IIDA is proud to announce the return of Design Your World (DYW) to Chicago, Miami, and St. Louis, MO in Summer 2024!

IIDA’s Design Your World is an education pathway program driven by the mission to build equity and diversity in the design industry, by providing high school students with exposure to the possibilities of a career in design. By advocating for the value of design, our members and the industry give agency and access to underrepresented people through the built environment and power of place, and by sharing what careers are available and possible in the industry.

IIDA's Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, says of the program, "Design is such a powerful catalyst for change and for demonstrating human potential. Through Design Your World, a diverse group of students will be empowered to fully realize that careers in design and the creative arts offer unlimited potential. Perhaps most importantly, they will realize—through a curriculum and instructors that represent them—that design is truly ‘accessible’, meaningful and relevant in their lives."

The inaugural program was launched in 2021 in Chicago and has continued expansion thanks to generous support from our presenting sponsor OFS, and participating sponsors 3form, Gensler, Mannington Commercial, Material Bank, and Sherwin-Williams. A special thanks to DYW’s media partner, interiors+sources for their support.

Chicago

Developed and produced by IIDA and supported in Chicago by the IIDA Illinois Chapter and Fresh Artists, Design Your World Chicago returns for a fourth year with a summer program introducing students to the fundamentals and practice of commercial interior design.

Students will develop a basic understanding of commercial interior design including the history and process of design, sustainability, ergonomics, materials and furnishings through practical learning sessions, hands-on projects, field trips, and industry engagement. DYW will also introduce the business practices of interior design, career specializations, and educational requirements—all supported by visits from designers, manufacturers, and design school representatives.

Please check back in early spring when we announce dates, education and instruction team, and program location.

For sponsorship opportunities or more information on how to be involved, please contact DYW Program Coordinator, Sheena Lewis, at slewis@iida.org.

2024 Chicago program supporters include:
Presenting Sponsor: OFS
Additional Sponsors: 3form, Gensler, Mannington, Material Bank, Sherwin-Williams, Blick Art Materials
Media Sponsor: interiors+sources

Miami

Developed and produced by IIDA, and supported in Miami by Black Architects in the Making (BAM), the IIDA South Florida Chapter, and Fresh Artists, Design Your World Miami returns for a third year with a summer program introducing students to the fundamentals and practice of commercial interior design.

Students will develop a basic understanding of commercial interior design including the history and process of design, sustainability, ergonomics, materials and furnishings through practical learning sessions, hands-on projects, field trips, and industry engagement. DYW will also introduce the business practices of interior design, career specializations, and educational requirements—all supported by visits from designers, manufacturers, and design school representatives.

Please check back in early spring when we announce dates, education and instruction team, and program location.

For sponsorship opportunities or more information on how to be involved, please contact DYW Program Coordinator, Sheena Lewis, at slewis@IIDA.org.

2024 Miami Program Supporters include:
Presenting Sponsor: OFS
Additional Sponsors: 3form, Gensler, Mannington, Material Bank, Sherwin-Williams, Blick Art Materials
Media Sponsor: interiors+sources

St. Louis

Developed and produced by IIDA and supported in St. Louis by the IIDA Gateway Chapter and Fresh Artists, Design Your World St. Louis returns for a second year with a summer program that introduces students to the fundamentals and practice of commercial interior design.

“St. Louis embodies the power of future thinking in education and how the design community supports new minds in design, making it an excellent city to host and continue Design Your World’s mission.” - Cheryl Durst

Students will develop a basic understanding of commercial interior design including the history and process of design, sustainability, ergonomics, materials and furnishings through practical learning sessions, hands-on projects, field trips, and industry engagement. DYW will also introduce the business practices of interior design, career specializations, and educational requirements—all supported by visits from designers, manufacturers, and design school representatives.

Please check back in early spring when we announce dates, education and instruction team, and program location.

For sponsorship opportunities or more information on how to be involved, please contact DYW Program Coordinator, Sheena Lewis, at slewis@IIDA.org.

"Design Your World is an opportunity to help young teens discover a path in the industry, but on a larger scale, connect a diverse population of designers that can truly represent this nation's people,” said OFS Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Ryan Menke. “It is critical for the health of the industry and for all the people of this country that are experiencing design outcomes every day.”

To learn more, contact Design Your World Program Coordinator Sheena Lewis, at slewis@iida.org

PRESS

Read all of IIDA'S Design Your World coverage here

Imagine a Place podcast | "We Wrote a Children's Book"
Doug Shapiro of Design Your World (DYW) presenting sponsor OFS discusses the DYW program, and the children's book that the program inspired, Design Your World. A portion of the proceeds from each book directly supports IIDA's DYW program. Listen here

Inspicio Arts | Sept. 2022
Interview with Design Your World Miami instructor Kenzie Leon Perry: Artist + Interior Architect. Watch here

IIDA.org | Aug. 2022
Design Your World returns for its second year in Chicago, and expands to a second city in Miami. Read more

i+s | July 2022
Miami Students Kick Off Design Your World Classes This Summer. Read more

Chicago Magazine | July 2022
Design for Everyone: Cheryl Durst is creating a pipeline for people of color to reimagine the built world. Read more

Great Lakes By Design | June 2022
Design Your World returns to Chicago for a second session in July 2022 in continued partnership with After School Matters. Read more

Floor Covering News | May 2022
Mannington Commercial supports Design Your World Miami. Read more

Office Insight | May 2022
IIDA Expands Design Your World Program Nationally with Miami Launch and Return of Chicago Session. Read more

Floor Trends | April 2022
IIDA Expands Design Your World Program Nationally. Read more

i+s | Oct. 2021
i+s sat down with industry leaders at NeoCon to explore how education can transform the profession of design. Read more

IIDA.org | June 2021
"Design Your World: A Pathway to Design" produced in partnership with OFS's Imagine a Place premiers at NeoCon 2021. Watch here

IIDA.org | June 2021
IIDA is proud to announce the launch of Design Your World. Read more

Interior Design | June 2021
IIDA Launches Design Your World Pilot Program. Read more