Make and Design with Carina Gardner

Designers often think they need more talent, better tools, or the perfect strategy. But what if the real issue is attention?In this episode, we explore why attention is one of your most limited creative resources and how splitting it between fear, comparison, and pressure quietly sabotages your work. Drawing from psychology and neuroscience, we talk about why mindset gets in the way of clarity, why overthinking blocks creative flow, and how focused making changes what you see and what you believe is possible.This conversation is for designers who feel capable but scattered, creative but stuck, and who sense they are missing something they cannot quite name. Paying attention is not just a productivity skill. It is a creative advantage.Get Carina’s new bookThe Intentional Design Year here: Paperback: https://amzn.to/43XTRLGHardback: https://amzn.to/4isrefmPrompt Journal Paperback: https://amzn.to/4osha7JPrompt Journal Hardback: https://amzn.to/4rvrG0uLinks to help new designers:What’s New: https://www.carinagardner.comDesign Bootcamp: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcampUniversity of Arts & Design: http://uad.educationGet my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Carina has fellow designer Lori Whitlock on to talk about Japan and design! Learn how both of us started our businesses! You can watch the entire episode at youtube.com/carinagardner. Get Carina’s new bookThe Intentional Design Year here: Paperback: https://amzn.to/43XTRLGHardback: https://amzn.to/4isrefmPrompt Journal Paperback: https://amzn.to/4osha7JPrompt Journal Hardback: https://amzn.to/4rvrG0uLinks to help new designers:What’s New: https://www.carinagardner.comDesign Bootcamp: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcampUniversity of Arts & Design: http://uad.educationGet my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Discover how to simplify your goal setting with practical tips! Learn to categorize your goals into areas like physical and professional for clarity. Carina reveals the power of choosing a guiding word for the year and the importance of making relationship goals, such as planning special trips. She emphasizes the value of setting measurable goals and encourages writing down all aspirations to boost chances of success. Plus, embrace the art of dreaming without perfectionism—it's all part of the journey!

Carina talks with Brenna Powell about lessons learned from Design Suite and now as a University of Arts & Design student. These are lessons every designer can relate to!Learn more about Brenna on all her feeds at crafting with brenna. Visit her website at https://craftingoverload.com/.Links to help new designers:What’s New: https://www.carinagardner.comDesign Bootcamp: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcampUniversity of Arts & Design: http://uad.educationGet my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Carina talks about her new book The Intentional Design Year released last month. She goes over how to use it and her free gift to you. Enjoy the digital version of the book for free for 1 month at https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional.You can also get The Intentional Design Year here: Paperback: https://amzn.to/43XTRLGHardback: https://amzn.to/4isrefmPrompt Journal Paperback: https://amzn.to/4osha7JPrompt Journal Hardback: https://amzn.to/4rvrG0uLinks to help new designers:What’s New: https://www.carinagardner.comDesign Bootcamp: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcampUniversity of Arts & Design: http://uad.educationGet my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Carina opens up about where she has been, what her family does during the holiday season and more! If you like Carina’s personal antidotes on how she does her life, you will love this very Christmasy episode!Links to help new designers:What’s New: https://www.carinagardner.comDesign Bootcamp: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcampUniversity of Arts & Design: http://uad.educationGet my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Explore the intriguing Four-C Model of Creativity, which distinguishes between Mini-c, Little-c, Pro-c, and Big-C. Discover how everyday creativity can lead to significant breakthroughs, making both personal insights and world-changing inventions essential. Understand the importance of recognizing these different levels and how small moments of creativity build toward greater achievements. Celebrate the sparks of inspiration in daily life that contribute to professional growth and a richer creative journey.

As the year comes to a close, Carina reflects on the loss of a few dear friends. Among them is the wonderful Lindsay Bowerman, a cherished member of the University of Arts & Design Advisory Council, whom Carina interviewed back in 2022. In this heartfelt episode, Carina shares her memories and revisits that special conversation with Lindsay.Links to help new designers:What’s New: https://www.carinagardner.comDesign Bootcamp: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcampUniversity of Arts & Design: http://uad.educationGet my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Do you think AI can make you more creative? Actually, according to a new study, AI can enhance individual creativity. The side effect? It reduces novel ideas for society or entire groups. Learn more in today’s episode.Links to help new designers:What’s New: https://www.carinagardner.comDesign Bootcamp: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcampUniversity of Arts & Design: http://uad.educationGet my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Carina talks about abundance and gratitude at this time of year. She also talks a little bit about a book she has been recently reading called The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli and having a growth mindset.Links to help new designers:What’s New: https://www.carinagardner.comDesign Bootcamp: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcampUniversity of Arts & Design: http://uad.educationGet my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional