Teresa Au chats with motion graphics designer and director Emonee LaRussa, known for her inventive lyric videos for artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Kanye West, and Lil Nas X. Emonee shares her experience as a woman of color in the digital arts, and why it’s so important to her to share her expertise, resources, and connections. Plus, Teresa finds out where Emonee keeps her Emmy awards!

Teresa Au chats with artist and creative director Jason Naylor live at Adobe MAX 2024. They talk about the power of yes, betting on yourself, and what it means to open your heart. Plus Jason shares the personal messages behind his extremely colorful murals, how he found his style, and why he doesn’t seek out inspiration.

Teresa Au chats with Allan Peters of Peters Design Company. He’s a brand mark expert, the author of Logos That Last, and the guy who blew up on Instagram Reels reimagining classic logos like Citibank, UPS, and Gatorade. They talk about Allan’s strategic path to launching his own firm, how asking what he wants has led to some of his biggest jobs, and how becoming a viral sensation has changed–and not changed–his business.

This bonus episode features graphic designer and content creator Emma Orhun speaking at the "Twisted by Design" event organized by the Ottawa Design Club this spring. Emma shares how she overcame her scientific background and got comfortable with the subjectivity of art; why she invented the Tamawatchi, a Tamagotchi with the functionality of an Apple Watch; and how designing a pair of Nikes changed her career.

Teresa Au chats with graphic designer Magdiel Lopez about all the spaces for creativity in his life, from his famous “A Poster A Day” project, to his personal artistic practice, to the buildings and offices that his firm transforms into art-filled, meaningful spaces. They also discuss how immigration shapes your thinking, mental health in the face of internet stardom, and what Magdiel is doing to revitalize his hometown of Richardson, Texas.

For this bonus episode, host Teresa Au shares a conversation between design superstar and In the Making guest Chris Do and graphic designer Liz Mosley. Liz candidly reveals how Chris’ (very polite!) refusal to appear on her podcast inspired her to take on a personal challenge of gaining 100 professional rejections in six months. The surprising result: Liz’s changed mindset and newfound confidence led to acceptances, sponsorships, and opportunities, and even some nos turning into yeses! To bring it full circle, Chris invited Liz onto his podcast The Futur with Chris Do to share the inspiring story.

Teresa Au talks to the legendary founder of CreativeMornings and design blogging pioneer Tina Roth Eisenberg, also known as Swiss Miss. They explore how Tina’s love of gathering and community both feeds her soul and has led to three thriving design businesses. Tina shares the next big idea from CreativeMornings, the importance of experiments, and why she turned her kitchen into a coffee shop.

Teresa Au checks in with Instagram’s favorite photo director, Emily Keegin, about how photographers are doing these days. They look at how AI is just the latest technical breakthrough in the medium, what people can do that AI can’t, and the best way to think about trends. Plus, Emily shares tips for creators and solopreneurs to find and create great images.

Teresa Au talks with PiXimperfect’s Unmesh Dinda, who teaches Photoshop to over 6 millions followers via fun and accessible videos. They discuss Unmesh’s passion for teaching, his philosophy of progress over perfection, and the challenges of running a creative business. Plus, Teresa asks the hard questions to find out if Unmesh himself was created by AI!

For this bonus episode, host Teresa Au shares chats hosted by her Adobe colleagues Kladi Vergine and Elise Swopes. First we hear from Jack Watson, a brand designer, solopreneur, and social media star–all at just 21 years old. Jack shares how he discovered design tools, his foray into concert promotion, and how an international retailer found his work. Next, eclectic artist Dewey Saunders describes his artistic journey from pen-and-ink to collage to digital design. Plus, Dewey shares his musician origins, how he’s influenced by music, and why he’s a go-to collaborator for musicians like Future and Anderson .Paak.

Teresa Au chats with artist Shantell Martin about how not fitting in–growing up in London, going to art school, and living in Japan–forced her to really know herself and launched her creative career. Shantell’s trademark continuous line art represents her quest to understand what makes us each unique, and to find ways for us to connect to one another. Her thoughtful and confident reflections, her spirit of sharing, and her sense of adventure will inspire you in your creative journey.

For this bonus episode, host Teresa Au shares talks from Adobe MAX London, Adobe’s flagship event in Europe for learning and inspiration. First we hear from Rachel Sale, a UK-based illustrator who is currently an Adobe Creative Resident at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. Rachel shares what it’s like to actually work in a museum, have access to museum resources, and display her work there. Next, filmmaker Margot Bowman shares her artist's journey with the concept of permission--who needs to ask for permission to be creative? Who has the power in that dynamic? Margot’s conclusions are both empowering and surprising.

Teresa Au chats with artist and designer Kelli Anderson on all the things transformation, from Kelli’s paper engineering work that turns paper into a record or a camera to the shifting revenue streams she’s embraced over her career. Her passion for fusing the digital and the analog, her commitment to process, and her delight in sharing what she’s learned, will inspire you to run with your own half-baked ideas.

Teresa Au talks to psychotherapist Sarah Ahmed, aka Tiktok’s @the.poc.therapist, about how creatives can navigate the emotional side of putting yourself, and your work, online. Sarah is beloved by her followers for dispensing advice on relationships and self-love, so she knows first-hand how hard it can be to weather social media’s nasty comments and unpredictable algorithms, plus our own insecurities. Her strategies for protecting your mental fitness will help you enjoy all the best aspects of sharing your creativity with the world.

Teresa Au chats with author, speaker, and entrepreneur Michael Ventura about what empathy really is and how it can help your design work and your business. Michael describes applied empathy–the idea that empathy isn’t just putting yourself in someone else’s shoes–it’s about better understanding what it’s like to be someone else in their own shoes. They also discuss how car designers rely on somatic empathy, strategies for time-strapped solopreneurs, and an easy way to shake up your video meetings.

In the Making kicks off season two with Teresa Au interviewing Vanessa Rivera of The Life of AIVAX about her whimsical Photoshop art and how she balances a time-consuming creative career with a family as a working mom. Vanessa talks about creative tools that save her time in her work, how she and her family left their home to travel in Europe for two years, how to set limits on her work life, and how to find joy and connection in a lonely world as a creative.

Season 2 is almost here! In the Making explores the challenges and rewards of working in the creator economy. Subscribe now to join host Teresa Au as she talks to creatives, soloprenuers, and experts to find out how they thrive at work–and how you can, too!

Teresa Au chats with Emmy-winning design superstar Chris Do about his pivot from design to teaching, his education platform The Futur, and all the things he didn’t learn in design school. You’ll hear all about how Chris’ 2M+ social followers inspire his content, and Chris answers questions from design students. Plus, Chris opens up about why now is the time for him to share his personal story as a refugee, what really fuels his work, and how he recharges.

Inspiration is on tap as Teresa Au speaks to graphic designer, entrepreneur, and author Aaron Draplin. Known as much for his warm and direct personality as for his signature thick lines design style and ample use of Pantone Orange 21, Aaron is a hero to designers everywhere. Aaron shares lessons gleaned from his midwestern upbringing, nearly 20 years in business on his own, and creating his Field Notes and DDC branded merchandise.

What’s it like to pay off $50,000 in debt, ditch your 9-to-5, travel the world, create educational content, and build community in the process? Teresa Au speaks to Financial Hype Woman and content creator Berna Anat about how she did all that and how she’s planning for tomorrow. Berna also shares how our emotional relationship with money impacts our decisions, her strategies for budgeting, saving and retirement, and what to do when the creator life doesn’t love you back.