My First Neocon

Chicago. The Mart. Neocon 2012.

A spontaneous post-grad trip, I had no idea what I was in for as I headed to my very first trip to the Neocon design conference.  I had been to small interior design trade shows on field trips in studio classes, but this was so much bigger than I could have imagined.

I traveled with 2 fellow Syracuse University classmates from New Jersey to Chicago on a Sunday afternoon in June.  I was excited to be in a whole new city and walk among my new peers in this new world of design.  After graduating college, I thought I would have this big epiphany as I entered into the real world and I would feel instantly older.  But, in reality, I am still trying to figure out my life post-graduation and where I see myself in the great big world of Design!

Arriving in Chicago, I instantly fell in love with the city, its architecture, and the kind nature of its people (strangers guiding my friend and I as we got lost trying to find the hotel!).  I was ready to see what the Merchandise Mart and Neocon had in store for me the next morning.

Walking across the river in the warm summer sun and seeing the Mart up ahead, I finally grasped just how huge this all was.  So many floors and as wide as two city blocks.  Stepping inside, everyone was bustling around at the early hour of 8AM on a Monday morning.  I felt official as I signed in and received my name tag and strung it around my neck.  I, along with my two friends, took a minute to just stand there and take it all in before diving into the book listing all the vendors, events, and speaker and figuring out where to start.

Our first day at Neocon, we set off to explore all the vendors and showrooms.  We hit the big names we already knew from searching for endless materials and finishes for our studio projects.  We ventured into other showrooms that caught our eye or we had never heard of.  I enjoyed watching other people interact with the products and the exhibitors show off what they had.  Speaking with different vendors, I learned all about new products, materials, finishes, and of course snagged some free pamphlets and snazzy bags.  By the end of the day I was overwhelmed; head spinning with all the new designs I had seen and heard, shoulders weighing with all the hand outs I had collected.

Day two we were ready to go and knew what we were getting into now.  We got up early and headed to the Mart for a speaker, Studio O + A.  The room was packed with early risers eager to see the 2 designers.  After an hour of telling the audience all about their practice and background and designs, I was given insight into a new area of interior design.  I think that's my post-grad dilmena: there is so many options out there, I am struggling with where I fit in and what part of design truly moves me.

Our last day in Chicago was very special, a little trip to Maya Romanoff's headquarters outside the city.  One of my friends had set it all up and we met at their office bright and early.  We were shown all around and got to see some really cool new wallpapers they are working on (I can't say what I saw, but let me tell you, you should be excited!).  We even got to walk through their factory where the unique wallpaper is created.  When Maya Romanoff says their wallpaper is handmade, let me tell you they do not disappoint!  Every little detail is hand done from painting, to laying gold leafing, to placing the tiny glass beads onto the wallpapers.  I was truly amazed at the craftsmanship carried out by these workers!  I loved their papers before, now I am truly IN love!

After our tour, we headed back to the Mart to take one more round of checking out the showrooms we didn't get a chance to check out yet.  I saw so many products that I never would think would have such variety and whole companies dedicated to just one product and aspect of design.  It was a long 3 days, but a very interesting and informative 3 days that I truly enjoyed.

I think I learned a lot from Neocon, and I now have even more avenues to explore!  I recommend designers, architects, and students alike to make the trip to Neocon and see what I saw.  It opened my eyes and I hope to make it back to this event next year.

I think Neocon was a nice wake up call to my entrance into the "real world".  I am coming to grips with the fact that I am no longer a student and on my way to becoming a designer.  With hard work and practice and starting out with my very first full time job, I think I'll soon figure it out.  Until then, I will be exploring and listening and seeing all that is out there for me.  To the future!