As a product designer I spend a lot of time going to tradeshows, trend forecasts, meetups and networking events and always notice the lack of diversity in the room. For the last few years I have spoken to other designers and even bloggers about why nobody ever does a designer of color spotlight atleast during the month of February. I decided over a week ago to fill the void myself. My inspiration came most recently from following Wayne Sutton and his #28 Days Of Diversity: People Impacting Social Media blog. I have connected and learned about fellow colleagues in social media that I was unfamiliar with and hope to offer the same benefit by introducing you to a few brilliant creatives in the world of design. Sure we are jumping into the beauty of a new month, but history of people of color is happening daily. So lets continue into March, celebrating the color of design.

Day 13: Meet Bill Johnson
Bill Johnson started his career in furniture sales and after years of study in everything from 3 dimensional metal sculpting and interior design. He opened an interior design studio in 1995, later advancing to furniture and fabrication design. Bill’s designs are heavily inspired by nature which is seen by the fluid organic lines in many of his tables as well as the colors and textures used in his interior design projects. Bill’s aesthetic is unique and organic and has recently extended into a vintage leather apparel line. To see more of his work in design, sculpture, and interiors check out his website Bill Johnson Studio.

As a product designer I spend alot of time going to tradeshows, trend forecasts, meetups and networking events and always notice the lack of diversity in the room. For the last few years I have spoken to other designers and even bloggers about why nobody ever does a designer of color spotlight atleast during the month of February. I decided over a week ago to fill the void myself. My inspiration came most recently from following Wayne Sutton and his #28 Days Of Diversity: People Impacting Social Media blog. I have connected and learned about fellow colleagues in social media that I was unfamiliar with and hope to offer the same benefit by introducing you to a few brilliant creatives in the world of design. Sure we are jumping into the beauty of a new month, but history of people of color is happening daily. So lets continue into March, celebrating the color of design.

Day 12: Meet Imani Powell and Kaza Razat of Spye Design
I stumbled on this duo sometime last year and have been a big fan of the edginess of their designs ever since. There is a wittiness to their designs that are inspired. They are product designers based in Harlem that design items with an urban edge that are innovative and fun. One of my favorite designs is their brass knuckle soap, so you can go hard on the dirt. Their “melt candle” not only reminds us to take the candle literally but they also designed it “as a reminder of the fate of the worlds glaciers and ice caps” (quote pulled from site). Conversational design should be a welcome addition to all homes, design that makes you think or chuckle warms the heart and the home. Spye Design does a great job of capturing that essence while still remaining edgy. I am looking forward to seeing what they come up with next. To see more of their work visit Spye Design

All pictures courtesy of the Spye Design website
Spye Design will be a part of one of the upcoming “Laidback Experience” episodes in a few weeks.

As a product designer I spend alot of time going to tradeshows, trend forecasts, meetups and networking events and always notice the lack of diversity in the room. For the last few years I have spoken to other designers and even bloggers about why nobody ever does a designer of color spotlight atleast during the month of February. I decided this weekend to fill the void myself. My inspiration came most recently from following Wayne Sutton and his #28 Days Of Diversity: People Impacting Social Media blog. I have connected and learned about fellow colleagues in social media that I was unfamiliar with and hope to offer the same benefit by introducing you to a few brilliant creatives in the world of design. On this last day of February we press on with what was traditionally called Black History Month and continue to introduce you to designers of color because we continue to create history.

Day 8: Meet Ruth Babajide
Ruth is a recent graduate of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design who studied Ceramic Design and recently launched Merbi. Merbi is comprises her collection of ceramic design of table and giftware. Her designs show influence from her Nigerian culture where she introduces ceramic canisters which she says is “designed to introduce the Nigerian culture of storing large quanitites of dry food to a western audience.” The beautiful canisters can be used to hold everything from food to jewelry to notions with style. There is a real elegance to the simplicity of the colors, shapes, and the organic illustrations on the ceramics that add to its allure. To see more of her work visit her site Merbi.

As a product designer I spend alot of time going to tradeshows, trend forecasts, meetups and networking events and always notice the lack of diversity in the room. For the last few years I have spoken to other designers and even bloggers about why nobody ever does a designer of color spotlight atleast during the month of February. I decided this weekend to fill the void myself. My inspiration came most recently from following Wayne Sutton and his #28 Days Of Diversity: People Impacting Social Media blog. I have connected and learned about fellow colleagues in social media that I was unfamiliar with and hope to offer the same benefit by introducing you to a few brilliant creatives in the world of design. Sure it is already 27 days into the month, but we are creating black history daily, so please join me for the ride over the next 28 days and explore the amazing color of design.

Day 7: Meet B. Smith
B. Smith is a trailblazer in the area of lifestyle and design for African Americans. B. Smith who was formerly a model has transcended her grace, style and elegance into a lifestyle, known foremost for her restaurants in NY, D.C, and Sag Harbor. The beauty and elegance of the restaurants brought Bed, Bath & Beyond knocking on her door to create a home collection, which debuted in 2001. Her collection is the first line by an African American to be sold at a nationwide retailer. She has everyhing from duvets, window treatments, bathroom accessories, candles, art and rugs in the collection. She also has licensed products including wall art, mirrors, and furniture. B. Smith is conquering everything from design to media, with 2 cookbooks, and a new tv show set to air this year. B. Smith is every woman. To read more about B. Smith check her website, to see the entire collection for Bed, Bath and Beyond go here, and for her restaurants click here.

Perusing Kanye’s new blog I found all the pattern and color inspiration I need for my new Spring/ Summer line. It’s a collection of photography called Tribal by Herring & Herring Great find Ye, to see more photos where this came from go here.

As a product designer I spend alot of time going to tradeshows, trend forecasts, meetups and networking events and always notice the lack of diversity in the room. For the last few years I have spoken to other designers and even bloggers about why nobody ever does a designer of color spotlight atleast during the month of February. I decided this weekend to fill the void myself. My inspiration came most recently from following Wayne Sutton and his #28 Days Of Diversity: People Impacting Social Media blog. I have connected and learned about fellow colleagues in social media that I was unfamiliar with and hope to offer the same benefit by introducing you to a few brilliant creatives in the world of design. Sure it is already 25 days into the month, but we are creating black history daily, so please join me for the ride over the next 28 days and explore the amazing color of design.

Day 5: Meet Stephen Burks
Stephen Burks is a one of the most well known American Industrial designers to date. I have seen the NY Based designer in tons of magazines including ID, Wall Paper, and Elle Decor and have always been impressed with his range of design. He has designed everything from packaging (fragrance), interiors, lighting, furniture, and textiles. This young brother has won fellowships, design awards and even served on the board of the Cologne Furniture Fair. He has international acclaim, regularly working and collaborating on projects here and overseas through his studio Readymade Projects. To check out his impressive portfolio which includes collaborations with Vitra, and Missoni click here.

First photo credit to Esquire magazine, two photos on the right courtesy of the readymadeprojects website.