Jenniez School of African Interior Design (JSAID), the first and only approved Interior decoration educator in Africa empowered interior designers, skilled workers, manufacturers and small to medium enterprises in the fashion design industry through its Blueprint conference.
The Blueprint conference which was themed “The Business of Design 2018” took place on the 10th of November 2018 at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos state.
Jennifer Chukwujekwe, founder, JSAID said that the idea of the conference came about when Keia McSwain, the president of Black Interior Designers Network (BIDN) decided to come to Africa to empower interior designers.
READ ALSO: JSAID holds annual Blueprint Conference October 3
“This conference is dynamic because it involves expert designers, professionals and business experts who will empower interior designers, skilled workers, artisans, manufacturers and small and medium enterprises in the design industry that will take their business to the next level,” Chukwujekwe also said.
Titi Ogufere, president of Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN), Steve Harris, a sort after business strategist, Keia McSwain, the president of the Black Interior Designers Network (BIDN), and other panelists were the keynote speakers at the event.
The design industry is one of the fastest growing communities in the creative sector. Although emerging talents have learned and developed creative skills, many have limited knowledge and experience on how to run a business.
“Worldwide, interior designers and decorators don’t know how to make money. They don’t understand the business aspect of interior design. They are only interested in the creative aspect of it,” Titi, president of Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) said.
“And in Nigeria, my fear has been that after all these, are we going to die?. Because in most business here, there is no continuity because the structures are not in place. And the business aspect rest on one person,” Ogufere further added.
Nana Spio-Garbrah, the creative director, Blueprint Africa said, interior designers need to be clear to know which strategy is dominative in their businesses. “You need to know which strategy will make you the most money, the one that is more realistic and also make sure you do all the upfront work and research.
JSAID which started in 2016 was founded out of the desire to bridge the gap in the interior decoration education in Nigeria and Africa and ultimately to raise entrepreneurs through design.
