Holiday Thanks — New Members Lock In Your Member Rate Before 2026
As we wrap up 2025, we want to extend our sincere thanks to our members, designers, and friends. Your creativity and continued support are what make the Designer Society of America such a strong and inspiring community.
Looking ahead to 2026, we’re preparing to roll out exciting enhancements to the DSA Professional experience, including our expanded Pro+ Membership Hub and the launch of DSA Connect+, our new member app—designed to streamline your workflow, support business growth, and strengthen community connections.
Pricing will be updated in 2026—lock in today’s rate as our holiday gift to you.
For new members, we’re offering $100 off DSA Professional Memberships for a limited time, making this the perfect moment to join and gain access to everything coming next. With the addition of Pro+ and DSA Connect+, these new tools represent a combined value of $495, offering unprecedented savings when you join now.
For our existing members—this one’s for you. As a thank-you for being part of the DSA community, you’ll receive complimentary access to both the Pro+ Hub and DSA Connect+ app (a $200 value) with your current membership, at no additional cost, for as long as your membership remains active.
Thank you for growing with us. We can’t wait to share what’s ahead.
— The DSA Team
Holiday offer applies exclusively to the $295 Professional Membership. Offer is not valid in combination with any other promotion or special pricing. Rate remains locked while membership remains active. Offer ends 12/31/25.
Accomplished Designer Releases His First Book—Meet Ben, see video below
“The more things you’re interested in, the better your work will be.” – Michael Beirut, Graphic Designer, Design Critic and Educator
While Benjamin Johnston’s main focuses may be interior design and his firm, Benjamin Johnston Design in Houston, he’s also an artist, teacher and tastemaker.
“It was fun writing the book and putting into words what hadn’t really existed in conversation, thought or in process in the office,” he says, “and be able to crystalize and articulate what we did. It was a worthwhile experience.”
In this debut book with Rizzoli, Johnston unveils eight recently completed residences that embody his distinctive aesthetic and design philosophies.
“Our entire industry thrives on collaboration, and I’m really excited to be able to have this book that is really a reflection of the incredible contractors, artisans, craftsman and vendors that we had the privilege to work with throughout this process and be able to have something tangible to really show for all that wonderful experience and collaboration together,” he adds.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Johnston recently to learn more about his design background and his passion for creativity.
No. 9 You're Not Selling Design. You're Selling Transformation.
By Ericka Saurit
Why the most effective marketing speaks to outcomes, not deliverables. Last month, we explored why your brand needs a point of view (and how your perspective, your point of view, is what actually makes you memorable).
This month, we’re shifting focus again. Because when it comes to your marketing message, there’s one mistake that even the best brands make:
Talking too much about the what, and not enough about the why.
Because you’re not just selling furniture, finishes, or floor plans.
You’re selling a future.
An identity. A feeling. A vision of the future that they want for themselves!
AI in Design: How Far We've Come (and How Fast Things are Changing!)
AI is moving faster than ever, and this month’s AI in Interior Design episode with Jenna Gaidusek breaks down exactly what that means for designers right now. From the early days of wonky Midjourney renderings to today’s powerful all-in-one platforms, Jenna shares what tools still matter, which ones disappeared overnight, and how agentic AI is reshaping both the creative and business sides of design.
Curious where AI actually stands—and where it’s headed next?
DSA Insider: Contract Tips, Events and Fresh Reads
Design Contract Tip From Attorney Wendy Estela:
Tip No. 8: Design Smarter with Professional Liability Insurance
Maintain professional liability insurance and ensure your coverage limits are appropriate for the scale of projects you typically handle. You will be surprised how reasonable insurance premiums are and how much peace of mind having insurance will give you.
Maintaining professional liability insurance is one of the smartest safeguards you can put in place as a designer—especially as projects grow in scale and complexity. Even with clear contracts and excellent communication, misunderstandings or unexpected issues can arise: a contractor interprets your drawings incorrectly, a product arrives damaged and the client blames your selection, or a project delay triggers frustration and financial claims. With professional liability insurance, you’re protected from the financial fallout of those scenarios, and the cost of coverage is often far more reasonable than designers expect.
Tune in next month for Wendy's next contract tip, and learn more about Attorney Wendy Estela here.
Upcoming Events:
Maison & Object Paris 2026
At Maison & Objet Paris 2026, the theme “Past Reveals Future” invites designers to explore how tradition and innovation coexist in today’s creative landscape. This year’s fair highlights the powerful dialogue between raw materials and contemporary form, showcasing furniture and objects that feel less like standalone pieces and more like living extensions of craft, memory, and cultural lineage. As you move through the show, you’ll see how designers reinterpret classical techniques to shape modern lifestyles—each creation carrying an imprint of the past while pointing boldly toward the future. For interior designers, it’s a rare opportunity to witness “living design” in action and gather inspiration that bridges heritage with what’s next.
Fresh Reads:
Building on Tradition: The Work of Curtis & Windham Architects
Building on Tradition: The Work of Curtis & Windham Architects highlights how William Curtis and Russell Windham bring classical architecture into the modern era with remarkable elegance. Through Tudor-inspired estates, clapboard farmhouses, Mission-style homes, and neo-Georgian designs, the book showcases their dedication to proportion, craftsmanship, and historical authenticity—while always prioritizing contemporary comfort. With interiors as thoughtfully detailed as their exteriors, each project feels cohesive, livable, and timeless. It’s a celebration of a firm that honors tradition while designing for the way families live today.
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