Q4D - Questions for Designers | Conversations on Design, Leadership, and Creative Practice

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.

Ep. 9: Peter DeMaria on Modular Housing and Designing at Scale

In this episode of Questions for Designers (Q4D), Max Beach speaks with Peter DeMaria about architecture, modular construction, and the challenge of designing housing at scale. Peter shares how his work sits at the intersection of design, construction, and systems thinking, and what problem he’s really trying to solve through prefabrication. The conversation explores common misconceptions around modular housing, how constraints like cost and speed shape outcomes, and how designers can still protect quality while working at scale. They also discuss the importance of reframing assumptions, drawing inspiration from outside architecture, and where design is most needed as housing challenges continue to grow.

Ep 8: Melissa Brower on Design Leadership, Brand Systems, and Building Creative Teams

In this episode of Questions for Designers (Q4D), Max Beach speaks with Melissa Brower about design leadership, building and scaling brand systems, and what it takes to lead creative teams effectively. Melissa shares insights from her experience guiding design across global brands, balancing creative vision with organizational needs, and developing teams that can operate at both strategic and executional levels. The conversation explores how designers grow into leadership roles, how brand systems evolve over time, and what it means to maintain clarity and consistency at scale. They also discuss the human side of leadership, including mentorship, communication, and how to create environments where designers can do their best work.