IIDA NY Chapter Expands Design Camp Initiative
Program Provides Design-Centric Activities For Inner-City Children
The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) is proud to share its renewed efforts to expand the scope of the ongoing Design Camp program, which aims to inspire and expose K-12 students to interior design. Most recently, the team hosted a photographic printing workshop about incorporating nature into illustrations, textures and patterns for students, ages 4-16. Ted Moudis Associates provided free space for the past two Design Camp events at the workplace design firm’s New York City headquarters.
“As interior designers, we are committed to helping foster the next generation of professionals,” said Rachel Robinson, Design Camp Committee Co-Chair and Studio Design Principal at Ted Moudis Associates. “We’re excited to continue providing opportunities for learning and growth for kids from underrepresented groups, demonstrating the power and potential that design has to enrich lives.”
Initially conceived in 2018 by IIDA NY’s Student Development committee, the Design Camp program has since worked with hundreds of students. “Design professionals representing firms throughout New York State help children from a broad range of socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds access design, not only as a possible career path, but also as an educational and therapeutic experience,” said Robin Reigi and Elisabeth Mejia, VPs of IIDA NY’s Student Development committee.
Moving forward, Design Camp will integrate with additional IIDA NY committees, introducing Design Camp participants to Knowledge Forum events. They will receive the opportunity to be mentored by college students, tour schools and apply for grants.
IIDA NY has also partnered with notable organizations like the ACE Mentor Program of America (ACE), an award-winning program designed to attract students to pursue careers in architecture, construction and engineering. Through the partnership with Design Camp, ACE has sought to expand involvement to help capture broader student audiences, ultimately exposing an increasing number of potential future designers to the profession. In addition to ACE, programs like the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) pre-scholarship program increase student access to design by funding enrollment for a series of design-centric courses throughout the summer.
“At its core, Design Camp is centered around student development,” said Lisbeth Jimenez, Design Camp Committee Co-Chair and Senior Project Designer at MKDA. “Increasing access to education through partnerships with leading organizations like ACE and FIT provides students with even greater opportunities to discover their passions. We look forward to their continued cooperation and collaboration in the future.”
For more information on IIDA NY’s Design Camp, programming, and other student development opportunities for the coming year, please visit iidany.org/education/student-development
About IIDA NY
The IIDA New York Chapter (IIDA NY) is a professional networking and educational association of more than 800 Members in five specialty Forums. IIDA NY provides its Members with the resources to reach expertise, knowledge and contacts. Networking events allow professionals and industry members to connect on more personal terms that encourage trust, collaboration and innovation. In 2021, IIDA NY formed Equity Council, an independent, open and inclusive body of participants who may or may not be members of IIDA. Their goal is to foster engagement and accountability toward meaningful change in the design industry, advocating for increased equity in the field through four key pillars: inclusion, diversity, education and communication. The Chapter is proud to have been recognized as IIDA Large Chapter of the Year in 2011, 2008, 2001 and 2000. For more information, visit: http://www.iidany.org/.
