Liz Danzico, chair and cofounder of the MFA in Interaction Design at School of Visual Arts, talks about her newest role at NPR, her most influential mentor, the importance of trusting your instincts, and ice cream—hey, it’s summer in the city!
I first encountered Roxane’s writing on the online literary magazine, The Rumpus. Immediately, I was drawn into her writing, into its wit, its directness, and its unapologetic approach. Needless to say, I’m a fan of Roxane’s work, and I was thrilled at the opportunity to interview her for this week’s issue. I spoke with Roxane while she was on tour for her debut novel, An Untamed State, which is getting rave reviews! Roxane recalled her upbringing in the Midwest, the “Aha!” moment that had been inside of her the whole time, spoke about what she hopes to contribute as a writer—and as a human being—and gave some pretty great advice: give a damn and own your work. —Tina”
An accomplished curator, writer, designer, and critic, Ellen splits her time between her home in Baltimore, Maryland, and New York City. I met with Ellen at The Grey Dog, where she recalled the path that led to her to the city in the first place, the “Aha!” moment that helped her merge writing and design, and the importance of teaching and sharing. But my favorite part of our conversation was her advice to give 150%; in Ellen’s words, “If you really want to build a powerful career, and make an impact, then you have to be prepared to put in blood, sweat, and tears,” and it’s true. So, friends, take it from Ellen: be willing to do the hard work. Yes, it will be worth it! —Tina
Like any good teacher, John Maeda is a great storyteller, and I had the honor of talking with him about his own story, which began in a tofu shop in Seattle and led him to places he had never imagined he would go. John, who admitted that he didn’t always know what he wanted to do, recalled his early interests in math and art, the teachers who helped steer his course, his years at MIT, the opportunity to become president of RISD, and his recent transition into new roles. Hearing John open up about his unplanned path and his own bouts of self-doubt was a reminder that we all struggle to be confident and courageous at times. But hope urges us to move forward, to take the next step, whether we can see the path or not. So, go ahead, make a move. —Tina
When we met James Victore at his Williamsburg studio a few weeks ago, we knew it was going to be a special evening. And it was. Over the course of the night, James recounted his path with unflinching honesty, describing his parent’s early influence on him, the events that led him to New York with dreams of becoming the best poster designer ever, and how he found, lost, and regained his dharma. Now, in the midst of doing the most important work of his career, James is certain that his life’s work is no longer about him; nor is it about money, awards, or fame. What drives James is the simple, yet profound truth that, “Our work is a gift.” As you read the interview, it’s our sincere hope that James’ words will resonate with you. Because no matter what you do, you have a contribution to make, but it’s up to you to be courageous enough to believe it and audacious enough to act on it. —Tina
Debbie has interviewed over 200 people for her podcast, Design Matters, and the opportunity to ask her the questions was exciting, albeit slightly intimidating. With 30 years of professional experience and a multitude of personal projects under her belt, Debbie is a force in the world of design, but there’s more to her story than her current successes. In fact, Debbie was generous in sharing about the years of rejection and despair that she experienced before finding her niche. Her stories and insights will challenge you, encourage you, and confirm that you’re not alone in your struggles. But in Debbie’s words, sometimes “the worst moments of our life can turn out to the best.” So go on, be brave, bold, and above all, keep trying. —Tina
Kate does everything. No, really. In addition to illustration and design, she has done photography, installations, worked with textiles, created patterns, published zines, initiated several participatory projects, and to top it off, she’s been teaching for the last eight years. What keeps her going? She loves what she does, and her enthusiasm was obvious when we talked. Kate shared about changing majors a few times in college, her first design job, how her curiosity about consumerism started to influence her work, being inspired by family, and why she’s thinking differently about design education. —Tina
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