ASID NJ's Student & Emerging Professionals Week Offered Diverse Learning Opportunities

THE ASID NJ 2023-2024 Board at Samuelson Furniture, including from left to right, Jaydah Ruiz, Student Rep to the Board; Paul Sarrubbo, Membership Director; Marina Umali, President; Jeffery McCullough, Professional Development Director; Judi Crook, President-Elect; and Marilyn LaVergne, At-Large Director.

The New Jersey Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID NJ) hosted the Student & Emerging Professionals Week on February 21-24. The week consisted of diverse and enriching programs for attendees.

“It fostered growth and camaraderie within the design ASID NJ community,” said Marina V. Umali, ASID, CID, and Chapter President.

The week began with Samuelson Furniture, where President Lawrence Chalfin and EVP Michael Chalfin led a tour through their Paterson facility. Attendees were able to witness the intricate handcrafted pieces alongside cutting-edge CNC manufacturing technology, illustrating the company's rich history and innovative spirit catering to esteemed clients like the Four Seasons.

A virtual NCIDQ/CID session featured Matt Barusch of CIDQ providing insight into the exam, complemented by personal anecdotes from President-elect Judi Crook, ASID, CID, and Cynthia Peralta-Brito, ASID, CID. Then, insights by Diane Goté, FASID, into the path to becoming a Certified Interior Designer in New Jersey offered valuable clarity.

A Showroom Crawl began with Elliot Laniado of Window Treats in Red Bank, N.J., who explored the evolution of window treatments, focusing on Hunter Douglas innovations. Ren Miller, Editor-in-Chief of Design NJ magazine, shared tips on pitching projects for publication, while Melissa Fotusky of Sherwin-Williams presented a CEU on the Colormix Forecast 2024 and the Color of the Year, Upward, a breezy, blissful blue.

The last day’s virtual sessions delved into essential career preparation tips from Kate Kennedy, Allied ASID, and Meghan Maldonado, Allied ASID. Finally, MJ Divino, ASID, CID, and Chair of the Interior Design Program at Kean University, discussed mental health support for students, supplemented by experiences from recent grads Julia Giovanelli, Allied ASID, and Kerri Neumann, Allied ASID, which underscored the importance of well-being in the interior design profession.

Sponsors included: Samuelson Furniture, Window Treats, Sherwin-Williams and Chapter sponsor Design NJ.