Who is Debbie Millman?
Debbie Millman, among numerous other things, is a huge hero of mine. She is an inspirational designer, author, branding guru, educator and podcaster who believes in making a difference through design. She is also a born and bred New Yorker.
The Creative Women's Circle will be presenting Debbie Millman at Melbourne's Design Week in March 2020.
2 min read
Who is Debbie Millman?
Debbie Millman, among numerous other things, is a huge hero of mine. She is an inspirational designer, author, branding guru, educator and podcaster who believes in making a difference through design. She is also a born and bred New Yorker.
As a woman who wears many hats, Debbie Millman will be visiting Melbourne for Melbourne Design Week on the weekend of March 14 and 15. Presented by us, the Creative Women’s Circle, Debbie will be sharing her experiences in the industry through the idea of Courage vs Confidence and hosting a workshop on Visual Story Telling.
As a podcaster, Debbie hosts Design Matters which has become the world’s most downloaded design podcast. Debbie has interviewed some of the biggest names in design since her show began in 2005. They include graphic design luminaries like Stephan Sagmeister and Paula Scher. She has also used her casual interview style to get to the heart of Eat, Prey Love’s Elizabeth Gilbert, feminist author and now fiancé Roxanne Gay and artist Marina Abramović’s creative processes.
Debbie Millman is the famed founder and talent on the podcast Design Matters.
Debbie is also an educator and runs a Masters in Branding at the School in Visual Arts in New York. Here she shares her knowledge gleaned from 22 years at Sterling Brands where she was president of the design division. She has worked for over 200 of the world’s top brands and written books to help students truly understand the process.
Branding is not the only topic Debbie has written about. Her published works also include more illustrative works like Self-Portrait as your Traitor and Look Both Ways. Her most recent collaboration is Leave Me Alone with the Recipes: The Life, Art, and Cookbook of Cipe Pineles. Cipe was an unsung American designer and educator who left a big impression on Debbie. One day Cipe’s personally illustrated scrapbook, full of family recipes, was found at an antiques fair. It was this book that Debbie with Sarah Rich, Wendy MacNaughton and Maria Popova (curator of the blog Brain Pickings) reinvented into a beautiful book that everyone can now cook from.
She is an inspirational designer, author, branding guru, educator and podcaster who believes in making a difference through design.
Debbie’s passion for writing and design critique keeps expanding and she is now the Editorial and Creative Director of Print Magazine. Founded in 1940, Print Magazine was the go-to for inspiration and information for many graphic designers, however it went out of circulation in 2018. It has been Debbie’s passion for design that will ensure it will rise again this year and is something to look forward to.
In 2017 I got to meet Debbie in New York while researching my PhD on women in design. While I was certainly star-struck, it was great to find her so warm and welcoming. She has overcome a childhood of violence and abuse. She has set goals and challenged herself. She has achieved admirable career and personal success and is now at a place where she wants to share her secrets with other creative women. There is much about her to admire.
So that is who Debbie Millman is. We hope that you have your interest sparked and will see you at either her speaking event or workshop in March.
- Jane Connory, PhD, Special Events Co-ordinator at Creative Women’s Circle
What you need to know to host a workshop
Running a workshop or short course is a great opportunity for creatives to diversify income while sharing their skills, knowledge and passions. But before you run a workshop of your own, it pays to do a little research to ensure there is demand, a venue and that you have the time and skills for marketing to ensure your event is a success.
Running a workshop or short course is a great opportunity for creatives to diversify income while sharing their skills, knowledge and passions. But before you run a workshop of your own, it pays to do a little research to ensure there is demand, a venue and that you have the time and skills for marketing to ensure your event is a success.
What can you offer?
I believe we’re seeing an increase in the number of self-hosted workshops as education becomes more democratized: learning by the people, for the people! Many creatives have mastered processes and adapted techniques to make them more easily shareable with others. Ask yourself: what can you offer? What will participants specifically gain from undertaking a workshop with you?
Does someone else already offer it? Do people want it?
Dig around the Internet and you’ll see a whole bunch of workshops being offered by retailers, artist collectives and practicing designers. As you browse what’s available, here are some questions to guide your research.
Does anyone else currently offer workshops in your field of expertise?
If you have competitors, great! It means there is genuine interest from others wanting to learn this set of skills. How do your competitors run their workshops? Can you do it better?
If you don’t have competitors, ask your friends, colleagues and even strangers whether they or someone they know would be interested in taking one of your workshops.
Find out where your competitors are located. Can you find alternate regions or locations to attract another demographic?
Outline the purpose of your workshop.
The more clearly you define the purpose of your workshop, the easier it will be to hone in on your target market.
Does your workshop require prior skills or knowledge, or is it introductory and inclusive?
Are you offering professional development or sharing knowledge or artisan skills?
Will there be something physical to take home afterwards, either a handmade object or a set of reference materials?
How long will the session go for? Can you condense it into one day or will you need to stretch it out over a weekend or multiple evening sessions?
Define the aims and goals of your workshop so participants know what to expect. Tell them specifically what prior knowledge or skills they’ll need, what to bring, what’s supplied and what you’ll provide.
Find a space.
Venue rentals can easily eat away workshop profits and the ability to pay yourself after costs, so it’s worth considering other options. Could you run your workshop from your home or studio? Could you find a venue partner who will benefit from you bringing in new customers? Consider linking with a food and beverage or retail business to boost sales in exchange for free space. You could also consider profit-share so there’s a mutual benefit from cross-promotion and marketing. Make sure your venue is easy to get to, accessible to public transport and has parking options.
All images: Surface Art Symposium, run by Emily Wills
Sell tickets. Promote and share. Sell more tickets!
Give yourself six to eight weeks lead-time to book a space or find a collaborator or host. You’ll want to have the event information up with a minimum of four weeks to market and promote. If you don’t have an existing online shop, consider using a third-party booking system such as Stickytickets, Eventbrite or WeTeachme to manage sales.
To promote your event, create a flyer or image that effectively communicates your workshop outcomes. If you don’t have graphic design skills, an edited photo or simple graphic designed on Canva.com can be really effective.
Share your workshop visuals, information and booking link across social media channels. Encourage others to share the event details. Link with your target market via Facebook groups and send emails to your database, friends and family. Get the workshop information out there! Promote and share! Keep going right up until launch time.
Do a great job. Get feedback. Build a tribe!
Finally, you’re running a workshop! Give it your all to make it special and memorable. Follow up with an email to let people know you appreciated their time and interest, and ask if there’s anything you could do to make it better next time.
Building an audience takes time. Sometimes the people who would most love to come to your workshop are unavailable or simply forgot to book tickets. Have a second date ready to gauge interest and send through to any enquiries that come through.
Emily Wills is the creative director of SURFACE 1°22, a surface pattern design studio. In her various manifestations, she has worked as a fashion designer, illustrator, curator, arts educator and printed textile designer. Emily founded the SURFACE 1°22 Design School in Melbourne, offering hands-on workshops and short courses in surface and textile design. For more information, visit her Facebook page and Instagram feeds (@surface122designschool and @surface122).
Photography credits: Tendai Hatendi
Interviews with creative women: Kin & Kind
Sydney-siders Miriam Raphael and Josie Jones met through their children’s daycare, and connected over a shared longing to contribute to their community and bring parents together in a meaningful way.
Photo by Asch Creative
Sydney-siders Miriam Raphael and Josie Jones met through their children’s daycare, and connected over a shared longing to contribute to their community and bring parents together in a meaningful way.
Over a number of play dates, the idea of Kin & Kind was born. Through Kin & Kind, Miriam and Josie run parent-focused workshops and events which upskill, stimulate and connect parents.
Their program is truly inspired, from making bush toys for city kids and creative indoor gardening, to making iPhone movies and decluttering. Plus there’s an onsite crèche where little ones can be entertained while mum or dad are meeting new friends and learning a new skill.
Miriam and Josie share some insights into running their new creative business, balancing family and work, and the importance of spending time with like-minded creative people.
Tell us a bit about your backgrounds. What led you to start Kin & Kind?
MIRIAM: I was working as a freelance writer, editor and radio producer. I spent six months last year travelling in the US with my family, and decided that on my return I wanted to do something different, that preferably didn’t involve staring at a computer all day (writing online listicles!). I knew I wanted to be part of a community initiative where I could produce something tangible each week and connect with other parents.
Josie was a daycare mum friend with a background in corporate marketing. We were both surprised at the dearth of parent-focused activities in the mid-week morning space and about the lack of authentic parenting conversation (that didn’t revolve around feeding your kid solids or decorating a nursery). She was thinking along the same community-focused lines and the idea developed over a couple of playdates back in February.
What was it like to start your own creative business?
MIRIAM: It’s an unbelievable experience. So many highs, so many lows. Kind of like having your first child! I can’t believe how much we’ve learned in such a short time. I love that any idea that we have, we can try and make happen and believe me, we have plenty. But then, there are so many ideas and only two of us! Plus we’re responsible for everything from getting bums on seats at every event to making sure there’s enough coffee to go around, which is no small undertaking. Keeping up the energy and motivation especially on a difficult day is also hard – we really lean on each other.
In terms of rewards, there’s nothing better than hearing positive feedback about something you’ve created from scratch. Nothing. When someone tells us they loved the event, met a new friend, or went away with a new skill/perspective on their lives… we literally do a happy dance!
It’s wonderful being able to tailor the business around our personal lives so we have the flexibility to do kid drop-offs and be there for all the school activities. I do not miss having to ask permission to come in at 9:15 am so I can drop my daughter at school.
Photo by Studio Something
How do you put together your program and decide what and who to feature?
MIRIAM: There’s so much noise out there in the parenting space, so we want to stand out with interesting, thought-provoking content. I use the same skills I did as a radio producer, and ask the questions: ‘Is it a compelling story?', 'Are they good talent?’ We use a general litmus test, ‘Is this something/someone that would inspire and excite us?’ If it doesn’t, it’s out. We can’t sell that.
JOSIE: We do lots of research and spend time talking to others about what they are interested in and the topics parents are grappling with. We also regularly survey our parents to find out what really motivates them.
How important is it for creatives to connect with other likeminded people?
MIRIAM: So important! I often forget this as we get so focused on the nitty gritty of each event. It’s easy to get bogged down in the practical details and lose sight of the bigger vision. Then I’ll have a coffee with another business owner creative and suddenly be filled with excitement and ideas once again. You never know where a conversation will take you… also these connections are a great space to vent and normalise the challenges we all have to deal with.
How do you make time for creativity in your day-to-day lives?
MIRIAM: I’m passionate about books and long-form journalism. I was inspired by Lorelei Vashti who replaced Facebook with a subscription New Yorker app on her phone. It’s totally cut down my Facebook use (Instagram is a work in progress). I’m a podcast obsessive which I squeeze in while cooking/cleaning up and hustling the kids around. My current favourite is Invisibilia.
Josie loves to blog. She’s a prolific writer and finds it really therapeutic… I have no idea where she finds the time!
Photo by Studio Something
You both are juggling a creative business and family – do you have any tips about making it all work?
JOSIE: Ha ha, I wish. Designating time for work and kids/family is really important. So it’s good to know how much time in the day you have for work and working out realistically what you can achieve in that time. Because there are two of us, it does make it easier to lean in and lean out when kids get sick or there is something happening at the kids’ school.
I recommend having an open and honest conversation with your partner about the load they will pick up regarding childcare. It’s tempting to load it up on the small business owner who works from home! But this isn’t good for business, family or your sanity.
Who are some other creative women who are inspiring you at the moment?
JOSIE: Miriam! Also Uldouz Van Eenoo from The Mother’s Den. I just finished her Success Circle and it was a brilliant experience.
MIRIAM: I’m inspired by women who are honest about the mess and chaos of life and kids, but still manage to be brave, create and get sh*t done. The designer Elke Kramer, artist Emily Besser and all-round creative Johanna Bell are friends who energise me in this way.
What would you say to other women considering starting their own creative business?
JOSIE: Just do it. It’s OK to have high ideals but be conscious about whether any of those high ideals are stopping you from just getting going. Nothing is ever perfect and you have to be prepared to adapt and change the business as you go. Talk to as many people as you can – but like all the advice people give new mothers, you must work out what advice works for you and where your values are before you can decide what path to follow. Not everyone’s advice will work for you. But equally if someone gives you advice that you don’t like, ask yourself why this rankles you – does it highlight a shortcoming you’re not ready to address or is it just bad advice?
What can workshop participants expect when they come to a Kin & Kind event?
JOSIE: All our events are different. The common thread is that each one connects and (hopefully) inspires parents to engage their post-baby brain, start conversations and laugh. It’s not to say that parents don’t do those things daily, but this is about giving parents permission and tools to be more than just someone’s mum or dad.
What do you hope for the future of Kin & Kind?
JOSIE: Is global domination not enough? In all seriousness, what we want is for Kin & Kind to be part of a change movement that supports, encourages and makes it possible for all parents to feel comfortable taking time out for themselves. We strongly believe that when parents look after themselves and invest in themselves, it is good for them and good for their kids. As long as that happens, we will be happy.
Website / Facebook / Instagram (@hellokinandkind)
Kate Shannon is a freelance writer based in Brisbane after many years living in Darwin. She spends a lot of her time in the garden with her two little girls, and loves writing and learning about creative people, flowers, and plants.
Photography by Asch Creative (first photo) and Studio Something (
How to design your own creative workspace
By Diana Scully
I was never much of a desk or office person. In my previous profession as a lawyer, I had the opportunity to work at a communal desk and then was later given my own private office. While I do enjoy working in a quiet environment, attending the same location/room/chair each day was a challenge for me. So it’s no surprise that having now moved out of the corporate world and running my own interior design studio, the opportunity to work where it suits me best, is such a benefit to me.
While I still have my own office, where I get to display, decorate and style my own way, I don’t have to confine myself to this location, every day. Luckily for me, my role as an interior designer means I’m not always designated behind a desk, so I embrace the opportunity to mix things up and find spaces that give me the freedom to work at my greatest capacity and feel creative.
Transitioning from a practising lawyer into an interior designer, I have learnt how how to set up my work environment to maximise my ability to think and dream creativity for my clients. In this two-part series, I will share with you how you can adapt your environment to give yourself the opportunity to maximum your working capacity and allow yourself to be creative. In my following post, I will interview other creative women from Creative Women’s Circle to see what others are doing to inspire their creativity. Hopefully, during this process, you will gather some inspiration to covert your workspace into an inspiring, creative one.
Think beyond the desk
I think we’ve all learnt to believe that you are most productive when you sit at a desk. After all, for many of us, going to work means sitting at your workstation in an office environment, right? Not necessarily. Some of my best work has taken place in my favourite cafe with my headphones on, in the local library on one of their many armchairs with my feet up, or even taking my meeting calls as I walk through a city park or stroll along the beach. After spending the last year in LA and not having a designated workspace, I’ve learnt that I can equally if not more so, be productive at locations that make me happy and accommodate my needs (i.e. internet access). So think beyond the office desk and immerse yourself in various environments to allow yourself to think differently.
Your space is an extension of you
If however, routine, consistency and organisation is what you need to work productively, then a designated workspace may be the winning formula for you. In that case, before you set yourself up and run down to the nearest office supply store for your standard desk and chair combination, reconsider your space. Why not create an environment that makes you feel excited to come to everyday?
A few ways to avoid working from a typical workstation:
- Choose an unconventional desk chair - maybe a favourite armchair or dining chair? Or set up a few different seating arrangements in your space like a bean bag or sofa.
- Bring in your favourite table lamp or floor lamp.
- Choose a dining table for a desk and use boxes, crates, baskets and bedside tables as alternate storage options.
- Create a vignette of little pots in one corner of your desk, filled with greenery to offer you constant energy throughout your working day.
- Avoid bare and blank walls by hanging up your favourite prints or posters to keep you motivated and inspired.
- Place a sheepskin rug at your feet to keep you cosy and warm at the desk.
- Be adventurous with colour and paint a wall in another hue, or for the bigger risk taker, introduce some wallpaper!
Co-work spaces and four-legged friends
Last year, in LA, I spent some time in a co-work space in Santa Monica. Not only was this space a breath of fresh air from the stagnate interiors of the corporate world, it was an opportunity to meet new people, each doing their own thing. A fabulous place to network, discuss and explore your ideas with like minded attitudes and work in an environment that was comfortable, relaxed and free from rules and systems. Plus, most co-work spaces allow you to pick and choose the days you want to come in - so there’s no on-going commitment!
One of my favourite perks from working in this LA co-work space was it allowed guests to bring along their dogs for the day. This was such a delight! I instantly felt more relaxed and comfortable in my unfamiliar surrounding with a furry friend at my feet. Generally, dogs were well behaved, even as they roamed the hallways or nuzzled their noses into your legs, begging for their next scratch.
If you are lucky to have a gorgeous four-legged friend, next time consider taking him on a walk on your next meeting call or to sit beside you when you work from your laptop at your favourite cafe. I found that having a dog near by helped me keep calm and relaxed during my work day and a good excuse to take a break and pop outside for a walk.
Look inside then look around
To maximise your creative energy each day, you need to understand what sort of environment you work best in. Be open to exploring different locations like a home office, co-work space, local library or cafe and if it suits you, don’t restrict yourself to the same space every day. Give yourself the opportunity to explore new surroundings in hope to encourage you to think a little differently. For some of us, who thrive on routine or require a point of reference for work, don’t limit your environment to a mundane, boring space. Avoid conventional furniture arrangements and use unexpected pieces that will help you create something special. Be passionate about where you work! Setting up a workspace that makes you feel comfortable, as well as address your business needs, will no doubt keep you feeling creative and excited about what you do. Choose to create a space and find a location that reflects who you are. After all, how you work and play is a representation of your business and brand. Embrace this to design a space that is an extension of you.
Interior Designer, Diana Scully owns and operates her own interior design firm, Spaces by Diana that’s all about designing beautiful, personalised homes to reflect the people who live in it. Diana also has her own lifestyle blog, Spaces + Places, where she regularly writes about inspiring spaces to see and visit from around the world and shares her recent travel adventures. This year she has plans to spend time abroad in the US. Follow Diana on Facebook,