The Informants

Meet the motley crew of six who launched DesignPublic.com, which sells the wares of 65 small-scale designers and manufacturers.

When Sina Djafari and Drew Sanocki, classmates at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, decided to post an ad on Craigslist four years ago looking for design buffs to help start an online modern-furniture shop, they got responses from a DJ, a thespian and a private-yacht stewardess, among others, all of whom shared an interest in their mission to inspire and educate consumers away from mass-produced design. Shortly thereafter, the motley crew of six launched DesignPublic.com, which sells the wares of 65 small-scale designers and manufacturers, including Erich Ginder and Vessel. The inner circle gives us their crib notes on Modern Design 101.

“Blu Dot’s Modulicious line of furniture is a good example of how quality and innovation can be affordable.” —Noel Hamlin, 31, design associate, on budget decorating.

“Just say, ‘My heart aches for Artek’s new eco-friendly Bambu line that I saw at the Salone de Mobile in Milan this past April.’” —Drew Sanocki, 35, cofounder, on how to sound design-savvy in small talk.

“Respect Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan for their humor and trend-evasion.” —Becky Harris, 35, writer of DP’s design blog, on worshipping “irreverent luxury.”

“Quantity over quality.” —James Fernandez, 36, chief merchant, on the worst decorating faux pas.

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