Make and Design with Carina Gardner

As a former college professor, Carina understands how the college system works. She recently got to attend a college orientation, which gave her a glimpse of what is going on in the college system at this time. Since she started her Design Suite program a little over a year ago, she’s really been thinking about new approaches to education and how she likes to be educated. This episode outlines the...

In this episode, Carina talks about the things she wishes she had known when she started designing full time 14 years ago. These items that are discussed are those that involve really starting and running a design business.  __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern Designer here: http://eepurl.com/dN2RcY   __________ About Carina Gar...

Starting a design business is a very fun place to be! Being a designer is a wonderful career choice. Carina often sees designers that are just getting started that just can’t figure out what they’re doing and how to get going. She is hopeful that the strategic advice that she provides in this episode will help you as you’re getting started.  __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobo...

It’s almost that time of year again! Carina mentions that August has always marked the beginning of her fall season. August is a great time to start thinking about how we can have our best season ever. Carina emphasizes that it is helpful to sit down and create a game plan for how you can make this your best design season ever. You can evaluate the things you can do to control things like how much...

This episode discusses building resilience as a designer. Carina discusses that when she was teaching at the university, the main emphasis was on having a thick skin.  Especially when we’re starting something new later in life, it’s hard to hear criticism because many feel like they should have everything down. While this can be a difficult thing to teach, and for some to accept, this is an import...

In this episode, Carina gives practical advice and discusses the eight things you have to have in order to be a designer. Some of these items are physical things, while others are mindset things. However, they’re all extremely important.  __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern Designer here: http://eepurl.com/dN2RcY   __________ Ab...

We all want to avoid being that person with the tacky design. In this episode, Carina discusses the 3 tacky mistakes that she often sees in design, so you can make sure that you are avoiding these mistakes. By doing so, you can make sure that your design work is clean, professional, and beautiful!   __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface P...

Concerns over a possible upcoming recession are often brought up by designers and business owners. However, Carina believes that being a designer is recession proof because designers often possess a number of different skills. This episode breaks down how you can diversify your offerings and ways to make money so you can easily pivot and win.    __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips...

While Carina may encourage younger people to go back to college to get their design degree, going back to college may not make sense for those that are in other stages of life. In this episode, Carina explains why a focused concentration in the areas of knowledge you need to actually become a designer is key.   __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming...

Carina has been dedicated to creating the most fluid and comprehensive surface pattern and crafting design program out there. Learn about what is new in her Design Suite program because the August release is going to be a big one! Along with a handbook and all 17 courses, there is a brand new awards system! Learn more in this episode for designers who know they have something missing and are strug...

In this Episode Carina explains why Surface pattern Designers don’t need a portfolio. She also discusses the difference between a Collection and a portfolio.  __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern Designer here: http://eepurl.com/dN2RcY   __________ About Carina Gardner: Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and des...

Over the years, the design market has changed dramatically. Carina goes over some of those changes and why NOW is an amazing time to get into design. __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern Designer here: http://eepurl.com/dN2RcY   __________ About Carina Gardner: Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and design educa...

Carina talks to people often about starting a surface pattern design business. If you need first steps because you are ready to jump into the field, you will love this episode! Be sure to take advantage of the checklist she offers as well! Details in the episode. __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern Designer here: http://eepurl.c...

There are cycles in every business and Carina walks you through some of the cycles in the design world. For surface pattern and craft designers, it can be demotivating to see sales plummet so tune in to learn more as Carina normalizes these cycles so you can move forward as a designer. __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern Designe...

Designers can get frustrated as they see sales on design work plummet. So what is going on? Carina goes through possible reasons your designs aren’t selling. __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern Designer here: http://eepurl.com/dN2RcY   __________ About Carina Gardner: Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and desi...

In this episode, Carina talks about the three ways that surface pattern designers and craft designers can reuse what they already have to make money. These tips will help you through the summer season when sales are generally lower for designers. This is a not-to-be-missed episode for new designers! __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface P...

It’s time to strategize! In this episode, Carina talks about the value of short term vs. long term strategy for designers. With the right approach, designers can put a plan in place to make money consistently over the long term. A comprehensive design strategy is the best way to make sure that you bring in income and build a successful business. __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips...

Ready for the Accelerated Designer Workshop program? In this episode, Carina talks about the monthly program which is designed to take a deep dive into design topics. When you get the all access pass, you can access to twelve months of Accelerated Designer Workshops with the click of a button! __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern...

Ready to become a designer? In this episode, Carina talks about the joys of building a design business. Wake up every day with the excitement that comes from loving your work and enjoying your life! __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern Designer here: http://eepurl.com/dN2RcY   __________ About Carina Gardner: Carina Gardner is a...

Ready to get organized? In this episode, Carina talks about the tools that have helped her stay organized as a designer. With the right project management software, you can hold onto your best ideas and become an organized designer without spending too much time on strategy. __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern Designer here: htt...

Struggling as a designer? In this episode, Carina goes over three reasons why your design business may be stuck. With the right advice, you can overcome obstacles in your design business and make positive changes to turn your career around.  __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern Designer here: http://eepurl.com/dN2RcY   __________...

Design is a full-time job! In this episode, Carina explains why you should do more than the bare minimum to become a surface pattern or crafting designer. Find your path to surface pattern or crafting design while juggling all of your responsibilities and pursuing your dreams. __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern Designer here: h...

When it comes to surface pattern and craft design, there are no limits! In this episode, Carina Gardner shares her tips and tricks for designing across mediums and platforms. From Cricut and Silhouette to vector images and fabric lines, Carina will help you plan for success as a surface pattern designer and craft designer this year.   __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will...

Want to sell digital design products? In this episode of the Make and Design Podcast, Carina Gardner shares the story of how she went from physical design products to digital ones. Along the way, she provides tips for building a thriving design business by selling digital products online.   __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface Pattern De...

Want to build a thriving design business? In this episode, Carina Gardner talks about the process of gaining experience by selling your designs online. By selling your work and taking on freelance contracts to get your name out there, you’ll get the experience you need to become a seasoned designer.   __________ Download Carina’s free guide: The 7 Tips Nobody Will Tell You About Becoming a Surface...