Meg Farmer
Q What do you do?
“I am a Design Writer, Researcher, Educator and Account Director with a knack for drumming up inventive design stories that create meaningful connections through good ol’ research, heart-to-heart chats and an informed critical lens on our everyday ongoings, objects, mistakes, and triumphs. ”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
STEP 1: Art School
STEP 2: Grad School
STEP 3: Working with some of the most renowned design firms across the globe
STEP 4: Being a Professor of Design
STEP 5: Writing, Researching, Writing, Researching
Q How do you stand out in your field?
My vast knowledge of past and present design mixed with my unique observational and writing skills.
Q What are you working on right now?
Print Magazine's 2023 Typography Report
Q What’s your style?
As fashion legend Diana Vreeland perfectly put it, "Vulgarity is a very important ingredient in life. I'm a great believer in vulgarity--if it's got vitality. A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika. We all need a splash of bad taste . . . What's called 'good taste' is a drug on the market. No taste is what I'm against."
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Writing and Directing
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Access to brands and design studios working on cutting edge campaigns and design projects.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Schedule interviews for my writing pieces, create original visuals for my articles, re-skin my website, and create a social media presence that uniquely reflects my point of view on design.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I wish I could have told myself the most meaningful learnings emerge from real life conversations, and observing the world and creative a point of view based on those observations. You must seek out and research topics, art, music, fashion, and cultures that inspire you.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
How to live in certainty while simultaneously going with the flow.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I love project managing, scoping projects, working with clients and design teams alike. I love researching images that ladder up to brand strategies. I love writing about design and sussing out the deeper cultural implications of our design choices.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I would love to concept and collaborate with brands that create limited editions drops, and special projects, and unique social media campaigns.
Q What is your rate?
My hourly rate for writing and account directing is $150 per hour, But depending on the engagement length and quantity of projects, I am open to negotiating my fee.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Q Who is a creative you admire?
I recently interviewed Jonathan Sangster, a Chicago based designer and educator. Their work is profoundly conceptual and deeply researched. They also teach design and run an independent studio, Mx. Studio.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Museum dreaming. People I have never met. Somehow knowing them.
This member profile was originally published in January 2023.