Last week I had the great pleasure of seeing and meeting Karim Rashid here in Saint John. He is one of the most prolific designers with over 3000 designs in production including the famous Oh chair for Umbra.

He arrived on stage, very tall, dressed in a white suit and pink shoes. He was both inspiring and entertaining with an easy going confident style. The theatre was packed with the enthusiastic audience ranging from students to seniors.

Karim spoke of how good design should be accessible to everyone, items that are inexpensive should be equally aesthetically pleasing. Our homes should be filled with objects that are both beautiful and useful. Our sensibilities are as refined as any "celebrities" and we should decide for ourselves what is beautiful independent of what others endorse.

He spoke of how he approaches design by not living in the world but seeing it with the continual fresh eyes of a "visitor" always questioning. Change is constant and the past is irrelevant in his design world. He made the comment that fashion looks to the past constantly chasing itself in a continual circle.

He answered questions from the audience and stayed around in the lobby following to speak to people expressing a genuine appreciation and sincerity. One of the questions asked of him regarded how he chose his clients to work with. He remarked his office is quite wild so if they are uncomfortable in his office it probably won't work out as a potential client. He also said he made his decisions now if there is a connection with the eyes that is the deciding factor. He is a remarkable talent and amazing human being.

Here he is in the lobby with one of many admiring groups of young people. Thank you Karim for sharing your refreshing vision! Follow the JOY! always Debra, CEO!