May 14, 2023

Sara Malek Barney, founder and principal designer of BANDD/DESIGN, has officially launched the Designer Alliance, a networking group to unite industry professionals in Austin, Tex. and beyond.

The Designer Alliance sets out to create a range of opportunities for its members, including building and strengthening relationships with fellow designers and vendors, increasing their exposure and credibility, and attending educational and networking events across the country. The result is an open and empowered community of industry experts able to gather and share ideas in full transparency and total confidentiality, allowing for a much deeper, more enriching designer experience.

“Being an Austin native who frequently travels to places like Los Angeles, New York and beyond, I noticed a lack of assembly among my peers in recent years,” Sara says. “I am starting this group to unite industry professionals in several areas, especially those without established design centers.”

The mission of The Designer Alliance is to create an inclusive community for designers in Austin and beyond, where they can connect and collaborate by sharing their ideas, experiences and challenges in a transparent, vulnerable and confidential environment. By fostering an atmosphere of trust and support, the Alliance aims to facilitate deeper connections and meaningful collaborations leading to personal and professional growth. Through events, workshops and mentorship programs, it aims to equip designers with the skills and resources they need to thrive in their careers and make a positive impact in the world.

To celebrate the launch of the Designer Alliance, Barney will host an event for Austin-based design professionals to enjoy an educational panel and an exclusive preview of this new and exciting networking group.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 from 4pm – 7pm CT
WHERE: Four Hands Showroom, 2090 Woodward St., Austin, Tex. 78744

Information for design professionals interested in applying to join the Designer Alliance is available here.