Vignelli Center Lecture: What Does it Really Take to Build a Career in Design?

What does it really take to build a career in design? Design leaders from across different disciplines share the stories behind their careers – the mentors who guided them, the challenges they faced, the risks they took and the moments of luck that changed their direction. Learn about their personal experiences of recognizing opportunities, overcoming setbacks and how a passion for design can turn into a life in design.

The event — part of the Vignelli Center for Design Studies' Design Conversations Lecture Series — is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in Wegmans Theater (MAGIC Spell Studios). It is titled "Be Original Americas — Support, Challenges & Luck: The Road to Success in a Career in Design"

Speakers 

Casey Baxter, Vice President & General Manager - HBF & HBF Textiles

Omar Nobil, Senior Vice President, Creative Director of Product Design, Brand Creative, Visual Merchandising - Design Within Reach / MillerKnoll

James Cull, Design Director and Principal of Rottet Studio New York

About Casey Baxter

Casey Baxter joined HBF and HBF Textiles as Vice President and General Manager in April 2021. Based in New York City, she brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across sales, marketing, product development, and brand strategy within the commercial interiors industry. Throughout her career, Casey has focused on building and growing premium, design-driven brands, holding leadership positions with industry leaders including USM Modular Furniture and Bernhardt Design.

Known for her ability to connect people, ideas, and opportunities, Casey has built a reputation as a collaborative leader who cultivates strong relationships across the architecture and design community, notably through industry organizations such as the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Female Design Council, and Be Original Americas, where she serves on the Board of Directors.

At HBF, Casey has led strategic partnerships that elevate brand visibility and deepen engagement within the design community. Notable collaborations with JUNIPER and ABC Stone have created innovative products, cross-brand experiences, and meaningful opportunities for customer connection.

Passionate about authenticity and innovation, Casey champions original design and collaborative leadership, bringing together diverse perspectives to drive growth and advance the commercial interiors industry.

About Omar Nobil

Omar Nobil joined MillerKnoll in October 2022 as Creative Director for Design Within Reach. Omar leads product design, brand creative and visual merchandising for DWR, Herman Miller and Knoll. Since joining DWR he has led the creative for collaborations with Vitra, Nick Cave, Paul Smith, Tracee Ellis Ross, Willy Chavarria, Sandy Liang and Boutique Homes. In 2026, he was included in the Wallpaper Magazine’s list of 400 people shaping creative America.

Prior to Joining the brand Omar has worked across multiple design disciplines but primarily in fashion. He was Vice President of Women’s Design at Banana Republic where he led the transformation of the women’s division to a majority percentage of premium, sustainable fabrics. He launched multiple new businesses including an athleisure collection (BR Sport) and inclusive intimates (True Hues).

Omar led collaborations with multiple celebrities and established the brand’s working relationship with Harlem’s Fashion Row- an organization focused on spotlighting talent in BIPOC communities. He also initiated a Banana Republic sponsored design competition for students at California College of the Arts and was a guest juror for the senior thesis students for multiple years.

In 2021, he co-founded Unincorporated Associates, a multi-discipline design studio covering architecture, apparel and custom automotive design for high end residential real estate developments. The studio focused on utilizing state of the art, energy efficient technology.

About James Cull

James Cull is the Design Director and Principal of Rottet Studio New York. He leads a talented team of architects and designers who create functional, aspirational, and layered interiors for leading hospitality, residential, and retail clients around the world.

He is a hands-on director and moves seamlessly between all building scales and disciplines—from master-planning to bespoke furniture detailing—crafting compelling spaces that have a strong vision, and rigorous approach. James is passionate about establishing a compelling design narrative, and devising immersive sensory experiences that authentically embrace “a sense of place”.

Over his career, James has designed bespoke interiors for landmark luxury brands such as Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Belmond, Park Hyatt, Peninsula Hotels, Wynn Resorts, Viking Cruises, Canyon Ranch, Guerlain LVMH, Barney’s New York, Equinox, Citi Bank, Bernhardt, and the New York Stock Exchange. His projects have been featured on the covers of Interior Design, Hospitality Design, and Sleeper magazines; and has exhibited his furniture at ICFF New York, and the Salone di Mobile Milano.

James holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Art History from Boston University, and started his career in New York working at contemporary art galleries in Chelsea. One summer, a chance design course opened a new door, and led to a Master of Science in Interior Design from Pratt Institute. Prior to joining Rottet Studio in 2016, James was a senior designer at Yabu Pushelberg. In 2018, James was awarded Interior Design magazine’s “HiP Award for Designer of the Year” in the Rising Star category; and in 2021, Hospitality Design magazine honored James with the “Wave of the Future” award.