# 107 - TikTok star Sara Laninga talks about being a social designer

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2022-02-17
- Length: 30m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-02-17-107-tiktok-star-sara-laninga-talks-about-being-a-social-designer
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/107-tiktok-star-sara-laninga-talks-499

## Summary

Sara Laninga, a freelance graphic designer and TikTok content creator known as @sara.and.misc, discusses her journey from studying in New Zealand to becoming a full-time designer based in Dallas. She explains how she uses TikTok to share imaginary rebranding projects, such as a Gen-Z-focused Tropicana, which has attracted clients like boutique coffee brands and skincare startups looking for social-media-friendly packaging. Laninga highlights the value of 'semiotics' in packaging design and her strategy of leveraging social platforms to connect directly with young entrepreneurs and influencers.

## Chapters

- [0:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-02-17-107-tiktok-star-sara-laninga-talks-about-being-a-social-designer#t=12) Introduction: Sara Laninga and her background
- [3:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-02-17-107-tiktok-star-sara-laninga-talks-about-being-a-social-designer#t=197) From New Zealand to Dallas: Career origins
- [6:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-02-17-107-tiktok-star-sara-laninga-talks-about-being-a-social-designer#t=400) TikTok strategy: Imaginary rebrands and Gen Z appeal
- [11:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-02-17-107-tiktok-star-sara-laninga-talks-about-being-a-social-designer#t=709) Dream brands: Chobani, Aesop, and fashion
- [15:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-02-17-107-tiktok-star-sara-laninga-talks-about-being-a-social-designer#t=906) Client acquisition: Social media to freelance work
- [20:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-02-17-107-tiktok-star-sara-laninga-talks-about-being-a-social-designer#t=1220) The value of fresh perspectives in design
- [25:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-02-17-107-tiktok-star-sara-laninga-talks-about-being-a-social-designer#t=1540) Semiotics and the future of skincare packaging

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- TikTok (other)
- Instagram (other)
- Etsy (other)
- Tropicana (product)
- Chobani (product)
- Aesop (product)
- Teddy Fresh (product)
- Cotopaxi (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#266: Building an Organic Social Media Following with Lindzi Shanks, XO Marshmallow](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-09-15-266-building-an-organic-social-media-following-with-lindzi-shanks-xo-marshmallow) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#71 Building Content Creation Muscles - Behind Dream Pops’ Marketing with David Greenfeld (+ Nowhere Bakery)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-12-02-71-building-content-creation-muscles-behind-dream-pops-marketing-with-david-gree) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Advice Line with Christina Tosi of Milk Bar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-11-advice-line-with-christina-tosi-of-milk-bar) (How I Built This)
- [Founder Feature: Kartik Das of Doosra](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-02-06-founder-feature-kartik-das-of-doosra) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [S'well: Sarah Kauss (2020)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-05-swell-sarah-kauss-2020) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-02-17-107-tiktok-star-sara-laninga-talks-about-being-a-social-designer. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to People of Packaging.