

Make and Design with Carina Gardner
Carina Gardner
Carina Gardner, Ph.D. 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 is the founder and CEO of the University of Arts & Design. She was the Creative Director of Cartabella Paper Co. and MiniLou. She has designed everything from dishware, sewing patterns to bracelets under her brand. She currently designs fabric for Riley Blake Designs and die cutting files for Silhouette while teaching other designers how to create meaningful businesses with their design work.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 5, 2023 • 8min
Episode 282 Why Digital is So Profitable
Carina dives into how digital designing gave her stability that her contracts did not. Learn why digital is such an amazing way to become a profitable designer in this episode.Episode 282 Why Digital is So Profitable__________Watch Carina’s FREE training, How to Become A Money-Making, Fulfilled Surface Pattern and Craft Designer Without Spending Time On Things That Don’t Work https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/freetraining__________About Carina Gardner:Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and design educator who is passionate about helping other designers fulfill their creative dreams by teaching them her strategies for making money as a designer. She has a Ph.D. in Design and taught design at the University of Minnesota before starting Carina Gardner, Inc.Carina Gardner, Inc design brand has been featured in dish ware, holiday decor, sewing patterns, and more. Her exclusive Design Suite Program helps creatives make money designing as they learn to design. Her programs include Illustrator and Photoshop training, surface pattern design, paper design, Silhouette & Cricut file design, and running a design business. She started the Make and Design Podcast so that she could share inspiration, stories, and experiences about design and life with crafters and designers.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comWatch this episode as a video at https://www.makeanddesign.com/Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Apr 3, 2023 • 17min
Episode 281 0 to $100,000
Carina talks about starting her design business and what it took to get to $100,000. Learn more about the differences between contracts, digital designs, and so much more.Episode 281 0 to $100,000__________Watch Carina’s FREE training, How to Become A Money-Making, Fulfilled Surface Pattern and Craft Designer Without Spending Time On Things That Don’t Work https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/freetraining__________About Carina Gardner:Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and design educator who is passionate about helping other designers fulfill their creative dreams by teaching them her strategies for making money as a designer. She has a Ph.D. in Design and taught design at the University of Minnesota before starting Carina Gardner, Inc.Carina Gardner, Inc design brand has been featured in dish ware, holiday decor, sewing patterns, and more. Her exclusive Design Suite Program helps creatives make money designing as they learn to design. Her programs include Illustrator and Photoshop training, surface pattern design, paper design, Silhouette & Cricut file design, and running a design business. She started the Make and Design Podcast so that she could share inspiration, stories, and experiences about design and life with crafters and designers.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comWatch this episode as a video at https://www.makeanddesign.com/Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Mar 31, 2023 • 14min
Episode 280 3 Reasons Confusion Happens
If you are stuck somewhere in the design process, learn more about why that confusion is happening and how to fix it!Purchase Carina’s new book Design Profit and Prosper here: https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designprofitprosperEpisode 280 on the Make and Design Podcast: 3 Reasons Confusion Happens__________Watch Carina’s FREE training, How to Become A Money-Making, Fulfilled Surface Pattern and Craft Designer Without Spending Time On Things That Don’t Work https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/freetraining__________About Carina Gardner:Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and design educator who is passionate about helping other designers fulfill their creative dreams by teaching them her strategies for making money as a designer. She has a Ph.D. in Design and taught design at the University of Minnesota before starting Carina Gardner, Inc.Carina Gardner, Inc design brand has been featured in dish ware, holiday decor, sewing patterns, and more. Her exclusive Design Suite Program helps creatives make money designing as they learn to design. Her programs include Illustrator and Photoshop training, surface pattern design, paper design, Silhouette & Cricut file design, and running a design business. She started the Make and Design Podcast so that she could share inspiration, stories, and experiences about design and life with crafters and designers.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comWatch this episode as a video at https://www.makeanddesign.com/Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Mar 29, 2023 • 11min
Episode 279 Your Words to Clients Matter
To be a good designer, we also have to be able to explain why we designed something the way we did. Learn why words matter for a designer.Purchase Carina’s new book Design Profit and Prosper here: https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designprofitprosperEpisode 279 on the Make and Design Podcast: Your Words to Clients Matter__________Watch Carina’s FREE training, How to Become A Money-Making, Fulfilled Surface Pattern and Craft Designer Without Spending Time On Things That Don’t Work https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/freetraining__________About Carina Gardner:Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and design educator who is passionate about helping other designers fulfill their creative dreams by teaching them her strategies for making money as a designer. She has a Ph.D. in Design and taught design at the University of Minnesota before starting Carina Gardner, Inc.Carina Gardner, Inc design brand has been featured in dish ware, holiday decor, sewing patterns, and more. Her exclusive Design Suite Program helps creatives make money designing as they learn to design. Her programs include Illustrator and Photoshop training, surface pattern design, paper design, Silhouette & Cricut file design, and running a design business. She started the Make and Design Podcast so that she could share inspiration, stories, and experiences about design and life with crafters and designers.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comWatch this episode as a video at https://www.makeanddesign.com/Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Mar 27, 2023 • 12min
Episode 278 3 Lessons I Wish I Had Learned Early in My Design Business
Hindsight is 20/20 and there are many things Carina would have changed early in her design career. Learn about some of these things so that you can evaluate your own design business practices.Purchase Carina’s new book Design Profit and Prosper here: https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designprofitprosperEpisode 278 on the Make and Design Podcast: 3 Lessons I Wish I Had Learned Early in My Design Business__________Watch Carina’s FREE training, How to Become A Money-Making, Fulfilled Surface Pattern and Craft Designer Without Spending Time On Things That Don’t Work https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/freetraining__________About Carina Gardner:Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and design educator who is passionate about helping other designers fulfill their creative dreams by teaching them her strategies for making money as a designer. She has a Ph.D. in Design and taught design at the University of Minnesota before starting Carina Gardner, Inc.Carina Gardner, Inc design brand has been featured in dish ware, holiday decor, sewing patterns, and more. Her exclusive Design Suite Program helps creatives make money designing as they learn to design. Her programs include Illustrator and Photoshop training, surface pattern design, paper design, Silhouette & Cricut file design, and running a design business. She started the Make and Design Podcast so that she could share inspiration, stories, and experiences about design and life with crafters and designers.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comWatch this episode as a video at https://www.makeanddesign.com/Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Mar 24, 2023 • 10min
Episode 277 If You Are Frustrated, You Are Missing This One Thing
Are you super frustrated right now in your design business? Are you having trouble making money? Maybe you are missing this one thing. Learn more in today’s episode.Purchase Carina’s new book Design Profit and Prosper here: https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designprofitprosperEpisode 277 on the Make and Design Podcast: If You Are Frustrated, You Are Missing This One Thing__________Watch Carina’s FREE training, How to Become A Money-Making, Fulfilled Surface Pattern and Craft Designer Without Spending Time On Things That Don’t Work https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/freetraining__________About Carina Gardner:Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and design educator who is passionate about helping other designers fulfill their creative dreams by teaching them her strategies for making money as a designer. She has a Ph.D. in Design and taught design at the University of Minnesota before starting Carina Gardner, Inc.Carina Gardner, Inc design brand has been featured in dish ware, holiday decor, sewing patterns, and more. Her exclusive Design Suite Program helps creatives make money designing as they learn to design. Her programs include Illustrator and Photoshop training, surface pattern design, paper design, Silhouette & Cricut file design, and running a design business. She started the Make and Design Podcast so that she could share inspiration, stories, and experiences about design and life with crafters and designers.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comWatch this episode as a video at https://www.makeanddesign.com/Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Mar 22, 2023 • 17min
Episode 276 If You Want To Be A Famous Designer...
Carina runs into aspiring designers whose main focus is the notoriety around being a designer. Learn more about what Carina has to say about fame.Purchase Carina’s new book Design Profit and Prosper here: https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designprofitprosperEpisode 276 on the Make and Design Podcast: If You Want To Be A Famous Designer...__________Watch Carina’s FREE training, How to Become A Money-Making, Fulfilled Surface Pattern and Craft Designer Without Spending Time On Things That Don’t Work https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/freetraining__________About Carina Gardner:Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and design educator who is passionate about helping other designers fulfill their creative dreams by teaching them her strategies for making money as a designer. She has a Ph.D. in Design and taught design at the University of Minnesota before starting Carina Gardner, Inc.Carina Gardner, Inc design brand has been featured in dish ware, holiday decor, sewing patterns, and more. Her exclusive Design Suite Program helps creatives make money designing as they learn to design. Her programs include Illustrator and Photoshop training, surface pattern design, paper design, Silhouette & Cricut file design, and running a design business. She started the Make and Design Podcast so that she could share inspiration, stories, and experiences about design and life with crafters and designers.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comWatch this episode as a video at https://www.makeanddesign.com/Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Mar 20, 2023 • 14min
Episode 275 Two Things That Will Make You A Great Designer
What are the two things that will make you a great designer? Learn about it in today’s episode!Purchase Carina’s new book Design Profit and Prosper here: https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designprofitprosperEpisode 275 on the Make and Design Podcast: Two Things That Will Make You A Great Designer__________Watch Carina’s FREE training, How to Become A Money-Making, Fulfilled Surface Pattern and Craft Designer Without Spending Time On Things That Don’t Work https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/freetraining__________About Carina Gardner:Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and design educator who is passionate about helping other designers fulfill their creative dreams by teaching them her strategies for making money as a designer. She has a Ph.D. in Design and taught design at the University of Minnesota before starting Carina Gardner, Inc.Carina Gardner, Inc design brand has been featured in dish ware, holiday decor, sewing patterns, and more. Her exclusive Design Suite Program helps creatives make money designing as they learn to design. Her programs include Illustrator and Photoshop training, surface pattern design, paper design, Silhouette & Cricut file design, and running a design business. She started the Make and Design Podcast so that she could share inspiration, stories, and experiences about design and life with crafters and designers.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comWatch this episode as a video at https://www.makeanddesign.com/Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Mar 17, 2023 • 15min
Episode 274 Why You Are Not Winning As A Designer
Design isn’t just about design. It’s about a lot of different things that make your business grow. Learn more about winning in your design business in today’s episode.Purchase Carina’s new book Design Profit and Prosper here: https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designprofitprosperEpisode 274 on the Make and Design Podcast: Why You Are Not Winning As A Designer__________Watch Carina’s FREE training, How to Become A Money-Making, Fulfilled Surface Pattern and Craft Designer Without Spending Time On Things That Don’t Work https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/freetraining__________About Carina Gardner:Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and design educator who is passionate about helping other designers fulfill their creative dreams by teaching them her strategies for making money as a designer. She has a Ph.D. in Design and taught design at the University of Minnesota before starting Carina Gardner, Inc.Carina Gardner, Inc design brand has been featured in dish ware, holiday decor, sewing patterns, and more. Her exclusive Design Suite Program helps creatives make money designing as they learn to design. Her programs include Illustrator and Photoshop training, surface pattern design, paper design, Silhouette & Cricut file design, and running a design business. She started the Make and Design Podcast so that she could share inspiration, stories, and experiences about design and life with crafters and designers.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comWatch this episode as a video at https://www.makeanddesign.com/Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional

Mar 15, 2023 • 8min
Episode 273 Why Design Should Not Be All Lollipops and Rainbows
Design shouldn’t be magical and easy all the time. If it was, everybody would already be doing it! Instead it is the designers who role up their sleeves and get down into the hard work and strategies that make things really happen.Purchase Carina’s new book Design Profit and Prosper here: https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designprofitprosperEpisode 273 on the Make and Design Podcast: Why Design Should Not Be All Lollipops and Rainbows__________Watch Carina’s FREE training, How to Become A Money-Making, Fulfilled Surface Pattern and Craft Designer Without Spending Time On Things That Don’t Work https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/freetraining__________About Carina Gardner:Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and design educator who is passionate about helping other designers fulfill their creative dreams by teaching them her strategies for making money as a designer. She has a Ph.D. in Design and taught design at the University of Minnesota before starting Carina Gardner, Inc.Carina Gardner, Inc design brand has been featured in dish ware, holiday decor, sewing patterns, and more. Her exclusive Design Suite Program helps creatives make money designing as they learn to design. Her programs include Illustrator and Photoshop training, surface pattern design, paper design, Silhouette & Cricut file design, and running a design business. She started the Make and Design Podcast so that she could share inspiration, stories, and experiences about design and life with crafters and designers.Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.comWatch this episode as a video at https://www.makeanddesign.com/Get my free gift to you here: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/intentional


