9 Questions for Design Milk's Jaime Derringer

Photo credit: Kate Glicksberg

Note: Jesse Taliaferro contributed to this article.

Whether your obsession is art, architecture, interior design, furniture, fashion, decor, technology of just all forms of design (can we get three cheers?) online magazine Design Milk is always at the forefront of the latest news, trends, and just plain cool finds.

We were beyond thrilled when Design Milk founder and executive editor Jaime Derringer agreed to answer a couple of questions for us to share with you! Jaime will be a speaker at the upcoming 2013 Alt Summit in Salt Lake City.

TH: What do you think makes a successful space for creativity?
Jaime: It depends on how you work. Some people work better with a mess, others work better with a clean, minimalist space. Some people love to be surrounded by inspirational items and images.

The offices of tech accessory company Grove. Photo courtesy of Design Milk

We’ve covered tons of different workspaces in our Design Milk column “Where I Work,” where we profile designers’ spaces. For me, I’m somewhere in the middle…I like a clean workspace but I still like to have items around me that keep me feeling motivated and inspired.

TH: What inspires you visually? What do like to see? What’s been the biggest surprise in regards to that lately?
Jaime: I’m most inspired when I see materials used in unique ways or intriguing processes. I’ve been most interested in processes like these Blast stools by Guy Mishaly or these benches by Hilla Shamia. I love the idea of creating using unconventional methods and materials.

TH: Anything you turn to online or in print for daily inspiration?
Jaime: I love glancing over Pinterest at least once a day. Keeps me in the loop as to what is popular and trendy in the moment.

TH: Is there a work of art/design in the last 50 years or so that is your favorite?
Jaime: Anything by the Eameses is always going to be at the top of the list.

TH: Any more recent? What about them that calls to you?
Jaime: More recently, I’m a huge fan of Karim Rashid. He’s one of those designers that you either glove or hate. And for me, he represents a breath of fresh air. He doesn’t follow trends and is constantly trying to innovate and push forward.

TH: Neatness or clutter on your desk?
Jaime: A mix!

TH: Favorite tchotchke you keep around your space for comfort or joy?
Jaime: Yes, I have an ITS OK carving by Matthew Hoffman. It keeps me grounded. I’m also one of those people who still keeps sticky notes on their monitors, and this one my husband drew for me is my favorite.

Photo courtesy of Design Milk

TH: Do you have a favorite quote about design?
Jaime: Yes – Dieter Rams said it all.

Good design is innovative
Good design makes a product useful
Good design is aesthetic
Good design helps us to understand a product
Good design is unobtrusive
Good design is honest
Good design is durable
Good design is consequent to the last detail
Good design is concerned with the environment
Good design is as little design as possible

TH: What are you most looking forward to at the 2013 AltSummit?
Jaime: I didn’t make it last year because I had just had a baby, so I’m looking forward to reconnecting with online friends, networking with new people, and also to giving my own presentation. Plus, the free cookies and giant soaking tub at the Grand America are worth the trip.