In this bonus episode of Design Discord, Fernando, Alyssa, and special guest Mika (Fernando’s wife) reflect on what they saw during NYCxDesign. They cover ICFF, Wanted, Shelter, and a few standout independent exhibitions. They talk through the dynamics of booth presentations, the rise of ceramics in contemporary design, and the value of connecting directly with makers. The conversation also touches on the lasting impact of COVID, the tension between creative expression and market trends, and the importance of emerging voices in collectible design. Plus, a few practical tips for navigating today’s design fair landscape.

Mentioned Designers:Eny Lee Parkerhttps://www.enyleeparker.com/https://www.instagram.com/enyleeparker/Jumana Motiwalahttps://www.instagram.com/jumana_motiwala/Mary Ratcliffe Studiohttps://www.maryratcliffe.studio/https://www.instagram.com/maryratcliffestudio/INDO-https://indo-made.com/https://www.instagram.com/indo.made/Design V/Ahttps://www.design-va.com/https://www.instagram.com/designart_va/Jonald Duddhttps://jonalddudd.com/https://www.instagram.com/jonalddudd/Aeny Studiohttps://www.aenystudio.com/https://www.instagram.com/aenystudio/Aronson Woodworkshttps://www.aronsonwoodworks.com/Ian Love Designhttps://www.ianlovedesign.com/https://www.instagram.com/ianlovedesign/Roll & Hillhttps://rollandhill.com/https://www.instagram.com/rollandhill/Colony Design Galleryhttps://goodcolony.com/https://www.instagram.com/colony.nyc/Fort Standardhttps://www.fortstandard.com/https://www.instagram.com/fort_standard/Matter Madehttps://mattermade.us/https://www.instagram.com/mattermade/Steven Bukowskihttps://www.stevenbukowski.com/https://www.instagram.com/stevenbukowski/Luke Malaneyhttps://www.lukemalaney.com/https://www.instagram.com/lukemalaney/Yuxuan Huanghttps://www.yuxuan-huang.com/https://www.instagram.com/yuxuan_huang__/Slash Objectshttps://slashobjects.com/https://www.instagram.com/slashobjects/Emily Thurman Designhttps://www.emilythurman.studio/https://www.instagram.com/emthurman/