I am excited to announce the follow up to the Diversity in Design series. Design in Color is my new labor of love a blog the chronicles designers of color and their spaces. Also please enjoy the new e-book which is a collection of the posts from the blog.

Thank you for following the Diversity In Design series, it has been an amazing journey. The video is my personal thanks and an announcement about the future of Diversity In Design. To all of you designers out there consider submitting your work if you have an extensive portfolio to theAfrican American Design Archive, or the Latino Design Archive, or the History Makers Archive. At the very least bookmark those sites so that when you do have work to show you can be a part of the legacy of designers of color.

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 28: Meet Henry Mitchell
Henry is a Brooklyn based interior architect, celebrated by New York Magazine as one of New York’s 100 “best” interior designers. He started his career at Jack Travis Architects and launched his design firm Henry Mitchell Interior Architecture in 1995. His work has since been featured in national publications, coffee tables books as well as on Oprah where he showed off his 750 sq ft home and design solutions for living in a small space. Henry’s approach to design is modern with classic design touches. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Henry in one of the beautiful homes that he designed for a mutual friend, and his attention to detail and ability to bring out the personality of the homeowner is amazing. The home he designed will be in the upcoming design issue of NY Magazine. Henry is currently revamping his website and can be reached at info@hmia.net

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 27: Meet Leydon Lewis
Leydon Lewis, the founder and creative director of Leydon Lewis Design Studio in Brooklyn is a triple threat. Not only is Leydon an interior designer but also a fine artist and furniture designer. Leydon was one of the designers who participated in the first African American showhouse “Harlem United Show House” in 1998 and hasn’t stopped. He designed a space in the 1999 Kips Bay Showhouse as well as countless projects that include luxury residences, public corridors and model apartments. As a fine artist he exhibited in the Harlemworld: Metropolis and Metaphor show at the Studio Museum. Leydon also designs custom cabinetry and built-ins as well as as one of a kind sculptural furnishings. Leydons’ work is classic and quite modern with punches of color that pay homage to his Trinidadian heritage. To learn more about Leydon and to check out his beautiful portfolio of work visit his website.

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 26: Meet Kim Myles
Kim Myles an interior designer and HGTV show host came under my radar after winning reality design series, HGTV’s Design Star. I followed that season to see how my fellow New Yorker and former hairdresser would combine color texture and personality to win the judges over. Her smile is infectious and her design ideas were amazing and aspirational. Kim’s key is color she always surprises you with her selections that at times may seem unthinkable but always work in the space. She also has a knack for playing with textures and layering that add depth and a bit of bohemian rhapsody (if you will) to her spaces. Her show Myles of Style updates spaces that have very little character or color and breathes life into them without breaking the bank, offering up ideas that we can use in our spaces as well. The show airs on Firdays at 4/3c and for those who would like to play catch up you can see past shows here. To learn more about Kim check out both her HGTV site and personal site.

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 24: Meet Aline Matsika
Aline is a NY based interior designer and former owner of Concept Ethnic, a Paris based design boutique. I heard of Aline from friends based in Paris that had told me about her moving to the states and opening up shop in NY. Her shop was based in Soho until about a year and a half ago when she closed. Aline continues her design career in interiors creating contemporary spaces with both French and African inspiration. She has a way of blending Kuba cloth into almost any design style in an effortless and modern way. She covers pillows to French settees and chairs creating timeless and stylish accents. Her reupholstering of antique French furniture in Kuba cloth or raffia from Senegal is inspiring as well as her ability to infuse ethnic artificats into her rooms. Aline makes it easy to see how easy you can blend African textiles and accents into any room. To see more from Aline check out her portfolio on her website.

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 24: Meet Fatimata Ly
I met Fatimata earlier this year when she was visiting the states and fellow DID designer, and we all sat and talked about design, love and life. We talked mostly about design and incorporating African inspired design and African designs into a modern home. I only recently found out that she herself had launched a ceramics collection. London based, Fatimata was a former gallery owner who has since gone on to do a B.A. at Central Saint Martins and launch a ceramics business. Fatimata is a globe trotter traveling all over the Diaspora, Europe and the UK and her work and writings reflect a global perspective. She has created a beautiful collection of chocolate boxes inspired by the Mayan pyramids as well as tin can inspired ceramics that were created for you to think about eating habits of various cultures. Fatimata is an amazing resource and designer and I look forward to seeing more of her work in the future. To learn more about her work visit Fatimata Ly

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 23: Meet Trudy Miller
Trudy Miller is a Brooklyn based designer who started her design career as an architect. She has since branched out to creating both furniture and fashion which she sells from her Brooklyn based boutique Trudy Miller. Trudy’s design aesthetic in both fashion and furniture is all about utilitarian chic, and giving you all she can in form and function in the smallest package possible. Her furniture projects consolidate multiple pieces of furniture into one to offer more space in your home. She has created love seats that do double duty as both seating and storage with shelves and drawers. Trudys’ fashion and furniture both offer style with multiple functions. Trudy has taught at both Parsons and California College of Arts. You can visit her Brooklyn based store to see both her furniture and fashion collections or learn more about Trudy here.

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 22: Meet Robin Wilson
Robin Wilson is an eco-friendly interior designer who specializes in creating healthy homes. Her design firm Robin Wilson Design launched in 2000 is focused on the principles of eco-friendly design: sustainable, reusable, non-toxic and recyclable. Robin doesn’t have the conventional designers background holding a masters in real estate finance, but she has a modern sensibility to design with a great eye for color and detail. She is the designer behind Bill Clintons Harlem office renovation as well as the Kennedy Greenhouse. Robin has authored Kennedy Green House: Designing and Eco-Healthy Home from the Foundation to the Furniture about the transformation of the Kennedy Greenhouse which also offers tips on how to “greenify” your home. Robin’s NYC based firm has branched out into custom cabinetry with a license with Holiday kitchens. Robin spoke yesterday at the Architectural Digest Eco-Friendly Design panel and is doing city to city book signings, if you miss her at a signing you can learn more about her work and design company at Robin Wilson Design.

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 21: Meet Scott Tucker
Scott Tucker is a talented brother that I stumbled on a few years ago after seeing him in a commercial and print ads that were done for Lincoln. He is a Brooklyn based furniture designer who has since added set design and event construction to his portfolio. He has worked and created a spa for Evian, event spaces for Elle Decor and a plethora of scenes and sets for many well known brands. He creates spaces that offer a branded experience for companies with custom designs, staging, and furniture. Scott’s furniture line called Raunjiba is a modern collection of lounges, tables and chairs made of Bamboo, Brazillian teak, and African Mongoi accompanied by rich natural stones. Scott’s work appears to have drawn cultural inspiration from Africa and Native America. His most inspired piece is the Nikko lounge which is a sporty sleek outdoor lounge equipped with wheels to move it about as the sun shines on your desck. Scott’s work is innovative and beautifully crafted. To learn more about his event prodcution designs go here and to see more of his furniture designs check out Raunjiba.