June 15, 2023 – High Point, NC – The Interior Design Society (IDS), in partnership with Thermador opens the application period for the third year of its Diversity in Design Pipeline initiative, which aims to empower a new generation of design talent. Along with a comprehensive prize package that includes a financial scholarship of $10,000 toward tuition, five students entering their senior year at an accredited interior design program will interact with and receive mentorship from selected interior design professionals to further their upcoming careers within the industry. Invitations to key industry events, exclusive training, and a two-year membership with IDS are also included. The deadline to apply is June 28, 2023.
“IDS is thrilled to partner with Thermador once again on this important initiative of building a diverse pipeline of interior designers,” said Jenny Cano, Executive Director of The Interior Design Society. This program is a meaningful collaborative of people and companies who are dedicated to providing an invaluable experience to the future of our industry which is a key component to our purpose as an organization.”
“As a brand that has consistently remained at the forefront of design and innovation, it is equally important to us to drive diversity in design and take a leadership position in our industry,” says Beatriz Sandoval, Head of Marketing at Thermador. “Thermador acknowledges the necessity for greater inclusivity in the design field and takes pride in nurturing an environment where design students have the freedom to delve deep into their talents, passions, and creativity in their careers. This program offers unwavering support, a networking channel, and mentorship opportunities to help set up students for success.”
Prominent industry leaders will also participate in the Diversity in Design Pipeline by serving as judges for the program. The panel will select five incoming college seniors to receive this opportunity to jumpstart their careers with necessary tools upon graduation. The panel of judges includes: House Beautiful Market Director Carisha Swanson; HGTV Design Star Alum Justin Q. Williams; International Designer Tyler Wisler; David Charette, Founding Principal of Britto Charette; and Award-Winning Brazilian Interior Designer Juliana Oliveira.
“It’s an honor to be a part of this great initiative for a second consecutive year and looking forward to the dose of inspiration from the talented students that will fuel the next gen of design,” says Juliana Oliveira, Owner & Principal Designer of Beyond Interior Design. “Within our industry there’s an abundance of progress to be made in order to advance diversity and inclusion and this program is a great step towards building a more equitable and inclusive environment for design professionals.”
To further provide the recipients with the necessary knowledge they will need to successfully embark on their up-and-coming careers within the industry, Thermador and IDS invite professional interior designers to participate in the program by lending their expertise as a guiding resource to student winners. Five chosen trade mentors will act as subject matter experts throughout the yearlong program as outlined by Thermador, and will be invited to attend industry events hosted by the brand and IDS.
Interior design students who believe they have a unique perspective interested in the Diversity in Design Pipeline, along with interior designers interested in becoming program mentors, can both apply via the Interior Design Society (IDS) online application portal now through June 28, 2023. Applicants will be reviewed by the judging panel before the winners and selected mentors are announced in August 2023.
For more information about the Diversity in Design Pipeline initiative, please visit the IDS website.
About the Judges
Carisha Swanson
House Beautiful Market Director
Carisha Swanson is a Georgia native, who spent over a decade in southern Connecticut, and recently moved to North Carolina. In 2013, she joined Hearst as Market Editor for the Hearst Design Group, which included House Beautiful, Veranda and ELLE Decor, with a focus on kitchen, bath, building and technology. In 2018, she was promoted to Senior Market Editor and in 2018 to Market Director for House Beautiful’s print and digital properties. She continues to be a global advocate for expanding consumer knowledge in these key markets.
Tyler Wisler
International Designer
Tyler Wisler is an international, influential, and sought-after designer. His spaces are fashionably aspirational with hints of the unexpected. He’s been featured on hit shows including HGTV’s Design Star, ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s George To The Rescue, and Lifetime’s The Way Home. Most recently Tyler has starred as a judge and mentor on Asia’s biggest design competition show, “The Apartment”, where he is known for tough love and sound, practical advice. His work has been seen in Architectural Digest, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Elle Décor and Better Homes and Gardens. Companies like Kohler, 3M, TIKI Brand, BRIZO, Cosentino, Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore have all collaborated for his edgy aesthetic and authentic narrative. Tyler has most recently taken on the role as Design Director at YWA Studio in Singapore, heading up the interior design arm of this award-winning multi-disciplinary firm!
Justin Q. Williams
HGTV Design Star Cast & Founder of Trademark Design Company
Justin Q. Williams is an Atlanta-based Interior Designer whose love for décor and design developed into starting his business at age 21, Trademark Design Company. Along with being featured in magazines such as HGTV Magazine, House Beautiful, Atlanta Magazine, AM HOME, Modern Luxury Interiors, and many others, he is also featured in Picture Perfect Parties, a Rizzoli International cookbook filled with stylish solutions for entertaining.
Born in the small city of Opelika, Alabama Justin is now a highly sought-after Interior Designer with a vast amount of exposure to all elements of design, which includes photo styling. As a photo-stylist, Justin has worked styling interiors that have graced the pages of many publications. Justin’s hope is to make fashionable yet functional spaces for people who seek him. His life’s work has been helping others live better and he will continue to do that by elevating spaces, one home at a time.
David Charette
Founding Principal of Britto Charette
David Charette has completed compelling design projects around the globe. David’s progressive design initiatives include corporate campuses, GSA, higher education, commercial, retail, and multimillion-dollar residential. David earned a BA and MA in architecture from the University of Detroit and has more than 20 years of experience in urban planning, master planning, zoning, streetscapes, and interior design. Charette’s cutting-edge designs have garnered international press and many accolades, including Interior Design magazine’s Best of Year award, while his integrity and work ethic have earned him the respect of his clients, team, and peers in the design industry.
Juliana Oliveira
Awarding-Winning Brazilian Interior Designer
Juliana Oliveira is a Brazilian interior designer and owner of Beyond Interior Design, a full-service interior design firm based in Dallas, TX. With over a decade of experience, her work is rooted in modern luxury with international influence for residential and commercial properties. With a background in wellness design, the award-winning interior designer co-founded Athlete Centric Design™, a design concept and experience that transforms pro athletes’ homes to recharging stations grounded in health and wellness elements.
With community betterment at the forefront of her work and as a former IDS Diversity & Inclusion Committee Member, Oliveira aims to advocate for the importance of diversity and inclusion within the industry for the current and next generation of interior designers and creatives to thrive.
Oliveira has been recognized as the 2020 Texas Designer for Business of Home’s 50 States Project and the 2022 DHome’s Best Designers List. Her work and expertise lives in Forbes, AD PRO, Rue Magazine, House Beautiful, Apartment Therapy, The Dallas Morning News, D Home, Modern Luxury and more.
About The Interior Design Society
The Interior Design Society (IDS) is an association of professional interior design entrepreneurs focused on helping our members grow their businesses, develop their talents, inspire each other and impact their communities. One of the country’s largest design organizations dedicated to serving the residential interior design industry, IDS embraces four core values including professionalism, community, influence and growth. The IDS National headquarters is located in High Point, N.C.
About Thermador
Since 1916, Thermador has introduced innovative breakthroughs – from the world’s first wall ovens and gas cooktops with the patented Star® Burner, to the Freedom® Induction Cooktop, the first full-surface induction appliance, as well as the Freedom® Collection, the first modular built-in fresh food, freezer and wine preservation columns. Thermador products span two completely redesigned collections: Masterpiece® and Professional. These collections establish a true connection with consumers through Home Connect™, which provides access to personalized content, unique partnerships and customized product guidance. Thermador is part of BSH Home Appliances Corporation, a fully owned subsidiary of BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe and one of the leading companies in the industry worldwide. For more information, visitwww.thermador.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at: www.facebook.com/thermador, @Thermador and @ThermadorHome, respectively.