Be Original Americas – DesignApplause

be original americas announces establishment of committees.

Dec 8, 2023

be original americas, the non-profit advocacy organization established to educate and inform design professionals, consumers, educators, students and media about the value of authenticity in designs, begins its 11th year by announcing the formation of three committees. these committees will address the following key strategic areas:

developed to increase visibility and develop new avenues for outreach and education. this committee will plan & support the be original americas fellowship and other programs surrounding education. they will also develop opportunities for outreach to architecture & design firms and universities, as well as update & promote the current ceu accredited courses.
as a non-profit organization, membership and fundraising are key to the success of the be original americas’ mission. this committee will work to expand the membership base and encourage renewals, as well as develop fundraising ideas, special events and other opportunities. they will review and expand upon the current member categories and benefits.
there is strength in numbers and cultivating a community. this committee will plan & support events including town halls, panel discussions, special exhibitions, happy hours & lectures. they will also help develop and plan the annual meeting, which will be held february 6th, 2024, in new york city. they will ideate additional public relations and social media opportunities.

advocacy & education committee:
chairperson: amy auscherman, director, archives & brand heritage, millerknoll
kenneth baker, managing principal, gensler – north central region
odile hainaut, co-founder, wanteddesign & icff brand director
rebecca steiger, senior associate & creative director, tpg architecture
jenny hackley, creative marketing manager, lekker home

membership & fundraising committee:
chairperson: ricardo nabholz, managing associate, studio creative director, tpg architecture
cory grosser, creative director & owner, cory grosser & associates
annie kantor, founder & director of design, modern metal
patricia kittredge, sr. vice president of growth & innovation, lumens community & promotion:
chairperson: john edelman, president & ceo, heller
robert sargent, sales & business development manager, n.a., anglepoise
carly conelli, managing director, n.a., louis poulsen
alex enzbigilis, director of sales, rosendahl design group us
claire pijoulat, co-founder, wanteddesign & icff brand director

coming off the success of the 2022- 2023 exhibition, originality deconstructed, held at ace hotel in new york, palm springs and los angeles as well as a lively auction by wright/toomey & co., be original americas looks to increase its awareness and activities in support of our members and their authenticity & creativity.

[ about be original americas ]
be original americas is a non-profit creative advocacy organization committed to informing, educating, and influencing manufacturers, craftsman, design professionals, educators, media, and consumers about the economic, ethical and environmental value of authentic design.

[ media contacts ]
beth dickstein, bde&co., beth@bdeandco.com; m: 917-969-3808
karen brooking, bde&co., karen@bdeandco.com; m: 917-733-7898

be original americas launches worldwide virtual fellowship.

Jun 3, 2020

be original americas, a nonprofit advocacy organization, committed to informing, educating and influencing manufacturers, design professionals and consumers about the economic, ethical, and environmental value of authentic design. each year, the organization has hosted an annual summer fellowship in which two undergraduate design students roll up their sleeves for an immersive five-week exploration to a multitude of member brands—invaluable exposure for rising design talents.

thanks to the coronavirus and the ongoing quarantine, however, this year’s fellowship will unfold in a slightly different way. from 15 june to 17 july, more than 25 member companies of be original americas will present a series of webinars to a global audience of design students. each session will provide exclusive insights and access to their factories, architecture, and design studios, ranging from emeco’s make things that last culture to herman miller’s inspirational archives. currently enrolled design students are welcome to attend.

so, attention all university students worldwide! want to see behind-the-scenes of what it takes to create and make original design? register now for one or all of the first be original americas virtual fellowship sessions. our member companies will welcome you from all over the world to help you discover your future career path and follow your passion.

#beoriginal @beoriginalusa

be original americas unveils 2019 agenda.

Mar 12, 2019

highlighting achievements in educational programming, growth in support, and 2019 initiatives

new york, ny – the non-profit organization, be original americas, is making great strides aimed at educating the design industry and consumers on the importance of original design. founded in 2012, the organization works to inform, influence, and educated on the value of authentic design while investing in its future.

[ increase in architecture & design members ]
be original americas’ support and influence has continued to grow with the addition of several new architecture and design firms joining the organization. tpg architecture, blatz architecture, rottet studio, bromley caldari, and gabellini sheppard join gensler, studio o+a, and michael graves architecture who pioneered the membership category last year. their stance on original design is critical in educating the end user and corporate companies on why originality is important and valuable in their projects.

[ continuing education unit (ceu) ]
working to make a difference in the industry, be original americas is developing two new ceu courses. the first course examines the materiality, innovation, and creativity that go into creating an original product. the course is currently available to members to present and is approved by aia and idcec, for architects and interior designers.

coming in q3 2019, the second course will delve into social, environmental, and ethical impacts of counterfeits. the courses have been developed in collaboration with peter carey and josina reeves of streamline creative.

[ student design fellowship ]
investing in the future of design is deeply rooted in be original americas mission. the organization is launching the fourth annual be original americas student design fellowship. the immersive, five-week program introduces two undergraduate students to all facets of creating innovative, high-quality products through hands-on, in-the-field learning. applications are currently open until march 21, 2019 through be original americas fellowship

the program will run june 17-july 22, 2019, during which the fellows will visit member companies throughout the united states.

[ 2019 events]
each year be original americas organizes an aggressive program of panel discussions, in addition to ceu events.

on march 27th be original americas, in partnership with louis poulsen and vitra, will be hosting an interactive event in los angeles with design-milk, clever, and several surprise guests. the event will be a first-time live podcast recording with five thought-provoking individuals.

from eames to saarinen, the midwest has played an integral role in the history of design. on may 2nd in minneapolis, our members blu dot, loll designs, and hennepin made will explore how the midwest’s design heritage and industrial innovation keeps them at the center of authentic design creation.

during nycxdesign, be original americas is organizing a panel discussion on may 18th at wanteddesign. more details to come. the organization will host an interactive booth (#1163) at icff, an industry tradeshow that draws over 38,000 attendees. the booth is being designed by member jon sherman, flavor paper and will provide an opportunity to donate in support the 2019 fellowship.

additional events in chicago, san francisco, and more are being planned for the second half of the year.

[ board, officers, and committees ]
2019 officers of be original americas include:
• president: john edelman, design within reach
• vice president: coleman gutshall, bernhardt design
• treasurer: tbd
• secretary: anthony lebron, cappellini

in addition, be original americas is pleased to announce the continued support of gensler and rich brilliant willing as board members for 2019.
since its conception, be original americas has;
• grown to 800 members, supporters, and followers.
• launched an annual student design fellowship in 2016.
• assisted the united states customs & border protection in the seizure of tens of millions of us dollars in counterfeit furnishings.
• developed aia and idcec approved ceu courses and presented it to over 800 interior designers and architects.
• organized over 50 events in 19 cities throughout canada, the united states, and mexico addressing more than 4,300 designers, architects and consumers.
• attained 25 north american, both print and digital, media sponsors.
• recognized as one of 2015’s ‘top 10 most innovative companies in design’ by fast company.

[ about be original americas ]
be original americas is a nonprofit organization that is committed to initiating discussion on the importance and value of preserving original design across the americas, through informational, educational and influential marketing initiatives and other efforts to promote this critical issue.

be original americas charter members – including alessi, bernhardt design, design within reach, emeco, flos, fritz hansen, herman miller, kartell, ligne roset, poltrona frau group and vitra, and board members, gensler and rich brilliant willing – believe that the value of authenticity cannot be underestimated or taken for granted in the marketplace. through an aggressive program of panel discussions and ceu courses, the movement campaigns to establish a set of industry standards that encourages public and professionals, along with our media partners, to fully support creativity and authenticity, to invest in the future of design, to incentivize innovation, and to give back to the industry and the people it serves.

[ for more info ]
be original americas
facebook
twitter
instagram

[ media contacts ]
alyssa young, bde alyssa@bdeonline.biz 212.353.1383
beth dickstein, bde beth@bdeonline.biz 212.353.1383

being original: making the case for authentic design.

Sep 2, 2015

event> “being original: making the case for authentic design” aia and idcec approved ceu course
date> tuesday 22 september 2015 | 12 noon
venue> centro | 4727 mcpherson avenue | st. louis MO
rsvp> by friday 18 september 2015 | office@centro-inc.com
instructor> john james jenkin, ceo, driade

Be Original Americas™ will present their first-ever Continuing Education Unit (CEU) course on the importance of authentic design while delving into the nature of innovation and creativity. The economic, social, legal, and personal costs of supporting knock-offs will be highlighted. This will be held at Centro, St. Louis’ premiere location for the best in design, during St. Louis Design Week. Instructor John James Jenkin, CEO, Driade and a Be Original Americas board member will lead the program for architects and interior designers to earn continuing education (0.1 IDCEC/1 LU AIA) credits for members of American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC). The 2 hour program will include a 1 hour course, networking and lunch.

[ be original americas ]
Be Original Americas, founded in 2012, is committed to educating, informing and influencing designers, businesses, and the greater public on the value of purchasing authentic designs. The goal is to elevate the discussion so that all who appreciate good design also understand the economic, social, and ethical reasons to support the creators and manufacturers of original, authorized design, thereby ensuring its future.

[ centro ]
Cento began in 1988 as a trade showroom representing furniture, lighting, and textiles from around the globe. In 1998, Centro opened its doors to retail clientele in the historic Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis, MO. A showroom expansion in 2003 tripled the size of the showroom. Today, Centro is the exclusive St. Louis retailer for over forty-five of the leading design brands in the world, including B&B Italia, Driade, Zanotta, Tom Dixon, Flos, Cassina, Alessi, Moooi, Cappellini, Artemide, Fritz Hansen, Knoll, and Herman Miller.

is original design good business – be original americas.

Jul 30, 2015

Be Original Americas to host a dynamic panel at Las Vegas Market Center on Sunday 2 August 2015 from 1 > 2p. Moderator DJ Carey, Editorial Director of Cottages & Gardens will lead a panel of design industry experts as they discuss the cause and effects of counterfeit goods on the design industry, raising the question ‘is original design good business?’

Join Carey in conversation with Alessi’s managing director Paolo Cravedi, Design-Milk founder Jaime Derringer, Dwell Store’s director of merchandising Josh Mintz, and SFMOMA Museum Store buyer Howard Thornton as they explore what the future holds if designers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers ignore the current counterfeit problem. To attend the talk, RSVP and for more information.

above> at gensler los angeles // below> at wanted design nyc

Be Original Americas, founded in 2012, is committed to educating, informing and influencing designers, businesses, and the greater public on the value of purchasing authentic designs. The goal is to elevate the discussion so that all who appreciate good design also understand the economic, social, and ethical reasons to support the creators and manufacturers of original, authorized design, thereby ensuring its future. For more information, visit www.beoriginalamericas.com.

event> is original design good for business? be original americas™
venue> las vegas world market center | building c, c174 | 475 south grand central pkwy
date> sunday 2 august 2015 | 1 > 2p

be original americas awarded fast company’s 10 most innovative companies in design.

Feb 12, 2015

Fast Company today announced its annual ranking of the world’s 10 Most Innovative Companies in Design for 2015, honoring leading enterprises and rising newcomers that exemplify the best in business and design. Be Original Americas was named on the list along with Charter Member Herman Miller and 30 Weeks, Ammunition Group, Code and Theory, Gumroad, Ikea, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Beyers, Michael Graves Architecture & Design and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. This honor was passed along to the more than 60 media sponsors, VIPs and Be Original Americas’ members attending the first Annual Members Meeting, held at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum on February 5th 2015.

Most Innovative Companies is one of Fast Company’s most significant and highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. The magazine’s editors spend months gathering and analyzing data on companies around the globe.

antoine roset

In response to the recognition, Antoine Roset, President, Be Original Americas (and Executive Vice President, Roset USA Corporation) noted, “Being part of Fast Company’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Design is great recognition for Be Original Americas. Innovation is what drives our industry, and Be Original Americas is there to share all of the values that make an original product a better product; even a safer product. This acknowledgement represents one more step against copies and knockoffs, as we continue and intensify our mission of informing, educating and influencing individuals and organizations on why supporting authentic design is critical for our economy, our environment and our ethics as a society. If we don’t value and protect authentic design, what is design’s future?”

above> caroline baumann below> jerry helling

Caroline Baumann, Director of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, introduced outgoing Be Original Americas President Jerry Helling (and President and Creative Director, Bernhardt Design) who, along with other Charter Members, addressed the significant progress of the movement and the organization’s plans for the future. The meeting announced the election of new Officers and Board Members, upcoming events, and the creation of related CEU courses for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC), set to be completed by May.

[ Be Original Americas ] is committed to initiating discussion on the importance and value of preserving original design across the Americas, through informational, educational and influential marketing initiatives and other efforts to promote this critical issue.

Be Original charter members – including Alessi, Artek, Bernhardt Design, Emeco, Flos, Fritz Hansen, Herman Miller®, Ligne Roset, Poltrona Frau Group and Vitra – believe that the value of authenticity cannot be underestimated or taken for granted in the marketplace. Through an aggressive program of lectures, workshops and round-tables, the movement campaigns to establish a set of industry standards that encourages public and professionals, along with our media partners, to fully support creativity and authenticity, to invest in the future of design, to incentivize innovation, and to give back to the industry and the people it serves.

FC’s Most Innovative Companies March 2015 issue is now available [ online ] as well as in app form via iTunes, and on newsstands beginning 17 February. Photography by Federica Carlet.

above> knockoffi of fritz hansen’s series 7 chair designed by arne jacobsen seen in tokyo tower. [ see original ] [ see more not original ]