Chicago Design Week is now behind us, and oh, what a week it was.
If you haven’t heard, the City of Chicago officially recognized the second week in June, when NeoCon and Design Days occur, as Chicago Design Week. From deeply illuminating keynotes and panel discussions to playful activations and lively showrooms, the multi-day event was an immersive, enlightening, exciting ode to the undeniable power of design. (Speaking of excitement, here’s looking at you, Turf, IIDA’s first-ever Best of Chicago Design Week awardee, which had DJ booths in its showroom and the nearby freight elevator).
At IIDA, we’re still thinking about the thrilling design moments and engaging dialogues we witnessed during Chicago Design Week. Below you’ll find some of the most thought-provoking commentary we heard — food for thought as we all consider, and help shape, the future of our industry.
On the Purpose and Power of Design
“Design holds the power to create belonging — to shape spaces that heal, that invite, and that finally tell stories often left out of the blueprint.”
— Tilanka Chandrasekera, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Design and Merchandising at Oklahoma State University and IIDA’s 2025 Educator of the Year
“To see one another. To recognize one another. That’s the heart of what we do.”
— IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA
“Design is more than aesthetics. It shapes connectivity, future experiences, and future perceptions.”
— Mark Bryan, IIDA, Senior Foresight Manager at the Future Today Strategy Group and IIDA’s Futurist-in-Residence
“We don’t just design spaces. We design futures.”
— Stacey Crumbaker, IIDA, Assoc. AIA, Associate Principal at Mahlum and incoming President of IIDA’s International Board of Directors
On Inclusion and the Role of Designers
“We signed up to design for everyone, and we have to own that. It takes awareness and training. We need to stop and acknowledge the perspectives we’ve ignored, because that’s what makes space for innovation.”
— Jessica Bantom, Assoc. IIDA, Global Leader of Equity, Diversity, and Belonging, DLR Group
“When it comes to learning environments, it’s critical to design with the brilliant minds of the next generation — not for them. We have to understand their sense of choice and urgency. Creativity, discovery, wonder, and awe all need to be preserved. As designers, we can help facilitate change while also maintaining balance.”
— Erin Jennings, IIDA, AIA, Principal, Luminaut
“As designers, we’re challenged to make sure human beings stay in touch with one another. At the end of the day, we all feel the need to connect.”
— Tom Polucci, FIIDA, AIA, Firmwide Director of Interiors, HOK
“Design intuitively … ask questions. Involve people in the conversation.”
— Joey Shimoda, FIIDA, FAIA, Co-Founder, Shimoda Design Group
On Perspective and Responsibility
“Holistic is majestic. When we think in silos, we build in silos.”
— Annie Jean-Baptiste, Director, Products for All at Google and Author of “Building for Everyone”
“Don’t reduce effort for yourself, reduce effort for others. That’s where innovation becomes impact.”
— Chris Barton, Founder and Creator of Shazam
“I think it’s on all of us in the design industry to create culture.”
— Royce Epstein, Ind. IIDA, Senior Director, Design Insights at Mohawk Group
Vasia Rigou is Senior Writer for the International Interior Design Association and Design Editor at Newcity, a Chicago arts and culture publication.
