's designers.

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Sources:

The Guardian Article
Charlotte Perriand Autobiography “A Life of Creation”
Book: Living with Charlotte Perriand by Francois Laffanour and Cynthia Fleury
Book: Charlotte Perriand: The Modern Life by Justin McGuirk
Book: Charlotte Perriand: Inventing a New World (Published by the Foundation of Louis Vuitton)

About Charlotte

Charlotte Perriand was a visionary French designer and architect whose contributions to modernist design reshaped how we think about furniture and interior spaces. In 1927, after famously being dismissed by Le Corbusier with the remark, "We don’t embroider cushions here," she eventually joined his studio and co-designed iconic pieces like the LC4 Chaise Longue and LC2 armchair.

Though these collaborations are what she is most known for, Perriand’s career extended far beyond them. She designed the modular Nuage Bookshelf and minimalist Tokyo Bench, blending functionality with clean, modernist aesthetics. Perriand was also integral to larger architectural projects like the Unité d'Habitation, where she introduced multifunctional interiors, and the Les Arcs Ski Resort, where her modular furniture designs embraced the natural environment.

About Adi

Adi Goodrich is a Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary designer known for her vibrant and imaginative approach to Environmental design, Interiors, and furniture. Growing up in Chicago, she was heavily influenced by her father’s work in architectural and furniture restoration, which fostered her love for craftsmanship from a young age. Adi studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and La Sorbonne in Paris, where she explored various disciplines including painting and art history.

Goodrich first gained attention working on window displays for Barneys New York and Anthropologie, which led to a flourishing career in set design for films, commercials, and photoshoots. Adi is Co-founder of Sing-Sing Studio, a creative practice she shares with her partner, filmmaker, Sean Pecknold where they have worked with major brands such as Apple, Google, Nike, Target, and more, bringing a unique blend of storytelling and design to each project. Adi also launched her own furniture line, in 2022 called "Sing-Thing." Her work is characterized by a bold use of color, materials, and a focus on creating spaces that are narratively driven. Learn more about Adi's design approach and career on Episode 22 of the podcast.

Follow Adi
adigoodrich.com
@adigoodrich
sing-sing.co
@singsingstudio

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021. Susan Skarsgard: On Calligraphy, Cars, and Designing Your Career

Susan Skarsgard — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Hear how Susan Skarsgard built her career from calligraphy to founding the GM Design Archive, blending art, design, and education to leave her mark on both the art and automotive worlds.

About Susan

Susan Skarsgard (b. 1954) is a designer, artist, and author whose career bridges the worlds of fine art and industrial design. With roots in Detroit, Susan’s passion for calligraphy led her to study under Austrian master calligrapher Friedrich Neugebauer and to apprentice with legendary Detroit lettering master Jerry Campbell. Under Campbells' tutelage, she designed logos and lettering for advertising and automotive clients before ultimately joining General Motors Design in 1995. She earned her MFA from the University of Michigan in 2004.

At GM, she initially applied her skills to emblem and nameplate design for cars and trucks, but her most lasting legacy was founding the department GM Design Archive & Special Collections, which is the official repository for the history of design at General Motors. Susan is also the author of Where Today Meets Tomorrow, the definitive book on the history of the iconic GM Technical Center designed by Eero Saarinen.

Her journey as a woman navigating a male-dominated industry, along with her stunning work in calligraphy and book arts, is truly inspiring.

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020. Elaine Lustig Cohen and Steven Heller: Rewriting Design History

Steven Heller — Tue, 8 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode highlights Elaine Lustig Cohen’s self-taught rise to modernist graphic design and fine art, alongside Steven Heller’s efforts to rewrite design history by amplifying the contributions of women like Elaine.

Sources:

elainelustigcohen.com
The Daily Heller: Elaine Lustig Cohen’s New Website by Steven Heller
The New York Times Article by Anita Gates

About Elaine

Elaine Lustig Cohen (1927–2016) was a pioneering modernist designer and artist, known for her bold, abstract book covers and museum catalogs that helped shape mid-century American graphic design.

After the sudden passing of her husband, renowned designer Alvin Lustig, Elaine—without any formal training—took over his studio in the 1950s, working with high-profile clients like Philip Johnson, Richard Meier, General Motors, and the Jewish Museum.

What set her design style apart was her ability to merge avant-garde European influences, like Constructivism and Bauhaus principles, with the clean, functionalist aesthetics of American modernism. She brought typography to the forefront, often treating it as a visual and emotional narrative element, while incorporating geometric abstraction to create a sense of movement and rhythm. Her work is now part of the permanent collections at MoMA, LACMA, and Cooper Hewitt.

About Steven

Steven Heller is one of the most prolific design historians and writers in the field, having authored, co-authored, or edited over 200 books on design, illustration, and popular culture. He is best known for his long-running column, The Daily Heller, published by Print magazine, which offers daily insights on visual culture, design history, and current events. In addition to his writing, Heller is the co-chair of the School of Visual Arts MFA Design/Designer as Author + Entrepreneur program, where he continues to shape future generations of designers.

Throughout his career, Heller has been a steadfast advocate for women in design. His work has consistently featured and celebrated the contributions of women who have been overlooked in design history. He has worked to bring attention to underrepresented figures in the industry, often calling for a rewriting of design history to include more women. As early as the 1990s, Heller began amplifying the work of female designers, championing their influence on design movements across modernism, typography, and visual communication. He has been vocal about the importance of gender equality in the design industry and has pushed for more inclusive recognition of the women whose innovations have shaped the field.

In 2011, Heller was awarded the AIGA Medal for his outstanding contributions to design journalism, education, and history. His ongoing commitment to uncovering the stories of women in design has made him not only a key figure in documenting design history but also an advocate for equity in the industry. Through his work, he has inspired a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of the design world, one that reflects the achievements of all its contributors.

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019. Zelda Wynn Valdes: Mermaid Silhouette Master (w/ Tobi Ashiru)

Tobi Ashiru — Tue, 1 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Uncover the fascinating story of Zelda Wynn Valdes, whose mastery of the mermaid silhouette led to her creation of the iconic Playboy Bunny costume, with insights from special guest Tobi Ashiru.

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Check out the original reel / video this podcast was based on: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6EDEMrLDsn/

Sources:

Dazzling Zelda (Children's Book by Farai Simoyi and Aura Lewis)

About Zelda Wynn Valdes:

Zelda Wynn Valdes (1901 – 2001) is often overlooked in design history even though she was one of the most influential fashion designers known for her hourglass silhouette dresses, and helping popularize the mermaid dress.

In fact, the femininity of her work caught the eye of Hugh Hefner who commissioned her to design the iconic and patented playboy bunny costume in 1960.

But before that, In 1948, Valdes became the first black person to open her own boutique on Broadway in Manhattan.

Zelda’s alluring yet sophisticated dresses were embraced by prominent figures such as Joyce Bryant, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Eartha Kitt, Josephine Baker, Diahann Carroll, Dorothy Dandridge, and Mae West. She even designed Maria Cole’s gown for her wedding to Nat King Cole in 1948.

Zelda continued her impactful career until her passing in 2001, contributing to over 80 ballet productions at the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

She made it her mission to leave the door wide open for all the black women designers following in her footsteps. She led a fashion coalition that was founded with the sole purpose of promoting black designers.

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Extra Sketches: Design & Murder

Amber Asay — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000

(**Trigger Warning: This episode discusses an explicit Murder) A brutal massacre at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin estate, where love, scandal, racism, paranoia, and murder intersect in a story that few have heard, involving the murder of his mistress, Martha Borthwick Cheney, at his beloved home he designed for their love.

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Sources:

PBS.org — Wright at the Time
History.com — The Massacre at Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Love Cottage’ by Christopher Klein
All That's Interesting — The Life and Death of Mamah Borthwick, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Controversial Lover by Jessica OConnor
Solved Murders Podcast Part 1 & Part 2 (2021)

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018. Lella Vignelli and Giorgia Lupi: Designing for Humanity

Giorgia Lupi, Rachel Gogel — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode highlights both Lella Vignelli and Giorgia Lupi and their focus on human connection through design. Lella Vignelli's multi-hyphenate modernist design, along with Giorgia Lupi’s innovative approach to data visualization.

Sources:

About Lella

You’ve likely heard of Massimo Vignelli, the renowned designer behind iconic works like the New York City Subway map, but did you know that behind many of those projects was an equally brilliant mind? Lella Vignelli—Massimo’s wife and design partner—was a powerhouse in her own right. With a background in architecture, she seamlessly blended elegance and functionality in everything from interior spaces to product design. Her meticulous attention to detail was the driving force behind many of their best-known works, including the timeless Handkerchief Chair and the stunning interiors of Saint Peter’s Church in New York.

Lella was more than just Massimo’s collaborator—she was a visionary who believed in creating design that was truly timeless, free of trends and fads. Yet, despite her immense contributions, Lella’s name often remained in the background. So, why is her story so often overshadowed? And how did she quietly reshape modern design?

Tune in to this episode to hear the incredible legacy of Lella Vignelli—a designer whose work deserves to be front and center.

About Giorgia

Giorgia's Books:
This is Me and Only Me
Observe Collect Draw!: A Visual Journal
Dear Data: A Friendship in 52 Weeks of Postcards

Giorgia Lupi is an Italian information designer, a partner at design firm Pentagram, and co-founder of research and design firm Accurat. She is a co-author of Dear Data, a collection of hand drawn data visualizations, along with information designer Stefanie Posavec. Her work is also part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art.

In 2011, Lupi co-founded research and design firm Accurat, that combines design and data to create data visualizations, interfaces, and tools. Among their clients are Google, IBM, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Starbucks, United Nations, the World Economic Forum and the Museum of Modern Art. Lupi's influences for her work come from fascinations by geometrical feel and balance of abstract art compositions.

Follow Giorgia Lupi on Instagram: @giorgialupi
Giorgia Lupi's Website: giorgialupi.com

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Extra Sketches: Men Who Amplify

Amber Asay — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Host, Amber Asay, explores the male designers who have either championed or dismissed the contributions of women in the design world. From Le Corbusier’s undermining of female collaborators to Paul Rand’s advocacy for Lella Vignelli, we dive into the varying dynamics of support—or lack thereof—among iconic male figures in design. Tune in to hear who lifted women up and who left them in the shadows.

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Read Anne Helen Petersen's original article here: A Unified Theory of Glen Powell

And Celeste M Davis's poem and full article linked here: The men who like women and the men who don't. Yes we can tell.

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017. Anni Albers and Marian Bantjes: Modern Takes on Weaving and Ornamentation

Marian Bantjes — Tue, 3 Sep 2024 08:31:32 +0000

In this double feature, discover how Anni Albers revolutionized the traditional craft of weaving into a modern art form as a Bauhaus trailblazer, while Marian Bantjes shares her creative journey of transforming ornamental graphic design into a contemporary storytelling medium.

Sources:

1968 Interview with Anni Albers — conducted 1968 July 5, by Sevim Fesci, for the Archives of American Art
Book — On Weaving by Anni Albers – A seminal work where Anni reflects on her life, her craft, and the philosophies behind her approach to weaving.
Book — Anni and Josef Albers: Equal and Unequal by Nicholas Fox Weber – A comprehensive biography that delves deep into Albers' life and work, offering insights into her creative process and legacy.
Book — Anni and Josef Albers: Art and Life by Julia Garimorth, Vincent Broqua, and Brenda Danilowitz
Video — "Bauhaus: The Face of the 20th Century" (1994) – A BBC documentary that covers the history of the Bauhaus, including interviews and insights into Anni Albers' role within the movement.
Video — "Black Mountain College” Visionaries Episode – This documentary explores the experimental college where Anni and Josef Albers taught, emphasizing its influence on modern art and design.
The Josef & Anni Albers Foundation – https://albersfoundation.org/ – The official website of the Albers Foundation, featuring extensive information on her life, work, and exhibitions.
MoMA Learning: Anni Albers – https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/anni-albers/ – A resource that provides an educational overview of Anni Albers’ work within the context of modern art.

About Anni Albers

Anni Albers is widely considered to be the foremost textile designer of the 20th century. She made major innovations in the field of functional materials and at the same time she expanded the possibilities of single weavings and individual artworks. She was also an adventurous graphic artist who took printmaking technique into previously uncharted territory.

Not only was she a pioneering textile artist, and printmaker, but she was an educator whose work redefined the boundaries between craft and fine art. She may arguably be THE person responsible for helping the masses see textile as art, not just craft. She studied at the Bauhaus, taught at Black Mountain College in North Carolina, where she continued to push the limits of weaving, experimenting with unconventional materials and techniques. Her book On Weaving (1965) remains a seminal text in textile design.

About Marian Bantjes

Marian's Books:
I Wonder
Pretty Pictures

Marian Bantjes (b. 1963) @bantjes is a Canadian graphic artist who is known for her signature maximalist style. Her intricate ornamentation creates texture and illusion, and challenges the minimalist boundaries of traditional graphic design.

Her clients include Pentagram, Saks Fifth Avenue, Print Magazine, Wallpaper* , WIRED, Creative Review, The Guardian (UK), The New York Times, AIGA, TypeCon, and more.

Her career spans 3 stages: she started in the 80s as a book typesetter for a publishing company and then from there she became partner at a small design firm in Canada, working on brand identity and communication designs.

In 2003 Marian decided to embark on the work that has brought her international recognition and fame as a world-class visual designer

Her work has an underlying structure that frames its fluid nature and she has an impressive way of interweaving word and image.

She says "throwing your individuality into a project is heresy" but she has built a career doing just that, as her signature style is unmistakable. In 2007 she released Restraint, a typeface that integrates her style of ornamentation to be used as shapes and borders.

Marian has been honored with several awards over the years and her work is now part of the permanent collection at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.

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016. Phyllis Madonna and Emily Heyward: Iconic Branding like the Madonna Inn

Emily Heyward — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 18:59:53 +0000

This dual feature episode highlights Phyllis Madonna’s fearless and eccentric design vision for the Madonna Inn, alongside branding expert Emily Heyward’s journey co-founding Red Antler and her insights into building iconic brands, including the lasting cultural impact of the Madonna Inn.

Links:
madonnainn.com
Their signature goblet (inspired by Alice Turney Williams wallpaper and rug designs)
Obsessed: Building a Brand People Love From Day One by Emily Heyward

About Phyllis:

Phyllis Madonna is a visionary designer, philanthropist, and co-founder of the iconic Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California. Born in 1928 in Orange County, she moved to the Central Coast in 1948 after marrying Alex Madonna. Although she had no formal design training, Phyllis’s creative instincts played a crucial role in shaping the Inn’s distinctive style, famous for its eclectic themed rooms and lavish use of pink. Encouraged by her husband to take the lead in designing the rooms, Phyllis’s designs became the heart of the Inn, transforming it from a roadside motel into a world-renowned destination.

Beyond her work at the Inn, Phyllis has made significant contributions to her community, supporting local arts organizations and spearheading the Phyllis Madonna Musical Revue and Fashion Show, which raised millions for women’s shelters over three decades. Her blend of creativity, community spirit, and entrepreneurial drive has made her a beloved figure on California’s Central Coast

About Emily Heyward:

Emily Heyward is a co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of Red Antler, a leading brand agency known for launching some of today’s most successful startups, including Casper, Allbirds, and Hinge. With a background in advertising and a degree in postmodern theory from Harvard, Emily pivoted from working with big brands to helping emerging companies create purposeful, consumer-driven identities. She has been recognized as one of the Most Important Entrepreneurs of the Decade by Inc. Magazine and is the author of Obsessed: Building a Brand People Love from Day One, which explores how brands can inspire deep loyalty from their very beginnings. With a reputation for building “cult brands,” Emily is frequently featured in media outlets like Forbes and Fast Company, and she continues to be a prominent voice in brand strategy

Buy Her Book: OBSESSED

Emily Heyward Website
Follow Emily on Instagram

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Extra Sketches: The Hidden Half

Amber Asay — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Host Amber Asay dives into the untold stories of design power couples where the husbands received most of the credit, exploring how history has often overlooked the equally brilliant contributions of their wives.

(This new bonus series, called "Extra Sketches" will be where we explore common themes and trends within women designer stories.)

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015. Betty Cooke and Ellen Lupton: From Jewelry to Typography

Ellen Lupton — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode spotlights Betty Cooke, the minimalist jewelry designer known for her sculptural creations, alongside Ellen Lupton, celebrated graphic designer and author, who reflects on Cooke’s influence and shares insights from her own legendary career in design and education.

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Links:

Thinking with Type, book by Ellen Lupton
Extra Bold, book co-authored by Ellen Lupton
Betty Cooke's Store

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About Betty Cooke:

We recently lost another design legend, Betty Cooke, whose passing marks the end of an era in modernist jewelry design. Born in 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland, Betty Cooke was a trailblazing designer celebrated for her minimalist and sculptural jewelry. Her work is defined by clean lines, geometric forms, and a timeless elegance that resonated across generations. After studying at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), where she later became a beloved faculty member, Betty opened her own studio and eventually co-founded The Store Ltd., a Baltimore institution that showcased her work for over five decades. Her jewelry, often handcrafted in silver and gold with touches of wood or acrylic, is iconic for its simplicity and boldness—pieces that remain instantly recognizable as “Betty Cooke.” Cooke’s influence is immortalized in museums, galleries, and in the collections of those fortunate enough to own her designs. Her legacy is one of innovation, elegance, and unwavering dedication to her craft.

About Ellen Lupton:

Ellen Lupton is one of the most influential voices in contemporary graphic design. Born in 1963, she is a celebrated designer, writer, curator, and educator whose work has profoundly shaped design education and practice. After graduating from Cooper Union in 1985, she became a curator at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, where she curated groundbreaking exhibitions that connected design to culture and society. Ellen is perhaps best known for her book Thinking with Type, first published in 2004, which has become an essential guide for designers and is used in classrooms worldwide. Beyond her writing, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the Graphic Design MFA program at MICA, inspiring generations of designers with her innovative teaching methods. Her body of work extends to over 20 books, exploring topics from typography to storytelling in design. Ellen’s contributions continue to influence how designers think, create, and communicate in today’s visual world.

Keep up with what Ellen Lupton's up to:
Instagram | Website

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014. Louise Fili and Kevin Cantrell: Masters of Lettering & Typography

Kevin Cantrell — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode highlights Louise Fili, the iconic designer celebrated for her exquisite typography and branding, alongside Kevin Cantrell, a master of lettering and typography, who shares how her work has shaped his own career and creative philosophy.

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Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee
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Sources:

About Louise Fili:

Louise Fili is a true titan of the design world, known for her impeccable taste, unrivaled craftsmanship, and deep-rooted passion for typography. She has revolutionized the landscape of graphic design with her elegant, vintage-inspired aesthetic. Her career spans decades of groundbreaking work, from her iconic book covers at Pantheon Books to the founding of her own studio, Louise Fili Ltd., where she has created stunning branding for top-tier clients like Sarabeth's and Bella Cucina.

Fili's work is a symphony of intricate lettering and timeless design, influenced by her love for Italian art and architecture. Her contributions to design have earned her the prestigious AIGA Medal and a place in the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame. Beyond her professional achievements, Fili is a dedicated educator at the School of Visual Arts, nurturing the next generation of designers.

Louise Fili continues to inspire and captivate with every project, embodying the perfect blend of historical reverence and modern sophistication. Her legacy is one of beauty, precision, and enduring impact on the world of design.

About Kevin Cantrell:

Adam Vicarel is a brand designer, lettering artist and mural painter who is obsessed with merging the worlds of fine art and strategic design. In his personal work Adam infuses his love for travel and the outdoors into his typography, illustration and storytelling to create visceral experiences for his audience. That’s visceral, not Vicarel.

His graph design studio, Vicarel Studios works on visual identity systems, packaging art installations, and more, and they’ve created for brands like NBC, Twitter, Lululemon, United Airlines and Sharpie. Their unique process of combining fine art with design allows them to craft provocative brands and artful experiences unbound by industry or medium.

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013. Iris Apfel and Adam Vicarel: Creativity Fueled by Travel

Adam Vicarel — Tue, 6 Aug 2024 15:17:06 +0000

This dual feature episode explores the life of Iris Apfel, a globe-trotting icon whose design career spans interiors, textiles, and fashion, alongside Adam Vicarel, a designer and lettering artist whose work is deeply inspired by his love of travel and storytelling. Together, they demonstrate how the experiences of the world can shape bold, creative visions.

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Sources:

The CEO Magazine “How Iris Apfel, 100, defies her age in the business world”
South China Morning Post “Meet Iris Apfel”
2014 Documentary “IRIS” by Albert Maysles

About Iris Apfel:

Iris Apfel, born on August 29, 1921, in Queens, New York, is a renowned American businesswoman, interior designer, and fashion icon. Alongside her husband Carl, she founded Old World Weavers in 1950, a textile firm celebrated for its reproduction of antique fabrics. Their work included notable projects like the restoration of the White House under nine presidents, enhancing its historical elegance.

Iris's distinctive personal style, characterized by bold accessories and eclectic fashion choices, made her a fashion muse and a beloved figure in the industry. Her influence was further cemented by the 2005 Costume Institute exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art titled "Rara Avis: The Irreverent Iris Apfel."

In addition to her work in design, Iris has collaborated with brands like MAC Cosmetics and H&M, bringing her unique aesthetic to a broader audience. She continues to inspire with her memoir "Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon" and a modeling contract with IMG signed at age 97, showcasing her enduring appeal and influence.

For more information, explore her memoir or the New York Times article.

About Adam Vicarel:

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012. Ann Lowe: A Trailblazing Black Couturier (w/ Elizabeth Way)

Elizabeth Way — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Discover the captivating and untold story of Ann Lowe, the brilliant designer behind Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress, as we delve into her legacy with fashion historian and author, Elizabeth Way, who has researched and written about Ann Lowe's life.

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Check out the original reel / video this podcast was based on: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6EDEMrLDsn/

Sources:

Ann Lowe: American Couturier by Elizabeth Way
Margaret Powell's master's thesis, The Life and Work of Ann Lowe, published in 2012 by the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design (Included in the book above)
By Her Own Design by Piper Huguley (Fictional Novel based on her life)
The Mike Douglas Show Interview

About Ann Lowe:

Ann Lowe (1898-1981) was an influential African American fashion designer whose exquisite gowns were sought after by America's social elite. Born in Clayton, Alabama, she learned the art of dressmaking from her mother and grandmother, both skilled seamstresses. Despite facing significant racial barriers, Lowe's talent led her to design dresses for prominent families, including the Rockefellers, the du Ponts, and the Kennedys.

Her most famous creation was Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress in 1953, a masterpiece completed under extraordinary circumstances. Lowe’s work was known for its meticulous craftsmanship, hand-sewn details, and elegant designs, yet she received little recognition during her lifetime. Financial struggles and the racial discrimination she faced often overshadowed her achievements. Today, Ann Lowe is celebrated as a trailblazer in the fashion industry, whose contributions continue to inspire and influence designers around the world.

About Elizabeth Way:

Elizabeth Way is a curator who specializes in fashion history, particularly focusing on the intersection of fashion and African American culture. Elizabeth has curated several exhibitions, including "Black Fashion Designers" and "Fabric In Fashion," which highlight the contributions of Black designers and the significance of textiles in fashion. She also co-edited the book "Black Designers in American Fashion," contributing to scholarship and public understanding of the impact of Black designers in the fashion industry. AND authored a book that just came out in 2023 about Ann Lowe

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Karmele Leizaola with Faride Mereb and Oriana Nuzzi: Pioneering Venezuelan Design

Faride Mereb, Oriana Nuzzi — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

This TRIPLE feature episode explores the groundbreaking career of Venezuelan graphic designer Karmele Leizaola, whose pioneering work shaped the nation’s design identity. Guests Faride Mereb and Oriana Nuzzi, Venezuelan designers now based in Brooklyn, share their research on Leizaola’s legacy and reflect on how her vision continues to influence contemporary design and their own creative journeys.

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About Karmele Leizaola:

First documented woman to work as a graphic designer in Venezuela. She is considered a pioneer of editorial design in Venezuela, working at several independent and her work has been influential for many generations of editorial designers.

Karmele was born in 1929 in Basque Country in Spain and starting at the age of 7, she was uprooted twice, first fleeing from the Spanish Civil War, and settling in France, and then fleeing France because of WWII, finally landing in Venezuela.

Her father was a printer and photojournalist which led to her connections and interest to becoming a publication graphic designer for various magazines and newspapers.

Her 55+ year career spanned from early layout design to hiring and consulting for countless publications.

Learn More at karmeleleizaola.com

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About Faride Mereb & Oriana Nuzzi

Faride and Oriana, both talented designers from Venezuela are now based in Brooklyn, where they co-direct Letra Muerta, a studio that specializes in art books.

Their dedication to preserving and celebrating Karmele's contributions to graphic design is nothing short of remarkable. In this interview they explain how they first came across her work, and how they’ve pushed through hours of research in Venezuela’s National Library. They took this research and created newspapers and zines of her work, and even Karmele’s wikipedia page is thanks to them.

Faride is an award-winning book designer, researcher, editor, and art director. Her love of books has deeply influenced her work. She’s worked for Penguin Random House, Kenning Editions, and is a member of the American Printing History Association.

Her friend and colleague Oriana, is an editorial designer and book designer. She has an artistic approach to her work, after first studying to be an artist. Along with Faride, she works on preserving and showcasing archival materials, while also exhibiting the work of Venezuelan artists and writers, and their cultural contributions.

Learn more about Faride and Oriana's studio Letra Muerta: https://letramuerta.nyc/
Follow their studio on IG: @letramuertainc
Follow Faride Mereb: @fmereb
Follow Oriana Nuzzi: @orianamrgarita

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010. Pum Lefebure: On Process, Philosophy, and Parenthood

Pum Lefebure — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Renowned designer Pum Lefebure shares her journey from her artistic roots in Bangkok to co-founding Design Army in Washington, D.C. She discusses her experiences leading high-profile campaigns for clients like the Washington Ballet, her philosophy on creativity and design, and the challenges of balancing her roles as a business owner, creative visionary, and mother. Listen in as Pum reflects on the impact of her cultural heritage, the importance of taking risks in design, and her advice for aspiring designers.
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About Pum Lefebure:
Pum Lefebure is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Design Army, a renowned creative agency based in Washington, D.C. Originally from Bangkok, Thailand, Pum has brought a unique global perspective to American design, blending artistic vision with strategic business acumen.

Over the years, she has spearheaded high-profile campaigns for clients such as Adobe, GE, Disney, the Ritz Carlton, and the Washington Ballet.

Her work has not only garnered countless awards but also set new standards in the industry.

Pum has served as a jury president and judge for some of the world's most prestigious design competitions and she has been recognized by Graphic Design USA as one of the top 50 People to Watch and has been featured in esteemed publications like Communication Arts and HOW magazine.

In addition to her professional achievements, Pum is a dedicated mother and a passionate advocate for creativity. She seamlessly balances her roles as a business owner, creative visionary, and family woman, making her a true icon in the design world.

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009. Norma Merrick Sklarek and Tobi Ashiru: Celebrating Black Women in Architecture

Amber Asay — Tue, 9 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode celebrates the trailblazing career of Norma Merrick Sklarek, the first Black woman licensed in architecture in New York and California, whose work broke barriers and paved the way for future generations. Guest Tobi Ashiru, a Black architectural designer and educator, shares how Norma’s legacy has inspired her own journey and shaped her perspective on diversity in design.

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About Norma Merrick Sklarek

Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) was a pioneering architect who shattered racial and gender barriers in the profession. As the first Black woman licensed as an architect in New York and California, Norma made significant contributions to iconic projects such as the Fox Plaza in San Francisco, the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, the US Embassy in Tokyo, and Terminal One at LAX. But as a black woman, she faced a lot of discrimination throughout her career. In fact, after graduation, she was rejected by 19 firms purely because of her race and gender. But she made an impact at 5 notable firms, including Victor Gruen Associates where she worked with Frank Gehry and Cesar Pelli. She also co-founding a firm with 2 other women, named Siegel-Sklarek-Diamond, which was the first architectural practice led by women in the US. She was also the first Black woman to be part of the AIA in 1959 AND became an AIA fellow later in 1980. Sklarek's legacy extends beyond her architectural achievements; she was a passionate advocate for diversity in the field, mentoring countless young architects and leaving an indelible mark on the architecture community.

About Tobi Ashiru

Tobi is a passionate designer and alumna of the USC School of Architecture. With a mission to change the world through design, she strives to push the boundaries of creativity. Born in Nigeria and raised in South Africa, Tobi seeks to create contextually relevant work that celebrates blackness. She's a interdisciplinary designer with diverse experiences as an architectural designer, installation artist, forever student, educator, and business owner.

She stays committed to the advancement of underrepresented voices in many ways and through Poché Design Studio, a black woman owned design agency she co-founded, where the mission is to occupy and amplify the black space in design. Tobi is currently an adjunct professor at USC School of Architecture where she is the lead instructor for the A-Lab program.

Instagram: @bypoche
Website: tobiashiru.com, bypoche.com

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Design Dialogues: Submit Your Story

Amber Asay — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 11:00:00 +0000

New Bonus Episode series! The topic for the first one is all about Persistence, submit your story and listen to host, Amber Asay's own story of Persistence on this episode.

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Submit Your Story of Persistence: (Submissions Now Closed)

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008. Muriel Cooper and Kelli Anderson: From Print to Pixels

Amber Asay — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 11:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode explores Muriel Cooper’s groundbreaking innovations in user interface and information design at MIT, alongside Kelli Anderson’s boundary-pushing work in paper art and design, inspired by Cooper’s merging of technology and creativity.

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About Muriel Cooper

Muriel Cooper (1925-1994) was a pioneering graphic designer known for her groundbreaking work in digital design and visual communication. As the first art director of MIT Press, she revolutionized academic publishing with her innovative book designs, including "Learning from Las Vegas." She co-founded the Visible Language Workshop at MIT, which evolved into the MIT Media Lab, where she spearheaded research in computer graphics and user interface design. Cooper's legacy endures through her contributions to integrating design with technology and her advocacy for women in the field.

About Kelli Anderson

Kelli Anderson is an innovative artist, designer, and educator known for her inventive paper engineering and interactive books. With a background in both design and art, she creates works that explore the intersection of art, technology, and everyday objects, often transforming the mundane into the extraordinary. Kelli’s notable projects include a functioning paper record player and a pop-up planetarium book, showcasing her ability to merge creativity with technical skill. Her work has been widely recognized and celebrated for its ingenuity and playful approach to design.

Instagram: @kellianderson
Website: kellianderson.com

Sources:

Book: Muriel Cooper (Mit Press) by Reinfurt and Wiesenberger
Eye on Design “Muriel Coopers Visions of a Future”
Designer Observer’s Podcast episode w/ Michael Beirut & Jessica Helfand"Learning from Muriel Cooper"
YouTube, Talks at Google — “Muriel Cooper” by David Reinfurt

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007. Roanne Adams: On Sustainable Fashion and How Women Are Leading the Charge

Amber Asay — Thu, 6 Jun 2024 11:00:00 +0000

This episode spotlights Roanne Adams’ journey as a creative leader and her passion for sustainable fashion, exploring how women are at the forefront of shaping a kinder, more eco-conscious future. Together, we highlight five influential women in sustainable fashion who are redefining the industry with innovative, earth-friendly designs.

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Description:

For today’s episode, I’m joined by the inspiring Roanne Adams, as we dive deep into the ebbs and flows of her career journey and then we also talk about the world of sustainable fashion, discussing the impact and contributions of esteemed women designers like Stella McCartney, Eileen Fisher, Gabriela Hearst and Mara Hoffman. We explore the intersections and moral impact of creativity, entrepreneurship, and sustainability in this enlightening episode.

About:

Roanne Adams is an acclaimed designer and creative director known for her innovative approach to branding and visual identity. She is the founder of RoAndCo, a New York-based design firm that collaborates with leading fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands. With a talent for storytelling and community building, Roanne has established herself as a prominent figure in the design industry. Her work has earned several awards, including a prestigious Young Guns win from the Art Directors Club, as well as recognition from AIGA.

Thank you Roanne for joining!

@roanneadams / @roandcostudio / roandco.com

4 Women Designers who are at the forefront of Sustainable Fashion:

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006. Gail Anderson: On Racism, Resilience, and the Power of Mentorship

Gail Anderson — Thu, 30 May 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Renowned graphic designer Gail Anderson shares her journey from creating magazines in her youth to working at Rolling Stone and beyond, discussing her experiences as a woman of color in the design industry and the evolution of her career. Listen in on how Gail's mentors shaped her path and the fulfillment she finds in seeing her designs in the world.

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About Gail:

Join us as we explore Gail's career, her inspirations, and her thoughts on the evolving world of design. Today, we’re bringing you a firsthand look into the mind of a true design trailblazer.

Highlights:

Gail's creative beginnings and inspirations in the Bronx
Her education at SVA and women teachers like Paula Scher, Carin Goldberg, Louise Fili
Navigating the design industry in the 80s and 90s as a black woman
Iconic work at Rolling Stone and Broadway
The importance of writing books on design for continual learning
Reflections on her career and legacy in the design world

Links:

Learn more about Gail Anderson's work at her website
Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Social Media:

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Instagram: @WomenDesignersPod

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005. Gere Kavanaugh and Lisa Congdon: Creativity at Any Age

Amber Asay — Thu, 23 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode highlights Gere Kavanaugh, the multi-hyphenate designer whose legendary career was championed by key figures in design, alongside Lisa Congdon’s inspiring story of building a thriving creative career later in life, proving it’s never too late to pursue your passions.

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1-min Reel of Gere Kavanaugh's Work

Sources:
Architectural Digest Articles:
A Look at the Life's Work of Multi-Hyphenate Designer Gere Kavanaugh
The Unlikely Story of One of General Motors's First Female Designers
LA Times: Gere Kavanaugh’s color avalanche brightened midcentury California design
2019 Book: A Colorful Life: Gere Kavanaugh, Designer (written by Louise Sandhaus, Kat Catmur)
Metropolis: Gere Kavanaugh: Pioneer With a Penchant for Color
AIGA Medal Article
AIGA Short

Gere Kavanaugh, born in Memphis in 1929, is a legendary American designer known for her vibrant and innovative contributions across industrial design, textiles, and interiors. Educated at the Memphis Academy of Art and Cranbrook Academy of Art, she was influenced by greats like Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen.

In the 1950s, Kavanaugh broke barriers at General Motors as one of the few female industrial designers. In 1960, she founded Gere Kavanaugh Designs in Los Angeles, known for bold colors and playful forms. Her work spans textiles, furniture, and interiors, always pushing the boundaries of traditional design.

Kavanaugh's influence extends through her collaborations, mentorship, and numerous awards, including the AIGA Medal in 2010. Her legacy is marked by innovation, courage, and an unwavering dedication to making the world a more beautiful, functional place.

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Thank you to Lisa Congdon!
https://lisacongdon.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lisacongdon

Her exhibit is up at St. Mary's until June 23, 2024: https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum-art/lisa-congdon-hold-it-lightly

Lisa Congdon an internationally known fine artist, illustrator and writer. She makes art for clients around the globe, including The Library of Congress, Target, Wired Magazine, Amazon, Google, Schwinn, Warby Parker, Method, Comme des Garcons, REI and MoMa, among many others. She exhibits internationally, including solo shows at Saint Mary's College Museum of Art (California), Chefas Projects (Oregon) and Paradigm Gallery (Philadelphia), along with group shows at Hashimoto Contemporary in Los Angeles, Museum of Design Atlanta and The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco. She is the author of ten books, including Art Inc: The Essential Guide to Building Your Career as an Artist and Find your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic. Lisa is self-taught and didn’t achieve momentum in her career until she was nearly 40 years old. Despite her untraditional path, Lisa has achieved recognition, not just as an artist, but as a leader in the industry for her work in social justice, mentoring and teaching. In March of 2021, she was named “One of the 50 Most Inspiring People and Companies According to Industry Creatives” published by AdWeek. When she's not making art, you can find her racing her bike around Oregon. She lives and works in Portland, Oregon.

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004. Barbara Kruger and Catherine Casalino: Challenging the Status Quo

Catherine Casalino — Thu, 16 May 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In this dual feature episode we highlight the work of Barbara Kruger, whose graphic design background shaped her iconic, subversive collaged art. Alongside a discussion of Kruger’s legacy and the ironic Supreme lawsuit saga, guest Catherine Casalino shares her own journey as a celebrated book designer, including her experience creating book props for the film American Fiction.

1-min Reel of Barbara Kruger's Work

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Barbara Kruger was born in 1945 in Newark, New Jersey. Kruger briefly attended Syracuse University, then Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she studied with artists and photographers Marvin Israel and Diane Arbus. Kruger worked in graphic design for Condé Nast Publications at Mademoiselle magazine, and was promoted to head designer within a year, at the age of twenty-two. Kruger has described her time in graphic design as “the biggest influence on my work…[it] became, with a few adjustments, my ‘work’ as an artist.”

In the early 1970s, Kruger started showing artwork in galleries in New York. At the time, she was mainly working in weaving and painting. However, she felt that her artwork lacked meaning, and in 1976, she quit creating art entirely for a year. She took a series of teaching positions, including at University of California, Berkeley. When she began making art again in 1977, she had moved away from her earlier style into photo and text collages. In 1979, Kruger developed her signature style using large-scale black-and-white images overlaid with text. She repurposed found images, juxtaposing them with short, pithy phrases printed in Futura Bold or Helvetica Extra Bold typeface in black, white, or red text bars. In addition to creating text and photographic works, Kruger has produced video and audio works, written criticism, taught classes, curated exhibitions, designed products, such as T-shirts and mugs, and developed public projects, such as billboards, bus wraps, and architectural interventions.

Kruger addresses media and politics in their native tongue: sensational, authoritative, and direct. Personal pronouns like “you” and “I” are staples of Kruger’s practice, bringing the viewer into each piece. “Direct address has motored my work from the very beginning,” Kruger said. “I like it because it cuts through the grease.” Kruger’s work prompts us to interrogate our own positions; in the artist’s words, “to question and change the systems that contain us.” She demands that we consider how our identities are formed within culture, through representation in language and image.
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Thank you Catherine for joining me!

catherinecasalino.com
@cat.casalino

Catherine Casalino is the principal and creative director of Casalino Design, an independent design company in New York City, focusing on book design and branding.

Prior to founding Casalino Design in 2016, Catherine worked in-house as an art director and designer at Simon & Schuster, Random House, and Hachette Book Group, and she began her career at Rodrigo Corral Design.

Over the past two decades, Catherine’s work has been recognized by numerous international design organizations and publications. She has served as a competition chair and judge for The Type Directors Club, The One Club, The Art Directors Club, and the Association of American University Presses.

She frequently speaks about design at art schools and organizations, is an instructor on Domestika.com, and volunteers as a mentor for Alphabettes—a community that supports women in type.

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003. Barbara Stauffacher Solomon and Rachel Gogel: Defining Design, Then and Now

Rachel Gogel — Thu, 9 May 2024 11:00:00 +0000

This dual feature episode honors the life and legacy of Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, the trailblazing graphic designer who defined California cool with her iconic supergraphics. Joining today's episode is Rachel Gogel, a Bay Area-based designer and fractional design leader, who reflects on Barbara’s influence and shares her own story of building a dynamic and flexible career in modern design leadership.

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View 1-min Reel of Barbara Stauffacher Solomon's Work

About Barbara:

Barbara Stauffacher Solomon is a prolific designer, muralist, landscape designer, and architect.

Born in San Francisco in 1928, she spent her formative years studying ballet, cultivating a deep appreciation for rhythm, movement, and expression.

Her path took a transformative turn when she journeyed to Switzerland to study at the Basel School of Design. It was here, that Barbara immersed herself in the principles of the International Typographic Style.

Returning to San Francisco in the 1950s, Barbara found herself at the forefront of a cultural revolution, she burst onto the design scene with her groundbreaking concept of "Supergraphics" when she became involved in the design of Sea Ranch, the experimental utopian town on the coast of Northern California. Her work at Sea Ranch embodied a holistic approach to design, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between humans and their environment.

She once famously declared, "I'm not an artist, I'm a designer," emphasizing her commitment to functionality and purpose in all her creations.

She's not just a trailblazer; she's a visionary whose indomitable spirit continues to shape the way we think about design and innovation.

Sources:

Hall of Femmes

Why? Why Not

Adobe Create YouTube

Interview with Wallpaper Magazine

Thank you Rachel for joining us!
rachelgogel.com
@rgogel

Rachel Gogel (she/her) is a Parisian creative director, designer, speaker, mentor, and educator whose career has followed the rise and dominance of an entire era of digital design.

Based in San Francisco, she runs her own small consultancy as an independent design executive and has led major brand initiatives at GQ, The New York Times, Meta, Godfrey Dadich, Airbnb, and Dropbox. Now working as a solopreneur, Rachel has influenced many exciting projects for her clients — from launching editorial publications from scratch, to crafting story-driven digital experiences, to leading org design efforts, to designing TV show pitch decks and book covers for influential public figures, to building brand systems for global media and entertainment companies in a fractional capacity. As an experienced people manager, she is committed to designing teams that build brands — with a focus on culture and technology. Having stepped into interim executive creative director, head of brand, and design director roles in recent years, she has helped companies through transitional periods, built out their cross-disciplinary creative teams, and trained her full-time replacement(s).

When she is not consulting, Rachel teaches in the Master’s of Interaction Design program at the California College of the Arts (CCA). She is also a passionate advocate for gender equity in the design industry. For 2.5 years, she has served on the AIGA San Francisco Board of Directors with a focus on amplifying women and non-binary designers’ collective power and visibility through a program called Women in Leadership & Design (WILD), for which Rachel is the Chair. Rachel also actively participates in Neol and Queer Design Club. Her words and actions over the years highlight how she's come to care deeply about using her voice and privilege to help create connected communities, especially for women.

Nominated for a 2022 Webby for her work on Departures, Rachel has been recognized by Inc. as one of 2016’s “30 under 30 Movers and Shakers” and by Forbes as one of 2015’s “30 under 30” in media. She has been featured in publications such as PRINT Magazine, Design by Women, Fast Company, among others. After hours, you can find Rachel museum hopping, planning her next trip abroad, or relaxing with her wife at home.

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002. Evelyn Ackerman: Mid-Century Designs for Home (w/ Laura Ackerman)

Amber Asay — Fri, 3 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000

On today’s episode, we’ll discuss the life and work of industrial designer, Evelyn Ackerman, who’s work was prolific during the Mid-Century California Modernism era in the 50s and 60s But what makes this episode even more exciting is that we’re joined by her daughter, Laura Ackerman-Shaw, who offers a unique perspective and personal insights on the incredible work of her mother.

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Laura Ackerman-Shaw, is a Stanford University graduate with a bachelors and masters degree in English literature, boasts 35 years of experience in publishing and has been the Executive Director of Ackerman Modern since 2015. She passionately preserves and promotes her parents’ design legacy through museum exhibitions, presentations, scholarships under their name, preserving their archive of work, writing articles, and licensing her parents products with brands like Design Within Reach and CB2. Based in the Bay Area, Laura, her husband Marc, and their son Aaron live in a vibrant mid-century modern Eichler home, embodying the artistic essence inherited from her renowned designer parents.

Evelyn Ackerman, alongside her husband Jerome, was a leading figure in Mid-Century California Modernism. Her colorful and whimsical designs spanned ceramics, mosaics, tapestries, woodcarvings, and hardware, embodying the Bauhaus philosophy of blending art, craft, and industry for accessible quality goods. Her design style ranged from geometric minimalism to biomorphic abstraction to figurative stylization, highlighting her intuitive use of pattern, color, line, proportion, and composition.

Evelyn and Jerome’s pieces from the early 1950s through the early 1980s gained recognition nationally and internationally, noting the cultural nuances encountered in Evelyn’s creative journey. Her and her husband’s timeless creations adorned postwar modern interiors, fueling California’s housing boom, have been seen in museums and even on sets in movies and television. Despite retiring from manufacturing in 1979, their legacy endures, captivating collectors today and resonating with a new generation drawn to their collaborative spirit and unwavering dedication to their artistic vision.

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Here's where to follow the Ackerman Modern legacy to stay up to date on exhibits and future brand collaborations:
https://ackermanmodern.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ackermanmodern/

CB2 Collection as part of their Design Legends series:
https://www.cb2.com/collections/ackerman-modern/1

IG Reel of her work:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C6gk90qrpYl/

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001. Gunta Stölzl and Meryl Vedros: Redefining Textiles and Living to Design

Meryl Vedros — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 20:45:56 +0000

Discover the groundbreaking work of Gunta Stölzl, the only female Bauhaus Master, who redefined weaving as an art form, alongside Meryl Vedros’ own creative journey and insights on preserving history through design.
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In today's episode, I’m joined by the incredible designer, Meryl Vedros, as we dive into the remarkable life Gunta Stölzl, a visionary force at the iconic Bauhaus in Germany. We uncover what it truly meant to be a woman navigating the male-dominated world of design during the early 20th century.

From her groundbreaking textile designs to her influential role as the only female master at the Bauhaus, we'll explore the enduring legacy of Gunta Stölzl and how her innovative spirit continues to inspire designers around the globe.

As the only female master of the Bauhaus, textile artist Gunta Stölzl is arguably the single most influential figure in the modern history of Western woven art. Under her leadership, the school's weaving workshop was transformed from a neglected department to one of its most successful facilities. During her tenure, she updated the focus from pictorial work to more industrial designs, introducing radical ideas from the world of modern art to weaving, and initiated experiments in materials and methods that helped shift weaving into the modern age.

Sources
2019 Book “Bauhaus Women: A global perspective”
2022 Daily Art Magazine article
1999 Bauhaus Book by Anja Baumhoff
2012 Talk at The Barbican Centre in London by daughter Monika “Bauhaus: Art as Life”
Diary entries from Gunta herself.

Slit Tapestry Red/Green

https://www.guntastolzl.org/Works/Bauhaus-Dessau-1925-1931/Wall-Hangings-and-Carpet/i-4h4SxCp

Tapestry Paintings / Designs

https://www.guntastolzl.org/Works/Bauhaus-Dessau-1925-1931/Designs-for-Carpets/i-6fRNWJH

https://www.guntastolzl.org/Works/Bauhaus-Dessau-1925-1931/Designs-for-Wall-Hangings/i-xJrzrhM

https://www.guntastolzl.org/Works/Bauhaus-Dessau-1925-1931/Designs-for-Wall-Hangings/i-tJbfVbH

https://www.guntastolzl.org/Works/Bauhaus-Dessau-1925-1931/Designs-for-Carpets/i-CqVr29m

From Sketch to Final

https://www.guntastolzl.org/Works/Bauhaus-Weimar-1919-1925/Designs-for-Wall-Hanging/i-VxXtPrN

https://www.guntastolzl.org/Works/Bauhaus-Weimar-1919-1925/Wall-Hangings-and-Carpet/i-3ZMsh3B

Thank you Meryl Vedros!

https://www.vedrosstudio.com

https://www.instagram.com/vedrosstudio/

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