Angharad Coates of the Female Design Council

By Rebecca Arrigo, East Coast Business Development Manager – Fine Art Services, Cadogan Tate

As President of the Female Design Council, Angharad Coates is at the forefront of a rapidly evolving design landscape—one that is increasingly collaborative, connected and inclusive. Since joining the organization in 2023, she has helped expand its reach and strengthen its role as a vital network for women across the creative industries. I recently spoke with Angharad about her perspective on the changing design world, the importance of community, the realities of building a lasting creative career, and why meaningful connections—both online and in person—matter more than ever.

Rebecca Arrigo: Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at the Female Design Council.

Angharad Coates: I’m the President of the Female Design Council, which I joined in late 2023. Previously, I was a managing partner at Camron and director of communications at the New York Academy of Art. Founded in 2018 by Lora Appleton, the FDC has since grown into a powerful network for women in design, with membership tripling, expanded benefits and programming, and partnerships with major industry organizations.

RA: What was the original mission of the Female Design Council, and why does it remain important today?

AC: The FDC was founded to create a professional network for women in design at a time when none existed. From the beginning, our mission has been to advance gender parity through programming, mentorship, exhibitions and professional development. We’ve also focused on supporting women of color through a biennial juried prize. What makes the FDC unique is that we’re discipline-agnostic, bringing together architects, artists, designers, curators, journalists and many others. Our members tell us every day how much they value the community, connection and professional support we provide.

RA: What changes in the design industry have been most encouraging to witness?

AC: Design is having a real “moment.” There’s been explosive interest in collectible design, design history and new forms of design media, with new fairs launching and far less siloing between art, design and fashion. Events like Salone del Mobile have evolved beyond traditional trade shows into dynamic cultural gatherings. Being in design right now feels exhilarating.

RA: What common challenges do you hear from designers, and what qualities help build lasting careers?

AC: One of the biggest challenges is maintaining your creative spark while managing spreadsheets, deliverables and client expectations. Creatives are particularly vulnerable to burnout, so finding a balance between creativity and the business side of a career is essential. The people who build lasting careers understand that administrative tasks—bookkeeping, shipping, photography, websites and so on—are part of the job. They create systems that allow them to manage those responsibilities without losing sight of their creative work.

RA: Why does community and in-person connection continue to matter in an increasingly digital world?

AC: Many of our members are founders or solo entrepreneurs who are hungry for people to bounce ideas off, talk shop with and simply connect with. One member described joining the FDC as “like getting 500 work wives.” Digital tools like Zoom have been invaluable for creating community across the country, but physical gatherings remain equally important. After the isolation of COVID, coming together in person is an act of joy and hope. And in a world dominated by screens, experiencing an object, artwork or product in person will never stop being necessary.

Angharad Coates photograph by Nolan Conway.