Architect, interior designer, and self-published creator Tina Dhillon is redefining what it means to age with style and intention. In this insightful interview, Dhillon shares her journey from creating Curated City Guides for design-savvy travelers to penning Unlock Your Style Voice, a workbook aimed at helping individuals discover and express their unique personal style in an increasingly homogenized world.

Dhillon’s creative pursuits span books, online courses, and workshops, all aimed at empowering others to live authentically and with intention. In this interview, we discuss her innovative approach to travel, her bookmaking approach using Canva and Blurb, and her marketing strategies.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation about the power of self-publishing, the importance of developing a unique style voice, and how Dhillon’s background in architecture and design informs her approach to writing and teaching. From her creative process to her selling strategies, Dhillon provides valuable insights for aspiring self-publishers and anyone looking to live more intentionally.

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You’re an architect, interior designer, and creator who’s self-published books on personal style and travel. Tell us about your journey into self-publishing and how it complements your other creative pursuits.

As an architect and interior designer, my education and experience have always centred around problem-solving. This foundational skill deeply intertwines my career with my journey into the world of self-publishing. The idea for my Curated City Guides emerged as my children began studying abroad. Visiting them in various international locales, I realized the need for a well-organized travel resource that wouldn’t let me miss anything important from an architectural and design perspective. This realization sparked the creation of the guides as I aimed to make travel easier, not just for myself but for others passionate about design.

Sharing my insights became a priority, and self-publishing provided the perfect platform to distribute these guides widely. This experience laid a solid groundwork for my next project, Unlock Your Style Voice, a workbook designed to help others navigate their personal style. The workbook simplifies complex concepts into manageable steps, making them accessible and manageable. My motivation to help others understand and articulate their unique “style voice” is an extension of the same desire to share knowledge that inspired the city guides.

Historically, overwhelmed by the plethora of options available, I found making decisions as a creative thinker both difficult and anxiety-inducing due to the endless possibilities each opportunity presented. It took years to distill my experiences into a coherent philosophy centred around style voice. My underlying motivation has always been to share what I learn to help others navigate their paths more smoothly and confidently, leveraging my insights to enhance their personal and professional lives.

Self-publishing emerged as the perfect medium to do this, allowing me to organize my thoughts and present them in a structured, accessible manner. I was already familiar with Blurb from a workshop I had attended years ago, where the quality and professionalism of their publications left a lasting impression. Blurb’s platform offered the simplicity and support I needed to bring my projects to life, handling everything from distribution to payment processes, which allowed me to focus more on content creation and less on the logistics of publishing.

Your book Unlock Your Style Voice addresses the issue of homogenized style in the digital age. Can you elaborate on how you see this problem manifesting and why you think it’s important for individuals to develop their unique style?

In today’s digital age, the convenience of social media for sharing ideas comes with the downside of promoting a homogenized style. These platforms, while effective for disseminating trends, often lead to uniformity in home interiors and fashion that lacks personal touches. Homes so uniformly styled could belong to anyone, resembling residents in a witness protection program—anonymous and devoid of personal history. This trend is also evident in wardrobes, pressured by the fast fashion cycle that dictates ever-changing preferences with little regard for individual style or sustainability.

When I defined my style voice as bold, simple, and effortless, it empowered me to resist these pressures. Understanding my style voice helped me navigate the overwhelming sea of choices, allowing me to reject trends that do not resonate with my personal identity. One can appreciate many styles and find beauty in diverse things, but if they don’t align with your style voice, you are unlikely to truly love them. Through my own experiences, I’ve learned to identify what genuinely resonates with me using my style voice as a guide. For instance, I am drawn to bold elements like colourful Indian scarves and statement jewelry, which I prefer to pair with simpler outfits to let them truly stand out.

This principle also guides my home decor. I prefer a simple backdrop in my rooms, which allows the artwork, carpets, and objects from my travels to stand out. These pieces are not just decorative; they are focal points that narrate my cultural story and personal evolution. Each item is carefully chosen to reflect my personal aesthetic and is a declaration of my identity, embodying the bold, simple, and effortless essence of my style voice.

By understanding and embracing your style voice, you can use it as a filter to make more deliberate and fulfilling decisions, not just in fashion and interior design, but in all areas of your life. This intentional approach encourages you to consistently ask questions that align with your true self, simplifying choices and enhancing authenticity. This is how one unlocks their style voice to stand out in a homogenized world, which is precisely the focus of my book, Unlock Your Style Voice.

The book complements your online course Silver Style On The Go: Master Your Style Voice to Travel Light & Look Great. How do these two resources work together, and why did you choose to create both?

My journey into creating Silver Style On The Go: Master Your Style Voice to Travel Light & Look Great began as I entered a transformative phase in my life. With my children grown and out of the house, and after downsizing my living space, I found myself traveling more and fully embracing my silver years—including letting my hair go naturally grey. I saw this not just as a new chapter but as an entirely new book in my life, a sort of personal renaissance that I was eager to celebrate and share.

The course originated from my desire to address these changes and to showcase how enriching this phase of life can be. It’s designed to be intensive and instructional, focusing on embracing simplicity by shedding unnecessary burdens, whether they’re physical items or mental weights, thus enabling more freedom to pursue what truly enriches one’s life at this stage, like travel.

The metaphor of packing a suitcase resonated deeply with me; it mirrored my life’s need to declutter—carrying only what serves a purpose and brings joy. This realization about packing light in life led me to define my style voice more clearly, recognizing that I often packed many what-ifs while consistently gravitating towards the same essentials. This epiphany about travel—and, by extension, life—was that we often burden ourselves with excess that neither defines nor serves us.

As the course developed, I realized that the principles of discovering and honing one’s style voice are universally applicable, not just for those entering their silver years. This led to the creation of a more accessible, self-directed workbook through Blurb, designed to reach a broader audience. This workbook distills the core ideas into a format that individuals of any age can easily engage with and apply at their own pace, offering a more affordable entry point into these concepts.

While the course provides detailed guidance and support, catering to those who prefer a more hands-on approach to navigating their style and life changes, the workbook serves as a standalone resource for those who prefer to explore these ideas independently. Some may even find that working through the workbook inspires them to delve deeper via the course.

Both resources are crafted to empower individuals to live intentionally and authentically, regardless of age. They complement each other while standing strong on their own, each catering to different needs and stages of the personal journey.

Tell us about your bookmaking process—from ideation to organization to design to print.

The creation of my workbook was deeply influenced by my learning style. I’m a visual learner, so I knew that illustrations would be essential to conveying my ideas effectively. A well-placed image can speak volumes, and I also have a fondness for using Venn diagrams to illustrate the interconnectedness of concepts. These visuals were not only crucial for my audience but also helped me clarify my own understanding of the material.

I developed the content by building lessons and narratives around these visuals. Using Canva, a user-friendly graphic program, I designed the entire workbook, focusing on a layout that integrated the illustrations seamlessly with the text. Once the design was complete, I exported it as a PDF and uploaded it to Blurb.

Blurb’s platform was incredibly user-friendly, making the upload and publication process straightforward. I ordered a trial print to ensure everything looked as I envisioned, and I was thrilled with the outcome. The quality of the trade book option exceeded my expectations—both the colour reproduction of all the images and the physical quality of the book were impressive.

What I appreciate most about Blurb is its comprehensive service. They handle everything from the distribution of both physical books and PDFs to collecting payments, which simplifies the logistics tremendously. This allows me to offer Unlock Your Style Voice in whichever format my readers prefer. Personally, I often purchase both digital and physical copies of books because I enjoy immediate access but also value the tactile experience of a hard copy.

Overall, the process of creating and publishing the workbook was both a creative and a practical journey, facilitated greatly by the right tools and supported by a platform that understands the needs of independent creators.

How did this bookmaking process differ from your Curated City Guides? What have you learned from both?

The creation of my Curated City Guides predates the workbook, and the process for each was markedly different. Initially, the city guides were complex undertakings. I conceptualized the look and feel, and my talented graphic designer brought them to life, ensuring they were stylistically consistent with my brand. These guides were designed to be digital from the start, incorporating links for deeper learning and designed to be conveniently accessed on a smartphone. I emphasized high-quality images to engage readers and encourage them to explore the architecture, art, and design of each city practically and visually.

Conversely, Unlock Your Style Voice was developed specifically as a physical workbook to complement a workshop I was conducting at a conference. Initially, I considered using photocopies for the workshop but realized that physical books would be more practical and less likely to be lost. This format also allows participants to revisit the material continuously, enhancing their learning experience. I adapted the design templates from the city guides to ensure brand consistency in the workbook, which unexpectedly attracted interest beyond the workshop attendees. People saw the value in the workbook and wanted copies for themselves.

Throughout both projects, I’ve realized my strengths lie in creation and design rather than marketing and payment collection. This experience taught me to leverage resources like Blurb, which simplifies these aspects for creators. Using Blurb has become my preferred method, as it allows me to focus on what I do best—creating valuable content for my audience.

How do you approach marketing your books, and what strategies have been most effective for you?

Marketing my books is an ongoing process, and I’m still exploring various strategies to find the most effective approaches. Currently, one of the most valuable methods has been to openly discuss my products with everyone I meet. This personal touch helps establish genuine connections and piques interest in my work.

Additionally, I actively utilize social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. These channels are particularly effective for me because they allow me to present myself and my products authentically. I focus on sharing how the learning from my books can be transformative, emphasizing real-life applications and benefits. This approach not only builds trust with my audience but also demonstrates the practical value of my insights based on my personal experiences.

As I continue to build my brand, I am keenly focused on cultivating a reputation as a trustworthy source who truly understands and addresses the needs of my audience. Going forward, I plan to enhance my strategy by incorporating more user-generated content, which can provide social proof and further extend the reach and impact of my marketing efforts.

What advice would you give creators using Blurb to sell their work or add to their online courses?

For creators contemplating using Blurb, my advice is straightforward: Take the leap. There’s nothing to lose and much to gain. Blurb’s products are of exceptional quality, creating lasting value in our increasingly disposable culture. Each book produced is worthy of a place on any bookshelf.

Blurb simplifies the selling process by setting up a dedicated webpage for each creator. This page includes your biography and a catalog of your products, making it incredibly easy to share your work with others—even if you don’t have a personal website. This feature alone can streamline your marketing efforts significantly.

Moreover, being part of the Blurb community lends credibility to your work. You are associated with a network of talented creators, each contributing their unique knowledge and creativity. This community aspect not only fosters connections but also enhances your standing as a creator. Incorporate Blurb into your toolkit—whether to complement an online course or as a standalone project. It’s a platform that supports your growth and helps extend the reach of your creative endeavours.

Looking to the future, how do you envision your work evolving, and what projects or ideas are you most excited about exploring next?

Looking to the future, I envision my work continuing to evolve around the core concept of Silver Style—embracing a renaissance and aging with intention. All of my projects are interconnected and approached from the perspective of a designer, who, at their core, is a problem solver. This foundational philosophy shapes how I tackle the challenges and opportunities that arise in our lives.

One of the projects I’m particularly excited about and am currently developing is a workbook entitled Death By Design: Your Legacy Blueprint. This work extends the philosophy of intentional living to include the end of life, encouraging people to design their departure with the same care and thought they devote to living. It’s about empowering individuals to take control of a process that is often dreaded and shrouded in discomfort.

I’ve designed the workbook to be interactive and practical, a tool for people to fill out and personalize. I’m also exploring using Blurb to distribute hard copies to those who prefer a tangible version. This aligns with my belief in creating accessible, useful, and meaningful tools that facilitate important life conversations and planning.

As my work progresses, I aim to delve deeper into the intersection of design and life stages, continually exploring how design principles can be applied to personal growth, lifestyle changes, and, now, end-of-life planning. This approach not only enriches the lives of those who engage with my work but also continues to challenge and fulfill me creatively and personally.

What didn’t we ask that you wish we did, and what’s your answer?

One question that could have been asked is whether I have any other products listed in the Blurb library. Indeed, I do. Alongside the works we’ve discussed, I have a book entitled Making Room for Mindfulness: A Step-by-Step Guide. This book aligns with my overarching goals of harnessing one’s style voice and living intentionally.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s crucial to create spaces that allow us to quiet our minds and reflect on our inner selves and the beauty that surrounds us. Making Room for Mindfulness not only provides strategies for achieving this tranquility but also emphasizes the importance of making decisions that resonate with the authentic self. It’s designed to help readers step back from the chaos of daily life and focus on what truly matters, reinforcing the principles of intentional living and personal authenticity. 

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Blurb is your self-publishing partner, transforming your creative ideas into professionally printed realities. From photo and trade books to magazines, Blurb’s user-friendly platform handles everything from design to distribution, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your content. Ready to unlock your creative voice and share it with the world? Get started with Blurb today.