The New Era of Designing
Written by Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer
Monserrat is an entrepreneur, interior architect, and sustainability advocate, as well as the founder of Senom Design, a firm dedicated to merging innovative design with sustainable solutions. With over a decade of experience across residential, commercial, and international projects, she specializes in bringing clients’ visions to life through thoughtful, high-impact interiors.
In today’s fast-paced world, the way we approach design is evolving. Collaboration is no longer a novelty; it’s a necessity. As professionals who have taken different paths in the design industry, we’ve both experienced firsthand how meaningful it can be to combine diverse perspectives to bring projects to life. Whether rooted in years of experience or sparked by a fresh outlook, the beauty of our field is that it thrives on reinvention.
As I, Monserrat Menendez, continue to explore how sustainability, wellness, and community engagement reshape design, I’ve found that partnerships like the one with my colleague Dalia Forman allow us to not only share ideas but to challenge and inspire each other. Dalia brings a deeply human lens to our process, emphasizing learning, connection, and the power of adaptability.
It has been said, “Don’t be afraid of a change”, “Find your own path, be happy with what you do.” “Follow your own goal and make it happen.” The quotes and phrases are endless wherever we look. As I write quotes, I have the same experience every day, Dalia reflected. Our minds travel as fast as time. Today’s lifestyle is more demanding than ever and it is hard to keep up all the time. Humans are reinventing themselves or at least looking for a new version of themselves.
A book starts with white pages and gets filled up with time. This means that people are entitled to improve and make changes in their professions. We have seen these actions many times in any industry. Have you ever experienced sharing a classroom with young and adult students in college? This is very common in today’s world. These situations are unique and enhance the learning experience. There is a capability of sharing different observations and welcoming divergent points of view. It could be very intimidating for an adult to open a door and share a classroom with a young student. However, in society, these thoughts are becoming normal. It is becoming acceptable to change careers at any time in life. There are no limitations.
A successful design project has many layers. The complexity is endless. The importance of success lies in how the project is approached. We should remember that working together with a team brings more chances of creativity, discussion, and diverse visions to reach one goal. We do not take things for granted all the time. When there is a team working behind the scenes, we do not feel as much pressure as when working alone. There is a fine line to consider because a lead designer could feel like they are losing credibility. But in general, that is not the case. Collaboration is amazing when you are welcomed onto a team. The advantage is incredible, and the energy that the project gains can be seen in the final results. Teamwork makes the dream work.
Is collaboration at work a new trend? I do believe in it, Dalia explained. The market is open to this idea, as are designers. We can find collaborative work or product development in the market today. Collaboration opens doors to welcome different cultures if the collaborators come from different countries. It could be a young and adult designer working together to develop a home line or a simple product. Does collaboration support creativity? We ask how? First, it takes time to listen and understand what the other person is projecting and creating. It is a skill to learn for some people. Collaboration is a way to show how two points of view merge into one goal and offer the best of both. It sounds like a very simple task, but in reality, it takes courage to do it. It is much easier to work alone without distraction. However, the results are totally different. There is no right or wrong in the equation, just a way of approaching it.
The power to learn from each other is incredible. Interpersonal skills lead us to a new dimension and remind us to look around our environment. It could be from another group of people or immersing yourself into nature. The ability to learn from other sources opens possibilities for improvement and new ideas. This topic is related to collaboration and leads us into a new era of work. Knowledge applies in any field to our own benefit. The benefits are endless because when we interact in a group, our brain starts making new connections instantly. Think about an artist having a personal conversation with their canvas. There is an interaction with their surroundings at the same time. The artist absorbs the energy and transforms it into a painting, reaching the final product. Having the chance of working with artists, I’m able to feel this magical experience on a different level, Dalia said.
A new product could be a challenge to introduce to large markets. The challenge brings the opportunity for brainstorming and finding the right niche. This is an old concept in business. What is new is how the audience will welcome it. The ability to focus on the target is relevant to be successful from beginning to end. It takes another side of design designing the right strategy to show this product to the world. The key is how it is presented and exposed to the correct target. Understanding and analyzing the needs of specific groups and reaching the main goal of offering the best for consumer needs. This process integrates the collaboration of a team with creative minds and strategy, an important action to consider and remember. Dalia’s analysis about this topic.
Research has shown the importance of collaboration, wellness, and mental health. Designing with this in mind creates a new story and era of projecting interiors. Textures, colors, and shapes are relevant in any interior to offer the right balance and experience to the overall design process when it is well executed. Working in collaboration and being open to trying new product lines in any project is the beginning of a new change, a new way of accomplishment.
In this new era of design, the rules are no longer rigid. The beauty lies in fluidity, mutual respect, and the courage to learn from one another. As Dalia eloquently stated, “Collaboration is a way to show how two points of view merge into one goal and offer the best of it.” That statement perfectly captures the intention behind this piece.
As I see it, collaboration isn’t just a tool; it’s a mindset. It allows us to tap into collective creativity and reimagine the boundaries of what design can be. Whether you are an emerging designer or a seasoned expert, the future belongs to those willing to listen, share, and evolve together.
Monserrat Menendez & Dalia Forman:
Dalia Forman is the Principal of Dalia Forman Design and serves as the North America Representative for Curated Collections Worldwide Artists and South American Manufacturers and Fine Art Advisor. Her work bridges creativity and global collaboration, bringing fresh, multicultural perspectives into the design process. Follow her work @daliadebora1
Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer
Monserrat is an entrepreneur, interior architect, and sustainability advocate, as well as the founder of Senom Design, a firm dedicated to merging innovative design with sustainable solutions. With over a decade of experience across residential, commercial, and international projects, she specializes in bringing clients’ visions to life through thoughtful, high-impact interiors.
She is the U.S. Brand Ambassador for U Green, an organization that helps companies become more profitable while empowering people and brands to follow a consistent path toward sustainability through transformative education and specialized consulting. As an Executive Contributor to Brainz Magazine, she shares her expertise in design, sustainability, and innovation. Her mission is to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also responsible and forward-thinking.
