Don't Miss The Bus Next Time.

WestWeek 2010 (March 24 & 25) was quite the adventure here at the Design Institute.

Sponsored by the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, this internationally-recognized annual design trade event provides anyone attending a phenomenal opportunity to prowl the "Blue Whale" (the industry nickname for architect Cesar Pelli's 1975 building) exploring furniture options and rubbing elbows with thousands of decorators, top industry speakers, and industry professionals.

We sent our own delegation of 37 excited student designers and faculty to Los Angeles for this annual event of showroom programs, book signings, exhibitions, product launches and the 14th annual 'Stars of Design' ceremony. For many it was their first look at the treasure trove of furnishings, fabrics and accessories displayed in the showrooms of LA's largest design center. There was a palpable thrill in the air as they found themselves immersed in the very heart of Los Angeles' design district – home to the latest in interior design trends, urban landscaping, photography, contemporary art and architecture.

A day of non-stop excitement included a most informative tour of the Kravet/Lee Jofa showrooms, led by Elliott Halem, VP of Sidney Goldberg and Associates. Then there was time to select some personal favorites, order memo samples, and take one last look at scenic Los Angeles from the glass escalator bay.

With bags full of information and lots of great stories to share about all they'd seen and done, 37 tired but talkative future interior designers boarded the bus and headed back to San Diego. They're all eagerly awaiting the next Pacific Design Center field trip.

And did you know about the Kravet and Lee Jofa Student Fabric Resource Center that's now opened up in DI's library?

Signing up for our next field trip is easy!