LOGIN

Design Academic Speaker and Author*

Based in Byron Bay

*Seeking a publisher

With over 25 years of experience in design education, I am passionate about empowering my students to transform their creativity into successful and sustainable businesses.

I write about the intersection of design and business on my Designpreneurship blog

VISIT THE BLOG
I am a design academic passionate about fostering creative entrepreneurship and driving positive change through design. With over 25 years of experience in design education, I am dedicated to empowering individuals to harness their passion and purpose into sustainable creative businesses.

Design Academic • Griffith University Queensland College of Art and Design

As an Associate Professor at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, I develop innovative curricula and mentor students in the Bachelor of Design and Business programs.
 
I specialise in online business, marketing, and employability, equipping students with the essential skills and knowledge to succeed in today’s dynamic creative industry
CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN
LINKEDIN
PUBLIC SPEAKING

Presenting
New Ideas

Alongside my podcast, I am also a sought-after public speaker, sharing my entrepreneurship, creativity, and online business expertise. I have a genuine passion for teaching and inspiring others. I have been privileged to speak at conferences and events worldwide, including Creative South and PauseFest.

 

WATCH A 3-MINUTE PRESENTATION

RESEARCH PROJECTS

TYPISM

In 2013, I founded Typism—a vibrant community that unites lettering artists from across the globe. Typism is an inspiring platform for connection, collaboration and business. Through this initiative, I have gained valuable insights into building online communities and leveraging their power to drive creative ventures forward.

TACTILE TYPOGRAPHY

Tactile Typography is a unique visual art form that seeks to interrogate ways in which typography can intervene in both installation space and the ‘printed’ page. I pioneered the term as part of my doctoral studies. I created tactile typography commissions for Google, Bing, Woolworths, Penguin Books, and Random House.

GOODBYE HELVETICA

December 2010, I made a foolish and public declaration that I would devote myself for a whole year to one typeface and one typeface only—Helvetica. When the year ended, I felt it was only appropriate to properly say ‘goodbye’ to Helvetica. The project resulted in an exhibition, public installation and book.

ACADEMIA

GRIFFITH EXPERTS PAGE
GRIFFITH EXPERTS
QUALIFICATIONS

I hold a Bachelor of Design from Swinburne University and a Master of Design from Monash University. I completed a Doctorate of Visual Arts (DVA) at Griffith University, where my research on Tactile Typography garnered international recognition, establishing me as a leading creative practitioner.

CERTIFICATIONS

I have earned coaching and funnel-building certifications from Authentic Education and Hello Funnels. I’m also a Griffith Learning and Teaching Academy member and graduated from the typography masterclass in Rome held by the School of Visual Arts in New York.

CONFERENCES

I have organised many type and lettering conferences and practical workshops through my association with Typism. In April 2024, I will be hosting the International ATypI Conference in Brisbane. As part of the conference, I will also host a retrospective ten-year exhibition of works from the Typism Books.

Current Project: Designpreneurship

The Freelance Model is Broken

 

Designpreneurship is a new business model that empowers professional creatives to shift their mindset from trading time for money to being recognised and valued for their ideas.

Key Highlights

  • Practical Strategies: Drawing on real-world experience, this book offers a comprehensive toolkit of strategies for creative freelancers to build successful businesses.

  • Digital Transformation: In today’s digital age, understanding the power of funnels and leveraging ideas over time is essential for creative professionals. This book will demystify these concepts and show how to apply them effectively.

  • Case Studies: Engaging case studies and success stories from creatives following the book’s principles will provide invaluable insights.

  • Market Relevance: As the gig economy continues to expand, there is a growing need for a book that guides creative freelancers to navigate this evolving landscape.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Design
Public Speaking
Writing
Creative Entrepreneurship
Community
Teaching
Employability
Business
Typography

What people are saying

I am currently studying Service design and working with an Innovation team inside a government agency and am greatly influenced by Dominique’s creative design processes that have helped scope prototyping and methodologies.

Dominique was a guest speaker at the DIA 7x7 series event held on the Gold Coast. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to her, she was funny, witty and inspirational. Thank you, Dominique, for making it an enjoyable night.

 
Erin May Cross
 
Charmain Derlin

If you would like to consider my Designpreneurship book proposal please reach out*


 

*CONTACT ME