As of this month, nearly a quarter of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. And that number is growing quickly: More than 36% have received at least one dose. Although new strains remain a threat, large-scale immunity, at least in the U.S., seems within sight. So what does that mean for the design industry, which has moved its offices, projects, and fairs into the digital realm for the past year?
One thing is certain: Online activity isnât going anywhere. Even champions of in-person events agreeâlike Odile Hainaut, who cofounded WantedDesign in New York City 10 years ago. Hainaut is currently preparing for the upcoming edition of Close Up (May 17â18), a virtual trade event she and partner Claire Pijoulat launched in October of last year. Although she acknowledges that âpeople are eager to see each other,â she says that her team has recognized that online programming is an effective counterpart to conventional design shows like Wante