Originally aired in 2017, this classic conversation with branding expert Bruce Philp remains just as relevant today. In Part 2 of You Are a Brand, Bruce Philp and Kimberley Seldon explore what happens when interior designers stop minimizing their value and fully step into the authority their clients are looking for.

As Bruce says, “Taking yourself seriously has power. It says you are playing a longer game.” When you embrace your brand with intention, you signal confidence, clarity, and leadership—qualities clients instinctively trust. And when you allow imposter syndrome to run the show, you risk sending the opposite message.

This episode dives into the mindset shifts, practical habits, and brand-building strategies that help design professionals move past self-doubt and into a more powerful, more profitable version of themselves.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Practical ways to combat and outsmart imposter syndrome
- What it looks like when clients fully trust your expertise
- Why clients want you to step confidently into the role of “the answer”
- How intentional brand development strengthens your leadership
- Why striving to learn beats striving for perfection
- How to create a positive client experience that builds loyalty
- Why your stories matter—and how they reinforce your credibility

Become a Member

EP 451 | You Are a Brand: Confidence, Clarity & Client Trust with Bruce Philp (Part 2)

AI is no longer a futuristic idea—it’s a practical tool reshaping how interior designers work, create, and deliver value. In this forward-thinking episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Nithya Subramaniam, an architect turned product and experience designer, about the real ways AI can transform your design practice today.

Rather than replacing designers, AI has the power to enhance creativity, reduce repetitive tasks, improve decision-making, and streamline entire workflows. Nithya breaks down how AI tools can generate spatial concepts, evaluate environmental conditions, integrate data for smarter solutions, and help designers iterate in real time. From climate adaptation to sustainable materials, AI is unlocking new levels of insight and efficiency.

If you’ve been wondering how AI will impact your business—or how to start using it confidently—this episode will give you the clarity and inspiration you need. AI is here to stay, and the designers who embrace it early will have a major advantage.

In this episode we learn:
- Why AI supports rather than replaces designers by automating routine tasks
- How AI tools generate spatial solutions based on real design project needs
- How real-time iteration enables faster, more creative design development
- How integrated data powers future-focused design, from sustainability to climate adaptation
- How AI agents optimize resources, track carbon impact, and streamline timelines

EP 452 | How AI Is Transforming Interior Design with Nithya Subramaniam

Professional photography isn’t a luxury for interior designers—it’s a growth strategy. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon and interiors photographer Candice Brooke dive into the transformative power of high-quality imagery and how it impacts everything from client attraction to project visibility to your firm's perceived value.

Candice shares expert insights on preparing your space for a shoot, creating a strategic shot list, and collaborating effectively with photographers who understand the interior design industry. You’ll also learn how to maximize your images across platforms—from your portfolio and website to social media and press opportunities—so your work gets the attention it deserves.

Whether you're a seasoned designer or just beginning to build your portfolio, this conversation will show you why investing in photography is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your brand, credibility, and business growth.

In this episode you will learn:
- How professional photography drives business growth and client acquisition
- Essential tips for preparing a space for a photo shoot (lighting, styling, decluttering)
- How to build a strategic shot list tailored to each project
- The value of working with photographers who have industry connections
- How to leverage your images for maximum exposure across social media and your website
- The evolving role—and current limitations—of AI in interior design photography
- Practical advice for new designers working with limited budgets

EP 453 | The Power of Professional Photography for Interior Designers with Candice Brooke

In the interior design industry, clarity is power—and a well-built operations manual may be the most valuable asset in your entire business. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon is joined by design duo Marli Jones and Michael Kreuser, who share how clearly defining roles, documenting responsibilities, and building strong systems has allowed their firm to function smoothly and creatively.

Whether you're running a partnership, leading a team, or operating solo, the way you divide tasks determines everything: profitability, stress levels, project quality, client satisfaction, and your ability to scale. Marli and Michael reveal how they delegate procurement and project management, maintain clean boundaries with contracts and agreements, and empower their team with trust and accountability.

This is a must-listen for designers who want fewer bottlenecks, stronger collaboration, and a business that can grow without relying on them for every decision.

In this episode you will learn:
- Why establishing clear roles and responsibilities eliminates confusion
- How to define ownership and decision-making authority from the start
- Why contracts and agreements keep partnerships clean and professional
- How to build systems before you delegate to ensure consistent results
- Why separating creative work from operations increases efficiency and balance
- How to foster a culture that accepts mistakes and learns from them
- How to choose clients based on fit—not just budget or project size
- How process and structure create more space for creativity
- How to empower your team with trust, autonomy, and shared accountability
- Ways to nurture strong relationships with clients, trades, and vendors

EP 454 | Your Operations Manual Is More Valuable Than You Think with Michael Kreuser & Marli Jones

What if the secret to a more profitable interior design business is doing less, not more? In this inspiring episode, Kimberley Seldon reconnects with designer and former BOD™ member Lori Steeves, who made a bold shift: stepping away from high-stress renovation projects and choosing the work she genuinely loves. The result? More creativity. More joy. More profit.

Lori shares how she reframed success, stopped glorifying busyness, and rebuilt her business around fulfillment, not frenzy. With systems that support her, a team she trusts, and the courage to say no strategically, she created a design practice that protects her time, energy, and passion.

For interior designers who feel stretched thin, burned out, or stuck in the cycle of “more, more, more,” this conversation will show you a new model of success—one where your business works for you, not the other way around.

In this episode you will learn:
- Why busyness is not a badge of honor—and how to stop measuring success by hours worked
- How focusing on the work you genuinely love increases profitability and joy
- Why systems are not constraints but the foundation for creative freedom
- How strategic delegation frees your time and empowers your team
- Why saying no is a business superpower
- How profitability relies on margin, not top-line revenue
- How to design a business that supports the life you want

EP 456 | From Busy to Bliss: How Interior Designers Can Work Less and Profit More with Lori Steeves

To celebrate 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits standout moments from past conversations with illustrators Brian Rea, Maira Kalman, Barry Blitt, Edel Rodriguez, and Christoph Niemann. These excerpts explore how ideas drive style, how collaboration and constraint shape the work, and how a single image can speak fast and stay with you.

20th Anniversary Celebration with visionary illustrators Brian Rea, Maira Kalman, Barry Blitt, Edel Rodriguez, and Christoph Niemann

To mark 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits standout moments with Julia Turshen, Christina Tosi, Gabrielle Hamilton, Fanny Singer, and Will Guidara—voices who reimagined how we cook, write, and welcome. From recipe testing as poetry to tinkering with desserts, from building a neighborhood bistro to building a culture of “unreasonable hospitality,” these excerpts show how design shapes flavor, service, and the shared joy of a good meal.

20th Anniversary celebration with culinary creatives Julia Turshen, Christina Tosi, Gabrielle Hamilton, Fanny Singer, and Will Guidara

To celebrate 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits standout moments from past conversations with photographers Catherine Opie, Albert Watson, Pete Souza, Lynn Goldsmith, and Mary Ellen Matthews. These excerpts explore how they approach craft, capture truth, and use the camera to tell the stories that define us.

20th Anniversary celebration with photographers Catherine Opie, Albert Watson, Pete Souza, Lynn Goldsmith, and Mary Ellen Matthews

Welcome to this episode where we unpack the remarkable redevelopment of Olympia London—an ambitious project that transforms historic exhibition halls into a modern cultural destination. Hosted by Inverness Design Studio, we explore how the glass canopy designed by Heatherwick Studio becomes the central spine of a new “street in the sky,” uniting heritage, performance, hospitality and public realm under one sweeping roof.

We discuss design strategy, sustainability features, urban impact and what this regeneration means for London’s West End. Whether you’re a designer, an architect, a London enthusiast, or just curious about how cities evolve, this episode provides insight into how large-scale developments shape the places we live in.

Explore the article and visuals: https://invernessdesignstudio.com/olympia-londons-new-street-in-the-sky

Connect with us for more stories on design and architecture.

Reimagining Olympia London: The Story Behind the West End’s New Cultural District

As part of the 20th anniversary of Design Matters, Debbie Millman shares Part Two of her most surprising first questions, the curious openings that sparked honesty, humor, and revelation. These excerpts highlight the unexpected moments that shaped some of the show’s most memorable conversations.

Guess the Guest: Surprising First Questions Part Two

The Scottish Design Podcast explores the world of creativity, branding, and web design from the heart of the Highlands. Hosted by Inverness Design Studio, the podcast shares expert insights, practical tips, and inspiring stories to help businesses, designers, and entrepreneurs build stronger brands and smarter digital experiences.

From web design tools and branding strategies to digital marketing and creative innovation, each episode is designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to grow your brand online and offline. Whether you’re a startup, small business, or creative professional, this podcast will guide you through the ever-changing design landscape with a uniquely Scottish perspective.

Business of Design® is the #1 trusted business training resource for design professionals around the world. Join thousands of design professional already using our field-tested project management strategies and enjoy increased confidence, improved client retention, greater profits and a business that thrives.

It’s time to take control of your business. 
Become a member of Business of Design®, today:
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Design Matters by Debbie Millman features interviews with designers, artists and cultural leaders, including Lawrence Weiner, Barbara Kruger, Malcolm Gladwell, Eric Kandel, Stefan Sagmeister, John Maeda, Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones, Michael Arad, Milton Glaser, Massimo Vignelli, Paula Scher, Steven Heller, Jonah Lehrer, among others.

In 2011, Design Matters received the People’s Design Award from the prestigious Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards.

Subscribe to Design Matters for free on iTunes, where new episodes are uploaded weekly: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/design-matters-debbie-millman/id328074695

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