Business of Home

Spring 2019 | Issue 11

The design challenges of the 21st century manifest themselves starkly in the halls of design schools, where Generation Z is coming of age. In this issue, we talk to design school deans about new ways of thinking about diversity in design education and why some programs are rethinking the role of critique. We also examine how designers are creating their own learning communities—invaluable, if unaccredited, sources of continuing education—and talk to designers about how they, in turn, educate their clients.

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Features

Top educators talk about what to expect from the industry’s next generation

The design challenges of the 21st century manifest themselves starkly in the halls of design schools, where Generation Z is coming of age. In wide-ranging conversations with deans and department leaders of top institutions across the country, we sought insights on the salient issues of the day.

BY Kaitlin Petersen

How designers are creating their own learning communities, online and off

Networking can often feel like a dirty word—and more than that, it’s a lot of work. For thousands of designers across the country, finding a community, whether in person or online, has become a lifeline.

BY Fred Nicolaus

How the early days with a new client can yield teachable moments

While that first meeting with a new client can feel like a nerve-racking audition, it’s also potentially the start of a fruitful, long-term partnership—one that allows designers to take the lead as mentors, instructing on everything from expectations and process to style, price and quality. What’s the best way to educate clients? BOH talked to top designers to find out.

BY Kathryn O'Shea-Evans

Design Dispatch

magazine

Cheryl Durst on what it takes to succeed as a designer today

Today, the spaces designers create are expected to do more than ever before. Offices are at the core of how we connect and where we spend the majority of our waking hours; hospitality spaces are not limited to a delicious meal or a comfortable night’s stay; and retail stores have become engaging, immersive environments. Cheryl Durst unpacks what it takes to succeed as a designer today—including all the skills that aren’t taught at design school.

magazine

12 star design students you’ll want to hire

Design students from across the country threw their hats in the ring for top honors at the fourth-annual ASID Student Portfolio Competition, which pits design schools’ top talents against one another for the chance to win a scholarship and a place in the national spotlight.

magazine

7 designers on what they’d do differently if given a do-over on starting their own firms

Developing systems and learning how to manage workflow takes time—not to mention experience. Get your highlighter ready as some of the industry’s best share the skills they wished they’d learned as students and what they’d change if given a do-over on launching their own firms.

show-rumors

The showroom is dead. Long live the experience center

Pity the executives of luxury appliance brands: In 2019, it’s not enough to have a great product anymore. Beautiful ads, hooky marketing? Everyone has that. And it’s certainly not enough to open a regular showroom—you need an experience center.