Thank you so much for your website. It is about time that there is a site that is dedicated to the student, professor and the professional. I think that this site seems to be on the up and up on what is really going on in this crazy, design world of ours. Thank you for your time and thanks for the super cool website! - Alison Garry, Kansas State University student
2010/06: Can I Order Two of Those Chairs in GREEN?
contributed by Denise Homme, PhD, ASID, IIDA, IDEC, FCSD, NCIDQ Certificate Holder [DISD program director / practicing professional / itinerant traveler]
The architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe once said, “A chair is a very difficult object. A skyscraper is almost easier. That is why Chippendale is famous.” Even for a designer as accomplished as van der Rohe, the idea of designing and building something as difficult as a chair was considered a formidable task. Perhaps van der Rohe was right – engineering a piece of furniture to not only look good but to comfortably support the body is certainly not an undertaking to be taken lightly. Using only reclaimed or recycled materials for inspiration would logically make the “design-build-aha a chair” challenge an even more difficult task. If given the chance to design a chair and subtract from the over three thousand pounds of waste each person in the United States adds to the landfill each year, would you rise to the challenge? The interior design students at Design Institute of San Diego have and invite you to join them in making the world a little greener.
2010/06: Oops! 9 Lighting Mistakes To Avoid In Your Next Kitchen Or Bath Project
contributed by Lisa Barter [lumenologist / interior architect with 3i Design, LLC]
Interior designers are often called upon to give input about lighting in residential environments. However, many solutions specified in kitchens and baths waste energy and do not get light where it is needed, but are repeated again and again because people are not sure how to light those spaces well. Sometimes, knowing what NOT to do can help make you look like a pro. Here are nine common lighting mistakes to avoid.
2010/06: High Style with Dorothy Draper Via Carleton Varney at The Greenbrier
contributed by Sheree Schold [interior designer / owner, Haberdash Designs / ID journalism dabbler]
My weekend at The Greenbrier with Carleton Varney was like walking into one of the homes featured in his 2008 book, Houses in My Heart: Carleton Varney: An International Decorator's Colorful Journey. The special event that I had the pleasure of attending was the historic property’s “High Style With Dorothy Draper” Weekend just last month, and it was hosted by none other than Mr. Varney himself. I expected history and got some, but the pleasant surprise was experiencing Mr. Varney himself – the au courant and contagiously energetic international designer (or decorator, as he refers to himself). Mr. Varney’s firm currently works on projects around the globe, but they have had a contract with The Greenbrier in one way or another for decades. It’s his house, and he knows every inch of it.
contributed by Antonio Holguin [Art Institute student / future interior designer / optimis]
Nine interior designers, three microphones, and one photographer. Recipe for disaster, or the next big thing to come out of Dallas since America’s Next Top Model hopeful Ren Vokes? Unfortunately, Tyra Banks did not make a guest appearance, but – even better – these nine professionals took part in the “Expert Discussion Panel” held for interior design students at The Art Institute of Dallas. From pet peeves and ground-breaking interview advice to how to successfully prepare for the NCIDQ Exam and the dos and don’ts of the industry, the nine panelists answered questions that all students need to know to be successful as interior designers.
To bridge the gap between the student / educational community and the professional / manufacturer community of the interior design world, and not to die of boredom while we do it.
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USGBC's Natural Talent Design Competition provides applied learning experience in the principles of integrated design, sustainability, and innovation, all of which are components of the LEED® Green Building Rating System™. Participants compete in local competitions, and the top winner of each moves on to compete for a national award at USGBC’s annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo. Awards include green building scholarships, as well as travel and registration to Greenbuild, where finalists’ entries are displayed and final judging occurs. The design team whose home performs best during measurement and verification will be awarded the final grand prize. Go here to find out more.
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