Home Visit: Puno on Reshaping Education and Community in the Digital Age
THE STYLE LINE︎ 2018
With an enduring love for learning and creativity, Puno has bridged the gap between technology and creativity to launch businesses that inspire (and provide opportunities) for individuals around the globe. Her companies include the beloved travel inspiration platform Map, digital marketing tool PeopleMap, and ilovecreatives, a career resource for those looking to apply or post jobs across creative industries. Puno is also a trusted instructor for leading online education platforms like General Assembly and Squarespace.
With digital being the connective thread throughout her many projects, Puno has become increasingly passionate about taking her expertise in web design and marketing to the masses. "The more opportunities there are for people to take ownership of their education, who they want to learn from, and how they want to apply those skills, the faster people will be able to start contributing their ideas to the world and make a living," she explained in our interview below. "I really hope that with the way I approach online education, it will encourage other people to share and be more transparent. Everyone knows something!"
Despite her natural inclination for serving others, Puno has also started to look inward and consider her needs beyond the screen. Enter this (home) studio visit which features an immersive look into Puno's stunning creative oasis in Downtown Los Angeles.
— Rachel Schwartzmann
Who are you outside of your profession, what do you enjoy, and what do you value in life?
I’m a creative person who enjoys and values laughing. If I can make you smile or laugh, I’m so happy.
Why is Los Angeles the best place for you to be based at this point in your life?
I love Los Angeles. There are 30 million minds here and, over the years, I’ve seen why so many people have come here. There is both drive and freedom to be creative and do whatever you want to do.
How have you made your current home a creative haven?
When my husband and I went to Copenhagen, we stayed at the most handsome design blogger’s home (@bungalow5dk). Design blogger plus Copenhagen equals a creative haven that just makes you feel really good. Haha, I don’t know how else to put it.
I traveled a lot for right after I quit my job and I thought that was what I really wanted to do, but I realized that it was hard for me to build and make things while traveling. For me, I needed to be home. So, I made it a point to create an environment that felt like a place I would travel to. What does this mean? Well, we put a TON of plants in our place. And, I adopted a super cute cat that gives me bursts of cuteness when I need a cuteness break. Ca-ute!
That’s a big reason why I moved to Downtown LA. You’re surrounded by all sorts of people who want to share their perspective in their own way. They know there’s someone in this big ass city that will appreciate it.
Building community seems to be at the center of what you do. Who are a few people in your community that continue to inspire you in both life and personal style?
Jess of J.Hannah (and Tyler of Venn Studio, her man). I’ve seen them grow their businesses and how to be relentless with your style and vision. If you work hard, are scrappy with resources, and can figure out all the pieces in order to make your idea happen… it can happen.
Also, they might not know this, but they’ve taught me to think a little bit bigger and not take the easy route. I’m kind of that go, go, go, person. It’s a nice balance to strive for both. Get your ideas out there in the world before you lose motivation, but also to a level that you challenge yourself.
How do you celebrate personal style?
Haha, check out my Instagram account! But really! I do take photos to help get the word out about other indie designers. Honestly, sometimes one photo can really make the rounds and turn into sales. I even started photoshopping my cat’s face on a few indie designer photos.
What is one question you wish people asked you more often?
A lot of people ask me for help, which I love! But not a lot of people ask how they could help me. I think it would be even better if people took the time to really brainstorm and think about their skills, connections, and ideas. Then ask me more specifically, "Hey, would X help?" and I say this because that's what I try to do for other people. I know that if I can figure out something more tangible to help them, it's more likely that I'll follow through.
How do you think creativity contributes to some of the world's bigger conversations? How do you hope your endeavors play a role in this shift?
I've come to realize that I'm really passionate about online education. The more creative people think and experiment with ways to educate online, the more it becomes a successful alternative to college. I'm not saying college is bad, but I don't think that it is the only path to show credibility or make a living. I just recently launched a Squarespace Online Course, and I took the time to think about how to motivate and inspire someone to finish the course in a super fun way. It's the teacher's responsibility not just to teach but to energize! And more importantly, how can your students apply it immediately after?
The more opportunities there are for people to take ownership of their education, who they want to learn from, and how they want to apply those skills, the faster people will be able to start contributing their ideas to the world and make a living. I really hope that with the way I approach online education, it will encourage other people to share and be more transparent. Everyone knows something!
How would you advise the next generation to leave an imprint in the world—simply by doing what they love?
First of all, everyone can leave an imprint by just doing what they love. Their drive and passion will manifest in the things they create, and people will notice that. I admire people who are generous with their time, knowledge, and experiences. We are all on our path to figuring out what's next. If you can help someone figure out how to get there, you've just helped someone get closer to doing the things that they love, too.
With digital being the connective thread throughout her many projects, Puno has become increasingly passionate about taking her expertise in web design and marketing to the masses. "The more opportunities there are for people to take ownership of their education, who they want to learn from, and how they want to apply those skills, the faster people will be able to start contributing their ideas to the world and make a living," she explained in our interview below. "I really hope that with the way I approach online education, it will encourage other people to share and be more transparent. Everyone knows something!"
Despite her natural inclination for serving others, Puno has also started to look inward and consider her needs beyond the screen. Enter this (home) studio visit which features an immersive look into Puno's stunning creative oasis in Downtown Los Angeles.
— Rachel Schwartzmann
︎
Who are you outside of your profession, what do you enjoy, and what do you value in life?
I’m a creative person who enjoys and values laughing. If I can make you smile or laugh, I’m so happy.
Why is Los Angeles the best place for you to be based at this point in your life?
I love Los Angeles. There are 30 million minds here and, over the years, I’ve seen why so many people have come here. There is both drive and freedom to be creative and do whatever you want to do.
How have you made your current home a creative haven?
When my husband and I went to Copenhagen, we stayed at the most handsome design blogger’s home (@bungalow5dk). Design blogger plus Copenhagen equals a creative haven that just makes you feel really good. Haha, I don’t know how else to put it.
I traveled a lot for right after I quit my job and I thought that was what I really wanted to do, but I realized that it was hard for me to build and make things while traveling. For me, I needed to be home. So, I made it a point to create an environment that felt like a place I would travel to. What does this mean? Well, we put a TON of plants in our place. And, I adopted a super cute cat that gives me bursts of cuteness when I need a cuteness break. Ca-ute!
That’s a big reason why I moved to Downtown LA. You’re surrounded by all sorts of people who want to share their perspective in their own way. They know there’s someone in this big ass city that will appreciate it.
Building community seems to be at the center of what you do. Who are a few people in your community that continue to inspire you in both life and personal style?
Jess of J.Hannah (and Tyler of Venn Studio, her man). I’ve seen them grow their businesses and how to be relentless with your style and vision. If you work hard, are scrappy with resources, and can figure out all the pieces in order to make your idea happen… it can happen.
Also, they might not know this, but they’ve taught me to think a little bit bigger and not take the easy route. I’m kind of that go, go, go, person. It’s a nice balance to strive for both. Get your ideas out there in the world before you lose motivation, but also to a level that you challenge yourself.
How do you celebrate personal style?
Haha, check out my Instagram account! But really! I do take photos to help get the word out about other indie designers. Honestly, sometimes one photo can really make the rounds and turn into sales. I even started photoshopping my cat’s face on a few indie designer photos.
What is one question you wish people asked you more often?
A lot of people ask me for help, which I love! But not a lot of people ask how they could help me. I think it would be even better if people took the time to really brainstorm and think about their skills, connections, and ideas. Then ask me more specifically, "Hey, would X help?" and I say this because that's what I try to do for other people. I know that if I can figure out something more tangible to help them, it's more likely that I'll follow through.
How do you think creativity contributes to some of the world's bigger conversations? How do you hope your endeavors play a role in this shift?
I've come to realize that I'm really passionate about online education. The more creative people think and experiment with ways to educate online, the more it becomes a successful alternative to college. I'm not saying college is bad, but I don't think that it is the only path to show credibility or make a living. I just recently launched a Squarespace Online Course, and I took the time to think about how to motivate and inspire someone to finish the course in a super fun way. It's the teacher's responsibility not just to teach but to energize! And more importantly, how can your students apply it immediately after?
The more opportunities there are for people to take ownership of their education, who they want to learn from, and how they want to apply those skills, the faster people will be able to start contributing their ideas to the world and make a living. I really hope that with the way I approach online education, it will encourage other people to share and be more transparent. Everyone knows something!
How would you advise the next generation to leave an imprint in the world—simply by doing what they love?
First of all, everyone can leave an imprint by just doing what they love. Their drive and passion will manifest in the things they create, and people will notice that. I admire people who are generous with their time, knowledge, and experiences. We are all on our path to figuring out what's next. If you can help someone figure out how to get there, you've just helped someone get closer to doing the things that they love, too.