interview with design mom.

That I can do it in my pajamas. Blogging is a perfect fit for an overscheduled mother, because the deadlines are generally self-imposed. If I don’t get as many posts up on a certain day as I’d like, well, there’s no boss to reprimand me. And of course, I can’t believe how many interesting people I’ve met and how supportive they’ve been. I’ve said this before, but it’s amazing how helpful it is to be able to write about the simple things I do as a mother — picking out new shoes for my toddler, or finding cool new art supplies — and then receiving positive feedback about these small tasks. Most of the things mothers do go unacknowledged and unappreciated, but blogging about them somehow gives them more weight and significance. They were always important things — all those small tasks make up the raising of a family. And it’s nice to see those tasks get a little featured attention.

design mom:: I landed my first real design job as an art director at Ogilvy & Mather in Athens, Greece during my senior year of college — and while I was pregnant with my first baby. So my professional design experience and motherhood have always been intertwined. The Graphic Design program at my university (BYU http://byu.edu) was excellent. There was lots of emphasis on problem-solving (which is helpful in any profession and in any life) And we were taught to study and appreciate good design across every discipline. My discipline was graphic design, but I was taught about great architecture, furniture design, textile design, photography, industrial design, interior design, landscape design, and on and on. Basically, we were taught how to “design our lives.” To be deliberate about where we lived, how we lived, what we surrounded ourselves with.

Thanks Gabrielle, that was a treat! Great things are in store for Petit Elefant readers this week, so make sure to stop back later this afternoon for a fun Summer surprise.