Event Recap: Gracie Shares History at Student Design Day

The DDB's Student Design Day-goers were all ears at Gracie Studio's presentation on the company's history, not to mention a lesson on Chinese and Japanese antiques and hand-painted scenic wallpapers. Jennifer Gracie and Mike Gracie, co-owners of the family-owned company, walked students through the past to what their family has spent decades selling.

Mike Gacie, principal of the fourth-generation, family-owned Gracie Studio, shared the story behind the brand and gave students a first-hand view on the finest hand-crafted works in décor.

"The turnout here on Student Day was huge, and it's great to know how impressive the future of design is," said Mike. "Jen gave an in-depth overview of Japanese and Chinese antiques, and the response was excellent. Students asked great questions and really kept the conversation going with their curiosity."

"It's always wonderful to spend time with students who are pursuing the industry that you're in," said Jen. "I had a lot of fun giving the presentation to them and sharing Gracie's story with new visitors in the showroom who may soon be avid clients!"

Stay tuned for more on Gracie's newly designed website that we can't wait to share.

Event Recap: Student Design Day Keynote on Succeeding in Design Business (Part 3)

The Editor at Large recently hosted  the Student Design Day Keynote at the DDB. The Keynote addressed How to Succeed in the Design Business, with moderator Susanna Salk. Susanna was joined by top designer-panelists Campion Platt, Amanda Nisbet, David Scott, and Malcolm James Kutner.

Continuing the discussion on finding your inner "voice" in interior design, Amanda admitted that aside from finding hers, she also found fuel to pursue the industry in both her supporters and a few negative side comments that came her way.

"I hate to say it, but we all hear the negative side to our work. And without mentioning names, I heard that negativity from one of the most important people in my life," Amanda said. "Someone very close to me said that I would be awful in this industry; and instead of totally killing my drive, it became my fuel. I think about her and what she said every day, and it remains one of my greatest motivations!"

Before the discussion ended, Campion made note of the enormous amount of benefits that can come with graduating school and working for someone else before branching off for yourself, leaving the students with the confidence to pursue their own paths but the tips on how to get the most out of working for others.

"I found it important to work for others when I started off, both from a design standpoint as well as from a business standpoint," said Campion. "From the standpoint of someone who now hires new designers for a few years before they move on, I've also learned a lot. My best advice that I can give to any starting designer is to do everything that you possibly can once you've started working for someone. Do everything, ask about everything, and learn about all that you can, because your employers and coworkers know a lot and they've had enormous success and also made lots of mistakes—all of these are worth understanding from them. They will make you all the wiser and all the more ready to be exactly the kind of designer you hope to be.”

A reception at the Holland & Sherry showroom immediately after the keynote gave students the chance to spend time with the panelists and continue the discussion.

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo all week for more on the DDB's recent Student Design Day.

Event Recap: Student Design Day Keynote on Succeeding in Design Business (Part 2 of 3)

Hosted by Editor at Large, last week's Student Design Day Keynote at the DDB addressed How to Succeed in the Design Business, with moderator Susanna Salk. Susanna was joined by top designer-panelists Campion Platt, Amanda Nisbet, David Scott, and Malcolm James Kutner.

The panel eventually came to the ever-important topic of the interior designer's style and voice, which Susanna addressed by asking if the designer's voice is most easily found through schooling or by experience in the real world.

"Finding a voice in your work is the single most important thing you need to have as a designer," said Malcolm. "Without it, you're no different than the client who hires you expecting to have your guidance and skill. For me, today is the same as the day I started, and while I don't know what tomorrow will bring, my voice is always present in my work and continues to evolve and mature. Knowing your strengths and loves and knowing your weaknesses and dislikes is the only way to begin that development of voice, which is exactly how I found it.

After hearing each of the panelists explain his or her personal decisions and path in the design industry, Susanna addressed the ever-important topic of the interior designer's style and voice. The panelists were then asked their thoughts on whether the designer's voice is most easily found through schooling or by experience in the real world.

"Finding a voice in your work is the single most important thing you need to have as a designer," said Malcolm. "Without it, you're no different from the client who hires you expecting to have your guidance and skill. For me, today is the same as the day I started, and while I don't know what tomorrow will bring, my voice is always present in my work and continues to evolve and mature. Knowing your strengths and loves and knowing your weaknesses and dislikes is the only way to begin that development of voice, which is exactly how I found it."

David offered the perspective of tastes and how “good” and “bad” don’t necessarily exist; what does exist, he said, is what is “you” (or your client) and what isn't “you.”

"Everyone is different, and interior design may be one of the easiest examples to see that," said David. "If the traditional route of going to school for interior design is best to you, do it. If that means working for someone else for a few years before going off on your own, do it! But if diving right in and getting your hands dirty without looking to work under someone else first [is it], then do it. No matter what it is, make your decision and your voice will surface slowly but surely, and it'll feel great to find it."

Check back with GoDesignGo tomorrow for more on the Student Design Day keynote for more advice on success in the design world.

Event Recap: Student Design Day Keynote on Succeeding in Design Business (Part 1 of 3)

Last week's Student Design Day at the DDB took the building by storm, and all with the help of co-sponsors ASID who shared their post-design school experiences, including trials and tribulations of getting started, landing their first job, and recognizing their big break.

Moderating the panel was designer and author Susanna Salk, joined by panelists Campion Platt, Amanda Nisbet, David Scott, and Malcolm James Kutner.

Susanna began the discussion by asking the panelists to describe when it was that they each realized that interior design was the career path for them.

"I realized it when I simply wasn't getting any callbacks for my acting career!" said Amanda. "Once I had my aha moment, I plunged right into the industry and never worked for anyone but myself. My apartment became my office and my ongoing experiment, but I jumped in not knowing whether I had a parachute or not. Luckily, it all worked out!"

David Scott described his aha moment happening well into his career in the hotel and real estate industry. "I had been working with Jason Spector, who was the designer on these hotel-to-condominiums we were converting. I worked with him for some time on the projects, and after all the design and floor spaces were finished, Jay looked at me and asked why on earth I wasn't an interior designer. He insisted I go back to school for interior design, and that's what I did."

Campion explained that architecture was his first calling and interior design soon followed, but with caution.

"I worked on my own projects in small scale and small spaces and eventually realized that I didn't know my voice in interior design," Campion said. "I decided to take some time off to find a client who would allow me to do both architecture and design, but it took almost two years to find that. That time off was important for me because finding a voice in your work is essential to being successful in your field. I was lucky to find a client who would let me practice both of my trades and use my own voice, but using caution with the venture was necessary for my personal confidence."

Check back with GoDesignGo tomorrow for more on the Student Design Day keynote for more advice on success in the design world.

Event Recap: Agostino Antiques Student Design Day Reception

Student Design Day at the DDB took place last week with the help of co-sponsors ASID and Editor at Large, and now we're bringing you the buzz from the day's events. The mini-market day kicked off with a breakfast and opening reception at Agostino Antiques, complete with a seminar on The Art of Collecting: Building an Affordable Art Collection, led by Carole Pinto, of Carole Pinto Fine Arts.

Carole explored XIXth and XXth European master painters whose works are technically and artistically outstanding and whose prices are affordable, stressing that "amazing art is by no means always unaffordable."

"The importance of many artists’ work can be illustrated in looking at the works they've created in full," said Carole. "Developing a discriminating eye and being able to understand what constitutes value in a work of art is important in the ability to collect fine art."

The Agostino showroom was packed with students, who were anxious to continue their day after Carole's educational seminar.

"I loved attending the breakfast and lecture from Carole Pinto," said ASID student Jessica Williams. "I really enjoyed the presentation and received such valuable information from what she said."

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo all week for more on the DDB's recent Student Design Day.