DSA Newsletter - End of Summer 2016

One for All - All for One


We know you're feeling it and so are we. While the summer months - and the high temps that go along with them - can be draining, we all know that relief is just around the corner. Come on fall!

We enjoy putting together these newsletters for our members, sharing stories of success, ideas that serve to motivate us all to be our very best, and details on innovations from around the world that somehow relate to interior design and the ins and outs of daily living. We're always open to suggestions regarding what you'd like to see in this newsletter, so please reach out with any ideas or suggestions.

You'll read below in this newsletter that our summer has been spent putting the final touches on your new Designer Society of America website, and we can't wait to share it with you. The new design is so spectacular that we know you're going to love using this professional site to boost your exposure and draw the attention of potential clients. And we're here to help!

As we enjoy winding down the end of summer, keep in mind that members of DSA are all in this together. Our grassroots association of design professionals is a classic example of the old adage "A rising tide lifts all boats." So here's to rising tides...and lower temps!

Stay cool,
Natasha Lima-Younts
Founder/President
Designer Society of America

Sustainable Custom Wall

Stikwood is the world's first Peel & Stik reclaimed and sustainable wood planking. Founded in 2012 by Jerry and Laura McCall, the company is the product of a deeply held belief that design can be both beautiful and resourceful.

As an innovator in the woodworking industry and a master woodworker himself, Jerry has long understood the pivotal role technology plays in reducing waste and protecting our natural environment. Jerry's deep appreciation of wood's distinct ability to transform décor naturally led him to utilizing wood planking which traditionally has been a labor-intensive and costly endeavor. Armed with 30 years of experience and an ever-present willingness to try new things, Jerry developed the innovative product now known as Stikwood.

Stikwood products include Peel and Stikwood planking and wall art ideal for the commercial and residential design markets. Made from reclaimed and sustainable woods sourced from various locations in the U.S., Stikwood products boast the natural beauty that only time and the forces of nature can provide. With its remarkably simple Peel and Stik installation process, Stikwood brings the look of wood planking within reach as a fast and cost-effective interior design solution.

For more information visit them online at http://www.stikwood.com/collections/stikwood

DSA Steps Up Technology

Keep your EYES AND EARS open!  DSA's new website is about to launch.  The entire site will be formatted to be viewed on any type of device.  Increased security and search engine power are also in place. In addition, we have increased Google's ability to locate designers. We encourage members to check on their portfolios and to connect with as many social media icons as possible to increase potential customers' ability to locate you when using Google.  We have included the popular HOUZZ icons on the portfolio to increase your visibility as well.

As you make the transition, your DSA support team will be available to answer any questions you might have regarding the new site and uploading your profile and portfolio. Remember, this is your website! We've made it as user-friendly as possible to encourage more of you to use it and share it with others. The more visitors we can attract the more opportunities you have to share your talents and connect with new clients. Photo courtesy of Kravet Curated

We apologize for any inconvenience that renewals may have experienced during this site renovation.  Please email us at support@dsasociety.org and we will extend a discounted rate. Current members may renew at a discounted rate to extend your membership. As always, we are here for you!

Think GREEN !

Designers: Thinking Green has been our goal for many years now. With clients focused on a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, healthy living has been on the forefront for most design decisions. You may want to share this exciting new product we have come across. We realize that it is still in its launching stage, I would suggest that your client research a bit more to explore the possibilities.  We find it terribly interesting combining technology with the concept of organic fresh home grown produce!

While residential interior designers focus most of their energy on the interior, we've discovered some innovative young minds whose design focus is on the exterior, specifically the backyard garden. Founded on the belief that a more open food system is a better one, FarmBot is an innovative home gardening robot that will be available to the consumer early next year.

Users can not only custom design their own garden plot but also control the FarmBot's performance via laptop, tablet or smart phone. Imagine scheduling the planting of a row of arugula from your office and stepping into the backyard after work to find it completed! The physical FarmBot system is aligned with the crops the user plots out in their virtual version on the web app. That's how FarmBot can reliably dispense water, fertilizer, and other resources to keep plants healthy and thriving.

With its universal tool mount, users can adapt FarmBot to do pretty much any garden task they desire. The idea is truly mind boggling, but it really works! In this day of GMO scares and concern over the carbon footprint of the food items we put on our family dinner table, this type of precision farming has been hailed as the future of agriculture, sustainability, and the food industry.

For more information, including a video demonstration of how FarmBot works, check out their website at https://farmbot.io/

FREE Registration for Designers - Connect with Potential Customers

 Create the Perfect Space with iHome Registry

A new tool is changing the way interior designers and homeowners collaborate on the home furnishing process before making purchasing decisions.


iHomeRegistry is an all-in-one home furnishing web application designed with a user-friendly platform that enables both interior designers and their clients to create a 3D rendering of a room, experiment with mockups, furniture placements, and decor arrangements. You can even "walk" through the interior spaces of a home in 3D real time - helping both parties feel confident with each home furnishing decisions.

Though only available since early summer, the site is drawing record numbers of users, says Patrick Daniels who, along with his wife Lakin, started the business.

"This is more of an all-in-one and focus is on the designer/client relationship," he says. "We're giving them a best case scenario for their own individual process. Designers are always looking for exposure, more clients, and better ways to visualize their ideas. Now they have a place to show off their work and really connect on a higher level with other designers."  




With the ability to archive, organize and compare a variety of home goods and designs, users can find just what they're looking for, for every space they need, for a price that fits their budget.

The Daniels were encouraged by the fast rate by which the number of users grew, and the number continues to increase. "We've seen unexpected growth," says Patrick. "We knew we had a good idea but were still nervous."

Soon the site will include an eCommerce aspect and mood boards will be made available on the designer profiles. In addition, 3D boards will soon be available for a reasonable fee with a monthly subscription or even a lifetime subscription available.

Check out the site for yourself at https://ihomeregistry.leadpages.co/ihome1/#/

CONTINUING EDUCATION. SHAPING THE FUTURE.

Note: This article was previously shared in the newsletter, but we thought that it was important enough to share again. You'll also notice some interesting feedback one of your fellow members shared regarding the proper recording of your CEUs (continuing education credits). We hope you'll find it beneficial.




How important are Continuing Education Units (CEUs)? DSA has not forced them upon you and made them a requirement for membership in the past, so does this mean that they are meaningless?

The answer is NO.

As a professional who markets services to the public, you want to be in the know and well-versed on the current market trends as well as consumer safety and health regulations. The societies who do regulate CEUs suggest earning 10 CEUs every two years. This is not a difficult task with the availability of distance learning and webinars. If you want to be part of what's going on and stay relevant in today's market, it's crucial to be part of this culture.

There is a company that will help you register your CEUs and keep track of them. This company also provides an extensive list of CEUs available across the nation. For your convenience, we have provided a link to the site below:

https://www.idcec.org/pages/forms/public/Registry/RegistryBase.aspx?category=learner

At no cost to you, you can set up an account. So what is available after this process? Click on the "event calendar" tab at the top, choose "distance learning" and click "search." Then you are on your way to discovering your personal path. If you find that you are interested in several of the topics, click and register with them so you will be included in future classes. Education is the key to success!

Here is what the organization will do for you:
The IDCEC centralized continuing education registry gives you access to your personalized account, enabling you to:

• Report IDCEC approved courses and conferences
• Report non-IDCEC courses and conferences
• Upload back up documentation such as certificates of completion and validated conference cards
• Print your unofficial transcript of CEU activity
• Order an official IDCEC transcript

Please feel free to reach out to us if we can be of further assistance.
Warm regards,
DSA staff

P.S. DSA member Joseph Kincaid shared this insight regarding the proper recording of CEUs when using this site.

I heard back from IDCEC. Your "attendance" has to be received by IDCEC (this would entail logging into the approved course provider with your IDCEC number). Although I was not prompted to do this on the course provider's link, IDCEC was able to upload my certificate of completion.

I self-reported a course that was not "approved" and paid a fee for both courses (standard procedure). I then took a brief survey and uploaded my certificate of completion for the non-approved course after payment (around $4 US per CEU). I inquired about how to know if a course is approved since both showed up on the approved course provider's list and am awaiting response.

Hope this helps.
Joe

And his follow up message to fellow DSA members:

AEC Daily is where I took my two courses. There may be others but have DSA members check if the sponsor's course is IDCEC approved. You may also want to let DSA members know to add their IDCEC member number to AEC Daily's site (their website is aecdaily.com) by going to "Edit My Profile," clicking on "other details," and adding their member number under the IDCEC field.

IDCEC approved courses are under the "Certification" tab on the course selection link on AEC Daily. By adding your IDCEC number, you will enable AEC to directly report all CEU courses every week to IDCEC.  I'm getting quite the education here - both organizations (AEC Daily and IDCEC) have been extremely helpful!

FYI - Sherwin Williams is offering a fantastic course on color! You must register with IDEC prior to enrolling in class. IDEC enrollment is free. Below is the link to the course:

Sherwin Williams

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/

Also from Sherwin Williams...

Incorporating Iridescence  

From hummingbird wings to jewel beetle carapaces and mother-of-pearl to fish scales, iridescence - a form of structural color - is one of the most visually compelling displays in the natural world. Its shimmering, metallic qualities draw in the eye and capture attention. So what makes iridescence such a unique form of color? And how do you hone its brilliance in design? Structural color science provides some insight.

Structural color, unlike colors produced by pigments or dyes, is a result of the interaction between light and biological nanostructures. This means iridescence relies on shape and materials, rather than chemical properties. When light hits these nanostructures - proteins in a feather, collagens, cellulose, or keratin - the refraction acts like a prism, splitting the light into the iridescent colors. The most brilliant part about this display is its ability to transform and shimmer as the eye's observation angle changes, creating an ever-changing experience for the viewer.

While iridescence is naturally occurring across animals, plants and certain minerals, it can't technically be painted because it's not a pigment. Regardless of this challenge, designers and architects can still find ways to incorporate it into their projects.

"Iridescence is difficult to replicate in coatings, but there are several design surfaces that look amazing in an iridescent finish," says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams.

She suggests using a glass, ceramic, textile, tile, lighting or hard surface furniture with an iridescent or holographic finish as your first design element, and then pull color from its kaleidoscope for your paint inspiration. "This technique makes for bold and interesting color styling," says Wadden. "Or you can pair your iridescent piece with white or black paint to make the iridescence really pop."

From softly ethereal pastel tones to deep and inky oil-slicked hues, incorporating even a small amount of iridescence creates a compelling, otherworldly atmosphere. "What I love most about iridescence is that it's science, biology and a hint of technology all wrapped up in one mercurial surface - inspiration can come from a beetle carapace to an automotive finish," she says. "What other finish has that broad of a range?"
Source: http://www.sherwin-williams.com