Revision Path

There are more options for you to enter design than you think, and Gintel Gee embodies that fact. This self-taught designer has honed her skills over the years and produced work for a number of LA's top agencies.

Now she's branching out on her own, so we talked about the freelance hustle, the type of work she likes to do, and what designers helped inspire her aesthetic. We also discuss the pros and cons of working for agencies, how cutting her teeth on message boards helped her discover her calling, and the one piece of life advice that's sustained her over the years. Keep an eye out for Gintel Gee!

Next week -- episode 200!

As a digital creator, you may not even think much about the concept of digital governance. Don't worry though -- this week's guest, Lisa Welchman, literally wrote the book on digital governance!

Our conversation begins with an overview on the topic, and Lisa describes how she got involved with digital governance. We also get into digital ethics, talk about how companies can apply digital governance to what they do, and a lot more. Lisa also discusses her recent vacation, the things that keeps her inspired and opens up on what she wants to do in the near future. Thank goodness we've got experts like Lisa to help decipher concepts like this that are important to our digital lives!

We're closing out the month by skipping back across the pond to talk with the brilliant Ekpemi Anni! I love how she says anyone can be a designer and have a career in this industry.

We start off by talking about what a UX consultant is, the type of work she does, and she answers the burning question of why UX is so popular now among up and coming designers.(The answer is simpler than you think!) Ekpemi also explains how her faith and her MBTI personality type both help her as a designer. Thanks to Ekpemi for a fascinating conversation!

When Felicia Penza described herself to me as "a mother, artist, vocalist, and part-time Soul Train dancer", I knew I was in for a great interview! By day, Felicia is running the show as the jill-of-all-trades at the Phoenix Art Museum.

We start off by talking about her work at the museum, and from there go into how she first became interested in design. Felicia describes how she has seen the industry change in the past 15 years, explains why she decided to pursue a degree in design after working as a professional designer for 10 years, and we geek out a bit on typography and magazine design. Felicia's vibrant personality and tireless spirit really come through in her work. Get inspired and "break your eye open" with this week's interview!

The DMV area is brimming with Black design talent, and Antoine Thomas is no exception. As the founder of West 7th Design Studio, Antoine and his team create beautiful and functional designs for small businesses, government agencies, and more.

We talked about his time at Howard University, and he gave a sneak peek into their design program, which is where he got the idea to to start his studio. He also shared his visions for engaging the next generation of Black designers, and told how he manages both his studio and his new apparel line PRNT while holding down a full-time job. Impressive! Learn more about Antoine in this week's interview!

Datrianna Meeks has been on our radar since we first profiled her back in 2015 as part of 28 Days of the Web. Since then, she's been making some tremendous strides in her career, leading up to her current position as a senior product designer at Spotify.

Our conversation started off with Datrianna walking us through a typical day at work, and we spoke about the NYC design and tech scene and about her inspiring design journey. She's also a podcast fanatic, so we also talked about #AmpedBrunch, an event she recently hosted for women of color in podcasting. Datrianna is really carving out a space for herself in this industry, so keep an eye out for her!

I've said before that our Slack community has some great people, and this week's guest is no exception to that. Meet Lauren Dorman: a software developer in Berlin with a background in design and a penchant for working on projects that deal with music and technology.

We started off discussing her current work with A Color Bright, and she explained how she made the move from the United States to Germany, how the process went, and how the two countries' perspectives on work and culture differ. Lauren also explains a bit about the design and tech scene in Berlin, how she balances work with her side projects, and her experiences being a Black expat in tech. Hearing Lauren speak about what motivated her to make such a big move is really inspiring. (And it's got me glancing at my passport!)

There's few designers out there that can match Laci Jordan's unique mix of talent, energy, and hustle. This Los Angeles-based creative director and multidisciplinary designer is killing the game with her work, and I'm honored to get a chance to share this conversation with you all.

We started off looking at the design scene in LA, talked about design awards, her time growing up in Alabama, and how a short stint with the FBI fueled her passion for design. I truly feel like Laci is at a point where her career is about to skyrocket, and I'm so excited to talk with her. Enjoy!

This week's interview is with none other than the venerable Craig Wilkins. Craig is one of the country's leading scholars on African-Americans in architecture, and he's an academic, activist, and author. He can now add one more "A" to his long list of titles -- award winner!

I spoke with Craig fresh off his National Design Awards win, and we talked about a number of things -- his love for Detroit, what made him get involved in architecture, where he sees design education in the future, why design organizations struggle with diversity, and more. It's a far-reaching conversation that I think you'll enjoy regardless of your design discipline. Enough from me though...press play and enjoy the interview!

RJ Harrington is partner and lead creative at Twenty and 3, a one-stop creative shop that builds engaging brands from the ground up.

We talked about where the idea to start Twenty and 3 came from, how they approach client work, and what RJ thinks about the design community in Atlanta. She also shared a bit about her early career before breaking out on her own, and how taking that leap and paying it forward to others has helped keep her motivated for success. If you've been interested in starting your own agency, then this interview is definitely one that's worth a listen. Thanks RJ!