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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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Practical Strategies: Drawing on real-world experience, this book offers a comprehensive toolkit of strategies for creative freelancers to build successful businesses.
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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.
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Case Studies: Engaging case studies and success stories from creatives following the book’s principles will provide invaluable insights.
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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
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.
