In this episode, Viliam Mrazik and I chat about his journey from studying product design to working as a footwear designer, discussing his graduation project blending cultural heritage with modern design. He reflects on his experiences at Salomon and Puma, emphasising the importance of collaboration, creativity, and sustainability in design. Viliam also highlights the influence of childhood experiences and peers in shaping his approach to design, while offering advice for aspiring designers to take the leap from sketching to making.

George Davies is a designer based in Utah specialising in sheet aluminium furniture (although he calls it “aluminum”). In this conversation, we discuss his methods for overcoming creative blocks and finding inspiration. He emphasises the importance of stepping away from work, engaging in non-creative activities, and disconnecting from social media to rejuvenate his creative mind. We also discuss exploring your own style, collaborations, putting yourself out there, and much more!

Paulina Paciorek is an art director and phtographer, her fashion editorial work has been featured in publications such as Mirror Mirror Magazine, Holloway Magazine, and Malvie Mag. In this conversation, Paulina and I discuss the importance of self-belief and confidence in one's craft. She shares her personal experiences with self-doubt, particularly during her application process to a school, and emphasises the need to trust in one's abilities and to project confidence, even when it feels forced. This chapter encapsulates the struggle many creatives face with self-doubt and the strategies to overcome it.

Stephanie Stamatis is an art director and set designer based in Melbourne who has worked for brands such as Aesop, Goop, and Flamingo Estate amongst others. In this chat we discuss the continuous journey of improving your skills and self-reflection. We also talk about how food inspires her, her painstaking attention to detail and consideration of every element, her new book and much more!

Micheal Greenwood (@cinemagravy) is a cinematographer-turned-influencer. In this episode we discuss his transition from freelance work for other people to the creative freedom and control he now has through the work he makes for his instagram account. We also cover embracing the unknown, how he deals with criticism on the platform, and much more.

Summary

In this episode, Liam - the founder of Bored Eye Design discusses the importance of being an active participant in the creative process, emphasising that enjoyment and engagement lead to successful outcomes. He highlights the necessity of taking initiative in design and the value of embracing unexpected outcomes, or 'happy accidents', as a pathway to innovation.

In this conversation, Tim discusses the critical role of coding in design education, emphasizing that it should be integrated into the core curriculum rather than treated as an optional subject. He expresses his frustration with the current approach to coding education and advocates for a foundational understanding of coding to enhance its application in various fields.

Nicole Licht is a New York-based artist. After having run a design/art direction studio with her business partner for several years she has recently reconnected with her artistic practice. In this conversation we talk about her journey from studying fine art to commercial design work and back to art. We also talk about the importance of finding your scene and surrounding yourself with the right people, as well as the impracticality of making art, and why that's not necessarily a bad thing