Designcomm Summit | NYC x Design Tour Event 2024

Designcomm Summit

communication that connects. community that empowers

At DesignComm, we connected the design community with Thought Leaders, Editors, PR Experts, Content Creators, Art + Design Trailblazers, & Business Experts to gain invaluable entrepreneurial expertise and tailored insights. We empowered business leaders to make an impact in an evolving industry while foster meaningful connections.

The DESIGNcomm Summit is an opportunity for professionals to gain invaluable insights into emerging trends, groundbreaking strategies, and transformative technologies shaping the future of design. This Aspire Design Tour event within the esteemed NYCxDESIGN Festival offers an experience designed to inspire, educate, and empower attendees.


Collaboration with aspire design + home & comm collective

Getting Published in an Evolving
Media Landscape

Hadley Keller, Director of Editorial & Community Engagement of Design Leadership Network, moderated a panel conversation with editors Candace Taylor, Features Editor and Reporter of The Wall Street Journal, and Jennifer Quail, Deputy Editor of aspire design and home magazine along with PR experts Jenny Nguyen, Founder, Hello Human and Melissa Mittag, Founder of Collyer & Company to reveal advice on how to elevate your profile, make an impact, and get published. #DESIGNcommSummit

Photography Credit Pratya Jankong | IG @pj_photographer

Candace Taylor @homesimobsessedwith@wsjrealestate
Hadley Keller @hadleykeller @designleadershipnetwork
Jenny Nguyen @hellohuman.us
Jennifer Quail @jqwanders @aspiredesignandhome
Melissa Mittag @melissa_mittag @collyerandcompany

Panel of five women sitting on chairs on a stage during a discussion, with a large screen behind them displaying a close-up of one woman's torso in a black shirt.
A woman sitting on a chair, holding a microphone, participating in a discussion or panel at an event.
Woman with curly blonde hair speaking into a microphone during a panel discussion, with a large screen behind her displaying a logo or title.
A panel discussion taking place on a stage with four women seated and speaking into microphones, in front of a large screen displaying presentation slides, with an audience seated in tiered seating watching attentively.
A woman with blonde hair speaking into a microphone while seated on a panel during an event, with two other women listening; one with curly blonde hair in a floral dress, and another with short dark hair in a black jacket.
Three women sitting on a panel in front of a black background, two holding microphones and one listening attentively.

Capital Creativity: Finances in Design

Patrick D. Sims, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones and Vanessa DeLeon, CEO & Principal Designer, Vanessa DeLeon Associates, imparted designer-focused business advice, offering insights and strategies for achieving financial acumen. Moderated by Patti Carpenter, Principal + Global Trend Ambassador, carpenter + company & Trendscope #DESIGNcommSummit

Photography Credit Pratya Jankong | IG @pj_photographer

Patrick D. Sims @psims01@edwardjones
Vanessa DeLeon @vda_designs
Patti Carpenter @pattictrendscope

Three people smiling and posing together on stage in front of a large screen displaying headshots and names of individuals, with text reading 'DIGITAL THREAD' and 'comm collected'.
A woman with short gray hair, glasses, and earrings is speaking into a microphone while holding a tablet, seated next to a man with short brown hair and a beard, wearing a gray blazer and white shirt, who is smiling and holding a microphone.
Woman with black hair sitting on a chair, holding a microphone, participating in a panel or discussion.
Panel discussion on stage with three people sitting in director's chairs in front of a large screen displaying an image of a woman and text. The woman on the screen has dark hair, hoop earrings, and is smiling.
A panel discussion with three people on stage, two women and one man. The woman on the left has short gray hair, glasses, and is wearing a black outfit. The man in the middle has short hair, a beard, wearing a gray blazer, white shirt, and jeans, and
Three people sitting on a stage engaging in a discussion, with a woman holding a microphone and smiling.

AI Powered Tools & Strategies

Industry leaders Alexia Adana, VP, Director of Creative Technology, Edelman, Daniel Yoder, Co-Founding Principal, STUDY Architects, Jonah Kilday, Co-Owner & Co-Principal Designer, MK Workshop, Michael Opperman, EVP Strategy, Clockwork & Advisory Board, Magik Beans led by Andra Vaduva, Founder, Safe Space discussed cutting-edge AI-powered tools and strategies to support your business. #DESIGNcommSummit

Photography Credit Pratya Jankong | IG @pj_photographer

Alexia Adana @alexiaadana@edelman
Andra Vaduva @andr.avaduva@safespace.tools
Daniel Yoder @study.architects
Jonah Kilday @mkworkshopbk

A diverse group of five people on stage waving and smiling during a presentation or event, with a large screen behind them displaying a collage of portrait photos.
Five people sitting on chairs in a panel discussion on stage, with a large screen behind them displaying an image of a hand.
Two men sitting on stage in black chairs, one holding a microphone, during a panel discussion or interview.
Three people sitting on stage participating in a panel discussion, one woman speaking into a microphone while the others listen.
Five people sitting on chairs on stage, participating in a panel discussion. Behind them, a large screen displays an outdoor scene with rocks, construction materials, and a vehicle.
A man with a gray beard and gray hair speaking into a microphone during a panel discussion, sitting on a black chair on a stage with a black background, another man in a white shirt is sitting next to him.

Monetize Your Brand: Strategies

Alvin Wayne, Principal Designer, Alvin Wayne Interiors, Bilal Rehman, CEO & Principal Designer, Bilal Rehman Studio, Brittany Hennessy, Author of INFLUENCER, Jessica Davis, Founder of Design Firm Atelier Davis, Founder & Creative Director of Nest Studio shared how to leverage direct strategies to effectively monetize your brand through social strategies, sponsored content, and strategic partnerships. Moderated by Byron Cordero, Principal & Brand Strategist, Cordero Consulting #DESIGNcommSummit

Photography Credit Muccitas | IG @Muccitas


Alvin Wayne @alvinwayne
Bilal Rehman @bilalrehman
Brittany Hennessy @mrsbrittanyhennessy
Jessica Davis @atelier_davis

Group of six diverse people standing together at an event, smiling, with a colorful background showcasing portraits and text that reads 'Digital Read.'
Panel discussion with five people on stage in front of a large audience, a big screen showing a bedroom scene, in an indoor venue with second-floor balcony and audience members seated below.
Three people sitting on chairs participating in a panel discussion or interview, with a man in the middle speaking into a microphone.
A woman speaking into a microphone during a panel discussion, sitting between four men on stage with a large screen behind displaying an image of a laid carpet with a leaf pattern.
A panel discussion with five people seated on stage, three men and two women, engaging with an audience. A large screen behind them displays an interior design scene with a coffee table and couch.
Panel discussion with five speakers on stage and an audience seated in tiered seats.