So here we are…

I’ve been thinking about starting a blog for a quite a while now, and somehow I never had the time. I guess I never really wanted to do it badly enough to find the time and commit. But something changed and here I am.

My name is Dana Hughes, artist previously known as Dana Tomic. Or as my husband likes to refer to me – DramaTomic [I really don’t know why]. I was born in a small town on the river Sava called Bosanski Brod, in a country that no longer exists – Yugoslavia. Like many people who were born in that war torn country, my family and I spent a few years as refugees in Serbia and Denmark, before we found ourselves reunited in the lucky country  – Australia. I’ve called glorious Sydney my home for 15 years now. How time flies…

 

 

I studied interior architecture at the University of New South Wales and I’ve been working as an interior designer for 10+ years. Holy crap – that makes me feel old! There are so many things I love about what I do, but seeing my client’s happiness would have to top that list. I approach my design with passion and emotion, and I always strive to separate who I am as a designer from the essence of my client, which isn’t always easy to do. I feel it is always so important to create a space that tells a story about the user, rather than about me.

 

 

Apart from design, there are many things that I love and that inspire me. Top of the list would have to be my amazing husband. He is my biggest fan! My incredible family – my brother, mum, dad and my relatives here and overseas. My beautiful friends. My colleagues. Talented people in general. I take inspiration from music, photography, travel, fashion, food, beautiful things, dreams, the sun, the ocean… I love metaphors. I love to laugh. A lot. And I like taking lots of photos with my iPhone, pretending it’s a polaroid camera, as per Exhibit A.

 

 

So why did I decide to start this blog? Well… I’m so glad you asked the question, dear reader. I’ve been following many brilliant blogs for a long time, and I hope to share all of those with you in my future posts. I feel that they have truly contributed towards my personal and professional development. There is so much amazing talent out there and I would love to share my research with you, in hope that I too can inspire some of you to become the best that you can be, using design as a tool.

So without further ado, I would like to welcome you on this personal journey of thought and inspiration. Thank you for flying with me.

x dana

.



About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

15 Responses

  1. Alex G

    Hey DT – I love yellowtrace – well done!! You are already inspiring people..OK – ME! Keep it up. Yours will be my first foray into blog following..I am a massive late adopter but have saved your link to the favourites toolbar – the toolbar I say! It takes a lot to get listed on my favourites toolbar you know!

    Reply
    • yellowtrace

      Oh, thank you so much AG! I really appreciate your encouragement.

      So… yellowtrace is the first blog saved in your toolbar {hooray!} and yours is the first official comment on my blog. And as they say – you never forget your first. Woot woot!

      Dana

      Reply
  2. Rudy Widjaya

    Hello Dana! I hate being second, especially when it’s not my fault! Hehehe … just kidding! Good luck with your blog / web-site. It looks really great. I am sure it’ll be successful and inspirational to a lot of people – you can’t help it, everything that you touch always turns into gold, that includes a lot of people’s hearts. All my love always to you and Nick. Rudy.

    Reply
  3. Jill Stiely

    Hey Dana.
    Nice website and blog!! Very impressive. Website looks brilliant. Looking forward to keeping up with following this one!
    x

    Reply
  4. yellowtrace

    Aren’t I lucky to have such wonderful and supporting friends. Thank you Jill!

    And Rudy – I really don’t know what to say in response to your incredible words. It’s very rare, but I find myself a little speechless…

    x dana

    Reply
  5. Annabel Hammond

    Loving it after just 15 mins – not often that I actually do click on all links but I did! So now its been 25 mins but all good for the soul – aiming for the madrid apartment – HOT tickety boot. Keep it coming love!

    Reply
  7. yellowtrace

    Thanks Annabel! It’s good for the soul – I like it! Can I use that as my tag line? “yellowtrace blog – good for the soul”.

    And thank you Marko – this blog wouldn’t be cool without your technical ability and nerdyness!

    x dana

    Reply
  8. Sophie

    Totally inspirational Dana.
    Thank you for creating joy, and thought in my day…. :)
    I always knew you were destined for greatness – your blog leads me to believe that the world truely is conspiring in my favour!
    Can not wait to see future updates

    Reply
  9. harrie

    Through Yellow Trace you have introduced my to some brilliant characters. Thanyou Dana!

    I am excited by my future as an artist. Thursday 21 Oct marks the exhibition of my honours year sculpture! Wow, four years travel fast. The studios are open 21-23rd Oct, and the show closes on the 2nd Novemeber. It would be great to meet you! (ask for Harrie – someone will point you in the right direction!)

    Cheers
    Harrie

    Reply
    • yellowtrace

      Hi Harrie,
      Thank you for your note – I always appreciate this sort of feedback from my readers as it fuels my passion to keep going. So thank you.

      Your work reminds me of one of the artists I did an interview with a little while ago, you probably know how I’m taking about – it’s absolutely lovely! Congratulations on the upcoming show and for your exciting career ahead. I’m sure you will go just great. This is a very busy time of your for me, so can’t make any promises about making the show. I will do my best to pop in if I can.

      Cheers, Dana.

      Reply
  10. angelica

    nice to find you and your blog dana! i read you story and how you and your family ended up in australia, a country you call home now. your stuff and photos are so inspiring. keep up the good work!

    Reply
  11. Renata Gross

    Hi Dana,

    I am here from Twitter… You started folling my twitter. And here I am… because I was curious to know who were you?! I actually would love to know how you found me…? Why did you decide to follow my twitter?

    I loved to read your story… Knowing who you are made me more curious about getting to know your blog.

    I am going to look at it more deeply now; and probably become your follower… I would like to invite you to visit my blog too,hopefully you like it too and become my follower.

    Warm wishes,

    Renata Gross

    Reply
  12. Ebony

    WOW Dana, this blog is great.

    I honestly just started reading it after I clicked on a link through google images and am awe inspired. I’m in grade 11, and totally obessed with everything to do with design, and all of the things that you talk about in your blog. I cannot wait to move to Sydney and study interior design – would you reccomend anywhere in particular to study? Or do you have any tips?

    Thankyou so much for your amazing insight into this world :)
    Ebony

    Reply
  13. JoAnna

    Hi Dana, I just discovered your blog and I’m now following you on twitter & fb. I love the look of your blog, how real you seem to be and I look forward to reading alot more of your post. Just wanted to say hello!
    Cheers!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.