This month's Curious Person is Amber Ladd (she/ her)- a designer and creative director working from Victoria, Australia (and currently enjoying a hiatus in Upstate New York, USA!). We explored the theme of A Designer Wishlist over on our collaborative Pinterest board - a collection of things we love and want (without our usual strategic brains).
About You
Introduce yourself!
Hello hello! I'm Amber—a brand designer and creative director currently situated between a vibrant seaside town outside of Melbourne, Australia, and a tiny quiet town tucked away in Upstate New York, USA.
I'm about as introverted as they come, but if you get me started on the right topic, I will absolutely chat your ear off. I'm big into fonts, fashion, funky objects, and fitting out a home (though I've yet to sit still long enough to put down any official roots in the property market ha!). I have a keen interest in all things Japan, and find this influence seeps into my style in more ways than one. Truth be told, I'm probably holding out on settling down until I can find a way to officially immigrate there... but we'll see what happens.
I'm a wifey of 10 years, and a mother of 5 years—my guys are my life, and they simultaneously keep me grounded and on my toes at any given moment.
Did you always know you wanted to do what you do? What was the journey like to get to where you are now?
I was about 13 or 14, and constantly bopping around in Photoshop, when my mum said the moment-defining words “you could be a graphic designer”. After a Wikipedia deep dive, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life.
I took all the relevant classes in school, and made plans to apply to local universities for further study. But there was a time during my final year of school where things took a bit of a detour… There was a lot of talk in my ear from people adjacent to the industry telling me the job market wasn’t steady or reliable, that you had to be really good to come even close to ‘making it’ as a designer, and that maybe some of my secondary interests would be a better fit.
I was really in my own head about this, so ended up applying for a Bachelor of Nursing at the last minute. With intentions of specialising in Mental Health at the end of the course, I felt like I had a solid path mapped out for a successful career. Well, let’s just say I excelled more at being the designated group project poster designer than anything else meaningful during the course. I floundered my way through the Biology and Chemistry classes for the first year, had a total meltdown during the practical end-of-year placement, and dropped out during the first week of Year 2.
I’ll be forever grateful to the Head of the Design Department who took pity on me that day as I came bounding into his office, begging for a transfer. He was the first industry-experienced person to give me true encouragement, and put me straight into Year 2 of his class. I started the following Monday, and I haven’t once looked back. I’ve been truly grateful to have worked in several design studios and agencies since graduating, on top of building my own freelance career. I’ve been at this for over 10 years now, and while it wasn’t always perfectly linear, I know deeply that this is what I was meant to do.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Between being a parent and a workaholic, spare time is pretty limited (IYKYK)! Even when I’m not actively designing, in my spare time I am usually curating, compiling, researching or upskilling in some way. I think this is just the nature of the creative brain. My fashion Pinterest board is probably where I spend my greatest amount of downtime (she’s a beauty!), but in an ideal world I would like to be found reading some overly predictable romance novel or re-watching The OC for the 50th time. The simple, basic things are what my overcrowded brain desires!
The Pinterest Board
See the board we collaborated on here.
Tell us what you think of the board theme- why does it inspire or interest you and what’s your connection to the theme?
Designer Wishlist? Say no more! This is more or less my day-to-day life. Between building brands and researching other ones, I am constantly exposed to new and exciting products and people on the daily. I’m forever making lists of the who’s who and the what’s what. Working on this theme came naturally to me as it’s at the intersection of everything that I love! The hardest part was of course narrowing it down to 40-something items; at the same time, this is also the best part as it forces you to strip away the parts that don’t matter, and create tunnel vision for the things that do. That act of refinement is where I feel I am most inspired.
If you could collaborate with anyone—living or historical—on a project around this theme, who would it be and why?
This was a tricky one... simply because I'm so nosey and therefore would love to know what's on everyone's designer wishlist! Decided I'd love to take a peek behind the curtain at what some of my favourite influencers have on their list. With a job showcasing what they love and buy, I'd be so interested to know what things they don't currently own. My top pick for this would probably be Ashley from @closetvomit. Literally the coolest! I can only imagine the shoes would be next level 👀
What’s the absolute, non-negotiable piece of content you pinned that people must see?
This would have to be the Light Soy by Heliograf. The cutie little soy sauce packet inspired lamp speaks to me on multiple levels—first and foremost as a sushi lover! I just think this piece is the most interesting and quirky object I’ve come across on my internet travels. What’s even better is that the designers at Heliograf have created an incredibly impactful legacy through its design: manufactured from ocean-bound plastic in an attempt to stop single-use plastic. Wow! The underlying message and concept of this product isn’t lost on me as a brand designer. It’s stares you right in the face every time you see it, and certainly makes you think twice.
Closing Curios
Beverage of choice?
More often than not, you'll find me chugging an iced latte. But if it's a special occasion... an Aperol Spritz goes down very well.
Favourite recent find (could be a book, tv show, website, tiktok account)?
Lately I've been loving the @watchingnewyork Instagram account curated by Johnny Cirillo. I've followed various accounts like this over the years, but when this one came up in my feed recently I instantly loved it.
Where would you visit in a time machine? And Why?
If given the opportunity through time travel, I've always said I'd love to take a wander through the '40s-'60s. To see the fashion and flair of those time periods would be so incredible.
Favourite ever thrifted find?
It's a tough choice between my fashion vs furniture finds... but I think I'm gonna have to go with fashion for this one. About 10 years ago, I picked up this gorgeous vintage pinup romper (black, of course!) which had these really cool little puffy shoulders, a tie around the waist, and the coolest pearl buttons up the middle. It was stunning, and remains today as one of my favourite outfits. It doesn't quite fit me the way that it did back then, but it's something I'll forever hold onto... just in case ;)
Last niche interest you dived deeply on?
I can't say this is a usual interest of mine, but... Amish lifestyle and culture. Sounds random, but given there is an active and growing community living right near us here in New York, I do see them out and about fairly regularly. As such, I've become pretty intrigued and curious about their way of life. This has resulted in a number of 2am deep dives - Google has heard every question.
What ridiculous item is on your wishlist that you want to buy but absolutely do not need?
I've been eyeing up this incredibly cute model home in a display village near to where I'm staying in the US.
Do I need it? Clearly not, I'm here on a tourist visa with a scheduled flight home. Do I want to throw caution to the wind, buy a block of land, sign the papers, and build the house anyway? Of course I do.
Stay in Touch
You can see Amber's work on Instagram or see more of her work on her website. You will also love Amber's newsletter where she shares what she's been loving.
