21 Inspirational Quotes by Female Designers and Architects

From a dollar store toothbrush and a ballpoint pen to luxury furniture, every product you see is designed with a purpose. It’s fascinating how some products endure while others fade away.

What makes the difference? What can we learn from renowned designers who have left a lasting impact on the design world?

By exploring the unique perspectives of female designers, we can uncover profound insights into the philosophy, creativity, and vision that drive their work.

Work Ethic and Personal Philosophy

• "I wanted to lead a meaningful life and do work that would have a positive impact on others." — Norma Merrick Sklarek, Architect

• "I believe that you risk copying yourself when you follow a certain style."  –  Lora Lamm, Graphic Designer

• “Do work that feeds your soul, not your ego.” – Jessica Walsh, Graphic Designer

• “To be a good artist/letterer/designer/guitar player it takes practice. A lot of it. More than you can even fathom when you’re starting out.” – Jessica Hische, Illustrator

• "My advice to young architects is to stay focused on your goals, work hard, and never let anyone deter you from your path." — Norma Merrick Sklarek, Architect

• "My way of working is that I refuse to be afraid of making mistakes." — Patricia Urquiola, Industrial Designer

• “I find that when people say they want to keep it ‘clean,’ more often than not they’re just a little afraid of taking a chance.” – Gail Anderson, Graphic Designer

• "It’s very important to work with people that you like, with whom you share the same ideas, and it’s very important to grow with them." — Patricia Urquiola, Industrial Designer

Creativity, Innovation, and Design Philosophy

• "To me, the challenge in design is always to find the most simple and elegant solution to a problem." — Tomoko Miho, Graphic Designer

• "I don't create beauty, I reveal it." – Eva Zeisel, Industrial Designer

• "There is no ‘one’ way to do something. The best designers don’t follow someone else’s rulebook." – Paula Scher, Graphic Designer

• "Beauty is not a superficial thing; it is the power that attracts one person to another, or one person to a thing." – Lina Bo Bardi, Architect

• "You can transform an ordinary object into something extraordinary by changing the way you look at it." – Rachel Whiteread, Sculptor
  

• "The most important thing to realize is that what we see and what we touch is also what we think." – Charlotte Perriand, Architect & Designer

Inspiration and Vision for the Future

• "The future projects light, the past only clouds." – Eileen Gray, Architect

• "I really believe in the idea of the future." — Zaha Hadid, Architect

• “Good ideas come from everywhere. It’s more important to recognize a good idea than to author it.— Jeanne Gang, Architect
  

• "To fly, we have to have resistance." — Maya Lin, Architect

• "I believe that people who are connected to nature and the earth and simple things have a profound truth in them." – Lina Bo Bardi, Architect
  

• "Every project is a journey, an opportunity to discover new ways of seeing and understanding the world." — Rebeca Méndez, Graphic Designer

• "Progress is a spiral; it always returns to the same point but on a higher level." – Charlotte Perriand, Designer

Quotes from influential female designers across various disciplines showcase dedication, creativity, and forward-thinking vision. Reflecting on their words can inspire and provide insight not only into the world of design but also into our daily lives.

Which quote inspired you the most?

Leave your comment and let me know :)

📌 Disclaimer on Charlotte Perriand Quote Attribution

We would like to clarify the attribution of the following quote featured in this article:

While this quote beautifully reflects Charlotte Perriand’s philosophy on the relationship between environment, materials, and human thought, no primary source (such as her books, interviews, or official exhibition catalogs) has been found to contain this exact phrasing.

Initially, we referenced the 2019 exhibition “Charlotte Perriand: Inventing a New World” at Fondation Louis Vuitton, as the themes of that exhibition align closely with the sentiment of this quote. However, after further research, it became clear that the specific wording seems to have emerged through paraphrased interpretations in design quote collections and online articles, rather than in her own documented writings.

A confirmed quote from Perriand’s autobiography, Une Vie de Création (1998), offers a similar perspective:

This distinction is important to us as we strive to provide accurate and well-sourced information. We appreciate the readers who help us keep the content authentic and thoughtfully researched.

Thank you for your understanding.