WESTWEEK Buzz: Understanding the Design Ecosystem with Steve Nobel

How do we make sense of the changes facing the showrooms, design centers, manufacturers, media, interior designers and even underserved affluent consumers throughout the design ecosystem? Steve Nobel, Executive Director of Decorative Furnishings Association (DFA), suggested a few answers in his keynote at WESTWEEK.

Charles S. Cohen, Cohen Design Centers President and CEO, introduced Steve Nobel after addressing the main issues and challenges that the recent economy has brought to the design community. He compared the struggles in showrooms to that of print magazines, referencing the Editors' Round Table discussion the day before.

"There is an inherent relationship between all of us in the design ecosystem," Steve said. "Because of this, the health of the whole depends on the health of each individual part. From companies and showrooms to designers and tastemakers to the clients who employ them, we all have to be in this together in order to power through the odds that are against us."

"I recently bought a New York City apartment, and despite my connections and contacts in the industry, I hired a designer. And you know what? I pinch myself every time I walk in my place in order to believe how perfect it is and how great my designer made me feel."

Steve urged the audience to follow a "to-do" list that includes the ever-important practice of shopping showrooms and never to retail or directly to the manufacturer. Also at the top of the list is transparency. “Be honest with your clients and make them feel good about what they’re doing, because chances are, they have reservations about using a designer if it's their first time," he said.

"If you're a showroom manager, give the designers as much clarity as possible. Designers go to showrooms that make them feel most comfortable — where they get the most help. They won’t frequent a showroom where the staff doesn't know their name and isn't interested in the project they're working on."

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo to learn about the fascinating person we sat next to during Steve’s lecture.