Graphic designer and entrepreneurial super-hero, Tina Roth Eisenberg aka swissmiss, has always been full of ideas. Luckily, she channels her powers for good: like the lecture series CreativeMornings, Tattly temporary tattoos, to-do app TeuxDeux and the popular design blog swissmiss. She shares with us the magic of finding and building community through non-transactional giving, the positive side of divorce and the benefits of keeping a desk drawer stocked with confetti.

Thanks to our sponsor, BenchMade Modern, who makes affordable, custom-sized, modern sofas in days... not months. Use code CLEVER for 15% off your order at benchmademodern.com.

What is your earliest memory?

I just spent way too much time talking to my team members about this question. It made us all laugh and wonder how would anyone really know what the earliest memory is. Also, when is that memory ever an interesting one? A long way of saying I really don’t know what my earliest memory is.

How do you feel about democratic design?

All for it. I am all for good design being accessible for anyone. I want to believe in a world where everyone has equal rights and possibilities. Obviously we are far away from that.

What’s the best advice that you’ve ever gotten?

Don’t worry about what people think.

How do you record your ideas?

I write them down and organize them as lists in my to-do app called TeuxDeux.

What’s your current favorite tool or material to work with?

I am a big fan of the Action Method Notebook for taking notes during meetings. I then transfer the to-dos to TeuxDeux.

What book is on your nightstand?

There are currently two books on my nightstand: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls which I am reading with my kids. And, then I am reading Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions.

Why is authenticity in design important?

Authenticity in life is important, not just in design.

Favorite restaurant in your city?

Paulette, in Fort Greene.

What might we find on your desk right now?

The usual stuff you might find in an office. Only amusing element is the ‘emergency jar of confetti’.

Who do you look up to and why?

Ben Chestnut, co-founder of MailChimp. I consider him the patron of the creative world. The way he supports the creative community and their creative projects is remarkable. I want to be able to be able to do the same one day. Without his support CreativeMornings wouldn’t be what it is today.

What’s your favorite project that you’ve done and why?

My kids! Trying to raise kind, fun humans with good values is the most rewarding project of my life.

What are the last five songs you listened to?

Hymn, by Veil Hymn
Keith Jarrett, Koln Concert
Gregory Porter, be Good
Rolling Stones, Wild Horses
Jackson Five, Blame it on the Boogie

Follow Tina at swissmiss and on Instagram. You can also follow her awesome creations, Tattly, CreativeMornings, and try out TeuxDeux (Jaime uses it every day!).

Special thanks to Chris Modl of Yore Studio for editing this episode.
Music in this episode courtesy of El Ten Eleven—hear more on Bandcamp.
Shoutout to Jenny Rask for designing the Clever logo.

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