96: Confessions from a Trade Show: Designing for the Way People Actually Live

After attending Milan Design Week and then heading straight to High Point Market, I found myself sitting with a lot of thoughts about our industry, our clients, and what actually matters when it comes to design. This episode is a very honest reflection on the contrast between those two experiences and the bigger lesson I walked away with. I talk about:  Why designing for real life matters more than designing for attention   The difference between exclusive design and approachable design   What Milan taught me about industry pressure and expectations   Why practical, livable interiors are not less sophisticated   The danger of designing for peers instead of clients   How to stay grounded in your own design perspective   Why relationships still matter in this industry   The importance of creating spaces that support the way people actually live  I also share some behind-the-scenes thoughts from both Milan Design Week and High Point Market, including what surprised me most during both experiences. If you have ever questioned whether you are “doing enough” as a designer because of what you see online or in the industry, this episode is your reminder that clarity, functionality, and understanding your clients will always matter more than hype. Mentioned in This Episode  Milan Design Week   Salone del Mobile   High Point Market   ASID presentations   Discovery calls and messaging for designers  Text Me a Message! FREE VIDEO TRAINING DIRECT FROM JOHN: Design feels natural. The business side doesn’t. Join this free 39-minute training for interior designers and learn the 3 secrets to building a profitable, stress-free design business without burnout or chaos. 👉 Watch the free training: https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration Support the show 🌟 For all things John and The McClain Method, head to: www.mcclainmethod.com https://mcclainmethod.com/ for information on coaching, memberships, & more! Sign up for my free 40 min training: The 3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming an Interior Designer https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 📕 Order a signed copy of John's book: The Designer Within (or purchase anywhere books are sold!) https://johnmcclaindesign.com/designerwithin Connect With John! YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@mcclainjohn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themcclainmethod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mcclainmethod LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejohnmcclain/