After recording the last show, and having lunch with Stefan Mumaw, our Kansas City podcast trip took us to stop three: Willoughby Design Group. For the half hour we sat and spoke with her, I don't think Ann Willoughby stopped working for thirty seconds. She was sketching the entire time, and we got an immediate sense of a talent level that is rare (like flashbacks of visiting the San Francisco offices of Pentagram).
We covered a wide range of topics including her many projects dedicated to environmentally friendly items, the barn and redesigning the environment people work in. We end with her recalling a story of living through the era of MadMen as a female in a male dominated profession - and how that has thankfully changed, and how design is better because of that change.
As we were wrapping up, we ran into the Drifting Creatives in the hallway. We only spoke for a minute, but I applaud them for making cross-country treks to learn more about the industry. We have learned so much just going to a few cities and speaking to designers who have much more experience than us, I can only imagine what a life-changing journey they have taken so far.
Once again, Mig Reyes provides our student tip.
Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments below. We have one more stop on our Kansas City podcast trip, which will air in two weeks.
It's too bad no one has commented on this podcast. Really entertaining interview. Ann Willoughby is smarter than me. Smarter than I could hope to be, in fact. I admit I didn't know her name before, but I was a fan of her work in Einstein and Noodles.
What is in the water in Kansas City anyway?
Finally, thanks for continually making me smile and being one of the more positive voices in the industry! Been listening since the BADCast days, and I've found your podcasts to be a great resource.