Women Designers You Should Know

Amber Asay
  • 4,9 (70)
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Women Designers You Should Know

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.

  1. 043. Edith Head: Hollywood Costumes & Controversies

    10 DE JUN.

    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. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by branding and design studio  Nice People Join this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknow Have a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay _______ About Edith: Edith Head was a legendary Hollywood costume designer whose career spanned over 50 years and more than 440 films. Known for her iconic round glasses and modest demeanor, she was the behind-the-scenes architect of some of the silver screen’s most iconic looks. With 8 Academy Awards—more than any woman in history—Head crafted wardrobes that shaped characters, stars, and an entire era of film, often blurring the lines between credit, creativity, and control.   ____ View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below: Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod

    54min
  2. 042. Justina Blakeney: Creative Evolution

    28 DE MAI.

    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 latest book: Jungalow: Decorate Wild _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by branding and design studio  Nice People Join this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknow Have a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay _______ About Justina: Justina Blakeney is a true multi-hyphenate—artist, designer, author, creative director, entrepreneur—and the founder of the wildly popular lifestyle brand, Jungalow. Her signature style is instantly recognizable: bold, bohemian, colorful, and deeply rooted in personal expression and global inspiration. But beyond aesthetics, Justina has reshaped what a modern creative career can look like. Over the years, she’s collaborated with a long list of major brands including Target, Anthropologie, Loloi Rugs, Selamat, Opalhouse, and Keds—bringing her joyful sensibility into homes, wardrobes, and even our feet. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Vogue, The New York Times, Dwell, and more. She’s also the author of The New Bohemians, The New Bohemians Handbook, and Jungalow: Decorate Wild—books that have helped countless readers reclaim their homes as spaces of healing and self-expression. In this conversation, we talk about the LA fires that forced her to evacuate her home, the symbolism behind her solo art show California Poppy, and how she’s finding her way back to forgotten parts of herself through painting, song, and joy. We also dive into work-life balance, creative risk-taking, identity, motherhood, and what it means to define “enoughness” in a culture that always demands more. Follow Justina: Instagram: @justinablakeney justinablakeney.com jungalow.com Jungalow: Decorate Wild   ____ View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below: Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod

    45min
  3. 041. Maria Giudice: Design Superpowers, Burnout, Big Tech

    13 DE MAI.

    041. Maria Giudice: Design Superpowers, Burnout, 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 Me A Coffee This show is powered by branding and design studio  Nice People Join this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknow Have a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay _______ About Maria: Maria Giudice is a trailblazing designer, creative leader, and author who has spent over three decades redefining what it means to lead with empathy. She’s the founder of Hot Studio, one of the first woman-led digital design studios in the country, which was acquired by Facebook in 2013. Maria went on to become Director of Product Design at Facebook and later VP of Experience Design at Autodesk, helping bring people-centered thinking into the heart of tech culture. She’s the co-author of Rise of the DEO and Changemakers, two influential books that empower designers to lead change. From painting in Staten Island to reshaping Silicon Valley—Maria’s story is as bold as it is inspiring. Follow Maria: Instagram: @mgiudice LinkedIn: Maria Giudice Rise of the DEO Changemakers   ____ View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below: Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod

    49min
  4. 040. Tomoko Miho and Jessica Strelioff: Designing Space with Soul

    29 DE ABR.

    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 show is powered by branding and design studio  Nice People Join this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknow Have a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay _______ Sources: AIGA Medalist: Tomoko MihoThe Quiet Confidence of Tomoko Miho — Eye MagazineHerman Miller Stories: Creative Class Hero - Tomoko MihoTomoko Miho Vintage Poster on Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/201923687476  About Tomoko: Tomoko Miho (1931–2012) was a pioneering American graphic designer known for her elegant use of space, clarity, and restrained modernism. A graduate of the Institute of Design in Chicago, she worked for George Nelson Associates and Unimark International before founding her own studio, Tomoko Miho & Co. Her clients included Herman Miller, MoMA, and the Smithsonian, and in 1993, she was awarded the AIGA Medal for her outstanding contributions to design. Miho’s work masterfully blended Swiss modernism, American pragmatism, and Japanese aesthetics to create timeless, poetic visual communications. About Jessica: Jessica Strelioff is the founder and creative director of Goodside Studio, a design practice known for its emotionally resonant, timeless branding. With a background in creating thoughtful, human-centered design, Jessica builds brands that are both strategic and soulful, always with a strong editorial and visual clarity. Her work embodies restraint and intentionality, carrying forward the spirit of designers like Tomoko Miho into a modern, digital world. Follow Jessica: Goodside Studio Website: goodside.studio Threads: @jessicastrelioff Instagram: @jessicastrelioff LinkedIn: Jessica Strelioff Behance Portfolio: behance.net/strelioff   ____ View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below: Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod

    57min
  5. 039. Alex Proba on Persistence: From Pools to Posters and More

    15 DE ABR.

    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 This show is powered by branding and design studio  Nice People Join this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknow Have 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

    41min
  6. 038. Tamara Mellon: The Woman Behind Jimmy Choo (w/ Rachelle Bergstein)

    1 DE ABR.

    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 small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by branding and design studio  Nice People Join this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknow Have 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

    38min
  7. 037. Susan Kare and Amy & Jennifer Hood: Pixel Pushing and Powerful Branding

    18 DE MAR.

    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 donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by Nice People Join this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknow Have 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 Hood About Susan Susan 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 Hood Amy 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 Hood Follow 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

    1h19min
  8. 036. Gee's Bend Quilters and Francine Thompson: Threads of Resistance

    4 DE MAR.

    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 building compelling brand narratives. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by Nice People Join this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknow Have 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 Etsy About The Quilters of Gee's Bend The 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 Francine Francine 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

    49min
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4,9
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Sobre

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.

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