Nov 03, 2014 8 Questions with: Jaime Derringer
We had the opportunity to catch up with Jaime Derringer, who is the Founder and Executive Editor of two of our favorite blogs, Design Milk and Dog Milk. Design Milk features interior design ideas, architecture, modern furniture, home decor, art, style, and technology. Dog Milk is a website dedicated to modern dog design, inspired by Jaime’s love for dogs, and was launched to expose dog lovers to pet design that fits their uniquely modern sense of style. As one of the few pet centric blogs that we follow related to our Architecture for Dogs brand, Dog Milk provides amazing inspiration and insight. Jaime has been noted as an expert on design trends and is a frequent speaker on design at events. Design Milk has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Time Out New York, The San Francisco Chronicle, was one of the Google Reader Engineers’ Staff Picks and has been noted on Twitter’s “Who to Follow” list of influencers in Art and Design. Tweets from @designmilk have been featured in Dwell magazine and on HGTV. Jaime has always been a self-declared creative, and is also an artist who writes poetry, draws, paints.
Photo: Noa Azoulay | Featherlove.com
Tell us a bit about why you created Design Milk and Dog Milk.
Design Milk was born back in 2006 after I had purchased a townhouse and was scouring the Internet for modern sofas. I used the blog to bookmark all the cool things I was finding for my house, my life, and soon began to realize that I was onto something. Other people started following the site, commenting, etc… and it just grew organically from there. Dog Milk was launched about 4 years later after I discovered there wasn’t a place online for dog lovers who had a modern sense of style.
What does your typical work day look like?
I wake up between 6:45 and 7:15 AM and get my daughter off to daycare. I work from home, so I have a nice, quiet house for the entire day! I typically either go for a run or go to the gym in the AM and spend the rest of my day working at the computer. It’s not too glamorous, but I work best at home at my desk than anywhere else… I get easily distracted! I usually don’t do much work at night unless we have a deadline or a lot of projects going on. However, I always read+answer emails and post to social media in the evenings. Who doesn’t?
What are some of the best things about managing a design blog? Most challenging?
I think the best thing for me, is that I’m my own boss. I work harder for myself than I had in the past for any other boss. Also, the relationships that I make myself and the ones that come together because of something I post about. The most challenging part is the business aspect of it all – tracking down invoices, updating spreadsheets, generating new business… these are all things that I’m not an expert at, but as a blogger you quickly need to become a Jill of All Trades.
What are you currently working on?
We have a contest running and an exhibition coming up at the WestEdge Design Fair. We’re also working on a top secret new thing for 2015.
Describe some of the projects/initiatives you are most proud of.
I’m most proud of the blog in general. The fact that I was able to pursue my dream and end up making it my full-time job is more than enough of an accomplishment for me!
How has the intersection of design and pets evolved since you started Dog Milk?
We’ve noticed more independent companies coming out with new products that focus on both form and function. We’re seeing more pet products being designed thoughtfully, taking into account both the owner and the dog’s needs.
Photo: Dogmilk
If you were not running the blog or were to start another business (any type), what might that be?
Do you think I can make a living collecting jewelry? If so, then sign me up for that. However, I might try and give being an artist a go, and also maybe do something related to running/exercise. I think being creative and being active are somehow interconnected. Maybe I need to find where that is…?
Who are some of your favorite artists and designers?
Oh gosh – I get this question a lot and it’s impossible to answer. However, I’m really into Frank Stella and everything coming out of Australia right now.
Photo: Designmilk
Where do you personally find inspiration?
Mostly from nature. I take walks, I watch the sun set, I listen to music. I try to completely disconnect from anything human and see if and where I can find something raw.
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