In mid-June Editor at Large will unveil LAUNCH, a series of educational workshops created specifically for interior design professionals. LAUNCH kicks off in NYC with courses in contract negotiations, interiors photography, digital marketing and social media.

Editor at Large will continue to develop new workshops on various topics such as branding, licensing, media training, pitching and selling design services, and breaking into commercial design.

“The idea for this series came about when we realized that while many designers love what they do (designing and being creative), they are less psyched about the often time-consuming business dealings—updating contracts, marketing, social media, pitching clients, selling design services, invoicing, and managing client expectations and difficult personalities,” said Julia Noran, president and site director of Editor at Large.

LAUNCH instructors clockwise from top: Emily Gilbert, Tory Williams, David Adler, Mandy Gresh

With these courses, Editor at Large seeks to explore the most relevant and challenging topics that designers face today in order to equip them with the necessary information and tools to be successful in any capacity.

"I think there is a tremendous need for LAUNCH," said interior designer Amy Lau. "Designers spend so much time breaking their backs for their clients, but rarely put the same time and energy into bettering their own companies and establishing their own brands."

Expert instructors including Emily Gilbert, Mandy Gresh, Tory Williams and David Adler will take attendees on a deep dive into their areas of expertise.

“Whether it be drafting air-tight contracts, developing and executing a digital media strategy, being your own best photographer, or another topic, our hope is that attendees feel that they can confidently and directly apply the knowledge they learned in class to their own practices,” said Noran.

The first set of LAUNCH events are listed below:

Headshot Day (June 23, July 16, August 20 and September 17, individual appointments scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)—Ditch your Facebook profile pic and get a professional headshot by a professional photographer. Beauty filter included. Photos by Tory Williams, $325.

Interior Photography Crash Course (Two Parts: June 25 & July 2, 4:00-7:00 p.m.)—Get the quick and dirty on DIY interior photography. Instructed by Emily Gilbert, $575.

Digital Marketing (July 8, 5:00-7:00 p.m.)—Learn which social media channels to use, how to use them successfully, and how to integrate them into your total marketing mix. Instructed by Mandy Gersh, $225.

Cocktails & Contracts (July 9, 5:00-7:00 p.m.)—A crash course on legal contracts designed for interior designers who are drafting a contract for the first time or wanting to make an existing one airtight. Instructed by David Adler, $275.

Interior Photography Intensive (Six Parts: August 11, 18, 25 & September 8, 15, 22, 4:00-7:00 p.m.) Become an interior photography expert so that you can take publication-worthy photographs of your own design projects. Instructed by Emily Gilbert, $1,350.

"I couldn’t be more excited about LAUNCH," said interior designer Bella Mancini. "This is just the thing our industry needs and I can’t wait to attend my first class of what is sure to be many."

Editor at Large will be offering an annual LAUNCH membership, which provides discounted rates on all courses and workshops, discounted admission to networking events, and exclusive access to members-only programs.

To register, contact Kate Jerde via email or phone at (212) 904-1040. Or, download the registration form here.