2024 Rewind: Highlights and Insights

12/31/24 • 37 min

2024 has been a whirlwind year for Women Designers You Should Know, with 29 inspiring episodes celebrating groundbreaking women in design + 6 bonus episodes that dive into the layers between these stories. This recap dives into the podcast’s journey, from tackling the glaring absence of women in design education to uncovering recurring themes in their stories. Host Amber Asay explores why humanism, patience, and breaking free from societal constraints are central to these women’s legacies. The episode also celebrates trailblazers who pioneered new design paths and shares the most inspiring philosophies from the year’s episodes. Packed with insights and memorable clips, this reflection honors the women who’ve shaped design while inspiring us to continue amplifying their stories.
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Join this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknow
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View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:

Instagram: Amber Asay
Instagram: Women Designers Pod

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View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:

Instagram: Amber Asay
Instagram: Women Designers Pod

Previous Episode

029. Corita Kent and Britt Rohr: Peace & Love & Printmaking

This dual feature episode highlights Corita Kent’s journey from nun to Pop Art pioneer, using screen printing to champion love and justice, and Britt Rohr’s modern take on printmaking as the founder of Swell Press, blending craftsmanship and storytelling in her designs.

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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

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Sources:

Book: Learning by Heart: Teaching to Free the Creative Spirit by Corita Kent and Jan Steward

About Corita

Corita Kent (1918–1986), also known as Sister Mary Corita, was a nun, artist, and educator whose screen prints and serigraphs fused Pop Art with powerful messages of love, justice, and activism. As chair of the art department at Immaculate Heart College, she inspired a generation of students with her innovative teaching methods and bold use of everyday imagery. Her works, including the iconic Love stamp and Rainbow Swash mural, continue to resonate globally as symbols of creativity and compassion. Today, Corita is celebrated for her unique ability to elevate the ordinary into the extraordinary.

About Britt

Britt Rohr is the founder of Swell Press, a California-based letterpress studio known for its meticulous craftsmanship and timeless designs. With a passion for tactile art forms, Britt has carved out a niche in creating bespoke print pieces that marry modern aesthetics with the classic charm of letterpress. Her work has been featured in numerous publications and admired for its ability to tell meaningful stories through design.

Follow Britt:
Instagram: @swellpress
Website: SwellPress.com

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View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:

Instagram: Amber Asay
Instagram: Women Designers Pod

Next Episode

030. Mary Blair: Designing Disney’s Worlds (w/ Mike Asay)

Explore the extraordinary life and career of Mary Blair, the visionary artist behind Disney classics like Cinderella and It’s a Small World, whose bold use of color and modernist style transformed animation and design history, with special guest, Mike Asay.

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About Mary

Mary Blair wasn’t just an artist—she was a design visionary who transformed Disney’s visual language during its golden age. With her bold use of color, clean lines, and modernist sensibilities, Mary brought a fresh, imaginative approach to classics like Cinderella, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland. Her work challenged the traditional realism of animation, introducing a playful, graphic style that still resonates today.

Beyond the big screen, Mary was the creative force behind the iconic It’s a Small World attraction, where her vibrant, harmonious designs celebrated global unity and joy. She also applied her design genius to murals, advertising campaigns, and book illustrations, always pushing the boundaries of what design could achieve.

In a male-dominated industry, Mary often faced challenges, but her influence was undeniable. She has even been said to be Walt Disney’s favorite artist, with him entrusting her with some of the studio’s most visionary projects. Mary Blair didn’t just design beautiful things—she pioneered a new visual language that shaped animation and continues to inspire designers worldwide.

If you’re ready to uncover the story behind one of Disney’s most groundbreaking designers, listen to this episode now and step into the colorful world of Mary Blair.

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View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:

Instagram: Amber Asay
Instagram: Women Designers Pod