The Ones to Watch program identifies and recognizes rising leaders in the interior design industry who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and a willingness to push the boundaries of the profession. The honor is also part of ASID’s effort to ensure that diversity is reflected at all levels of the industry. From all award winners, only eight individuals are selected as Scholars for an intensive two-year leadership development program featuring experiential learning, coaching, and mentoring.   

As a Scholar, Johnson will participate in a transformative program that teaches designers to lead with authenticity while leveraging their unique perspectives and backgrounds. In the second year, Scholars embark on a capstone project that highlights their leadership voice and how they want to be known as a design leader in the industry.  

 We sat with Johnson to discuss this milestone in his career and thoughts on the future of interior design.  

What are you most looking forward to about the leadership development training program that comes with the Scholar designation? 

 I’m eager to work alongside peers who share a deep passion for both leadership and design. Surrounding myself with those committed to elevating the profession and those around them is inspiring. I’m especially excited to dedicate focused time to developing my leadership skills and shaping them into learning opportunities for others. 

Throughout my career, I’ve had mentors who entrusted me with genuine responsibility. Leaders like Krista Ninivaggi gave me the space to see projects through from concept to completion while solving challenges independently. These moments shaped my leadership philosophy around providing opportunity and growth for others. 

This program feels like the natural next step—broadening my perspective and helping define what kind of leader I want to be.  

What’s been the most formative project or experience in your career so far? 

Mercedes-Benz Places in Miami stands out—a branded residence with nearly 800 condos and over 20,000 SF of amenities across 2 towers & 67 stories. This marks the heritage brand’s first foray into North American Branded Residences.  

While I’ve always strived to deliver high-concept interiors, this project challenged my team and me to create something truly one of a kind. Bolstered by Mercedes-Benz’s century-long heritage and design ethos, we collaborated with their design team to completely redefine the market, setting new benchmarks for brand expression through Interior Design. Together, we crafted amenities and residences that not only embodied the brand but remained rooted in place, celebrating the vibrant culture of Miami. 

Most recently, I led the design and execution of the tower’s 3,000 SF Sales Gallery—featuring full 3D immersion rooms and furnished residence mock ups. This gallery represents the first physical engagement with the design we’ve worked on for so long. I’m grateful for how well the space has been received and excited for what’s to come. 

What is the most fulfilling part of the project for you, the beginning, or its completion? 

It’s so hard to choose but if I had to pick one, it would be the completion phase. It’s the culmination of years of effort from hundreds of hardworking individuals across all disciplines and trades. Depending on the scale, projects may span months to years, so this moment carries tremendous weight for everyone involved.  

Walking a finished space and seeing the community interact with it is incredibly rewarding. As an avid photographer, I also love the final photography phase—working with photographers to capture compositions that memorialize details we’ve spent years bringing to life. 

If you could give advice to yourself back when you were just starting your career, what would it be? 

Take more risks and don’t overthink every decision! I’ve always had the tendency to over-analyze situations to the point of reasoning myself out of opportunities. When you’re just starting out, you have room to explore, make mistakes and recalibrate. You can rebound from measured risks, and those are often the most enlightening moments. 

I’d also emphasize being intentional about relationships. Find people genuinely in your corner who want you to succeed—mentors, peers, and collaborators who support and challenge you. Looking back, much of my growth came from those I chose to surround myself with. 

Are there any changes you would like to see in the interior design profession over the next decade? 

I’d like to see a broader recognition of the value and impact interior designers bring. Our work has a profound impact on shaping how people live, connect and interact with the world around them far beyond just aesthetics. Design directly influences everything from social interactions to brand perception to mental well-being, yet it’s still often perceived only as cosmetic. 

I also want to see the profession more deeply integrated from day one. When interior designers are brought in early as strategic collaborators from the beginning, we don’t just respond to the brief but rather help define it. We contribute to the narrative by bringing an aligned vision that is then manifested in designs and environments that are significantly more cohesive and meaningful. 

 About Johnson Pun  

Johnson brings more than a decade of design and project management experience to Woods Bagot, spanning from construction management of the World Trade Center masterplan to leading multi-residential and civic interiors.  His work reflects a consistent focus on hospitality-driven design and crafting spaces with intention.  Today, he leads the Interior Design for a number of multi-residential projects across New York, Dallas and Miami. 

An active contributor to the design community, Johnson is a member of The American Society of Interior Design (ASID), supporting the society’s mission of fostering connection across the profession. He’s also had the opportunity to share his work and insights through guest lecture series and panel discussions with other Industry leaders.  

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Agna Brayshaw
Content and Communications Leader (North America)