Five must-see events at Boston Design Week

Boston Design Week is upon us — March 30 to April 10 — and despite technically being much longer than a week (12 days!), the citywide series of events has the vague misconception that it’s an industry-professionals-only sort of shindig. This, however, is not the case, our apartment-dwelling, Pinterest-enthusiast friends. However, with nearly two-weeks of programming, it can be a pretty intense and overwhelming schedule with events all around the city if you don’t know where to start. Here are the five events you shouldn’t miss:

Fort Point-based textile designer Amy Nguyen is known for her sculpture-like designs and Asian-inspired technique. She’ll be leading a panel discussion with other area fashion designers titled “One at a Time: Slow Fashion in a Fast World,” where they will discuss the dilemmas faced by artisans who must compete in the same market as trendy, mass-produced fast fashion. Nguyen will showcase some of her own designs while also explaining the process and importance of sustainable apparel.Mar. 31, 5 to 7 p.m., 315 A Street, Boston

Of course there will be shopping. The Boston Design Center’s annual sample sale coincides with Design Week and will feature a range of markdowns over six floors of showrooms and market stalls. Participating designers include Ann Sacks, JANUS et Cie and Leicht Boston and the general public is invited to shop and/or peruse.Apr. 1-2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., One Design Center Place, Boston, RSVP at bit.ly/bdcsamplesale16

The Fort Point Cabinetmakers, Blanche P. Field, the North Bennet Street School and Boston Furniture Collaborative are hosting their Challenge the Makers open studios night, where guests can check out the work of students, designers and educators, while also picking their brains for their own DIY projects. Attendees are invited to bring along their partially finished work, sketches or any form of rough ideas to the event to take advantage of advice from a wide range of makers on-call.Apr. 4, 6 to 8 p.m., IDB Makers Guild, 25 Drydock Ave., 2nd Floor, Boston, RSVP at bit.ly/challengethemakers

Marimekko artwork studio manager Petri Juslin will be in town to discuss his 30 years of experience at the colorful Finnish textile house. Juslin will explain the retro inspirations that continue to influence the design company today, as well as the process of recreating artists’ work as functional fashion pieces for a consumer market. There’s a cocktail reception and meet-and-greet to follow, and guests are invited to entire each.The Heritage of Handcraft as an Inspiration to Marimekko Print Design talk with Petri Juslin: Apr. 6 1 to 2 p.m., 140 Newbury sT., Boston, No RSVP needed; Petri Joslin Q&A with cocktails: Apr. 6 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 140 Newbury St., Boston, RSVP at marimekko-boston-design-week.eventbrite.com

The ripe talent at MassArt will auction off their prime work at the school’s 27th annual Benefit Art Auction. The evening will include a silent auction and cocktails with the opportunity to view more than 300 selected works from previous and matriculating students. The event itself is sold out (sorry) but items and an option to sponsor to the cause (directly benefitting students pursuing the arts) are still available online. Apr. 9 at 6:30 p.m., Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Bakalar and Paine Galleries,621 Huntington Ave., Boston, Info at massart.edu/Support_MassArt/The_MassArt_Auction.html

Check out the full schedule for Boston Design Week at bostondesignweek.com.