A University for Creatives: How Carina Gardner Is Redefining Design Education
What if earning a degree in design meant building a real business—rather than writing a thesis?
In this episode, I’m joined by Carina Gardner, who is doing something bold and much needed in the creative world: she has opened her own university.
The University of Arts and Design is unlike any traditional university. Think of it as a trade school for creatives, where students learn how to actually earn money doing what they love. Instead of writing a thesis for a master’s degree, students are required to create and run a business.
From learning how to manage finances with QuickBooks to pricing, selling, and sustaining creative work, this university focuses on practical, real-world skills creatives need—but rarely learn in traditional programs.
Carina brings a unique perspective to this work. She holds a PhD from the University of Minnesota and has seen firsthand how often creatives are discouraged from pursuing art as a career. Many of us have heard the warnings:
“You can’t earn money as a creative.”
“Don’t study art—you’ll just be a starving artist.”
Carina—and many of her peers—are proof that this simply isn’t true.
In this conversation, Carina shares how artists and designers can build multiple six-figure businesses by selling their art and designs—not by teaching others how to be creative, but by doing the work themselves.
This episode is inspiring, practical, and empowering for anyone who loves creating and wants to build a sustainable, profitable creative career.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Why Carina started the University of Arts and Design
How this model differs from traditional art and design degrees
Why running a business replaces a thesis
What creatives actually need to learn to earn real income
How artists and designers can build long-term, profitable careers
🎧 If you’ve ever wondered whether creativity and financial success can coexist, this episode is for you.
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:
- https://uad.education/
- https://carinagardner.com/
- Univeristy Of Art and Design Instagram
- Carina Gardner on Instagram
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE
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