101 | A Deep Dive Into Product Development and How Allowing Yourself to Create as Well as Fail Is Really the Best Medicine with Jennifer Livingston

Inspired by simple gestures, purposeful forms and honest craftsmanship, today’s guest, Jennifer Livingston’s phone storage is usually maxed out with beauty in the market and in her life. She has equal photos of her family as she does of a great ad campaign, ceramic glaze, or nature’s seasonal colorway. She is intrigued with the process of design and the story behind each item. Jennifer got an early start in product design the summer when she was 13. “My mom introduced me to sewing. She showed me how to thread the machine and load the bobbin, and let me have free range.” Jennifer made a pair of shorts every day that summer out of fabric scraps and old clothes lines. From there her creative curiosity was born.

Margo and Jennifer discuss:

Allowing yourself and others to make mistakes and then being able to learn from them
Networking and why it’s important (even if you’re an introverted creative)
How her curiosity helps her engage with artists and collaborate with manufacturers
Permission to fail (or grow, adapt, and be vulnerable)
Having a representative for your work
Right vs. left brain operations
How she fills her cup and manages to not lose sight of herself despite challenges and busy schedules

Being a mom of three active kids has helped Jennifer develop strong organization skills and she is a better project manager because of it. She has successfully led product design teams, linking with procurement, logistics and international along the way.

Connect with Jennifer:

jenniferlivingstoncreative.com

www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferelivingston

https://www.instagram.com/jlivin2/

People inspiring Jennifer:

Jacky Blue, illustration. Gestural fashion illustrator

https://shop.fashionillustrationgallery.com/collections/jacky-blue

https://www.instagram.com/jackyblue__/?hl=en

Wattle & Loop

https://wattleandloop.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wattleandloop/

Cyrus Walker