Christian Andresen, Head of Design at Fritz Hansen, shares his philosophy on design and the concept of designers being “design consultants.” Working with great young talents like Nendo, Jaime Hayon, and others, joining the great works of legends Arne Jacobsen and Poul Kjaerholm, Christian has many thoughts on how this iconic company designs for its future.
Read MoreWorking with some of the best names in fashion and design, you will hear from the dynamic architecture and design firm, Gabellini Sheppard, speak about their philosophy and share examples of the innovative work they create. Several members of the team discuss some of their designs and design thinking. Michael Gabellini gives insight on what it means to run a design firm today.
Read MoreIs architecture your thing? Then this one's for you. Ehren Gaag, Design Director and Principal at Gensler, the largest global architecture and design firm, shares a rare look into Gensler’s thought and design processes. As a design leader, forward-thinking strategist, and product development expert, Ehren shares his inventive, cross-disciplinary approach to design and regaled us with colorful examples and analogies.
Read MoreHow often does one get an exclusive tour of the Copenhagen-based smithy and learn about the craftsmanship of fine silverware? Silver Manager, Jørgen Jacobsen, of Georg Jensen opens the doors to one of Denmark’s most celebrated design companies, alongside Jakob Mose Olesen, Marketing Director, North America.
Read MoreJohn James Jenkin, the colorful CEO of North America, of this colorful company, speaks to the use of new BIOmaterials and their impact on the future of design. He discusses how we will see a shift from Form + Function to Values + Function. Kartell, famous for the iconic Louis Ghost & Masters Chairs by Philippe Starck, as well as Componibili by Anna Castelli Ferrieri, continues to innovate with some of the greatest design minds in the world.
Read MoreAmy Auscherman, Corporate Archivist, Herman Miller, took us through the rarely-seen archives. Here, we get an exclusive look at the works of design greats such as Alexander Girard, Charles & Ray Eames, and George Nelson who all helped inform the future of modern design and Herman Miller. Amy gave us great stories, the inside scoop on the company’s history, and examples of the multiple ways to use a company’s archives to design for the future.
Read MoreCreative Director, Gabriele Chiave, guides us on an exclusive tour of Marcel Wanders’ studio in Amsterdam. Learn more about the inner workings of the studio as they welcome us with who they are and what they do. Then onto the Delft Blue Room to learn about different projects through the lens of art direction. We then see what goes into product design with a “trip” to their Material Library and lastly, to the VIP Room to see some of the interior design project work.
Read MoreSpanish lighting manufacturer, Marset, covers all things lighting. Take a look at the creative process that went into their popular Dipping Light collection from how the idea was born, to the development phase, and the expansion of the collection. Gain insights into the past, present, and future of the brand - including how Marset built a presence in the North American market in 10 years.
Read MoreJoin Joyce Romanoff, CEO, and Jennifer Block, VP of Business Development, for an engaging discussion about their extraordinary wallcovering company, MAYA ROMANOFF. Get a behind-the-scenes look at gorgeous wallcoverings being manufactured by hand in MAYA’s Chicago studio. Maya Romanoff has been a leader in handcrafted surfacing materials for over 50 years and is recognized today as the largest multi-disciplined manufacturer of luxury wallcoverings.
Read MoreAnnie Kantor, founder, Modern Metal spoke of the challenges and excitement of starting your own company – and being its designer too! She discusses her design process, sampling, mistakes made, and problems solved.
Read MorePablo Pardo, Creative Director and Founder, Pablo Designs, provides a view into the studio which started with a single design, bringing insight into the creative process, design collaborations, and how Pablo Designs manages the challenges of the production process from concept to finished goods. Pablo touches on the studio's devotion to human-centered design which elevates our experience with light.
Read MoreWith Steelcase, Coalesse, and Turnstone having design studios and partners located in all regions of the world, their approach to design and development leveraged virtual work long before we all had to. Learn first-hand from John Hamilton, Director of Global Design, Coalesse and Turnstone, two Steelcase brands, about the world’s largest office furniture company and how its design studios use virtual collaboration in its development process.
Read MoreYellow Goat Design knows a thing or two about custom designs. The company creates, engineers, and fabricates lighting, screens, and works of art unique to every single project. Hear about their expertise on the design and fabrication process, understanding messages, recognizing the users of a space, and applying all of this to create a powerful product tailored specifically to each environment.
Read MoreDanish designer, Øivind Slaatto always tries to find simple and obvious yet poetic design solutions, which are often inspired by the world of nature. Along with John Edelman, Be Original Americas Ambassador and Design Consultant, he took to the virtual stage to touch on the importance of great design, better solutions, and the influences in nature that informed the Louis Poulsen Patera lamp.
Read MoreCarl Hansen & Søn partners with Be Original Americas to invest in the future generation of designers. To celebrate the Wishbone Chair’s eye-catching form and unparalleled craftsmanship, Carl Hansen & Søn is releasing the icon in five Special Edition matte finishes, aptly referred to as Soft Colors, and a portion of proceeds from all sales will benefit the 2021 Student Design Fellowship.
Read MoreBe Original Americas hosted our 1st worldwide virtual Town Hall meeting to connect with our members and media sponsors. Watch the full video for updates on the organization, upcoming initiatives, and what we are working on during this time.
Read MoreHow can design make an impact? With a remarkable global response from Be Original Americas’ members, everyone is helping in any way they can. Learn how our members are #DoingWellbyDoingRight
Read MoreCarey Schuster, CEO & President of Yellow Goat Design shares her thoughts and advice on the future of the design world.
Read MoreGet a glimpse into our 2018 fellow Janell Leung’s Day in the Life. Now a designer in San Francisco at Fougeron Architecture, Janell shares her experience transitioning from school to work and balancing her responsibilities.
Read More
