Notes from Natasha
As we all work to recover from extended downtime in a struggling economy, financial experts suggest you use spare time increasing your credentials and sharpening your skills. Take advantage of this opportunity to stand out amongst your competition.
DSA can help you move to the front of the pack by arming you with the knowledge we teach in our Residential Interior Designer Exam (R.I.D.E.). This qualifying examination is available to residential interior designers looking to advance their education, career and professional status in the interior design industry. Click here for more info about the R.I.D.E Certification Program.
If you are driven to succeed and dedicated to your profession, successful completion of the R.I.D.E. will enhance your status among residential interior design peers who have also reached this higher level of certification achievement. The R.I.D.E. testing program is recognized as an industry standard for excellence and certification can be the professional boost you need to grow your business and your reputation.
The R.I.D.E. is a two-part examination that fully conforms to established testing standards and is administered by testing centers across the country. For your convenience, the exam is available both on scheduled dates and on an as-needed basis.
Next, I would be remiss this month without mentioning how proud I am of our troops - and their families - who sacrifice so much for our freedom. In honor of these brave men and women, anyone signing up or renewing in July will receive two years for the price of one. DSA is pleased to extend this offer to our fellow proud Americans in celebration of Independence Day.
Celebrate your freedom!
Natasha Lima-Younts
Founder
Designer Society of America
Establishing the Freedom Movement
Patti Morrow
Not a week goes by that I don’t receive multiple inquiries as to why I became involved in fighting the interior design cartel and how the interior design Freedom Movement started. I’m not an attorney, not a lobbyist, never wanted to be a political activist. I’m just an interior designer who couldn’t bear to see the entire interior design industry destroyed. Yes, interior design is more than decoration, but it’s also more than just being able to read codes. All designers want their clients to be safe in their spaces, but our opponents’ drive to deny the aesthetic aspects of the profession smacks of lack of confidence in their ability, vision, and creativity.
I now find myself in a totally unforeseen career — educating, organizing and mobilizing grassroots and traveling the country with pink slingshot and pink boxing gloves in tow.
Last month, after sharing my story with a fellow designer, she said, “That’s so inspiring. You should write a book.” So after giving it some thought, I decided to craft not a book but instead a short autobiographical documentary which details my motivation, experience, and the pathway to protecting the design community’s rights to earn a living.
It’s been one wild rollercoaster ride, but second only to motherhood, no other endeavor has ever been so gratifying. I know, we’re not curing cancer or solving world peace, but saving thousands of jobs, well, that’s a good thing.
The Beginnings of the Movement
Like many other interior designers, I entered the field as a second career [to be precise third, the first in business and second as a watercolor artist/teacher]. I started out “decorating” for friends and family, which in time led to more technical “design,” including new construction projects. Experience taught me a lot; I improved as time went on, my clients were delighted with the results in their homes and commercial spaces, and I never once jeopardized anyone’s safety. I decided to pursue a 2-year interior design program — while still practicing — to continue to learn more, particularly in some of the more technical areas. All the students at the New Hampshire Institute of Art (where I am now adjunct faculty) were like me — entering the field as a second career. When the Interior Design Department Head, Phoebe Ann Neiswenter, first introduced the concept of interior design licensing, I was appalled (as was she) at the idea for philosophical (unnecessary, one-size-fits-all restrictions) and personal (prohibit me from practicing) reasons, but since my state was not regulated, I took notice but not action.
Please click here for more of this compelling story.
Member Spotlight
Instead of our regular feature, spotlighting one of our own, this month’s Member Spotlight sends kudos to all of our enlisted men and women, both stateside and abroad. If you are able, consider participating in programs organized by AnySoldier.com. Here is their story:
It was March 26th, 2003. Army Sergeant Brian Horn, one of 1,000 soldiers, parachuted into enemy territory in Northern Iraq. Five months later, Brian Horn was able to call his parents. Marty and Sue Horn had been sending their son an average of six care packages per week. So when Brian asked his parents to send more, they thought he was kidding. But Brian wanted them for soldiers that weren’t receiving anything.
Both Marty and Sue Horn had spent their careers in the military, so they immediately understood what Brian was saying. Millions of these men and women serving overseas never receive any mail. Besides often lacking basic necessities, these men and women have to cope with the harsh conditions of serving overseas without signs of support from friends and family back home.
The Horns developed the idea for AnySoldier.com during that phone call. Marty created a website that explained the project and offered Brian's address -- including the words "Attn: Any Soldier". Brian would give these packages to the soldiers not receiving any mail. "Within two weeks, we were getting flooded with email from all over the world,” said Marty. “It was like an avalanche."
The growth has continued. To date, the program has served over 1.4 million troops stationed in 22 locations. Visitors to AnySoldier.com can search for contacts by service location, where the unit comes from, the number of males or females in the group (some supporters prefer to write to "Attn: Any Female Soldier"), and the number of times their address has been requested -- among other options.
Visit AnySoldier.com to see how you can participate. Show your appreciation today!
Tips from Studio WebWare
Last month we shared with you some information about Studio WebWare and all the benefits their Studio Designer software program offers to interior designers. This month we’ll address the ease with which designers can use the program on the go via Blackberry, iPhone and Droid.
Studio WebWare has a number of applications to make your life simpler. One of the most popular features offered is an interface from manufacturers’ websites to Studio Design.
Designers using Studio WebWare can browse websites of manufacturers offering fabrics, furniture, or other products and select the items they want to transfer information for to Studio WebWare, said Lance Haeberle.
Here’s how it works: an interior designer browsing on a manufacturer’s website selects an item and can automatically transfer the information to Studio Designer. They can then integrate that information, including a product description, pricing and an image of the item to use on proposals, orders, invoices and requests for quotes.
“Bottom line is this saves time and can automatically generate reports they need without cut, copy and paste,” said Haeberle.
Studio WebWare is just starting to roll out the interface and currently has five manufacturers linked directly, said Haeberle. One of the sites linked is decorate.com, which in itself provides access to 500 online manufacturers. Any new manufacturer can request to be linked to Studio Designer free of charge.
You can link product information directly to Studio Designer from these sites:
Tune in next month for more helpful hints regarding Studio WebWare and Studio Designer. Visit them online at studiowebware.com
Comfort or Quantity
By Mary Dennis
www.gracefullifestyles.com
I was recently asked to Feng Shui design a sales center in Las Vegas. It is a prominent location where over 100 clients pass thru daily, seven days a week. The reception area housed 40 seats all lined up against the walls. One specific detail I was to change was the chairs. The requirement was to purchase smaller ones, so as to get more seating into the space.
Ah, the challenge rose deep within me and I could not help but think of the first rule of thumb for any Graceful Lifestyles Designer - No harm to the public!
I had recently read a report from the Center for Disease Control stating that one-third of the American public was overweight. Obese adults sit sideways, producing feelings of being uncomfortable, wanting to get out of a space or being constricted in a tight spot.
Are these the kind of feelings that would encourage comfort, I asked myself?
My Umbrella Design Value for this location is trust and building relationships. My intention for the design was a notice of “We care about your comfort,” and our product will bring comfort and enjoyment to your life. Ok, so how do I provide comfort for 30 percent of the clients that are walking in the door and space is limited? How do I support my client’s intentions of increasing sales through the design of the space and correct placement?
The pictures below show how all size people can find comfortable seating with bariatric chairs. The Arissa Collection, from KI Designs, works for all users of all shapes and sizes.
Multipurpose seating for all size people? Bingo! And it has some style as well!
SKI Designs took a standard size chair, made it wider and reinforced it structurally, resulting in a 36-inch wide chair that will hold up to 750 pounds. Adding the bariatric seating was a primary component to designing a space that said, “Trust me - we care about YOU!” In addition, built-in upholstered seating was also added, satisfying my client’s need for more seating as well as the occupants’ comfort.
One may ask, so what’s so Feng Shui about this solution? Comfort, care and well being are all a part of understanding the importance of the person place connection and correct placement.
Comfort and Quantity satisfied.
Member Services
Summer is here and to some that means time to kick back and relax, but not for DSA! We are ramping up our launch to chapter groups, R.I.D.E. is having a successful kick-off and we are in the process of making more benefits available to our members.
Last month we shared with you some information about Studio WebWare and all the benefits their Studio Designer software program offers to interior designers. This month we'll address the ease with which designers can use the program on the go via Blackberry, iPhone and Droid.
Secondly, users can also maintain their activities such as scheduling meetings, tracking conversations and entering and receiving reminders. Users can also access their "to do" list for the day and enter start and end times for meetings and appointments.
Busy in 2009? Or Not?
If your specialty is residential design, bathroom and kitchen renovation is still steady. The budgets might be smaller, but there is work in this specialty area.
