Photo thank you to Pixabay
My aunt, at 97, is transitioning. She had a heart attack last week and has had the joy of seeing her grandchildren and the 1st great-grandchild. She and her husband have been the rock in my life. Their education was mentioned many times in my youth by my Mom and Dad: “See, Charlie graduated Princeton.” you can go to college. Although my Dad passed when I was 9, he instilled his desire in us for his girls to go to college. Charlie and Trudy have been the bright lights in our family—Dr—Charlie, Ph.D. in psychology, and Trudy, a Librarian. My sister and I both graduated college and taught school.
When visiting their home for the weekend, I arrived as the evening dishes were being washed by hand. While Trudy was washing them at the same time, Charlie kept her company, reading a book out loud. That was their routine. They were the picture of how I wanted to be married. Thanks to their influence, I chose well.
Forever grateful to them both.
How Humor Can Lighten the Room
A smile can make your design pitch twice as memorable. Humor, when done right, isn’t about being a comedian it’s about being human. A little laughter reminds everyone that design is supposed to bring joy, not stress. So the next time you walk into a presentation, bring your sense of humor along with your fabric swatches. You’ll leave behind not only a beautiful concept but also a positive impression.
Creating Connection: The overlooked power of eye contact
Eye contact is the designer’s secret to presence. It’s what transforms a presentation from mechanical to magnetic. Slides may show your ideas, but your eyes show your confidence and that’s what clients and audiences remember most.
Why Every Designer Should Practice Their Speech
In design, presentation is persuasion. When you practice speaking as much as sketching, you build trust, authority, and excitement around your ideas. A polished pitch can make the difference between a “maybe” and a “let’s do it.” Remember your voice is part of your professional toolkit. Use it well, and let it sell your vision as powerfully as your designs do.
The Conversation
Because small talk isn’t small at all. It’s where big things begin.
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Successful Speaking
Your design may be flawless, but if you can’t communicate it, the brilliance gets lost.