In addition to being the only magazine (thus far) smart enough to put Design Matters' Debbie Millman on its cover, HOW is a graphic design resource that likes to mix it up—moving effortlessly from an ode to blackletter typefaces and a Gary Baseman profile to practical advice for those looking to start design shops and a rundown of memorable designer business cards. Then there are the conferences, competitions, and books. HOW do they do it? Well, it helps to have a fearless leader like Bryn Mooth. In answering our seven questions, the magazine's editor-in-chief explains how she explains what she does, offers a peek at her summer reading list, and touches on (ouch!) the enduring appeal of the X-Acto knife.

1. How do you describe HOW to someone who is unfamiliar with the magazine?
My "elevator speech" about HOW is that we create a community where designers can learn how to be more creative, more inspired, more business-savvy and more successful. That's the essence of the HOW brand, whether it's the magazine, our website, our events, our online community, our books...

2. How did you come to be editor of HOW?
I've been involved with HOW for a very long time, longer than I care to admit. It was my first real gig after graduating from journalism school (I initially found the job the old-fashioned way: in the newspaper classifieds). I'm not a designer by training, but I've always been fascinated by the role of words, images, and graphics as they combine in a magazine. I've been editor in chief of HOW for nearly nine years.

3. The August issue of HOW is focused on handmade design. Any favorite handmade objects/design elements/trends that you encountered while working on this issue?
For the August issue on handmade design, we wanted to spotlight this interesting blurring between craft and design. We actually had several ideas for the theme for that issue, so we surveyed HOW readers, and they voted for the handmade topic. I started at HOW when the computer was beginning to have an influence on the practice and aesthetics of design, when print work was made to look like it had been created with all kinds of digital tricks (beveled type, anyone?). So it's interesting to me to see that designers are again picking up X-Acto knives and markers. And it's interesting to see the intersection of digital and by-hand elements, such as when a designer sketches a bit of type and then scans it into a layout.

4. This year's HOW conference was the largest ever. Can you give us any hints about what exciting things you're planning for the 2009 HOW Conference?
Hmmm ... previews of the 2009 HOW Conference? Actually, we're meeting now to begin planning the program, and from what I see so far, we'll be looking at a bunch of new speakers for '09. And of course, the location in Austin opens up a ton of possibilities for exploring the amazing visual culture in that fantastic city. We're also considering something very cool that capitalizes on this handmade trend in design, but I can't reveal too much about that yet.

5. Best/most memorable design-related encounter?
Especially through the HOW Conference, I've been able to meet a lot of remarkable creative people, but my favorite design encounter was sharing a glass (or two) of wine with Ann Willoughby at the AIGA Cincinnati's Design Revival event at Shaker Village in Kentucky several years ago. Ann is an amazingly generous and talented soul, and she's precisely the kind of person I'd like to be when I grow up.

6. Last book you read?
The Warmest Room in the House by Steven Gdula. It's about how culture and the economy and family dynamics and design and the food industry have all combined to influence the kitchen and family meals. I've just started the first of Stephenie Meyer's series, Twilight.

7. Last movie you saw?
No Country for Old Men. I'm a wait-until-it-comes-via-Netflix kind of movie-watcher.