Make and Design with Carina Gardner

Carina Gardner
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Apr 15, 2025 • 11min

Episode 509 5 Tips For Starting Your Design Business with the Design Suite Coaches

In this special episode, Carina sits down with her expert design coaches to share their top five tips for starting a successful design business. They break down the essential steps every new designer should take, from building a strong foundation to finding your unique style and landing your first sales. Whether you're just getting started or looking for insider advice, you'll hear firsthand how they would launch a business today and the exact strategies they teach Design Suite members to set them up for long-term success. Don't miss this behind-the-scenes look at what really works in the world of design!About Carina Gardner, Ph.D.:Carina is the CEO of the University of Arts & Design. The university offers certificates and Masters degrees in the creative fields. Carina is also the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to create a business as they learn to design. She has designed for Nordstroms, Riley Blake, Silhouette America, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Deseret Book, and more.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comCheck out her most popular program Design Bootcamp here: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional
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Apr 8, 2025 • 14min

Episode 508 4 Ways to Gamify Your Design Process

Struggling with the not-so-fun parts of the design process? In this episode, Carina shares four creative ways to gamify your workflow, keeping you motivated and inspired. From tackling design roadblocks to getting those perfect "dopamine hits" of excitement, these fun techniques will help you stay engaged and make designing a joy! Tune in now!About Carina Gardner, Ph.D.:Carina is the CEO of the University of Arts & Design. The university offers certificates and Masters degrees in the creative fields. Carina is also the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to create a business as they learn to design. She has designed for Nordstroms, Riley Blake, Silhouette America, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Deseret Book, and more.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comCheck out her most popular program Design Bootcamp here: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional
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Apr 1, 2025 • 22min

Episode 507 Marketing Hacks with Susan Smith

Carina interviews Susan Smith who teaches quilters. Learn more about her launch methods and running a creative business.Listen to her podcast at Measure Twice Cut Once and visit her www.stitchedbysusan.com.Episode 507 Marketing Hacks with Susan Smith___________________________About Carina Gardner, Ph.D.:Carina is the CEO of the University of Arts & Design. The university offers certificates and Masters degrees in the creative fields. Carina is also the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to create a business as they learn to design. She has designed for Nordstroms, Riley Blake, Silhouette America, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Deseret Book, and more.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comCheck out her most popular program Design Bootcamp here: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional
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Mar 25, 2025 • 11min

Episode 506 Sweet Life of A Designer

The Sweet Life of A Designer Summit is coming NEXT MONTH! Carina tells you why this summit is different and what you can expect from this awesome virtual event. To get your free ticket, join us at https://www.designsuitecourses.com/sweetlifesummitEpisode 506 Sweet Life of A Designer___________________________About Carina Gardner, Ph.D.:Carina is the CEO of the University of Arts & Design. The university offers certificates and Masters degrees in the creative fields. Carina is also the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to create a business as they learn to design. She has designed for Nordstroms, Riley Blake, Silhouette America, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Deseret Book, and more.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comCheck out her most popular program Design Bootcamp here: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional
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Mar 18, 2025 • 14min

Episode 505 The Lighthouse Keeper’s Mistake

DescriptionIt is the small things that can add up FOR US and AGAINST US. Carina talks about the Lighthouse Keeper’s Mistake as a cautionary tale for our own design businesses.Episode 505 The Lighthouse Keeper’s Mistake___________________________About Carina Gardner, Ph.D.:Carina is the CEO of the University of Arts & Design. The university offers certificates and Masters degrees in the creative fields. Carina is also the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to create a business as they learn to design. She has designed for Nordstroms, Riley Blake, Silhouette America, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Deseret Book, and more.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comCheck out her most popular program Design Bootcamp here: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional
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Mar 11, 2025 • 14min

Episode 504 The Cobbler’s Shoes

Have you heard the old proverb about the cobber’s shoes? As a designer and artist, we need to be sure and be taking care of the most important things first. Sometimes this is really hard to do as other people ask us for things. Carina talks about the cobbler’s shoes and oxygen masks in this episode as a reminder and challenge to take care of yourself first.Episode 504 The Cobbler’s Shoes___________________________About Carina Gardner, Ph.D.:Carina is the CEO of the University of Arts & Design. The university offers certificates and Masters degrees in the creative fields. Carina is also the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to create a business as they learn to design. She has designed for Nordstroms, Riley Blake, Silhouette America, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Deseret Book, and more.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comCheck out her most popular program Design Bootcamp here: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional
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Mar 4, 2025 • 14min

Episode 503 Quilting with Amy Smart

Carina interviews Amy Smart who is a fellow Riley Blake designer and blogger. Her quilt blog is a popular resource for many sewing enthusiasts. Learn more about Amy’s creative business in this episode. Find more about her at diaryofaquilter.com.Episode 503 Quilting with Amy Smart___________________________About Carina Gardner, Ph.D.:Carina is the CEO of the University of Arts & Design. The university offers certificates and Masters degrees in the creative fields. Carina is also the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to create a business as they learn to design. She has designed for Nordstroms, Riley Blake, Silhouette America, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Deseret Book, and more.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comCheck out her most popular program Design Bootcamp here: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional
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Feb 25, 2025 • 18min

Episode 502 AI Could Be Your Best Friend

Instead of worrying about AI, what if we took it as a resource that could help us in our businesses? Carina goes over several ways we can be using AI and practical examples of how it can help us build a business faster!Episode 502 AI Could Be Your Best Friend___________________________About Carina Gardner, Ph.D.:Carina is the CEO of the University of Arts & Design. The university offers certificates and Masters degrees in the creative fields. Carina is also the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to create a business as they learn to design. She has designed for Nordstroms, Riley Blake, Silhouette America, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Deseret Book, and more.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comCheck out her most popular program Design Bootcamp here: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional
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Feb 18, 2025 • 14min

Episode 501 How You Are Losing Creative Power

Your creative power is an important part of who you are as a maker, artist, and designer. But many times things can get in the way of that power. Carina walks you through some of those key things that can bring you down so you can avoid the traps that keep a designer from doing their best work!Episode 501 How You Are Losing Creative Power___________________________About Carina Gardner, Ph.D.:Carina is the CEO of the University of Arts & Design. The university offers certificates and Masters degrees in the creative fields. Carina is also the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to create a business as they learn to design. She has designed for Nordstroms, Riley Blake, Silhouette America, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Deseret Book, and more.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comCheck out her most popular program Design Bootcamp here: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional
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Feb 11, 2025 • 25min

Episode 500 How to Time Manage Your Life Sustainably with Moda Fabric Designer Vanessa Christensen

Carina’s friend and fellow designer Vanessa Christenson talks about owning two businesses. As a moda designer and coach, Vanessa inspires others to create the life they want.Learn more about Vanessa at https://vanessachristenson.com/Episode 500 How to Time Manage Your Life Sustainably with Moda Fabric Designer Vanessa Christensen __________About Carina Gardner, Ph.D.:Carina is the CEO of the University of Arts & Design. The university offers certificates and Masters degrees in the creative fields. Carina is also the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to create a business as they learn to design. She has designed for Nordstroms, Riley Blake, Silhouette America, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Deseret Book, and more.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comCheck out her most popular program Design Bootcamp here: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcampTags: business, design, designers, makers, women, crafting, crafts Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

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