Make and Design with Carina Gardner
Carina Gardner unravels the everyday joys and dilemmas of design, making, and business. This inside scoop into fabric design, paper design, die cut design, and crafting will help bring more creativity and joy in your life. Carina Gardner has a Ph.D. in Design and was the Creative Director of Cartabella Paper Co. and MiniLou. She has designed everything from dishware to bracelets under her brand. She currently designs fabric and die cutting files while teaching other designers how to create meaningful design work while making a residual income online.
Episodes
565 episodes
Episode 538 - Julie Thompson’s Gluten-Free Breakthrough with Foundations Built from Design Suite
Sometimes designers come to me to create other types of businesses. Learn how our own coach Julie Thompson created a new business using the skills she learned from Design Suite in today’s episode.Want to learn more a...
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Season 1
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Episode 538
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18:02
Episode 537 - Want to Crush 2026? Here’s Why I Start Planning in October
Crushing your next year actually starts in 4th Quarter of the previous year. Carina talks about several inspirational steps that could take your design business to the next level. Learn more in today’s episode.Learn ...
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Season 1
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Episode 537
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11:24
Episode 536 - I'm A Designer. Now What?
If you have a design degree or have been taking several courses online, you might be ready for more than just design…you may be ready for building your business. Carina talks about what you need to do this and what that looks like for design...
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Season 1
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Episode 536
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11:30
Episode 535 - The Startling Truth About What AI Is Doing To The Design Industry
Now that we have had AI for a couple of years, Carina talks about what she has seen in the design industry. She covers the most concerning question designers have had which is, “Is design jobs going away?” Learn more in today's episode!<...
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Season 1
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Episode 535
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13:11
Episode 534 - Feeling Behind? Listen to This
If you’ve ever felt like everyone else is ahead of you, this episode is your reset button. Carina Gardner shares a powerful mindset shift and practical tips to help you refocus, catch up, and move forward—without the overwhelm. You’re not as...
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Season 1
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Episode 534
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9:53
Episode 533 - The Locked Drawer
What’s hiding in your “locked drawer”? In this episode, Carina Gardner explores the ideas, projects, and dreams we keep tucked away—and how unlocking them can transform your creative career. If you’ve been holding back your best work, it’s t...
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Season 1
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Episode 533
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8:32
Episode 532 - Negotiation Secrets Every Designer Needs with Carina Gardner & Susie Tomenchuk
Ready to stop leaving money on the table? In this episode, Carina Gardner sits down with negotiation expert Susie Tomenchuk to share proven strategies every designer needs. From handling pricing pushback to confidently closing deals, you’ll ...
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Season 1
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Episode 532
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22:29
Episode 531- Feeling Invisible? 3 Marketing Layers You Need
Tired of feeling like no one sees your work? In this episode, Carina Gardner reveals the three essential marketing layers every creative needs to get noticed, build an audience, and turn followers into customers. Simple, actionable steps to ...
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Season 1
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Episode 531
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10:06
Episode 530 - Is It Too Late To Start A Design Career?
Think you’ve missed your chance to become a designer? Think again. In this episode, Carina Gardner breaks down why it’s never too late to start a design career, the surprising advantages of starting later in life, and the exact steps to get ...
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Season 1
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Episode 530
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11:37
Episode 529 - Designing While Momming - How I Built My Business With Kids At Home
Balancing diapers and deadlines isn’t easy, but it’s possible—and even rewarding. In this episode, Carina Gardner shares how she built a thriving design business while raising kids at home. From time management hacks to mindset shifts, you’l...
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Season 1
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Episode 529
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19:34
Episode 528 Design Advice I Would Give My Younger Self
In this heartfelt episode, Carina Gardner shares the advice she wishes she could give her younger creative self—back when she was just starting out, full of passion but unsure of the path ahead.She opens up about the lessons sh...
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Season 1
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Episode 528
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10:49
Episode 527 Why Does Creative Potential Suffer?
Carina dives into a question that affects every artist and designer at some point: Why does creative potential suffer—even when we’re passionate, talented, and full of ideas?Carina unpacks the hidden barriers th...
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Season 1
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Episode 527
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26:07
Episode 526 How to Price Your Design Work When You're Just Starting Out
In this practical and empowering episode, Carina Gardner tackles one of the biggest challenges new designers face: pricing your work when you're just starting out.Carina walks listeners through the mindset shifts, mistakes to a...
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Season 1
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Episode 526
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15:12
Episode 525 Design Entrepreneurship & Leadership Skills You Can Learn to Do NOW with Vincent Wanga
In this dynamic episode, Carina Gardner sits down with designer and entrepreneur Vincent Wanga for an inspiring conversation about what it really takes to lead in the creative world—starting right now.Tog...
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Season 1
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Episode 525
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30:29
Episode 524 Designing for Profit: Why Some Creatives Make It and Others Don’t
Carina knows in just a few sentences whether a designer is going to be profitable or not. Learn how she assesses a designer’s profitability in today’s episode.___________________________About Carina Gardner, Ph.D.:Carina...
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Season 1
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Episode 524
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9:13
Episode 523 3 Mistakes New Designers Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Are you a new designer finding the road a bit bumpy? Carina shares three common mistakes she sees new designers make—and how to fix them. These simple solutions can help you build a more successful design business!______________________...
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Season 1
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Episode 523
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11:27
Episode 522 Income for Designers: What Really Works in 2025
2025 has been an interesting year for designers. Carina works with hundreds of creatives through her university and Design Suite programs, giving her a front-row seat to what’s actually working right now. Learn more in today’s episode._____...
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Season 1
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Episode 522
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11:01
Episode 521 From Hobby to Business: Turning Your Design Skills Into Cash
What’s the difference between someone with a hobby and someone who wants a business from the thing they love? Carina shares the mindset shift you need to turn your design skills into cash.___________________________About Carina Gard...
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Season 1
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Episode 521
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15:04
Episode 520 How to Become a Graphic Designer and Work from Home
Want to become a graphic designer and work from home? In this episode, Carina shares the two paths she took to build a successful design career—while also staying home to raise her kids. Discover how she made it work, what she would do differen...
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Season 1
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Episode 520
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20:43
Episode 519 Dishing the Tea with Event Coordinator Sarah Cannon
In today’s episode, Carina and her event coordinator Sarah have a fun, honest, and laughter-filled conversation about the University of Arts & Design, family, and work. Watch the full episode on youtube at www.youtube.com/carinagardner. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 519
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1:01:01
Episode 518 Pull the Weeds, Water the Roots: How to Grow a Business That Lasts
Pull the Weeds, Water the Roots, and so much more! Carina gives her 10 tips for how to grow a business that lasts. These gardening tips will help you remember what you need to do to help sustain your design business even when things get toug...
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Season 1
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Episode 518
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22:44
Episode 517 The Marketing Dilemma for Designers
Carina explores the tricky balance between creativity and self-promotion. Carina dives into real stories, practical strategies, and expert insights to help designers market themselves without compromising their artistic integrity.
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Season 1
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Episode 517
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13:06
Episode 516 Dishing the Tea with Daughter Felicity
In this heartwarming episode, Carina sits down with her daughter Felicity for a candid chat about growing up with a mom who is a designer and business owner. From behind-the-scenes family moments to design inspiration, this mother-daughter d...
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Season 1
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Episode 516
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37:42
Episode 515 The Grasshopper and The Ant
Right now is the best season for designers to really bulk up their sales. As we prepare for the coming season we need to act more like the ant than the grasshopper in Aesop’s Fable. Learn more about how you can really prepare for winter (lit...
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Season 1
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Episode 515
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10:35