NYCxDESIGN Festival, the week dedicated to design in New York

Date

22 May 2025

Proposals to promote cognitive development and sensory stimulation; academic projects in collaboration with companies that become reality; and IED Alumni meetings to celebrate design. This is our experience at the NYCxDesign Festival

From 15 to 21 May another edition of the NYCxDesign Festival took place and we didn't want to miss it.

The week began with a workshop by Gabriel Zangari, Product Design IED Milano alumnus, who brought the IED methodology closer to the curious and enthusiastic attendants about design. The main objective is to understand the role of creativity as a driver of social change.

The event was held at Salotto, a creative hub located in Brooklyn and founded by different IED Alumni and creatives from different backgrounds. At the end of the session, the second edition of the NYC Alumni Chapter was held with different IED alumni and professionals who came to celebrate design.

Sunday 18 May was the opening of a new edition of the la International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), where we were present with the project "Close your eyes. Explore your senses" in Wanted Design, the space dedicated to national and international design schools. Under this new title were presented a set of educational games designed by IED Roma Product Design students, conceived to be used blindfolded.

It is a collection of games and educational tools whose purpose is to explore the value that the sensorial world can have in education. In a context that is highly connected to the use of devices and screens, the proposals aim to foster the cognitive and emotional development of children through sensorial stimulation. The project was presented at the last edition of the Roma Makers Fair and was supported by the blind designer and artist Lucilla D'Antilio and supervised by lecturer Mauro del Santo.

Also, luxury outdoor living brand Danver Stainless Outdoor Kitchens presented Beyond created by IED Milano alumni Estelle Van De Winckle and Magdalena Herra. The project was their final thesis project during their BA in Product Design, and it will become a reality in 2027.