On February 9, Editor at Large will sponsor the keynote and the Student Challenge at the Decoration and Design Building (DDB) in New York.

A mini-market day, ASID New York Metro Chapter's Student Day kicks off with a morning keynote followed by showroom programs, a special design challenge, and a closing event.

In the design challenge competition, students will design a window space that in his/her unique perspective will represent the best of what the DDB has to offer. The challenge is to see which team can come up with the most functional and visually appealing space pulling from a pool of pre-existing furnishings. ASID will create five groups of the first 25 students who register online in advance. These contestants, as a team, must design and stage a space using proposed materials donated by participating showroom. The group will be given a 45-minute time frame to conceptualize, source, design and stage their space. At the end of the day, the judges will tour each space, and select the winning design. The winning team will have their space photographed and featured (accompanied with a short story including a brief description and name mention) by Editor at Large.

Programs begin at 10:00 a.m. with Agostino is hosting a Welcome Breakfast with art adisor Carole Pinto to give a talk on "The Art of Collecting: Building an Affordable Art Collection" to introduce student designers to developing skills to add to their design foundation.

At 11:00 a.m. Creation Baumann, Suite 1522, will host “The Window” with Erik Bruce. Window treatments are an all too often overlooked opportunity for design in modern interiors. Noted window treatment designer Bruce presents a glimpse into his process; a fresh, new approach to treating windows and dividing spaces in harmony with the architecture. Having served as the principal designer at Mary Bright Inc. for the past eight years, Erik is now creative director of his own Studio. He continues to develop new inventive solutions for unique spaces, working closely with the architect and/or interior designer of every project. 

At 11:30 at Pollack, Suite 1722, Textile 102:  Inspiration, Imagination, Interpretation invites participants to start with the spark of inspiration and examine in detail how choices of material, construction, pattern and color are resolved to create a physically functional and aesthetically pleasing fabric. Techniques for gathering and refining sources of inspiration will be shared, and we will look closely at the specific steps taken in developing a textile from start to finish.  In particular we will focus on the methods – some traditional, others cutting-edge – that designers use to create patterns and textures in fabric.

Lunch will run from noon to 1:00 p.m. Anichini,Suite 923, and Niedermaier, Suite 417, showrooms warmly welcome students for a special luncheon and tour.

At 1:30 p.m. Edelman Leather, Suite 207, believes that "today's students are tomorrow's designers"...so please join the showroom and explore a Wonderful World of Leather for Interiors and learn things you never knew!  With more than 75 products and 800 colors, Edelman Leather offers total freedom - freedom in color, texture, and style.

At 2:00 p.m. Fortuny, Inc. Suite 1632, hosts Technology and the World of Interior Design. Mickey and Maury Riad, owners of the legendary Fortuny, are taking the interiors world by storm. Every Fortuny fabric is still produced in the same factory, on the same machines, using the same secret process and techniques handed down from generation to generation.  Still, just as Mariano Fortuny used his love for the past and respect for tradition to create something completely new, Fortuny today continues to pioneer in the world of design and technology.

At 3:30 p.m., Editor at Large will present “How to Succeed in the Design Business” featuring three top designers sharing their post-design school experiences: trials and tribulations of getting started, landing their first job, and recognizing their big break. They will offer tips and advice on paving a path to success in a rapidly-changing industry.

Other participating showrooms include Anichini, Edward Ferrell, Gracie, Artistic Frame, Schumacher, Lutron, Romo, and Kravet.

Registration ends January 4.