Last week I had the pleasure of leading a workshop at one of my favorite places in the city—The Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Working with kids on design projects is always fascinating and fun. All the kids I met were so talented and bright. During my workshop, I explained the process of turning inspirations into patterns for textiles—just like we do here at DwellStudio. I walked the group through my concepting process for our Skyline pattern, which was inspired by the sweeping city views from our Studio. Next, I had the kids hit the craft tables to develop their own prints based on their inspirations. At the end, I held mock design reviews with each of the kids to give them a chance to present their ideas and to encourage them to think about how they would translate their patterns into pillows, rugs and duvet sets. It was very cool to hear all their ideas! Spending time with this bunch of pint-sized Picassos was so refreshing! Here are a few snaps from the afternoon…

and thank you to CMOM for hosting me—it was a lovely afternoon!

We love that Christiane's CMOM workshop made it onto New York Magazine's coveted Critics' Pick list! If you're in the city tomorrow afternoon stop by the Children's Museum of Manhattan to hear Christiane speak about transforming her inspirations into DwellStudio products. If you can't make it to Christiane's workshop check the schedule for the full list of Meet the Designer events and swing by the Design Studio—it's open all summer!

Hope to see you there!

Meet the Designer: Christiane Lemieux

Wednesday, August 1 at 2pm

Children's Museum of Manhattan

212 W. 83rd St., near Broadway

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One of my favorite museums in the city—the Children’s Museum of Manhattan—recently opened its new Design Studio!

I love supporting CMOM and their commitment to engaging little ones through arts education. I'm always interested in helping in any way I can, so when the curators at CMOM asked me to be a part of this new exhibition, I jumped at the opportunity. It’s so important to instill a passion for discovery in children from a young age.

The space is primed for creative collaboration with large worktables, engaging projects and lots of room for learning and problem solving through design. Along one of the walls is a project board outlining our design process here at DwellStudio based around our Skyline pattern. Little ones can see all the steps of our process from selecting Pantone colors, sketching patterns to producing pillows and bedding based on the print.

Plus, on August 1st at 2pm, I'll lead a workshop as a part of CMOM's Meet the Designer series. During my workshop we'll talk about the process of transforming our inspirations into prints and textiles—just like we do at DwellStudio. I’m so honored and humbled to be included in this series along with other amazing design-savvy women like hat designer Lola Ehrlich, Grensler architect Belinda Watts and theater set designer Rachel Hauck. I love working with kids and helping them to discover new ways of viewing the world around them (and learning from them!). If you’re in the city this summer drop by the Design Studio with your little ones. Who knows, this exhibit may just inspire the next wave of innovative designers.

The NYC Design Studio at CMOM will be open until August 31. Hope to see you there!

(Images via CMOM)