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"FocusOnDESIGN (formerly OBD/DC) - provides designers of diverse backgrounds a forum
for professional development, economic empowerment and social accountability."

Since 2003 FocusOnDESIGN has drawn design practitioners, educators,
students and people in related professions from cities across the U.S. and
several countries to hear presentations on topics ranging from best business
practices and new technology to the social and anthropological aspects of
design.

 

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News and Events

Design Interchange: An Avant-Garde Approach to Success [AF8]
Date: Monday, June 14
Time: 4 - 5p.m.
Credits: 0.2 CEU
Fee: $15, Register on site at the Merchandise Mart

Speakers: Jennifer Cheng - Interior Designer, PSAI Design Partner. Daniel Cornejo - Interior Designer, Cornejo Designs. Denise Rush - Interior Designer, Denise Rush Designs. Sara Sacra - Healthcare Designer, Partner/Auer Designs. Sharon Samuels - Architect/Designer, SolQuest Design Unlimited. Courtney Hill - CEO MarketM, an integrated marketing firm. Joseph Sommerville - Interior Designer, Archive Furnishings

Highlights: During economic decline, design is considered a "luxury" by many probable clients. Outside of the finance discipline, the architecture and deisgn industries have arguably suffered one of the most aggressive business deteriorations. A myriad of designers have discovered innovative paths to success that have become their "new normal". Join this diverse panel of designers for a very lively colloquy of ideas and insipiration for developing new business strategies.
This session is sponsored by Chicago's Project Osmosis, whose education and mentoring intiative for design professionals and youth provides a unique understanding and appreciation of visual arts.

Following the forum, attendees wil be further engaged during a reception hosted by The Kohler Store, 100 Merchandise Mart, featuring light hors d'oeuvres and complimentary white wines. Free entry for seminar attendees.

Haiti Logo

DISASTER SOS: Haiti

Date: Tuesday, June 15
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Fee: $15 at the door
Credits: 0.2 CEU
Presented By: The Black Design News Network
Sponsored By: IIDA and Focus On Design
Location: IIDA Learning Center, 567 Merchandise Mart
Speakers: Kerl LaJeune, architect, Founder and Principal at Atelier Azara, Renee Kemp-Rotan - urban designer and co-founder, Black Design News Network; Atim Annette Oton, architectural designer and co-founder, Black Design News Network; Bryan Hudson, Architect, principal at SOMA Design Consultants Inc.; and Lee Bey, writer and architectural critic African American writer/architectural critic.

Highlights: A thought provoking forum on Haiti with some experts from the fields of design, planning, international development and cultural anthropology. The forum will involve critical thinking about shelter and disaster with a focus on planning, cause and effect, and risk management after a disaster.
This session will be followed by an interactive discussion and networking hour for potential collaborations and partnerships from 4 to 5 p.m.
To register contact Atim Oton, director of the Black Design News Network at atimoton@yahoo.com. Registration is also accepted at the door.

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Watch for REALITY CHECK November, 2010 Portfolio workshop and Review hosted by Designers421, in partnership with the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, Visual Communication and Digital Media Arts, Bowie State University. It will be an exciting event led by Associate Professor, Tewodross Melchishua, with a lot of support from the professional design community. Stay tuned for more information.
The Spring Reality Check event was held April 18, 2009 . Here are some highlights:                             
Scholarship: Stephanie Burgess won the raffle, Stephen Stevenson won first prize for the best portfolio and $150.00 was donated to Bowie's new scholarship program.
Presenters: Jake Cheney, AIGA DC, Patrick Harrington, RTCRM, Julian Kiganda, vibrantdesigngroup.com, Marcus Johnson, three Keys Music, Fred Cannon, BMI Music, Kurt Merriweather, Discovery Communications and Julian Haffner, the Ricahaffner.
Reviewers: Design professionals - Lorenzo Wilkins, Myron Smith, Hadiya Williams, Tony Teat, Rahsaan Wlliams, Rodney Williams, Meshella Johnson, Carlise Smith, Genji Sampson, Alex Bostic, Rod Dennis, Angela Dyson, and George Tuggle
Overview: A unique design workshop and portfolio review with a focus on careers in art, visual communication, design motion graphics/animation, multimedia, film, tv production and music. High School and College Students were invited to attend. Their portfolios were reviewed. There were refreshments a scholarship presentation, and more.
Thanks to Bowie State University's VCDMA, Art & DFPA faculty, staff, students, and the design professionals and FOD members that assisted with this program.

REALITY CHECK 2009 Portfolio Review
(PDF flyer)


2nd Annual DC Black Designers' Reunion
was held at Bus Boys and Poets, 5th and K. We had a blast!    We will now meet on a bi-annual basis. Stay tuned for our next Meet-Up planned for August or September.


 
NeoCon World’s Trade Fair
NeoCon logo

Attendee Registration

for NeoCon® in Chicago
June 2010

Design Interchange Networking Event

Date: Monday, June 14
Time: 5:30 - 7p.m.
Fee: $5 at the door
Presented By: The KOHLER Store

Location: The KOHLER Store, 100 Merchandise Mart

Sponsored By: Project Osmosis, FocusOnDesign, Designers for the 21st Century (D421) and The Black Design News Network

Highlights: This social networking event follows an association forum (AF8) on challenges/solutions in the design industry during the economic downturn. Meet the presenter and discuss new strategies for developing your business or career.
Light hors d'oeurves and complimentary white wines will be served. Entry is free for AF8 forum attendees, or $5.00 at the door.
To register contact Gwen Williams, board member, Project Osmosis at eclecticdzinr@yahoo.com.

PARTNERS Designers for the Twenty First Century logo.





Be a part of the virtual network everyone is talking about
go to designers421.org to sign-up now!

Designers for the Twenty First Century, (Designers421) launched at Neocon® in Chicago

Highlights: This expanding network is comprised of leaders in design practice and education who are dedicated to building professional and community relationships and activities that support the interests of, and connections to, designers of color. Come and learn how you can get involved and benefit!
Speakers: Eric Anderson, President IDSA, other leaders in design practice and education.

Black Design Network attendees
Black Design Network attendees, June 2009
at NeoCon east Chicago - D421 Launch Event



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