Women Designers You Should Know
by Amber Asay
Redesigning history by celebrating women. Amber Asay (host and designer) highlights groundbreaking contributions of women designers who have shaped the world we live in today. From graphic designers to architects, industrial designers to fashion icons, we explore the inspiring stories of the women who came before us, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations. There's a dual approach in each episode, with a designer as a featured guest, we'll uncover the remarkable journey of a historical figure, shedding light on their innovative designs, their challenges, and their triumphs. The goal is to make these extraordinary women household names, ensuring that their legacies are rightfully celebrated and recognized for their profound impact on design history.
Episodes
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049. Carolyn Davidson and Sarah Williams: The Woman Behind the Swoosh
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. _______ Support this podcast with…
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048. Lorraine Wild: Redefining Design Education (w/ Louise Sandhaus)
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...
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047. Claire McCardell: Inventor of Casual Fashion (w/ Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson)
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…
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046: Sharon Werner: Imposter Syndrome
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...
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045. Clara Porset and Lindsey Colhoun: Frida Kahlo’s Favorite Chair
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation:...
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044. Rachel Saunders: From Burnout to Alignment
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by branding...
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043. Edith Head: Hollywood Costumes & Controversies
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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042. Justina Blakeney: Creative Evolution
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...
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041. Maria Giudice: Design Superpowers & Big Tech
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy…
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040. Tomoko Miho and Jessica Strelioff: Designing Space with Soul
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This...
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039. Alex Proba on Persistence: From Pools to Posters and More
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee…
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038. Tamara Mellon: The Woman Behind Jimmy Choo (w/ Rachelle Bergstein)
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. _______ Support this podcast with a…
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037. Susan Kare and Amy & Jennifer Hood: Pixel Pushing and Powerful Branding
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small...
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036. Gee's Bend Quilters and Francine Thompson: Threads of Resistance
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…
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035. Jeanetta Gonzales on Mentorship
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...
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034: Ti Chang on Designing for Human Connection
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...
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033. Nanna Ditzel and Kate Arends: Furniture That Sparks Conversation
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. _______ Support this...
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032. Elsa Schiaparelli: Where Fashion and Surrealism Began (w/ Darrian Wright)
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,...
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031. Mary E. J. Colter: Fred Harvey’s Architect and the Fate of Altadena’s Past
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...
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RERUN 006. Gail Anderson: On Racism, Resilience, and the Power of Mentorship
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...
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030. Mary Blair: Designing Disney’s Worlds (w/ Mike Asay)
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. _______ Support this podcast with a…
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2024 Rewind: Highlights and Insights
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...
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029. Corita Kent and Britt Rohr: Peace & Love & Printmaking
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. _______ Support this…
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028. Jacqueline Casey: Shaping the MIT Style (w/ Michael Bierut)
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…
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027. Marget Larsen: Revolutionizing Mid-Century Advertising (w/ Sean Adams)
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,...
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Extra Sketches: The Oppression of Women
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. _______ Support this podcast with a...
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026. Ellen Raskin and Briar Levit: Storytelling through Design and Writing
(**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...
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025. Eileen Gray and Emily Farnham: Protecting Stories in Modernist Architecture
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...
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024. Agnes Martin and Michelle & Ellen: Creative Risks, Process, and Balance
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,...
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Design Dialogues: Creative Burnout (w/ Badal Patel)
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. _______ Support this podcast with a...
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023. Ray Eames and Amanda Jane Jones: Modernism and Motherhood
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by Nice…
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022. Charlotte Perriand and Adi Goodrich: Redefining Spaces Through Design
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...
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021. Susan Skarsgard: On Calligraphy, Cars, and Designing Your Career
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by Nice People Join...
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020. Elaine Lustig Cohen and Steven Heller: Rewriting Design History
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A…
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019. Zelda Wynn Valdes: Mermaid Silhouette Master (w/ Tobi Ashiru)
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by Nice…
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Extra Sketches: Design & Murder
(**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…
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018. Lella Vignelli and Giorgia Lupi: Designing for Humanity
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation:...
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Extra Sketches: Men Who Amplify
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...
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017. Anni Albers and Marian Bantjes: Modern Takes on Weaving and Ornamentation
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. _______ Support…
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016. Phyllis Madonna and Emily Heyward: Iconic Branding like the Madonna Inn
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. _______...
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Extra Sketches: The Hidden Half
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…
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015. Betty Cooke and Ellen Lupton: From Jewelry to Typography
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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014. Louise Fili and Kevin Cantrell: Masters of Lettering & Typography
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. _______ Support this podcast with…
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013. Iris Apfel and Adam Vicarel: Creativity Fueled by Travel
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...
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012. Ann Lowe: A Trailblazing Black Couturier (w/ Elizabeth Way)
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small...
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Karmele Leizaola with Faride Mereb and Oriana Nuzzi: Pioneering Venezuelan Design
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…
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010. Pum Lefebure: On Process, Philosophy, and Parenthood
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...
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009. Norma Merrick Sklarek and Tobi Ashiru: Celebrating Black Women in Architecture
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,...
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Design Dialogues: Submit Your Story
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. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by Nice People Join this podcast…
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008. Muriel Cooper and Kelli Anderson: From Print to Pixels
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. _______ Support this podcast with a...
About this show
Redesigning history by celebrating women. Amber Asay (host and designer) highlights groundbreaking contributions of women designers who have shaped the world we live in today. From graphic designers to architects, industrial designers to fashion icons, we explore the inspiring stories of the women who came before us, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations. There's a dual approach in each episode, with a designer as a featured guest, we'll uncover the remarkable journey of a historical figure, shedding light on their innovative designs, their challenges, and their triumphs. The goal is to make these extraordinary women household names, ensuring that their legacies are rightfully celebrated and recognized for their profound impact on design history.
Hosted by
Amber Asay