Dane Austin Named 2024 Designer of the Year by IFDA New England
Dane Austin, founder and principal of Dane Austin Design, recently received the 2024 IFDA New England Designer of the Year Award at the annual Gala Design Award event in Boston.
“This recognition reaffirms our commitment to designing exceptional spaces that inspire and enhance the lives of our clients. I am grateful for the support of the IFDA and my talented team who make our work possible,” said Dane Austin, Principal of Dane Austin Design.
Selected by the judges panel composed of current and past IFDA Chapter Presidents, Austin’s project portfolio presented a beautiful array of award-winning work from Massachusetts, Texas, and the metro D.C. area. His firm philosophy, portfolio, and commitment to giving back all contributed to his selection as 2024 Designer of the Year.
Celebrating Designer of the Year at the 2024 IFDA NE Gala Design Awards
The Gala Design Awards took place September 27, 2024 at the Park Plaza Hotel, co-hosted by Taniya Nayak and David Santiago. Here is Dane’s acceptance speech:
Thank you all for being here tonight. I can hardly express what this moment means to me, especially as I reflect on the journey that brought me to this point.
When I first moved to Boston from Washington, D.C., in 2012, I had already been in the industry for ten years, but starting over in a new city was daunting. I joined every organization I could—ASID, IIDA, and, of course, IFDA.
Within a few years, I found myself on committees, serving as charity liaison, co-chair, and eventually a board member. But it was at one of those early gala events where I had a transformative moment. I was seated next to someone who had just won an award—a fairy godbrother, of sorts. With all the eagerness in the world, I asked him, "What does it take to reach your level of success?"
He looked at me and said simply, "It just takes time."
That advice gave me such relief. I realized I could ease my urgency, trust the process, and let time do its work.
Fast forward to the end of 2018. I moved to the Cape during a renovation and stepped off the hamster wheel of Boston’s hustle and bustle. During that time, I began doing yoga regularly, hiking, biking, walking beaches with my dogs, and practicing meditation. I dove into the works of Eckhart Tolle, Brené Brown, and Tara Brach. I now look back on that time as a spiritual awakening. Some might call it a midlife crisis, but it was anything but. I learned the Power of Vulnerability, the power of Radical Acceptance, the Power of Now, and forgiveness.
I truly believe that forgiveness is the key to happiness. Let it go. Shift your mindset to one of positivity, gratitude, and appreciation. Every morning, when you wake up, tell yourself: I am happy. I am healthy. I am wealthy. I am at peace.
Thoughts have power. Words have power. Actions have power.
I once heard Zaha Hadid say, "The career of a designer and architect blossoms late." And she was right. It takes time-time to find your footing, to figure out what you want, to develop a clear point of view, and to build a portfolio. It takes time to grow your business, attract bigger clients, and establish yourself in the community.
And it takes time to become more of who you truly are.
For that, It takes a village, and I certainly didn’t get here alone. There have been so many who supported me, guided me, and shared their light with me along the way. Your words and your support mean more to me than I can express. I owe everything to the love, encouragement, acceptance, and support of those around me. You know who you are, and I am deeply grateful.
So, as we celebrate tonight, I’m reminded that this award isn’t just for me—it’s for every person who has walked alongside me, who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Thank you for seeing the light and love in me. And thank you for being my village.
Let’s continue to shine, to be unafraid, to lead with love, and to create magic together. The world is waiting for us—and there’s no time like the present. Thank you.
Credits: Dane’s custom bolero shawl, made from timepieces and watch faces, was created by recent MassArt graduate Perla Montan. Professional photos by Evelyn Dow for IFDA New England, with additional photos by family and friends.