Podcast
Women Designers You Should Know
Hosted by Amber Asay · EN
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.
57episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
039. Alex Proba on Persistence: From Pools to Posters and More
Apr 15, 202500:40:46Summary readyIn 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 CoffeeThis show is powered by branding and design studio Nice PeopleJoin this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknowHave a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay_______Alex Proba is a German-born, New York-based multidisciplinary designer and the founder of Studio Proba. Known for her playful use of color and pattern across murals, furniture, textiles, installations, and branding, she has collaborated with global brands like Nike, Google, and Louis Vuitton. Her iconic “Poster a Day” project launched her career and continues to inspire creatives worldwide with its message of consistency and exploration.Follow Alex:Instagram: @alexprobaWebsite: studioproba.com ____View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod
Summary
038. Tamara Mellon: The Woman Behind Jimmy Choo (w/ Rachelle Bergstein)
Apr 1, 202500:38:02Summary readyThis 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 small donation: Buy Me A CoffeeThis show is powered by branding and design studio Nice PeopleJoin this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknowHave a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay_______Sources / Links:In My Shoes: A Memoir by Tamara MellonTamara Mellon on the Shopify Plus BlogWomen from the Ankle Down: The Story of Shoes and How They Define Us by Rachelle BergsteinTamara Mellon Interview on Inc.Tamara Mellon is a British-American fashion designer and entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo. A former accessories editor at British Vogue, Mellon played a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s aesthetic and global success. She later launched her own label, Tamara Mellon Inc., where she continues to design with a focus on empowering women and disrupting the fashion business model.Rachelle Bergstein is a writer and cultural commentator, best known as the author of Women from the Ankle Down: The Story of Shoes and How They Define Us. Her work explores the intersection of fashion, identity, and culture. With a background in literature and a sharp eye for symbolism in style, Bergstein brings a unique voice to fashion history and its impact on women’s lives.Follow Rachelle:Instagram: @rachellewbWebsite: rachellebergstein.com ____View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod
Summary
037. Susan Kare and Amy & Jennifer Hood: Pixel Pushing and Powerful Branding
Mar 18, 202501:19:24Summary readyThis 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 donation: Buy Me A CoffeeThis show is powered by Nice PeopleJoin this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknowHave a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay_______Sources / Links:Susan Kare's Prints: kareprints.comSmithsonian ArticleAmy and Jen's Book: Freelance and Business and Stuff by Amy Hood and Jennifer HoodAbout SusanSusan Kare is a graphic designer and pioneering iconographer best known for her work on the original Apple Macintosh in the early 1980s. With a background in fine arts, she had no prior experience in computer graphics when she was hired to design the first digital icons and typefaces for the Mac. Using graph paper and pixel constraints, she created some of the most enduring symbols in tech history, including the Happy Mac, the Command key symbol, and the original Mac fonts like Chicago and Geneva. Her designs humanized technology, making computers intuitive and accessible to non-technical users. After Apple, she continued shaping digital interfaces at NeXT, Microsoft, Facebook, and Pinterest, and today, she serves as a Design Architect at Niantic Labs while selling limited-edition prints of her iconic designs.About Amy & Jen HoodAmy and Jen Hood are the twin sister duo behind Hoodzpah, a Southern California-based branding agency known for its bold, strategic, and personality-driven design work. Since founding Hoodzpah in 2011, they have worked with major brands like Disney, Nike, and 20th Century Fox, creating memorable identities and custom typefaces. Beyond client work, they are passionate about helping creatives build successful careers—they wrote Freelance, and Business, and Stuff, a practical and empowering guide to running a creative business, and have launched resources for designers, including brand identity courses and custom fonts. With a fearless approach to branding and a deep understanding of creative entrepreneurship, Amy and Jen have carved out a distinctive place in the design world while uplifting the next generation of creatives.Amy and Jen's Book: Freelance and Business and Stuff by Amy Hood and Jennifer HoodFollow Amy & Jen:Amy's Instagram: @amyhoodlumJen's Instagram: @thegoodhoodStudio Instagram: @hoodzpahdesignWebsite: hoodzpahdesign.com ____View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod
Summary
036. Gee's Bend Quilters and Francine Thompson: Threads of Resistance
Mar 4, 202500:48:44Summary readyThis 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 building compelling brand narratives._______Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A CoffeeThis show is powered by Nice PeopleJoin this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknowHave a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay_______Sources:Souls Grown Deep Gee's Bend Website: geesbend.orgInstagram: @geesbendquiltmakersGee's Bend on EtsyAbout The Quilters of Gee's BendThe Gee’s Bend Quilters are a collective of African American women from the small, rural community of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, whose quilting tradition dates back to the 19th century. Descendants of enslaved people who once worked the land as sharecroppers, these women transformed necessity into artistry, crafting bold, improvisational quilts from repurposed fabrics like denim, flour sacks, and worn-out clothing. Their work remained largely unknown outside their community until the early 2000s, when museum exhibitions catapulted them into the national spotlight. Now celebrated as one of the most significant contributions to American textile art, Gee’s Bend quilts have been displayed at the Whitney Museum, the Met, and the Smithsonian. Their distinctive designs—like the Housetop and Bricklayer patterns—have influenced modern art and design, blending tradition with innovation. Today, their legacy continues through exhibitions, workshops, and direct sales, ensuring their craft remains both an artistic and economic lifeline for the community.About FrancineFrancine Thompson is the Design Director of Brand at Hims & Hers, where she brings a strategic and thoughtful approach to branding, creating design systems that feel both human and impactful. With a foundation in graphic design, brand identity, typography, and creative strategy, she has built a career helping brands tell compelling stories that connect with people on a deeper level. Her work spans everything from printed materials to physical products, and she’s known for her ability to turn big ideas into tangible, beautifully executed realities. Based in California, Francine’s expertise in editorial design and brand storytelling has shaped her approach to crafting experiences that feel cohesive from the macro to the micro. In this episode, she shares insights on the power of visual storytelling and what it means to build a brand that resonates. Follow Francine:Instagram: @francineathompsonWebsite: francineathompson.comTikTok: @franslittlelife ____View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod
Summary
035. Jeanetta Gonzales on Mentorship
Feb 18, 202500:25:45Summary readyMentorship 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 matters, and how guiding others can be just as transformative as being guided._______Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A CoffeeThis show is powered by Nice PeopleJoin this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknowHave a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay_______Sources:Sika Design — Nanna & Jorgen DitzelFredericia Furniture — 100 Year Tribute E-BookAbout JeanettaJeanetta Gonzales is a surface designer, illustrator, and creative mentor with over 25 years of experience in the design industry. She has collaborated with major brands like Target, Adobe, The New York Times, and Crayola, creating bold, vibrant artwork infused with energy and empowerment. In addition to her design work, Jeanetta is passionate about mentorship, offering coaching programs, workshops, and online classes to help emerging artists develop their unique style and navigate their careers. She also teaches a popular Skillshare course on discovering your artistic voice. Through her work, Jeanetta champions representation in the creative industry and encourages artists to embrace their individuality. You can find her work and mentorship offerings at jeanettagonzales.com and follow her on Instagram at @nettdesigns.Follow Jeanetta:Instagram: @nettdesignsWebsite: jeanettagonzales.com ____View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod
Summary
Design Dialogues: Designing for Human Connection (w/ Ti Chang)
Feb 11, 202500:33:06Summary readyTi Chang is a designer and cofounder of CRAVE, a brand known for pioneering pleasure jewelry. With a background in industrial design, she combines luxury with functionality to create innovative products that foster human connection and empower individuals to embrace their sexuality. Through CRAVE, Ti has redefined intimacy products, offering elegant and discreet designs that prioritize both beauty and personal empowerment.Follow Ti and her company:lovecrave.com@lovecrave@designerti_______Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A CoffeeThis show is powered by Nice PeopleJoin this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknowHave a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay_______ ____View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod
Summary
033. Nanna Ditzel and Kate Arends: Furniture That Sparks Conversation
Feb 4, 202500:49:14Summary readyThis 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 podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A CoffeeThis show is powered by Nice PeopleJoin this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknowHave a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay_______Sources:Sika Design — Nanna & Jorgen DitzelFredericia Furniture — 100 Year Tribute E-BookAbout NannaNanna Ditzel wasn’t just a designer—she was a revolutionary. The first woman in Denmark to carve out an independent career in furniture design, she shattered conventions and reshaped the way we interact with our spaces. While her male counterparts built rigid, functionalist structures, Ditzel asked a radical question: What if design made us feel free?She and her husband, Jørgen Ditzel, pioneered furniture without legs, believing that people think, feel, and connect better when they aren’t confined to stiff, upright chairs. The result? Some of the most iconic, boundary-breaking designs of the 20th century—from the cocoon-like Hanging Egg Chair to tiered seating landscapes that invited movement and conversation.But her story didn’t end there. When Jørgen died young, Nanna didn’t fade into obscurity—she became Denmark’s reigning queen of modernism. She mastered textiles, designed jewelry for Georg Jensen, and, at 70 years old, created the Trinidad Chair, a masterpiece of technology and craftsmanship that’s still a best-seller today.For decades, her male contemporaries stole the spotlight, but now, finally, the world is catching up. Nanna Ditzel wasn’t just part of Danish modernism—she expanded its very definition.About KateKate Arends is a designer, brand strategist, and the founder of Wit & Delight, a lifestyle brand that blends storytelling with intentional design. With a background in graphic design and advertising, Kate launched Wit & Delight in 2009 as a personal creative outlet, which has since evolved into a trusted voice in modern living, interiors, and mental well-being.Her work explores the intersection of design and emotion—how our environments shape our mood, creativity, and daily life. Through her platform, she shares insights on everything from home styling to personal growth, fostering a deep connection with her audience. With collaborations spanning major brands and a keen eye for cultural shifts, Kate continues to redefine what it means to live and design with purpose.Follow Kate:Instagram: @witanddelight_Website: witanddelight.com ____View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod
Summary
032. Elsa Schiaparelli: Where Fashion and Surrealism Began (w/ Darrian Wright)
Jan 28, 202500:48:34Summary readyHear 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, Darrian Wright._______Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A CoffeeThis show is powered by Nice PeopleJoin this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknowHave a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay_______Sources:Shocking: The Surreal World of Elsa Schiaparelli by Marie-Sophie Carron de la Carrierehttps://www.schiaparelli.comPodcast — Dressed: The History of Fashion on SchiaparelliAbout ElsaElsa Schiaparelli was the ultimate rebel of fashion, a designer who turned shocking ideas into art. Born in 1890 to an aristocratic family in Rome, Elsa’s life was anything but conventional. As a child, she released a box of fleas under her parents’ dinner table and later staged a hunger strike to escape a Swiss convent. After a whirlwind marriage to a charming con man, she found herself as a single mother in New York, scraping by while mingling with avant-garde artists like Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray. It wasn’t until she moved to Paris and met legendary designer Paul Poiret that she discovered her true calling: inventing fashion. From surrealist collaborations with Salvador Dalí to creating her signature shocking pink, Schiaparelli defied norms, blending wit, art, and bold femininity. She gave us iconic designs like the lobster dress, the shoe hat, and the first wrap dress. A pioneer who refused to play by the rules, Elsa didn’t just make clothes—she made statements.Follow Darrian@iamdarrian ____View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod
Summary
031. Mary E. J. Colter: Fred Harvey’s Architect and the Fate of Altadena’s Past
Jan 21, 202500:35:28Summary readyExplore 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 topical._______Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A CoffeeThis show is powered by Nice PeopleJoin this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknowHave a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay_______Sources:Cowgirl MagazinePioneering WomenLegends of AmericaAbout MaryMary Colter (1869–1958) was a pioneering American architect and designer known for her work with the Fred Harvey Company, where she designed several notable landmarks, including the Hopi House and Desert View Watchtower at the Grand Canyon. Colter was one of the few women in her profession during the early 20th century, and she gained a reputation for her ability to merge architecture with the natural landscape and Native American culture. Her designs were not only functional but also deeply respectful of the local environment and history. Colter's commitment to integrating local materials and employing indigenous builders reflected her dedication to authenticity. She was a visionary who shaped the aesthetic of the American Southwest and remains a defining figure in the architectural landscape. ____View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod
Summary
RERUN 006. Gail Anderson: On Racism, Resilience, and the Power of Mentorship
Jan 14, 202500:33:53Summary readyThis 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 shares her journey from creating magazines in her youth to working at Rolling Stone and beyond, discussing her experiences as a woman of color in the design industry and the evolution of her career. Listen in on how Gail's mentors shaped her path and the fulfillment she finds in seeing her designs in the world._______Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A CoffeeThis show is powered by Nice PeopleJoin this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknowHave a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay____About Gail:Gail Anderson is a distinguished designer, writer, and educator, renowned for her impactful work at Rolling Stone magazine where she served as senior art director. She’s an AIGA Medalist, has authored 14 books and currently chairs the BFA Advertising and BFA Design departments at the School of Visual Arts. Anderson's creative portfolio extends to Broadway, where she has designed posters for notable productions, and she has several awards, including the 2018 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Lifetime AchievementIn this episode, Gail shares her journey, starting from her early years as a creative in grammar school to what it was like navigating the challenges as a Black woman designer in the 80s and 90s, while breaking barriers in the industry.Join us as we explore Gail's career, her inspirations, and her thoughts on the evolving world of design. Today, we’re bringing you a firsthand look into the mind of a true design trailblazer.A massive thank you to Gail for sharing her incredible journey, insights, and wisdom with us. It’s been an absolute honor to have her on the show and to learn from her experiences and expertise. Her story is a testament to the power of creativity, perseverance, and passion. Highlights:Gail's creative beginnings and inspirations in the BronxHer education at SVA and women teachers like Paula Scher, Carin Goldberg, Louise FiliNavigating the design industry in the 80s and 90s as a black womanIconic work at Rolling Stone and BroadwayThe importance of writing books on design for continual learningReflections on her career and legacy in the design worldLinks:Learn more about Gail Anderson's work at her websiteSubscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts and SpotifySocial Media:Instagram: @amberasayInstagram: @WomenDesignersPod ____View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod
Summary