PERSPECTIVES: HOW WE WORK

The Business of Being a Designer

Thursday, January 14, 2027
11:00 AM ET | 4:00 PM UK
Virtual | Live UK/US Conversation

Featuring LuAnn Nigara (US) and Rachel Usher (UK)
Moderated by Veronika Miller, Founder of Designhounds

What does it really take to build and sustain a successful design business today?

Beyond beautiful projects and compelling portfolios lies the reality of running a business: pricing, profitability, client expectations, team management, and the constant balancing act between creative ambition and commercial success.

For this second Perspectives UK/US conversation, we’re bringing together LuAnn Nigara and Rachel Usher for a candid discussion about the business of design on both sides of the Atlantic.

How do American and British designers approach fees and project management? Are client expectations fundamentally different? What business practices are evolving, and what can designers learn from their international counterparts?

We’ll explore the challenges of growth, the importance of defining your value, and how designers can build businesses that are both creatively fulfilling and financially sustainable.

Expect practical insights, different perspectives, and an open discussion that invites the audience into the conversation.

ABOUT PERSPECTIVES

Perspectives is a Designhounds program connecting design professionals across borders through curated conversations, experiences, and meaningful industry relationships. Our UK/US exchange began in London in October 2026, continues through a series of virtual discussions, and culminates with an in-person gathering at High Point Market in April 2027.

Join the conversation.