TDF Talks With The Design Files Founder + Editor Lucy Feagins

In her 10-years of running The Design Files, I’m sure you’ll agree Lucy Feagins has certainly made an amazing contribution to the Australian design landscape.

As founder and editor, she’s penned countless articles that introduce and champion local creatives as well as art directed and styled more shoots and short films than you’d think humanly possible!

The trailblazer behind TDF’s real-world events, from Open House to TDF Collect, speaker series, workshops and demonstrations, this working-mum is one multi-talented woman.

But aside from all of this, for us at TDF, Lucy is a brilliant boss, down-to-Earth role model and cherished friend.

We hope you enjoy more of an insight into the brand she has built and where she’s taking things next.

We’ve added so many wonderful visuals (cute baby Lucy pics) to this podcast. Listen using the Overcast or Pocket Casts apps to see, and swoon, over them all!

Notes + Links

Lucy studied Creative Arts at Melbourne University with a bunch of other amazing creatives, including Penny Modra from The Good Copy and singer Clare Bowditch.

Upon graduating she worked in the film industry as a set dresser on television commercials, shows and feature films (Charlotte’s Web!).

Lucy’s daughter Minnie Evelyn Johnson was born in January 2016.

Her husband furniture designer Gordon Johnson and mum Chrissie Feagins have been integral to TDF success!

Lucy’s was an avid reader of early U.S. blogs, including Oh Joy, Design Sponge, and Apartment Therapy. She looks up to fellow media-founders Grace Bonney from Design Sponge and Leandra Medine of Man Repeller.

Local legend, Jeremy Wortsman from The Jacky Winter Group is a wonderful mentor and brains trust on all things tech.

You can follow TDF on Instagram @thedesignfiles and Lucy on @lucy.feagins.

Offline, Lucy has dreamed up and carried out some amazing events, such as Open House, TDF Collect exhibitions in The Design Files’ pop-up gallery, and other talks and workshops.

We recently interviewed Rachel Castle for this podcast, where she talked about her conscious decision to ‘stay small’.

Her top-three highlights from over the past 10 years are: The first TDF Open House in 2011 with Esther Navarro-Orejon of The Project Agency, building her team to what it is today, and creating the Milan In Colour series earlier this year. Her most visited website, other than TDFs, is Medium.

Most recent purchases include white linen shirts from Uniqlo for summer, and cute little floral dresses for Minnie from locally-designed children’s label Pretty Wild.

An exciting local maker she’s excited about is Manapan Furniture. Read Sally Tabart’s awesome feature story here. Other current faves include Sean Meilak and Tantri Mustika.

Favourite interviews from the past 10 years are those with Ken Done, Donna Hay and Marilyne Nicholls.

Lucy’s go-to eatery is The Builder’s Arms in Fitzroy.

Visiting Uluru is the top of Lucy’s bucket list, upon recommendation by the inimitable, late Mirka Mora.

This was our 20th podcast and the last for 2018. Over the break, you can catch up on past episodes here.