Workshops
This year's workshops offered a deeper dive and more intensive onsite learning experience at NeoCon.
This year's workshops offered a deeper dive and more intensive onsite learning experience at NeoCon.
Nicole Meier
Director of Branding, Ultrafabrics
Kimberle Frost
Color and Textile Development, Ultrafabrics
Jill Seale
Founder, Jill Seale Studio
Tannese Williams
Product Manager of Fashion, Home and Interiors, Pantone
Ultrafabrics & Pantone hosted a lively workshop on color theory and its magic in design. Attendees learned from the experts how to master color logic and take projects up a notch. This session mixed theory with hands-on fun, using the Japanese art of Suminagashi paper marbling.
About
Nicole Meier is a distinguished alumna of the Fashion Institute of Technology who has diligently climbed the ranks at Ultrafabrics, a pioneering leader in high-tech performance fabrics. With over a decade of dedication to the brand, she has played a pivotal role in positioning Ultrafabrics at the forefront of the design industry across 11 diverse markets, including luxury and contract furniture, automotive, and even space travel. She has launched trailblazing products like their first biobased collection and navigated the brand's sustainable vision through actionable, time-bound targets. As a recognized voice in the design community, Nicole's insights resonate on global stages and media, driving the conversation on design innovation and sustainable practices
Kimberle Frost, an award-winning textile designer and colorist, has over 25 years of experience as an independent consultant offering services in textile design and styling, color consultation, and textile marketing in both the contract and residential markets. Frost is recognized for her broad range of design and technical expertise along with her strong color sensibility in woven and coated textiles, rugs and hard surface finishes.
Designer and author Jill Seale has crafted a far-reaching lifestyle brand, Jill Seale Design Studio, that has won numerous awards and accolades in the gift and home industry. From the days at her Washington, DC graphic design studio—where an A-list client roster included the White House, the Kennedy Center, and Paul McCartney—Seale has delivered commissions that perfectly encapsulate a unique point of view and a tailored brand story of originality. Fast forward to her current studio in Charlotte, North Carolina where Jill translates her distinctive creativity into home fashions that are inspired by everything from travel and nature to fascinating color stories in every day life. Seale channels the goal of creating work that uplifts and adds a dash of sparkle.
As the Product Manager for Fashion Home and Interiors (FHI) at Pantone, Tannese Williams brings over 20 years of invaluable experience from the fashion industry specializing in fabric, product and color development, color trend analysis and branding for companies such as Tommy Hilfiger, Rocawear, Ralph Lauren, Gaiam and Umbro to name a few. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Textile Technology from the prestigious Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science now Jefferson University, an MBA with a Marketing concentration from Philadelphia University, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of branding and the power of storytelling. Tannese commitment to professional growth is evident in her most recent Product Management Certification from Cornell University furthering her skill sets. Beyond her professional achievements, Tannese possesses a profound passion for color education. She recognizes the pivotal role that color plays in design, as it has the ability to evoke emotions, shape narratives, and create unforgettable experiences. Tannese firmly believes that color transcends boundaries, ignites imagination, and inspires change, making it a critical element for the current and future generations of designers and creatives.
Jaclyn Moser, ASID
Partner, Harken Interiors
Janeallison Ng, ASID, NCIDQ
Interior Designer, III, Associate, Solomon, Cordwell Buenz
John Cialone, FASID, NCIDQ
Partner & Vice President, Tom Stringer Design Partners (TSDP)
Shundra Harris, FASID, NCIDQ, RID
CEO, Founder and Principal Designer, Shundra Harris Interiors
Khoi Vo
Chief Executive Officer, ASID
ASID shared insight on how to discover the secrets of impactful mentorship, from gaining advice, sharing perspective and problem solving. Students and recent graduates engaged with design leaders in conversation and connections as they explored the value and impact of mentorship in the design profession.
Throughout the 90-minute experience, attendees connected with professionals in small groups, heard from expert mentors in a panel discussion and asked questions to gain strategies for navigating mentorship throughout their career.
About
Jaclyn Moser is a partner and owner at Harken Interiors, a Chicago-based interior design studio with a focus on boutique hospitality design and lifestyle communities including luxury multifamily, student housing, and senior living. Harken Interiors derives its name from hearken, meaning to listen, and places a premium on uncovering, developing, and delivering compelling client narratives, beautifully functional spaces, and outstanding user experiences. Founded in 2015, Harken Interiors has imagined from the ground up, completed complex renovations, and connected existing designs with new development. Jaclyn holds degrees in Marketing, International Business, and Italian from Penn State and began her career in advertising with Disney. Jaclyn also has a BFA in Interior Design from Harrington College, and certificates in Hotel Design from Milan’s Domus Academy and Retail Design from London’s Central Saint Martins. With deep roots in hospitality and the human narrative, Jaclyn has translated that sensitivity, aesthetic, and vigor for details into each project throughout multiple sectors.
Janeallison Ng is a Chicago-based interior designer, artist, and humanitarian. Jane joined SCB in 2016 and has engaged in the first Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Opportunity committee, first Data Analytics and Visualization group, internal design competition juror, and co-chaired the Campus Environments Research and Development group. She is an active member in the A&D industry as a NeoCon Judge, CAC Newhouse Architecture + Design Competition Judge, and participates in industry competitions and events. Jane’s practice is dedicated to creating spaces that support student success and promote wellness. She has worked on campuses nationwide designing the interiors of academic buildings, office spaces, dining halls, and residence halls. After her Peace Corps service, she has an inherent drive to continue to volunteer. Jane is passionate about taking what she knows and using it for good with charitable organizations including Designs for Dignity, The Humanity Share, Habitat for Humanity and (re)group.
John Cialone, FASID, is a nationally recognized interior designer and leads a team of more than twenty professionals at Chicago-based Tom Stringer Design Partners (TSDP). As a partner and vice president of the firm, John’s enthusiasm for promoting the interior design profession is contagious. With over twenty-five years of experience, his work has been recognized with many awards and has been widely published in magazines like Traditional Home, Luxe, California Living, Western Art & Architecture, Palm Beach, and Modern Luxury. John credits his business sense and success to the training he received as a young professional through leadership roles in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
Shundra Harris is founder and principal of Shundra Harris Interiors (SHI), a professional member of American Society of Interior Designers, NCIDQ certified and a Texas Registered Interior Designer whose pursuit of thoughtful and intelligent design for all people and all spaces has made her a national leader in Design. Harris has taught seminars, continuing education classes, spoken at various events, and served as a design panelist on various subjects including Designing for Alzheimers, Healing Environments, Design Practices, and more. She currently serves as director-at-large on the American Society of Designers National Board, is a Past President of the ASID TX Gulf Coast Chapter, and has served as Chair of the Chapter Support Team. She now volunteers to write for the NCIDQ exam and is on the National ASID Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Moderated by Khoi Vo.
Khoi Vo is the chief executive officer of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Vo’s professional experience spans interior design, architecture, and education. In 2002, he founded Studio Four Los Angeles, and later founded Khoi Vo Design, where he was the studio’s design director. Vo was assistant professor of interior design at California State University and taught at University of North Carolina Greensboro. At Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), he served as professor and chair and later headed SCAD’s former Hong Kong campus. Vo became CEO of ASID in 2022. He is the recipient of awards including Honorable Mention for the CIDA Award for Excellence in Teaching, the DesignIntelligence Top 25 Most Admired Educators, and a SCAD Presidential Fellowship. He has served on competition juries including VMark Interior Design Awards, Vietnam, Society of Interior Designers, Singapore 2020 Competition and 7th IIDA Annual Best of Asia Pacific Design Award. Vo is an accredited member of the International Interior Designers Association (IIDA), Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) and IDEC Foundation.
Terri Howard
Director of Equity, HGA
Noah Exum, NCIDQ, IIDA
Equity Design Coordinator, HGA
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging are not simply nouns but verbs for the built environment professional. How do we design spaces that are inclusive and take into account the diverse voices of stakeholders of spaces? This interactive workshop provided tools and resources to help and support design practitioners to apply an equity lens at each phase of the design process.
About
Terri Howard is the inaugural Director of Equity at HGA. In this strategic role, she serves as a thought leader to drive equity initiatives, develop internal programming and resources, build external partnerships with diverse voices, and consult on equity in design nationally. Terri has extensive experience implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) plans for nonprofit organizations, government entities, and Fortune 500 companies, including Dane County in Wisconsin, the City of New York, Hyatt Corporation, University of Wisconsin System, and Harris Health Systems in Harris County, Texas. Terri is a Doctoral candidate Leadership from Capella University. She has a Master of Public Service Leadership from Capella, a Bachelor of Human Services Administration/Education from Chatham University, and a Certificate in Workplace Diversity and Inclusion from Capella.
Noah Exum is the Equity Design Coordinator for HGA, a national interdisciplinary design firm. In this unique role, he leverages experience as an interior designer to develop internal programming and resources that integrate equity into every part of HGA’s project work. As a practitioner, Noah works with clients and project teams across sectors to contextualize space and place, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and develop design solutions that advance equity and inclusion.
Rob Schulte
Senior Producer, SANDOW Design Group
SURROUND podcasts' exclusive workshop on “Creating High-Quality Podcasts” Led by SANDOW DESIGN GROUP Senior Producer Rob Schulte delved into the intricate world of podcast production. With over a decade of experience and work with renowned entities like Conan O'Brien and VICE Media, Rob brings insights into the art of podcasting. Attendees embarked on a comprehensive journey through podcast creation, covering critical phases such as episode pre-production, necessary documents and equipment, and post-production. The workshop featured a live demonstration, walking participants through the process from initial prep to recording an interview, and culminating in the editing stage, complemented by projection visuals. An interactive Q&A session provided attendees with personalized insights.
About
Rob Schulte is a southern California-based producer specializing in audio and video podcasts. Rob is the Senior Producer for the SURROUND Network by SDG and has produced podcasts and various forms of audio content for Team Coco, Spotify, SiriusXM, VICE, Mike Sacks, Justin Kerr and more. Winner of: Signal Awards — Bronze for Best Fan Podcast: Vanderpump Robs Eddie & Ozzie — Special Recognition: Overall Brand Extension: SURROUND Pop Sugar — Best of Comedy Podcasts: Parks and Recollection New York Radio Festival — Bronze for Best Health Podcast: Vital Signs