IWD2019: Deva Pardue Discusses the Allure of Design, The Wing, & For All Womankind
WORKING NOT WORKING
We’re supporting Balance for Better as part of International Women’s Day and celebrating spectacular female creatives on Working Not Working who need to be on your radar in 2019. We’re delighted to highlight 9 members who lead the creative conversation through both their careers and personal projects. This interview series covers the pursuit of professional creativity and the breakthroughs, accomplishments, ambitions, dreams, and lessons that follow.
For WNW Member Deva Pardue, the allure of Design as a career was in “the balance between the weird stuff — the out-of-the-box creative thinking — and the very logistical problem solving aspects of the work. It's allowed me to satisfy two very different parts of my personality.” It’s the combination of both that has led the Irish-born, Brooklyn-based designer to become Creative Director at The Wing, a female co-working space and collective. In our interview below, Deva discusses the project she’s proudest of (an accomplishment both creatively and morally) and her ultimate goal: “My dream project is to design the brand identity for a political campaign!” Given the creative power and magnetism of her work with both The Wing and For All Womankind, you shouldn’t bet against her.
What was the catalyst for pursuing a creative career? What kept you going to get to where you are now?
My Dad is a Designer so I've been around Design for as long as I can remember; he was a big source of inspiration for me. That said, I think what ultimately hooked me on design as a career was the balance between the weird stuff — the out-of-the-box creative thinking — and the very logistical problem solving aspects of the work. It's allowed me to satisfy two very different parts of my personality and approach to work.
What's your proudest creative breakthrough, project, or accomplishment and why?
I'd have to say For All Womankind. It's just an incredible feeling to have created something that took on such a life of its own and served as a visual expression of passion and protest to so many people. It's also had very tangible positive results — 25K in charitable donations in two years — which has made it feel like an important accomplishment, not just creatively but morally.
What's the one piece of advice you'd share with fellow creative women?
My favorite Shirley Chislom quote — "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair."
Pay it forward. Name a badass creative and tell us why they inspire you right now.
Kirstin Huber! Kirstin is a good friend of mine; we met in college and we lived together briefly. I've always looked up to her as a designer and an all around great human (she had double hip surgery at 26 and then became a dancer!!). She worked at The Public Theater for many years, learning from the one and only Paula Scher. Last year I was lucky enough to have Kirstin join my team at The Wing as Design Director and now I get to collaborate with her every day. She continues to inspire me and is bringing amazing energy and a unique perspective to the design team here.
What would be your dream project?
My dream project is to design the brand identity for a political campaign!
