Ep. 14: Ellyse Steindorf on Architecture, Storytelling, & Designing with Purpose

Ep. 14: Ellyse Steindorf on Architecture, Storytelling, & Designing with Purpose

In this episode of Questions for Designers (Q4D), Max Beach speaks with Ellyse Steindorf about architecture, storytelling, and creating places that connect people to their communities. Drawing from her experience across architecture and the built environment, Ellyse reflects on how empathy, collaboration, and curiosity shape meaningful design. The conversation explores creative growth, lessons learned through practice, and the responsibility designers have to create spaces that are both functional and deeply human. Ellyse is an Associate at Environ In Long Beach, CA

Ep. 13: The Creative Aid Team on Collaboration, Mentorship, & Starting a Design Career

In this special episode of Questions for Designers (Q4D), Max Beach is joined by members of the Creative Aid team to discuss the transition from design school into professional practice. Together, they reflect on creating the visual identity and promotional assets for Q4D, offering a behind-the-scenes look at collaborating on a real client project. The conversation explores mentorship, teamwork, creative ownership, and the lessons that come from entering the profession as emerging designers.

Ep. 12: Jacob Kleinman Phillips on Brand Strategy, Clarity, & Building Belief

In this episode of Questions for Designers (Q4D), Max Beach speaks with Jacob Kleinman Phillips about brand strategy, storytelling, and building brands people actually believe in. Jacob shares how he helps leaders turn unclear ideas into focused direction, and where that “fuzziness” in brand thinking often comes from. The conversation explores the difference between brands that get attention and those that truly resonate, especially in purpose-driven organizations. They also discuss leadership, stepping into responsibility before feeling ready, and how designers can move beyond execution to play a more strategic role in shaping outcomes.

Ep. 11: Melina Goodwin on Transitioning into Industry, Growth, and Early Career Design

In this episode of Questions for Designers (Q4D), Max Beach speaks with Melina Goodwin about the transition from student to working designer and what that shift actually looks like in practice. Melina shares her experience moving from CSULB into a consultancy environment, what surprised her most about entering the field, and what felt different from expectations. The conversation explores how ideas of “good design” evolve once working with real clients, and what it means to take on responsibility early in a career. They also discuss gaps between school and practice, how those gaps get filled, and where emerging designers can have the most impact moving forward.

Ep. 10: Robert Creighton on Experience Design, Education, & Meaningful Interaction

In this episode of Questions for Designers (Q4D), Max Beach speaks with Robert Creighton about designing interactive experiences across museums, public spaces, and educational environments. Robert reflects on the thread connecting his work, from creating engaging learning environments to designing experiences that balance information, emotion, and behavior. The conversation explores how designers measure success in these spaces, and the responsibility that comes with shaping public understanding through design. They also discuss his role as an educator, helping students move beyond surface-level thinking, and how design can have greater impact when grounded in purpose and clarity. *note During the conversation, Robert referenced the Ferguson unrest as occurring in 2016. The unrest took place in the summer of 2014. Additionally, Latasha Harlins was the name of the young woman murdered prior to the Los Angeles unrest.