Grid: The Official NYCxDESIGN Festival Guide

GRID

Design is All Around Us

With immense joy and honor, I extend a heartfelt welcome to all designers, creatives, innovators, and design enthusiasts of all levels gathering from near and far to our exceptional city for the NYCxDESIGN Festival!

New York City—there’s simply no comparison! It’s an industrious hub of ambition, culture, and that indomitable ‘can-do’ spirit fueling innovation. It serves as an aspirational beacon for international dreamers and doers, attracting a constant inflow of new talent. It’s no surprise that New York City is home to the largest design community globally, fully represented across all design disciplines. Rich in history, NYC consistently reveals its reinvention through new parks, piers, plazas, and architectural wonders that contribute to an evolving collection of landmarks and cultural treasures—all to the credit of mastermind architects, landscape architects, urban designers, interior, industrial, and graphic designers.

Design is all around us. A noble profession, it’s dedicated to enhancing our built environment for the betterment of mankind, society, and the planet. There is great cause for celebration and recognition of its powerfully constructive contributions.

NYCxDESIGN, a 501(c)(3) organization, connects and amplifies this broad coalition of design, providing the industry with a prominent platform to showcase and share their work. Addressing established leaders, emerging talents, and students through year-round programs, NYCxDESIGN advocates diversity, equitable opportunities, and inclusion within NYC’s vibrant design scene, aiming to inspire the next generation of problem solvers.

The NYCxDESIGN Festival, the crown jewel of our city’s design calendar, brings together the best and brightest from across the five boroughs and from around the world. Throughout the festival’s 200+ events, attendees experience exhibitions, installations, tours, and conversations that showcase the

latest breakthroughs and perspectives. Everyone is invited to take part—professionals, novices, and the public with a curiosity for invention and solutions. Come one, come all. Explore the full spectrum of events on our Festival Event Calendar at nycxdesign.org.

The 2024 festival is launching many firsts! Dive into a curated event selection through our new NYCxDESIGN Festival app, powered by Bloomberg Connects.

We’re excited to introduce GRID: the Official NYCxDESIGN Festival Guide, a labor of love crafted in collaboration with our partners, ASPIRE One Communications, and the designers at Maiarelli Studio.

We’re proud of our new NYCxDESIGN Keynote series and invite you to take part in these highlevel glimpses into the future.

We hope the Festival inspires you to embrace the boldness of NYC.

● Dare to dream big, tackle critical issues, champion social justice, and elevate humanity’s well-being.

● Step into the spotlight and lead with conviction and courage.

● Break personal boundaries to help shape a brighter future for all.

● Feel the energy and vitality—that’s the heartbeat of New York City.

Together we stand ready to explore, collaborate, and connect.

Welcome to the NYCxDESIGN Festival!

Ilene

Shaw, Executive Director NYCxDESIGN 2024

Board of Directors

About NYCxDESIGN

NYCxDESIGN serves as a dynamic connector and platform for exchanging ideas. It positions NYC as an authentic design destination and unifies the city’s influential and diverse design sectors.

The NYCxDESIGN FESTIVAL is NYC’s official celebration of design, and its most impactful annual design event. Annually, the Festival provides platforms for wide-ranging design voices and spectacular presentations.

NYCxDESIGN also extends its impact beyond the annual Festival by spearheading meaningful yearround programs that champion diversity, foster equitable opportunities, and promote inclusion within the city’s design professions. Through engaging public activations and open events, we aim to ignite inspiration in young individuals, encouraging them to envision themselves as the future designers and problem solvers.

NYCxDESIGN’s core values are centered in community and creativity with an ever-present consciousness of inclusivity, equality, diversity, sustainability, and regenerative design for humanity’s greater good.

NYCxDESIGN’s mission—guided by its values and beliefs—benefits NYC and the broader design community in these ways:

→ Economic Impact

→ Fostering Creativity and Collaboration

→ Showcasing Innovation

→ Educational Opportunities

→ Promoting Design as a Career

→ Cultural Exchange

→ Sustainable Design Advocacy

→ Supporting Diverse Local Talent

Speaks The Steering Committee

NYCxDESIGN is more than an initiative and festival, it’s a COMMUNITY.

Creating a world-class design festival requires the collective effort of an entire city, and thus, we’ve curated a consortium of experts across many design disciplines for our NYCxDESIGN Festival Steering Committee.

In 2024, we broadened the scope of our Steering Committee to include more representatives from our neighborhoods, business hubs, design districts, designer showroom buildings, esteemed professional associations, educational institutions, city agencies, and respected design practitioners. Our monthly gatherings serve as a forum for exchanging updates and insights on NYCxDESIGN’s progress and aspirations. Here we have invited the NYCxDESIGN Festival Steering Committee to impart their profound insights about the festival and the city we love.

—Ilene Shaw, Executive Director, NYCxDESIGN

● Carly Cannell, Director of BFA Interior Design Program, Parsons School of Design

“This is a place of inventors, dreamers, doers. It’s where people come to level up, and complacency isn’t an option. There’s always going to be a lot more to do and explore than you have time for on any given day, and that alone is unique compared to most places.”

● Richard E. Pelzer II, Founder, HarlemCLX

“By combining the various design disciplines, the NYCxDESIGN Festival fosters a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of different design sectors and inspires innovative approaches to problem-solving.”

● Dr. Carol Bentel, Chair of SVA BFA Interior Design: Built Environments Program, NYC; partner at Bentel & Bentel Architects

“NYC’s design community is VOCAL, VIBRANT, AND BOISTEROUS! NYC’s design community has a high focus on using design to solve problems of the moment. I’m looking forward to celebrating the work of student designers and feeling the high energy of the festival.”

● Christine Abbate Founder + CEO, Novità Communications

“I love how the city all works together. From the media to the shows/events to the neighborhoods, museums, design schools, associations, designers, government agencies. The steering committee for NYCxDESIGN brings us all together to support each other, and that is a beautiful thing to see.”

● Julie Stein, Executive Director, Union Square Partnership, Union Square

“The spirit of collaboration and support between art and commerce in New York City fuels a constant exchange of ideas and inspiration, driving the city’s design evolution. By bringing together so many design disciplines under the NYCxDESIGN umbrella, the festival is a catalyst for breaking through everyday boundaries and celebrating all of New York City’s creative talent on one inclusive platform.”

● Alexandria Davis, Interior Design and Strategy Senior Associate, IA Interior Architects

“I’m most looking forward to the student showcases from the design schools. And overall, connecting with the design community. There are so many outstanding minds here, and I am always inspired by spaces where we can learn from one another and support the next generation of creatives.”

● Kevin Swanepoel, CEO, The One Club for Creativity

“The city attracts the best, most diverse range of creative talent, and provides the greatest opportunities for creative expression and growth. The constant influx of talent, ideas, and opportunities is unmatched elsewhere.”

● Donté P. Shannon, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director, Industrial Designers Society of America

“As the CEO of IDSA, I wholeheartedly believe the design community has shaped the city’s vibrant culture, diverse population, and its global connections. The industry has significantly contributed to New York’s reputation as a hub of innovation and creativity.”

● Jane Chudinov, Chair of the New York City Chapter of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA NYC)

“The spotlight on humanizing technology through design has me on the edge of my seat—envisioning a future where tech responds more intuitively to human needs and empowers us to make our world more sustainable and equitable.”

● Victoria Milne, Principal, 6¢ Design

“Sometimes design is problem-solving, and sometimes it is gorgeousness or poetry, and wonderfully, occasionally, it can be all. The inspired path of getting there can be similar in graphic design, or product design, or landscape, or event design. When we see the professions together, the complex, interwoven universe of design takes shape.”

● Sara Gobbo, Executive Director, SoHo Design District, Inc.

“The city is so big and varied that no one discipline makes it, and the city doesn’t create or nurture just one industry. This very rich context may be just the reason why this city hosts so many creatives. Design, or rather creativity, is the result of this constant exchange between the different parts that make NYC, but it is also the reason why the city is so mixed. It’s a virtuous circle.”

● Stephan J. Clambaneva, IDSA and Chair, Product Development Special Interest Section

“Design in New York is unlike anywhere else in America. The West Coast has its tech, Michigan has its cars, but New York has it All.”

● Alessandro Melis, IDC Foundation Endowed Chair Professor

“New York is unique because it doesn’t rely on a few singular iconic landmarks. Instead, the city is a chaotic cluster of landmarks, each contributing to its collective identity. A simple walk down the street, with eyes cast upwards, can unveil unexpected design marvels.”

● Jesse Lazar, Executive Director, AIA New York and the Center for Architecture

“More than most industries, design is in a symbiotic relationship with the city. Designers of all kinds create the experiences we all have of the city, while continually drawing inspiration from it.”

● Josh Nachowitz, Senior VP Economic Development, Alliance for Downtown New York (Manhattan)

“NYC isn’t just a fashion and arts capital, it’s also a media, entertainment, business and real estate capital. All of

these sectors interact with the design world, creating an interconnected economic ecosystem supporting design professionals that may be unmatched globally.”

● Troy Richards, Dean, School of Art and Design, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

“When the many disciplines are presented to us, we gain an understanding of how important good design is to making sense of our world, serving as both a frame and a network, it organizes our experiences and connects us to one another.”

● Jeffrey LeFrancois, Executive Director, Meatpacking District Management Association (BID)

“New York City is not for the faint of heart. It takes a certain amount of bravery to live in the capital of the world. The NYC design community isn’t afraid to innovate —and the ideas delight the eye because they often include an inflection from some other part of the world.”

● Claire Pijoulat, WantedDesign Co-founder and ICFF Brand Director

“Coming from Europe, I’ve always admired the design community in NYC for its free spirit, its entrepreneurship and its sense of solidarity. Designers in NYC are generous, share resources, organize group shows, start collectives. There is a support system, a real sense of community.”

● Odile Hainaut, WantedDesign Co-founder and ICFF Brand Director

“The interplay between the design industry and the city is an exchange, a dialogue: Architects and designers are contributing in shaping the city, but the city is nourishing their vision.”

● David Russo, Landscape Architect

“This is my first festival and I’m most excited to see how the common design language that we all share plays out and manifests in different ways across the many disciplines.”

● Allan Chochinov, Chair, SVA | NYC MFA Products of Design

“I am personally dedicated to the practice of interdisciplinary design education and design practice, so this transition—from a “furniture fair” to a celebration of all expressions of design—is exactly why I’m involved every year.”

● Ellen Fisher, VP for Academic Affairs & Dean of the College, New York School of Interior Design

“The NYC design community is unique because although it is made up of the top creators and industry leaders in the world, it remains a congenial group—truly a community.”

● Teresa Laughlin, Founding Principal TC Laughlin Public Relations Group

“While many cities are celebrated globally for certain sectors of design, New York City encompasses such a breathtaking wealth of talent across so many disciplines, from those just beginning their careers to icons in their respective fields. All of these creatives living and working in such close proximity cultivates an environment brimming with collaborative energy, sparking an almost alchemical catalyst towards innovation.”

● Yvette Chaparro Director of MFA Industrial Design and Assistant Professor of Product and Industrial Design, Parsons School of Design

“This festival reminds us that we all need each other to create a better world. If we each work from our own disciplines and collaborate with others, we can make things happen.”

● Stacey Panousopoulos, Executive Director, AIGA NY

“New York stands as the largest design hub, boasting over 40,000 graphic designers alone, across various capacities including studio owners, in-house designers, and freelancers. The city is home to the finest in each design discipline, and the festival showcases this excellence, creating a unique space where designers and enthusiasts alike can converge to celebrate creativity.”

● Matthew Bauer, Ph.D. President, Madison Avenue Business Improvement District (BID)

“If you can dream it, you can find it or make it in New York City.”

NYCxDESIGN STEERING COMMITTEE

Alive with Design

At the heart of NYCxDESIGN’s mission lies the annual NYCxDESIGN Festival!

And this is it!

The city is alive with design from cutting-edge exhibits to insightful talks.

Immerse yourself in a whirlwind of inspiration spanning every design discipline imaginable.

Hundreds of thousands of design lovers and aficionados are converging on the streets of NYC, where the air is crackling with the excitement of discovery. Feel the resonance of our 2024 theme, “Design is All Around Us,” as you delve into meticulously curated events that redefine the boundaries of innovation.

Embark on your design odyssey with unparalleled ease through our Festival experience. Whether you prefer perusing our dynamic Festival Calendar at nycxdesign.org, navigating with our new Festival app, or exploring the city with the aid of this handy GRID guide, the options are yours.

Discover a world where design reigns supreme, anchored by our Festival tracks that spotlight the essence of creativity across the many design disciplines including architectural wonders, interior sanctuaries, visionary products, captivating graphics, urban landscapes, lush parks, groundbreaking tech integrations, and the fusion of art and entertainment with design.

On Track

All NYCxDESIGN Festival Keynotes, exhibits, talks, and tours are founded in these festival tracks, key design sectors of our industry:

• Architecture

• Interior Design

• Industrial + Product Design

• Graphic Design

• Urban Design

• Landscape Design

• Technology x Design

• Art x Design

• Entertainment x Design

With Bloomberg Connects, your adventure expands with NYCxDESIGN and other New York City cultural treasures, from museums to galleries, sculpture parks to gardens, all within this app. Join the design revolution— download Bloomberg Connects today, and enjoy the NYCxDESIGN Festival!

DISCOVER MODULOR WALL PANELLING SYSTEM, COVER WALK–IN CLOSET, RADIUS DOOR. DESIGN GIUSEPPE BAVUSO

Keynotes

2024 marks the inauguration of the NYCxDESIGN Keynote series. Through this program, a daily keynote is presented throughout the festival week, inviting designers of all disciplines from around the world to share inspiring stories and visions. We’re proud to partner with luminary, design-focused organizations to bring these conversations to life. Tickets are available at nycxdesign.org.

This fireside chat brings together industry-leading designers to explore the profound impact of generative AI on the future of creativity and design.

Can you give us a preview of your opening line?

Brooke Hopper: A little over three years ago, the first text-toimage generator debuted as part of a tech demo. Nearly a year later, many in the design and creative community were challenging what it meant to use generative AI models in their creative workflow and if it could be considered creativity at all. Today, there are multiple generative models available for public use, and artists and designers are understandably torn between when and how to use those models as tools in their creative process. This session will explore the differences between AI, machine learning (ML), and generative AI and address concerns raised by the creative community. Panelists will share details around how and why they use AI in their work.

What should an audience member know about your panelist’s connection to this subject matter?

BH: The session will be an open conversation with prominent practitioners and leaders in the design and fashion industry. They will share how they approach using generative AI in their work, and ultimately, what they think is next.

Partnered with IBM May 17th, 6pm-7pm The Celeste Bartos Theater at the MoMA Cullman Education Building, 4 West 54th Street

Panelists: Todd Simmons, VP of Brand Experience + Design and Co-Lead of IBM Blue Studio Moderator: Teresa Yoo, Vice President, Brand and Content Strategy, IBM

Graphic Design

Evocation x Design

Partnered with The One Club and The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum May 18th, 5pm–6pm Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Avenue Panelists: Nicholas Law, Chair, Accenture Song Pum Lefebure, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Design Army

Good design is still good business at IBM. Join Todd Simmons, VP of Brand Experience + Design and Co-Lead of the world-renowned IBM Blue Studio in an engaging presentation about lessons learned through decades of experience managing design with one of the greatest legacy technology brands and the largest employer of designers worldwide.

Can you give us a preview of your opening line?

Todd Simmons: Good question… It’ll be something like “Does anyone here know who this is?” (Intro to Eliot Noyes)

What should an audience member know about your connection to this subject matter?

TS: It might be a little unexpected for this audience to see some of the things we’ve been working on at IBM. Moreso, there are many interesting ways in which we’ve been working together and evolving ourselves that I think will be valuable to hear about.

Who is the target audience for this conversation?

TS: If you are interested in nearly all aspects of design, or consider yourself to be multi-disciplinary, this will be a good one for you.

Inspired by Jenny Holzer: Light Line, on view at the Guggenheim Museum, NYCxDESIGN and the One Club have partnered to present Evocation x Design, featuring opening remarks by Lauren Hinkson, Associate Curator, Collections, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, along with “Design for Impact and Action” by Pum Lefebure, And “Deep Simplicity” by Nicholas Law.

How does Jenny Holzer’s work fit the paradigm of cultural and social change?

Lauren Hinkson: Jenny Holzer’s artistic practice draws on the creative power of the written word. Hers is a vital and incisive voice, and her work, whether on posters, electronic signs, stone benches, or paintings, explores pressing issues of our time, from climate justice to women’s rights, from political corruption to the violence of war.

What should an audience member know about your connection to your subject?

Pum Lefebure: In my work as a creative professional, I’m often focused on client projects that aim to promote products and drive business. This can make it hard to see the broader societal impact of what I do. To change this, I seek projects that go beyond commercial goals and focus on art, culture, and community. While these projects can be challenging in a profit-driven setting, they offer a way to contribute to social progress and are deeply fulfilling.

Nicholas Law: My career in design, marketing and digital products has spanned 30 years and four continents, trying to make technology useful, interesting and beautiful. Helping people experience, understand, and use these technologies is the job of design, and not just an engineering task.

Who is the target audience for this conversation?

BH: Attendees of this session are interested in the current and future state of the design and creative industry. They are concerned about copyright, ethical and moral implications that surround generative AI. We hope they will feel empowered and that they have a voice in the creative future. NYCxDESIGN celebrates great design throughout the city. What is your favorite design landmark?

BH: One of my favorite branding projects is the MAD redesign in 2008 by Pentagram. I love how elements of craft—textures & patterns—played a role in the geometric logomark, making it come alive.

Are most people too concerned or not concerned enough about how AI is changing how we live and work?

BH: Artificial intelligence has been changing and influencing the way we live and work for decades. In fact, many people don’t realize that the history of AI and computing goes back to the mid-1800s to a woman named Ada Lovelace, who is considered to be the first computer programmer. Every technology includes challenges, and it is important for humans to acknowledge the consequences and the potential.

So much of what we do crosses all categories of creativity. NYCxDESIGN celebrates great design throughout the city. What is your favorite design landmark?

TS: New York overall inspires me. Personally, I’m drawn to the smaller spots, the worlds within worlds. I’m amazed to happen upon different spaces that have been completely and creatively transformed, in particular parks and public spaces. Is there a tension that exists between good business vs. good design?

TS: I don’t think good design and good business are in conflict. The IBM Design Program originated in 1956. The program has been through ups and downs over time, emphasis and investment have shifted, but those words have never been truer at IBM than they are today. Our story is deeply linked to major milestones in American and New York history. Its longevity and success through many transformative periods are greatly attributed to the deep belief that good design is good business. Participants will gain perspective on how to keep good design and good business alive for decades by balancing consistency with creativity and excellence with efficiency.

Who is the target audience for your presentation?

PL: Graphic designers, editorial designers, art directors, creative directors, photographers, ad agencies, educators, students, and artists—anyone passionate about art, performing art, and visual design.

NL: Anyone who cares about design as a way of demystifying technology. They should be interested in how we manage the dizzying complexity that comes with exponential change. NYCxDESIGN celebrates great design throughout the city. What is your favorite design landmark?

PL: Every time I step out of the train station in New York City the first thing I see is the Empire State Building. It’s a symbol of American culture and resilience. Its Art Deco design, with bold zigzags and sunbursts, strikes a balance between simplicity and complexity. After nearly a century, the Empire State Building still stands strong, epitomizing the enduring spirit of New York City.

NL: The Guggenheim, of course. It’s weird organic brutalism. How does design positively impact cultural and social change?

PL: Social media connects us to global trends in real time. Graphic design plays a key role in shaping cultural identity by preserving traditions, celebrating heritage, and showcasing modern expressions. It fosters greater appreciation for diversity. Imagine the positive change we could create if every designer in the world took on just one community-focused project each year.

NL: Change is a design problem. And design is an expression of care. In a world that feels thoughtless and mechanical, it makes everything more considered.

Image by Kelsey Robinson, Color variation by Gen Recolor in Illustrator

Keynotes

To purchase tickets, scan this code.

Partnered with Magic Leap May 20th, 5pm-7:30pm SVA Theatre, 33 W 23rd Street

Panelists: David Schwarz, Founding Partner, HUSH Joel Krieger, VP Product Design, Magic Leap

A conversation about the paradigm-shifting technology, Augmented Reality (AR), and how it is changing the world of spatial design.

Can you give us a preview of your opening line?

David Schwarz and Joel Krieger: The design world is in the midst of a paradigm shift. With Augmented Reality (AR), traditional limitations are dissolving, giving way to a new era of immersive design at scale in true three-dimensional space. In this keynote, you’ll learn how AR is empowering spatial designers to better design and share their visions with colleagues and clients in profound and compelling ways.

What should an audience member know about your connection to this subject?

JK: The decade prior to Magic Leap I spent designing interactive spaces; museum exhibits, immersive venues, flagship retail, corporate headquarters, executive briefing centers, and so on. Now I design AR tools that make my previous job more fun and impactful. As someone who is both a spatial designer and one who makes tools for spatial designers, I offer a unique perspective on how this emerging technology will enhance the creative process and transform the industry. DS: I founded and currently lead HUSH, an experience design agency, that works in the medium of spatial design, storytelling, and technology—the same industry that Joel worked in before joining Magic Leap. As a design leader and frequent orchestrator of client-facing presentations and workshops, I have two primary needs: improving our design work in collaboration with our talented team and figuring out ways to articulate our designs more effectively so our clients

May 21st, 5pm-7pm

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Panelists: Clifford Chanin, Director, 9/11 Memorial & Museum Jan Seidler Ramirez, Chief Curator, 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Mark Wagner, Principal at Davis Brody Bond, A Page Company

Carl Krebs, Principal at Davis Brody Bond, A Page Company

Join 9/11 Memorial & Museum Director, Clifford Chanin and Chief Curator, Jan Seidler Ramirez, in conversation with Mark Wagner and Carl Krebs, Principals at Davis Brody Bond, A Page Company, as they discuss the challenges they faced in the design of the Museum, the choices they made, and the creation of a New York City landmark that transformed a place of grief, trauma, and destruction into one of solemn remembrance, learning, and storytelling.

Guests will receive an exclusive tour of the Museum led by museum staff following the panel.

What should an audience member know about your connection to your subject?

Clifford Chanin: Having been with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum project through its full development, I understand the care that went into the various design decisions that shaped the site as it is today. We were exceptionally conscious of the impact that design could have, both in concert with

Partnered with Samsung May 22nd, 5pm7:30pm Samsung 837, 837 Washington Street

Karim Rashid, Award-winning Interior and Product

Designer Claudia Santos, Product Marketing Director, Connected Home Appliances, Samsung

Moderator: Ilene Shaw, Executive Director, NYCxDESIGN

A riveting discussion about the synergy between smart technology, interior design, and product design, exploring insights into how technology is revolutionizing the way we live.

What should an audience member know about your connection to this subject matter?

Karim Rashid: It has been my mission to make design a public subject. I preach about how design shapes the future. I believe that design is extremely consequential to our daily lives and can positively change the behaviors of humans. Products and furniture must deal with our emotional ground thereby increasing the popular imagination and experience. Good design can shift and change human behavior and create new social conditions. Human beings touch an average of 600 objects a day, and the potential for those objects to benefit the everyday human experience is immense. I derive tremendous happiness from product design because each object has the potential to connect with the consumer and bring them pleasure on an everyday basis.

Who is the target audience for this conversation?

KR: My ideal audience member is energized to change the world. Humans are fueled by creative energies and inspiration. Design-forward spaces such as NYCxDESIGN are critical for

become co-creators, collaborators, and advocates.

Who is the target audience for this conversation?

JK: This talk is meant for design practitioners whose work is inherently three-dimensional—architects, interior designers, urban planners, landscape, exhibit, industrial designers—who are seeking ways to evolve their design process and are open to exploring new tools and methods.

NYCxDESIGN celebrates great design throughout the city. What is your favorite design landmark?

DS: A specific NYC experience intimately related to design, architecture, nature and humanity: Manhattanhenge. The phenomenon is both at XXL scale—that of the urban landscape and of celestial bodies—as well as at human scale. It is fleeting and repetitive, which creates a sense of expectation.

What might you say to someone who loves design but feels intimidated by technology?

DS and JK: With the rate that things tend to change, it can get tiresome having to learn new tools all the time. However, I think AR/spatial design may prove to be an exception.

It’s intuitive. 2D surfaces are very limiting and don’t make the most of our human abilities.

It’s more memorable. The clutter of tabs and flat screens is a digital fog where everything blurs together. Spatial tech is more compatible with how our minds work.

It’s unbounded. We’re most creative when we’re active, not when we’re tethered to a static workspace.

It keeps us grounded. Where VR closes us off from others, AR keeps us connected.

our narrative program and on its own as a statement of remembrance.

Who is the target audience for your presentation?

CC: Folks with an understanding of the multiple dimensions and impacts that design can have, and how it has manifested itself over the years since the Memorial (2011) and Museum (2014) opened.

How does design positively impact cultural and social change?

CC: At our site, design frames the visit of people who remember 9/11 and those who don’t. It conveys a spirit of reflection and resilience that is both somber and inspiring. The alchemy of the physical design of the Memorial and Museum is that it brings people back to a moment of crisis and demonstrates how that crisis can be survived and commemorated.

imagining tangible solutions for our future, but I believe they can also nourish our human psyche, well-being, memories, and vitality.

NYCxDESIGN celebrates great design throughout the city. What is your favorite design landmark?

KR: MoMA is a great design landmark in the city, and in my life story. When I was 11, I visited the Domestic Landscape show and fell in love with Italian radical design and it galvanized my desire to design and shape our future world. Years later I am still so proud to have my designs inducted in the MoMA permanent collection. I still visit frequently with my daughter which has really sparked her curiosity.

What might you say to someone who loves design but feels intimidated by technology?

KR: I believe technology and innovation are inseparable from design. Design just shifts with technology. The modern person is having greater experiences with the digital than the physical so the physical must become as exciting and seductive, as colorful and flexible, and as personalizable. This is the modern landscape we live in. Design will shift to UX and more immaterial products for communication, entertainment, and information, multilingual language voice chips.

Seriously Entertaining

There is much to take seriously at NYCxDESIGN—from the state of the design industry today to the future of the planet we share. But since NYCxDESIGN is also the culmination of months (sometimes years) of hard work as meticulously planned events come to life at last and extraordinary designs are shared with the community for the very first time, this is also a time to celebrate, and there may be no better places to do so than the NYCxDESIGN Awards and Opening Night Party.

Opening Party Salute the start of the NYCxDESIGN Festival in high style with a transformative museum experience including experimental exhibitions and immersive installations. Celebrate with NYCxDESIGN partnered with Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology and see how the relationship between art and technology is being redefined. But most of all, have some fun! May 16th, 6–8pm, at Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology. Tickets at nycxdesign.org

2023 was a record year for Made-in-Italy sales in the U.S., according to Alberto Brescancin of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA). Design is an integral part of this, representing almost 4 billion dollars. So it makes sense for the ITA to support promotion and branding projects in design centers such as New York. He sees NYCxDESIGN as an ideal opportunity to encourage further cultural exchange between the U.S. and Italy—hopefully fostering even more collaboration between two vibrant design communities. He also notes that participating is an important way to acknowledge Italian companies’ global influence, create business opportunities, educate and preserve design heritage.

Italy

In terms of design, Italy is renowned for fashion, luxury goods, and being home to leading global brands. However, Brescancin notes, they want to reinforce this overall positive impression by delving deeper into the diversity of Italian design contributions to industrial design, architecture, and sustainable design—amplifying Italy’s reputation for collaborative innovation and cultural influence.

So for the second year in a row, the ITA is working with standout Made-in-Italy brands to promote Italian design excellence across Manhattan during NYCxDESIGN. With special events organized by Rimadesio, Poltrona Frau, Natuzzi, Kartell, Poliform, Moroso USA, B&B Italia, FLOU, Technogym, Florim, and others throughout the week, guests will experience the very best of Made-in-Italy design, and discover the latest collections and trends at participating showrooms. (See the festival calendar at nycxdesign.org for more details.)

NYC is an ideal place to spotlight Italian furniture brands, Brescancin notes, with so many of them represented by beautiful showrooms here. He adds that the ITA will be highlighting no less than 14 brands during NYCxDESIGN events and participating at ICFF along with 30 Italian companies. There will also be an event at the ITA’s NY office regarding the connection between yachting and design—promoting both the overall success of the Italian yachting industry and the Genoa Boat Show. It will be moderated by Ian Volner, journalist and contributor to The New York Times, and include representatives from Pininfarina—a global “mover of dreams” in the automotive and yachting spaces—and Confindustria Nautica, a nonprofit association which represents the pleasure boating industry and promotes nautical tourism throughout Italy. Brescancin hopes Italy’s contributions to NYCxDESIGN will be well-received by attendees, participants and the design community as a whole. He notes that Italy has proven its love for the design community—notably by hosting one of the design world’s most important exhibitions, Salone del Mobile in Milan. Ultimately, he says, the ITA will measure the success of their participation by the quality and impact of the collaborations and partnerships born from their NYCxDESIGN initiatives.

Italian design by (top left to bottom right) Fornasetti x Poltrona Frau, Rimadesio, Arclinea, Moroso.

While French design has long been synonymous with luxury, even some design enthusiasts may not be up to date on the many innovations emerging from the French design scene. But the nation’s connection to historic techniques and unwavering quality is part of the recipe that makes contemporary French design so cutting edge.

French culture is generally well represented in the New York scene. Note significant art exhibitions—from the medieval to the contemporary—among our worldclass museum collections. What’s more, the nation’s contributions to literature, philosophy and even dance are well represented at the city’s learning and performing arts institutions. Mia Fierberg, on behalf of the French Embassy, tells us she thinks that French design and craftsmanship deserve to be similarly recognized. For example, eminent American architects including Peter Marino, Gensler, and Ingrao are all working closely with French creators on major projects.

NYC being home to the largest number of French design professionals outside of France means that voices representing the spirit of French design are already a part of our vibrant design community. But during NYCxDESIGN, Villa Albertine’s Oui Design! will highlight 30 of the city’s top design galleries and workshops—including work by dozens of established and emerging French makers. For the first time this year, they will also host a cohort of upand-coming artisans traveling from France with the support of Albertine Grants. These grantees, selected through a competitive application process, will participate in a week-long immersion in the NYC scene to gain a better

understanding of the ecosystem and build connections for future opportunities. Grantees will also lead demonstrations of their crafts at Oui Design! Résonance on May 17th, 4pm–11pm.

Presented by Villa Albertine and Mobilier national in association with Par Excellence, Oui Design! Résonance will be an interactive evening hosted by Ateliers Jouffre. The event will highlight the know-how of six emerging French craftspeople. Live craft demonstrations will immerse visitors in a range of historic and contemporary skills including marquetry, embroidery, cabinetmaking and textile design. This will be followed by a reception and disco with cocktails and a DJ set.

People tend to think of Olympic years as great showcases for the international identity of all participating nations, but that may be most true of the host nation. “Of course we’re very excited for the Olympics this year, as Paris will be hosting,” adds Fierberg. And while the focus at NYCxDESIGN may lean more toward collaboration than competition, NYCxDESIGN has plenty in common with the Olympics. “To a certain extent, we aim for Oui Design! to also function as a forum and host for intercultural exchange and future collaboration.” By what metric, then, will Villa Albertine’s Oui Design! measure the fruits of their efforts for NYCxDESIGN 2024? Fierberg explains that “the markers of success will be everywhere—from increased visibility for French galleries and artisans among American architects and interior designers to new ideas discussed over a workbench and future partnerships toasted with a glass of champagne.”

“French artisans and designers have a truly unique skill set— combining savoir-faire that’s been refined over centuries with an innovative approach to sustainability and new materials,” says Mia Fierberg of Villa Albertine, a unique organization creating a network for arts and ideas spanning France and the United States. “Given that New York City is home to the largest number of French design professionals outside of France itself, Villa Albertine’s Oui Design! is intended to be a real celebration of that excellence, and a tribute to the ongoing collaboration between our French and American communities, which only continues to grow.”

International Spotlight France

French design by (clockwise from top left) Ateliers Courbet, Aurelie Hoegy, Ronan Bouroullec, Jeanluc Le Mounier at Maison Gerard.

Ilona Gurjanova, President of the Estonian Association of Designers, says Estonia is known for everything from unicorns to ecoconsciousness—but now is an important time to showcase the digital innovation they bring to global design.

Estonia

Gurjanova notes Estonia’s participation in NYCxDESIGN 2024 will demonstrate how—in a world where overconsumption leads to waste—Estonian designers are offering creative solutions to making products more durable and better for the circular economy. Though one can find the nation’s culture regularly on display in NYC at Estonian House and various fine showrooms, Estonia will also branch out during NYCxDESIGN—hosting events such as a seminar, panel discussion, and presentation of the film “Out of Fashion” at Scandinavia House. Gurjanova tells GRID she is looking forward to seeing collaboration between Estonian and local NYC designers during this time. She hopes their exchange of ideas can lead to exciting new concepts while fostering a sense of global design community. Other initiatives of note include a May 13 event at Pratt Institute—where environment activist Reet Aus, PhD will discuss upcycling and digital product passports. And Anthony Lucuiano will conduct a leather handbag workshop in his studio on May 19 as a fundraising event for Estonian Designers. It is Gurjanova’s hope that the global coming together of NYCxDESIGN will serve as a platform for Estonia to showcase its design personality on the international stage—serving as a reminder that though the nation may be small in size (about double that of Maryland), its designers have big ideas to share, and more than 30 of them will be in NYC for the festival. Don’t miss a chance to learn more about them at UPMADE in Estonia: Tradition Meets the Future in Circularity and Digital Innovation at the Lafayette Gallery, May 16–22. Gurjonova hopes attendees leave with new partnerships and connections as well as a greater appreciation of Estonian design. She would also be pleased to see it stir increased interest in the Tallinn Design Festival and to send some folks browsing at the estoniandesignhouse.ee online store.

Estonian design from Raili Keiv (left) and Estonian Design House.

Midtown East

DEDON: Innovation inspired by nature takes New York May 16 -May 22, 10am-4pm Open Studio DEDON Showroom 979 3rd Ave, Suite 720 5) Graphic Design DWR x Heller Retrospective Exhibit May 18 10:00amSeptember 1, 6:00pm Exhibition DWR East 57th St Studio 957 3rd Ave 6) Interior Design The Cassina Perspective May 16 -May 23, 10am-6pm Tour Cassina Store New York 155 E 56th St

7) Interior Design Sahco 2024 “Wild Bouquet” at Kvadrat Showroom May 16 -May 23, 10am-4pm Exhibition Kvadrat New York 475 Park Ave

8) Industrial and Product Design Unity not Uniformity May 17, 6-7pm Talk The Celeste Bartos Theater at the MoMA Cullman Education Building 4 West 54th St 9)

Tribeca / Lower East Side

NoHo/East Village

South Brooklyn

Photography | Anthony Avellano

Neighborhood Spotlight

Here in New York City, design is truly all around us, in every neighborhood and every borough. Our history is inextricably entwined with the history of design, and every design discipline is represented here, from product, graphic, and industrial design to fashion, architecture, landscape, and interiors. From the Guggenheim by Frank Lloyd Wright to the Woolworth Tower by Cass Gilbert, from St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Harlem, by America’s first licensed Black architect Vertner Woodson Tandy to the Oculus by Santiago Calatrava, the built environment is our milieu. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t also appreciate the work that landscape architects have done to enhance our environment, from the serenity of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux’s Central Park to the broad beaches of Coney Island and in every small park and garden in between. New Yorkers appreciate great design no matter where it is, and NYCxDESIGN celebrates this storied history in every neighborhood. Here are some highlights. Find details of these and all Festival events at nycxdesign.org and on the Festival app.

Harlem

MUST SEE: aspire Design Tour Harlem, May 19, 1pm – 6pm. Embark on an unforgettable journey through Harlem, starting at the remarkable Home to Harlem—a distinctive gallery, art and event space. Immerse yourself in vibrant culture and engage with community members on topics ranging from architecture to interior and landscape design.

“Harlem

is not just a place; it’s a living, breathing testament to the rich cultural history and resilience of its residents.”

Richard E. Pelzer

II, Founder, HarlemCLX

Flatiron NoMad

MUST SEE: “Portal” by Flatiron NoMad Public Activation, May 16-Fall 2024. This public technology sculpture will be installed on the Flatiron South Public Plaza at Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street, and its mate will be located in Dublin, facing the capital’s main street, O’Connell Street with views of Dublin’s famous GPO building and the Spire.

Madison Avenue

MUST SEE: 2nd Annual Madison Avenue Design Week, May 16 –May 23. Between East 57th Street and East 86th Street, the shops and showrooms of Madison Avenue will offer curated experiences and in-store festivities. Featured guided tours include an architectural walking tour with the New York Chapter of the AIA on May 17, and a Madison Avenue Design Week Store Tour presented by IFDANY on May 23.

“We just celebrated the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Grand Central Madison train station for the Long Island Railroad, which, from many stories underground, has elevated civic architecture.”

Matthew Bauer, Ph.D., President, Madison Avenue Business Improvement District (BID)

Union Square

MUST SEE: Union Square Partnership 14th Street Mural, Installation May 13 – 17. The Mural program brings together established and emerging artists to celebrate the neighborhood’s rich history and cultural diversity with a 7,500-squarefoot asphalt mural, which will be installed over a five day period.

SoHo

MUST SEE: SoHo Design Day, May 18, 10am – 6pm. SoHo Design Day celebrates 10 years with events at 14 showrooms throughout the historic neighborhood, including new product launches and open studios from the industry’s top names. Throughout NYCxDESIGN, enjoy a 5pm aperitivo at Eataly SoHo.

Atlantic Avenue

MUST SEE: Atlantic Avenue Day of Design, May 18, 9am – 5pm. Atlantic Avenue stretches through the neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, and Boerum Hill, and is the gateway to Downtown Brooklyn and a hub for design. Our independently-owned design businesses will be hosting special activities, meet and greets with designers, and serving special Day of Design cocktails.

“This year’s mural will be painted during the Festival programming, so festivalgoers can witness the design come to life before their eyes.”

Julie Stein, Executive Director, Union Square Partnership, Union Square

Brooklyn Navy Yard

MUST SEE: Design Day at the Yard, May 18, 12pm – 10pm. Join the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation and its partners for the 2nd annual Design Day. The day features multiple activities and celebrates diversity in design, future-forward conversations, and the importance of supporting local creators and design studios, throughout the 300-acre campus.

“Vibrant hubs like Industry City, Brooklyn Navy Yard, and DUMBO are the city’s lifeblood. They’re not just industrial places; they’re the essence of New York, the indispensable source of energy and innovation that weave the city’s identity.”

Jane Chudinov, Chair of the New York City Chapter of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA NYC)

HANS

A mug, a magnet, a mini Lady Liberty—let’s face it: souvenirs are a popular way to bring your travels home, but most of them aren’t exactly high design. Enter NYCxDESIGNxSouvenir, an exhibition that reimagines the art of the tourist trinket, produced and presented by NYCxDESIGN in partnership with Cool Hunting, and curation and exhibition design by Boym Partners. This exhibit of prototypes brings together more than 50 design minded takes on classic souvenirs such as Joyce Lin’s pretzel log and a New York “Knick Knacks” hat from Chad Phillips. And then they go beyond ‘classic’ to the unusual. Revel in designs by Roy Nachum, Elan Cole, Harry Allen, Scott Henderson, Giona Maiarelli, Joe Doucet, Nicholas Baker, Tucker Viemeister among the featured designers.

Marvelous Mementos

AN INTERVIEW WITH LAURENE AND CONSTANTIN BOYM

Constantin Boym and Laurene Leon Boym, who founded their eponymous design firm in 1986, have a fascination with souvenirs that has spanned decades. They tell us more here.

What makes this topic especially prevalent in 2024?

Constantin Boym: Our interest in souvenirs started decades ago with our project, Souvenirs for the End of the Century, which celebrated the big momentous event of the Millennium. It’s a very curious product typology: It’s beloved by the people, but at the same time, it’s completely excluded from the design discourse. Since modernism was considered kitsch, it’s not worth any attention. We’re trying to reverse that. Now, especially during a time in the world that is so difficult and politically complicated, it would be nice to have a positive statement.

How does Souvenirs tap into the spirit of New York City?

CB: Traditionally, souvenirs were designed, made, and sold to mark events or certain places. We tried to go beyond the commercial souvenirs, which are already plenty available in stores around Times Square. We wanted to invite people from different design generations and keep our brief very open to designers: Their creations could celebrate New York City, but they can also be critical about the parts that aren’t so celebratory. We’re quite amazed by the diversity of the objects as well as the range of items and opinions.

Laurene Leon Boym: We have a range from extremely precious and expensive souvenirs down to very affordable pieces like a baseball cap. It’s really great because you get to see the range of what’s possible.

What are some highlights you can tease for viewers?

LLB: I decided to make a very manufacturable plushie of Flaco, the eagleowl who escaped the Central Park Zoo, out of those abandoned socks from the laundromat. My plushie is a hundred percent recyclable and shows Flaco in his fluffiness. It’s sort of a loveable member of your family: you buy one and your kid gets to cuddle with it. It’s very cute and small, and it’s kind of the ultimate New York souvenir.

What do you hope viewers take away from Souvenir?

CB: It’s been my hope for the last 20 years: that people who see this exhibition will look at souvenirs—especially commercial souvenirs—with different eyes. We hope they understand that these are not tchotchkes, but a creative field full of interesting objects and discoveries.

Featured designers:

Bronsin Ablon, Work At Hand

Harry Allen

Antenna Design New York

Nicholas Baker

Emilie Baltz

Gustavo Barroso

Constantin Boym

Laurene Boym

Steve Butcher

Paolo Cardini

Rio Chen

Elan Cole

cozzolino studio

Jonas Damon

Danielle Begnaud, Benyo Studio

Domingo Ceramics

Joe Doucet

Scott Henderson

Karlssonwilker

Jason Lempieri

Like Minded Objects

Joyce Lin

Loose Parts

Giona Maiarelli

Good Ode Days

Some call it “The Big Apple”; others, “The City that Never Sleeps.” Now, NYCxDESIGN invites you to experience the joy and possibilities of New York City through the eyes of leading and emerging designers via An Ode to NYC. This poster series taps into the expansive design ecosystem of the city, reflecting the heartbeat of our ever-changing design scene. Unified by the overarching theme of hope for a more equitable NYC, this year’s collection features expressions of inclusivity, diversity, sustainability, and creativity—celebrating the city’s evolving cultural landscape. Meet the designers May 19th at Samsung 837. For information go to nycxdesign.org. Buy posters now at posterhouse.org.

From left to right: New York or

by Dotun Abeshinbioke,

The NYCxDESIGN Emerging Designer Residency was created to support the work of designers in the early stages of their careers. NYCxDESIGN and Arts Thread have teamed up again to present the 2024 iteration of the Emerging Designer Residency program in New York City. Four recent graduates in a variety of design disciplines have set up studios to showcase their impressive projects and work in progress. By

Kelsey Mulvey

The NYCxDESIGN Emerging Designer Residency is produced in partnership with Arts Thread and Cool Hunting. Special thanks to Rockefeller Brothers Fund

Next Gen

Tell us about your design discipline. What inspires and drives your design philosophy?

Juliana Serna Mesa: My current focus revolves around the intersection of physical artifacts and digital experiences. I am fascinated by the transdisciplinary exploration of the rapidly evolving future of human interfaces. In particular, the emergence of ambient computing and calm technology in everyday products, as well as the integration of healthier frameworks into our digital environments.

How has your design perspective evolved over time?

JSM: I am originally from Colombia and majored in Industrial Design during my undergraduate studies. About eight years ago, I decided to relocate to the United States to further my design education. This led me to participate in the Design Discovery program at Harvard Graduate School of Design, and ultimately a master’s degree from Parsons School of Design. I think I am very versatile as a designer: I love the idea of building and designing physical products while currently also a creative technology enthusiast. Throughout my time in the States, I have collaborated with The RealReal,

PROCODE DRESS offers an innovative—and almost mathematical —approach to fashion design. What sparked the idea for the line?

Lilach Porges: I always wanted to be a fashion designer, but wanted to study more than just design, so I chose architecture. When I studied architecture, I learned a lot about 3D printing and parametric, which is designing with codes. Every time I learned something new, I was thinking about how I could take it into fashion. How can I make fashion design with it? I always thought about fashion, and it was always there for me. What inspires and drives your DNA as a fashion designer?

LP: My latest collection, which I called the Roller Coaster Collection, is inspired by roller coasters. I visited Six Flags and took a lot of inspiration from the shape that the roller coaster creates in the air as well as its colors. While rollercoasters are a lot of fun, they have an inspiring technology, construction, and architecture. The designs are also kind of the same because the movement of the robot is also inspired by the movement of the rollercoaster. I also use a lot of recycled carbon fiber,

JULIANA SERNA MESA, INDUSTRIAL AND DIGITAL PRODUCT DESIGNER

Johnson & Johnson, IBM Quantum, Mount Sinai, Disney, Pratt Institute, and startups across the city.

What can visitors expect from your spot in the Emerging Designers Residency?

JSM: In my residency work, I’m extending the essence of New York’s Brutalism architecture into domestic spaces. My project, [which is] named Brutal, explores the dynamic interplay between raw concrete elements, pushing the boundaries of weight perception through playful luminary explorations. This project holds a special place in my heart as it encapsulates my interest in the Brutalist architecture movement, the craft of physical products, and the interactivity and playfulness in timeless home lighting pieces.

How does New York City influence your design perspective?

JSM: New York City’s influence permeates every aspect of Brutal. This city plays an iconic role in highlighting the textural richness of concrete over time, shaping its distinctive aesthetic character. I am captivated by the incredible forms and possibilities inherent in concrete, as well as the enduring quality it lends to both buildings and products.

LILACH PORGES, FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF PROCODE DRESS

Your work examines the intersection of tactile surfaces and digital screens. What inspired you to explore this dynamic relationship?

Alexandra Soiseth: Though I studied graphic design—and worked as a graphic designer for about eight years—I was simultaneously working on a lot of costume design projects for theater and performing arts. Sewing has always been a huge part of my life, so my work in costume design naturally led me to experimenting with textile sampling. I received my MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design for Textiles, where my concentration was surface design. During that time, I was really thinking about what our relationship with surfaces is in today’s age. Prior to going to graduate school, the pandemic was still very much prevalent. We were also separated and there was this disconnect with tactility, whether that was between people or between people and materials.

What does your creative process look like?

AS: Oftentimes, I’m starting with some type of physical material, be it textile scraps, packing materials, or things found in the garbage. I’ve been curious about ways in which we can visualize these materials, which can begin with a photograph or video. I’ve also really gotten into Lidar scanning,

bottle caps, and bio-based EVA. Because of the way the world is now, every brand’s garments should use more sustainable methods and materials

What can visitors expect from your spot in the Emerging Designers Residency?

LP: It’ll be an expansion of the Roller Coaster Collection. When I showed [the line] at New York Fashion Week, I was only able to show five looks. I have this opportunity to work with the robot during the residency, so I’ll be printing the same colors and in new styles and sizes. I’m excited to interact with the public. If someone wants to buy a garment, I can tell them to come back the next day so they can see their piece being printed and take it home!

How does New York City influence your design perspective?

LP: The city really gives the opportunity to collaborate—and have beautiful things come from collaborations. I can go to a networking event and meet people who have the same state of mind that I do. There are so many people in the city, and there are endless opportunities to work together and collaborate.

Tell us about your design discipline. What inspires and drives your design philosophy?

Erika Choe: I have always considered myself an interdisciplinary thinker and wanted to create my own category for myself. Even though design is a huge part of my life—and I feel my life’s purpose—I don’t see myself fitting into a specific discipline within design or a specific genre. Any time I discovered a new layer of design, it became something I wanted to immerse myself in for a good amount of time to make sure I felt like my body understood those disciplines. I then took it for myself and asked, “What can I do that adds my own voice to this? How can I just make it my own and synthesize it that way?” How has your experience as a trained dancer informed your design perspective?

EC: I’m most intrigued by the cracks in our human lives. What makes us human? Is the body necessary to be human? Those are questions that I constantly ask myself and ask my audience when I’m creating work. I like to do two things at once that pull at opposite ends of the rope. For example, one would be to celebrate the body as our material for reality; however, I also like to pull

where I use a phone app to basically create a three-dimensional scan of a material so I can understand how that materiality changes from the physical artifacts to digital space. In the end, I’m really excited about bringing it back into physical space. How can we re-situate ourselves in digital worlds by contextualizing what we see and experience? What are you hoping visitors take away from your work at the Emerging Designers Residency?

AS: I’m really interested in helping people kind of reconnect with their sense of touch or their understanding of touch. Ultimately, touch is quite complicated and obviously connected to all our other senses, but it can be interpreted in different ways and in different spaces. Even a two-dimensional surface can have feelings of depth and movement.

How does New York City influence your design perspective?

AS: So much of my experience walking around the city and collecting images really fed into my experience in graduate school and the subsequent work I’ve been doing. I am constantly looking at the ground, observing garbage and things that are on the street. There’s a lot of history in examining the materials of the city and a lot of information that can be gleaned from just seeing what’s discarded.

ERIKA CHOE, INTERDISCIPLINARY DESIGNER

the other side of the tension and question its limitations for our being.

What can visitors expect from your spot in the Emerging Designers Residency?

EC: I’ll be working on a collection of handbuilt clay vessels. I currently call them “wounded vessel,” and they are basically interpretations of our bodies as containers and bags for being. I was born one shoulder higher than the other, and I attribute this to an epigenetic trait that my body has and that was emphasized over time. My collection of vessels has swells and bulges in different areas to kind of represent the generational trauma that we naturally hold in our bodies and were born into this earth.

How does New York City influence your design perspective?

EC: I think New York is the perfect place for me to explore things about our human lives and the cracks that happen. It also advocates thinking about things more collectively than individualistically versus living in a suburban area where we’re all separate from each other. New York is great in the way that I can look out my window and see my neighbors on the other side: We don’t know each other, but there’s comfort in knowing you’re not truly alone.

ALEXANDRA SOISETH, ARTIST AND DESIGNER

ICFF

Reimagined

ODILE HAINAUT

When Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat became brand managers for ICFF 2023, the design community knew the pair had founded event mainstay WantedDesign and planned to parlay that experience into a united vision for the long-running trade show. As they debut another year of innovation, they talk to GRID about what’s in store for 2024.

What is important to understand in how you’ve approached shaping ICFF 2024?

Claire: One of the most important aspects is the quality and diversity of the exhibitors, with 50% US-based and 50% international.

Odile: We have been focusing on designing the right environment at the Javits to make those three days in May a fantastic meeting point for the industry.

Would you each describe something in your personal collections that gives a sense of what you value creatively?

Odile: My Akari lamps, designed by Noguchi in the fifties. It’s about light, but also light in a sense of weightlessness. It’s beauty, craftsmanship, sculptural lighting, humble, original.

Claire: At home, my favorite pieces are the ones offered by our designer friends. From prototypes to one-off pieces, I cherish these objects that represent stories, friendships, and moments in time. They bring soul to a space.

One of your goals when you first took on brand direction for ICFF was to make it more welcoming. How have you gone about that?

Claire: A larger welcoming lounge designed by Moooi— including an NYCxDESIGN info desk—will be a beautiful way to welcome the visitors.

Odile: We have worked on the floor plan to better organize the exhibition: creating multiple destinations under the same roof and adding more lounges/cafes for everyone to rest, meet, and relax in a creative and convivial atmosphere.

There seems to be so much that is new or transformed for this year. Can you highlight something about which you are particularly excited?

Claire: Bringing back The Crossroads—designed in collaboration with Rockwell Group and spotlighting American design—is something we are particularly happy with.

Odile: And launching a new program Bespoke, dedicated to high-end craftsmanship, is something we have been thinking about for many years.

How do you divide up the tasks involved in being brand directors?

Odile: We work together sharing the same vision and goals, but have very different skills, so very naturally we complement each other.

Claire: We apply creativity to what we do, and are always brainstorming, questioning, transforming, and asking the team to contribute as well.

Does the fact that this is the 35th edition of ICFF feel like there is a great deal to live up to?

Claire: The legacy of the event is a big responsibility, but we share this responsibility with the design community. What event do the manufacturers, designers, and members of the trade need? How can we all work together to provide a collaborative platform that is an accelerator for the manufacturers and a facilitator for the A&D community?

Odile: The trade show world is changing; the way we do business in our industry is changing. We are looking forward and building the event with the new generation in mind. Making the show more sustainable is a big part of rethinking the way we produce events.

First Stops

Entering NYC’s massive Javits Center can be overwhelming—particularly when it is filled with the attention-demanding design of ICFF. But pros know to start by orienting themselves at the NYCxDESIGN Info Desk which has resources for balancing your time at Javits with thrilling events highlighting the best of the design community throughout the city. Look for it after passing through Welcome x Moooi, a showcase of original designs displayed to offer visitors an unexpected greeting using lighting, furniture, and accessories with personality. Next, see what’s going on at The Crossroads Curated around the theme of “Sustainability in Practice and Spirit,” this exhibition will examine the intersection of preserving longhonored traditions with more conscious use of materials for the good of the planet. The immersive, variable use Crossroads environment will host daily programming curated by Tiffany Jow, editor in chief of the design journal Untapped, who will be asking fine design minds about their approaches to sustainability.

ICFF appreciates both the old and the new—from household names to newer brands shaking up the landscape. But part of surveying the current state of home furnishings is finding novel ways to fête its innovators and standard bearers. As such, ICFF will join forces with movers from throughout the industry to present a variety of new gathering spaces, challenges, and other ways to stay attuned to what’s going on in design today. In conjunction with AD PRO, Bespoke: The Art of Making will showcase the skills of high-end artisans who create handmade furnishings, textiles, and other one-of-a-kind or custom-made pieces. Meanwhile, Design Schools Workshop will be presented in conjunction with Honda Design; in this collaborative, 4-day course, about 3 dozen international design students will work together on creative solutions to a brief about the future of mobility. Publisher Phaidon will celebrate the release of Designed for Life: The World’s Best Product Designers in a new space aptly dubbed The Library. A new Kitchen + Bath space will feature talks from NKBA and Designhounds—along with happy hours and other networking opportunities—at The Water Studio x Grohe Lounge. And May will bring the excitement of a new podcast from OFS x Room in which leading voices in global design will discuss reshaping the way we live and work. In the Room will feature Doug Shapiro of the podcast Imagine a Place hosting discussions recorded live from the show floor with exciting talents speaking at this year’s ICFF—including Giulio Cappellini, Luca Nichetto and Lee Broom.

Any Way You WANTED

If you’ve ever attended—or even seen signage for—ICFF, you have very likely seen it in conjunction with the words WantedDesign Manhattan. The endeavor—dedicated to celebrating emerging design as part of ICFF—returns for 2024 with the shorter and sweeter moniker WANTED. Among its offerings will be Look Book, an in-person portfolio where members of the A&D community can connect with designers, makers, and entrepreneurs in the hopes of sourcing original designs and thoughtfully crafted products to consider incorporating into upcoming projects. Presented with media partner Dezeen and supported by Turf, the space will feature more than 60 participants—a 25 percent increase over last year’s total number. The Look Book Workspace will also offer a communal area for meeting and working, while the Look Book Lounge x Canoa will feature daily activations. Launch Pad provides an international platform for emerging designers introducing new concepts in furniture, home accessories and lighting. Presented with media partners Design Milk and Clever, Launch Pad’s sponsors will include American Standard and Lumens, which will present a public voting feature to help recognize this year’s crowd favorites. In perhaps an ultimate proof-of-concept, they will also welcome the return of two Best of Launch Pad winners from 2023 whose careers are still flying high. And international design schools will have the opportunity to share the outstanding work of their students as part of the Schools Showcase. Students from twenty international institutions will vie for recognition, including The Best of Schools Award and Students Prize, sponsored by Alessi.

Mark Your Calendar

If there’s still room on your dance card, ICFF has additional ways to remedy that. Friday, May 17, brings the ICFF Night Out x Interni showroom event, which invites attendees to hobnob among international design brands in and around New York City’s NoMad neighborhood. On Sunday, May 19, the ICFF Editors Awards will recognize designs across 12 product categories—plus Best in Show. And an ample menu of ICFF Talks will aim to present something for every appetite. Topics to be addressed range from discussing how to achieve greater inclusion and representation throughout the design community (Perspectives and Principles: A Liberative Mindset in Design, Sunday afternoon at The Oasis space) to exploring how technical advances are enabling designers to better layer illumination of every shape, color, and intensity (Creating Sensory Spaces with Light, Monday afternoon on the Main Stage). A full schedule of events is available at ICFF.com.

Get Ready for Me, World

In partnership with Arts Thread, NYCxDESIGN is pleased to present through its website the 2024 Student Graduate Portfolio Showcase. This comprehensive showcase of portfolios is available digitally for your review, reference and entrée into a network of next-generation emerging talent. View the work of senior students and recent graduates from design schools around the USA at nycxdesign.org. We celebrate their work, creativity and professionalism.

Mirrorland I from Reverence Addition

by Fernando Mastrangelo