For this episode of the Girls that Create podcast on Word of Mom Radio, Erin speaks with Dr. Carina Gardner, a successful design entrepreneur and educator. Their chat focuses on the challenges and opportunities in the surface design industry and the importance of understanding business principles to succeed as a creative professional.
Listen to the full interview with Dr. Carina Gardner on Word of Mom Radio
Gardner’s journey from crafting Barbie clothes as a young girl to becoming a celebrated fabric designer is a testament to the power of embracing creativity and the courage to take risks.
“Every young child has a certain amount of creativity that they’re wanting to express,” Gardner notes, emphasizing that the act of creation was a significant part of her childhood. She encourages aspiring designers to seize opportunities, even those that might not seem promising at first. Her own path shows that preparing for opportunities that haven’t yet appeared can set the stage for future success.
About Dr. Carina Gardner
Dr. Carina Gardner has a Ph.D. in Design from the University of Minnesota, where she also taught design. She also taught at the University of Arts Institute before starting her design business.
The Carina Gardner brand has been on dishwater, jewelry, prints, clocks, sewing patterns, and holiday products. Gardner is also a well-known fabric designer for Riley Blake Designs and die-cut designer for Silhouette. She was the Creative Director of Carta Bella Scrapbook papers. Her kids brand Mini Lou has sold products for Nordstrom, Peek Clothing, and 500 independent retailers and museums in the U.S.
Gardner is also the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to make money as they learn to design. Her popular Make and Design Podcast teaches aspiring designers how to transition from crafters and hobbyists to profitable designers.
Connect with Gardner at carinagardnershop.myshopify.com and on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and TikTok.
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