This holiday season instead of a gift which may not have a lasting affect on the children in your family, why not introduce them to the fields of architecture and interior design?   One of BIDS' (www.blackinteriordesigners.com) primary goals is to expose our African-American youth to the fields of architecture and interior design. Here are shocking statistics which you may be unaware:

1.) Of the 120,000 licensed architects in the U.S. barely 2,000 are African-American and currently practicing.

2.) Of the 30,000 members of the American Society of Interior Designers, less than 1,700 are African-American.  

About BIDShowcase: Blackinteriordesigners.com is the first and only ezine exclusively featuring African-American residential and commercial interior designers. BIDS is determined to impact the future growth of African-Americans in architecture and interior design by collaborating with other professionals and establishing nationwide mentoring programs.

BIDShowcase Architecture and Interior Design Kits: We ask: Does your child doodle, sketch cartoon characters, draw cars, graffiti, or often rearrange furniture in his or her room?

Why ask? Because developing confidence with one's God-given artistic talent while young, means regular exposure to drawing, sketching and visualization skills BEFORE beginning high school and college level design courses.

African architects and builders were trained to perform skills from an early age and later apprenticed to become masters of their craft. Why would it be any different today?   By exposing our young to "tools of the trade," we rid them of the "mystery and intimidation" of architecture and interior design.  Even Frank Lloyd Wright was "gifted" with (from his mother) the right tools at the right time.   

The importance of Visualization and Math for Designers:
"The maple-wood blocks...are in my fingers to this day," said Frank Lloyd Wright, attesting to the influence of the Froebel blocks on his work. As a young child, his mother purchased these building blocks for him.

BIDShowcase design kits comes with a set of the same Froebel blocks praised by architects around the world! We've also included a catalog featuring prominent 19th and 20th century African-American architects and interior designers. 
Your child receives exposure to geometric visualization; terminology and drafting technique; plus basic tools and equipment required for architecture and interior design. We've organized two levels of kits based on age:

Designer Kits For Youth ($210.00), Ages 8-12 includes:
1.) A BIDShowcase publication showcasing 19th and 20th century African-American architects and interior designers.
2.) A Beginner Drafting and Interior Design Kit with Carry Case
3.) 91 piece set of "Fro-Blocks." The original building blocks designed by Friedrich Froebel. The precision of these beechwood blocks has won international praise from Architects.

Designer Kits For Youth ($260.00), Ages 13-18 includes:
1.) A BIDShowcase publication showcasing 19th and 20th century African-American architects and interior designers.
2.) A Beginner/Advanced Drafting and Interior Design Kit with Carry Case
3.) 91 piece set of "Fro-Blocks." The original building blocks designed by Friedrich Froebel. The precision of these beechwood blocks has won international praise from Architects.  

BIDShowcase has a dedicated ordering page for these kits posted on the website.  Go to:  http://blackinteriordesigners.com/BIDSYOUTH.html Kit orders must be confirmed by October 20, 2007 to meet  Holiday Season shipping deadlines.  (Shipping Fees are included at checkout.)

Architecture and Interior Design in 2030
Imagine if our children truly understood the impact of African culture on modern day design:
1.) African architecture is our source and foundation of today's modern architecture. For thousands of years, African architects, masons and artisans designed and built legacies.

2.) Every ancient and prosperous civilization used architecture and design to visually represent their power and greatness. So, where are our African-American architects and interior designers today? They are here, but few and far between.

3.) Black children with natural abilities to visualize may one day become pioneers as they create America's 22nd century versions of eco-friendly and sustainable environments.

4.) Architecture is creative, bold and yes, challenging. By 2030, architecture and interior design will transcend into an art form, using modern science, technology and sustainable materials.

BIDShowcase Designer Kits are offered ONLY to BIDS Members. Why? Because we want to establish personal relationships with our members as they participate in the programs we offer. Our members are informed about upcoming youth workshops with architects and interior designers in their cities. Our member's children will have opportunities to attend Youth Summer Camps for Architecture and Interior Design at our sponsor colleges and universities around the country.   Visit Black Interior Designer Showcase at  www.blackinteriordesigners.com and see first-hand how we're inspired to make a difference!  Please join us in this endeavor!   

Blessings to you!