Designing Joyful Experiences that Inspire Connection and Action
Designer • Storyteller • Joy Seeker
Founder of MAIKA | Speaker on Creativity, Resilience, and Purposeful Design
Through keynotes, workshops, and brand activations, I transform values into sensory-rich, story-led experiences that help audiences feel seen, spark creativity, and move people to action.
I’m Viola Sutanto, a designer and entrepreneur on a mission to inspire everyday joy. I founded MAIKA, a lifestyle brand creating stylish, sustainably made bags and experiences designed to delight.
My talks blend personal storytelling with creative insight—from navigating my daughter’s life-threatening illness to building a business rooted in purpose and play. I speak about resilience, creativity, and the art of finding beauty in the everyday.
I’ve shared stories and strategies with audiences at KQED, Make-A-Wish, Bank of America,and the World Domination Summit, among others.
Speaking Topics
The Art of the Pivot
How life’s detours spark creativity and innovation
Joy by Design
Finding beauty in everyday moments, even in life’s hardest seasons
Designing a Business That Feeds Your Soul
Building a values-driven brand that’s both sustainable and soulful
From Bag to Brand
Growing MAIKA from sketchbook to shelves through story and community
Risk as a Creative Act
Reframing risk as courage and curiosity
Workshops + Experiences
Beyond keynotes, I design and facilitate immersive workshops and corporate experiences that bring teams together around creativity, storytelling, and joy.
Through MAIKA Experiences, we collaborate with forward-thinking companies to create sensory-rich, story-led moments that bring values to life. From interactive workshops to custom-designed activations, I help organizations inspire connection, resilience, and delight.
SIGN UP: JOY WORKSHOPWhy Work with me
Designer + Strategist
20+ years blending design and business with clients like Chronicle Books and Peet’s Coffee
Founder + Leader
Scaled MAIKA into 1000+ retailers, corporate partners, and experiential programs
Author + Creative Voice
Award winning author of Eat Cake for Breakfast and 99 Small Acts of Happiness, celebrating joy through illustration and prose
Ambassador + Mentor
Tory Burch Fellow, Make-A-Wish Ambassador, and advisor to the Art Brand Alliance
Contact form
Ready to chat?
If you’re looking to create a joyful, story-rich experience for your team or community, we’d love to hear from you.
Tell us a little about what you’re dreaming up—and we’ll be in touch to start the conversation.