I just got back from my national meeting, and one gal on our team in the northeast recommended your website to the group. I quickly added my support to her suggestion as well. I am happy to recommend your site as I am visiting interior design schools this semester. - Ashlynn B. Bourque – Designer Account Executive, The Sherwin Williams Company
Have a burning question that you want answered other than “Why do ‘slim chance’ and ‘fat chance’ mean the same thing?“ Then email us at contact@plinthandchintz.com, and be sure to put ASK ME in the subject line. Due to the volume of questions and/or the obscurity of your particular question, we may not get to it in the next issue, but we'll do our best to keep up.
I received my ASID renewal invoice and, considering that I went to maybe two events last year, I’m wondering why I’m still a member. It seems that the only thing that keeps me shelling out half a paycheck per year to this organization is the thought of what a huge pain it was to become a member. I’m really doing graphics [for an interior design firm] now. I get all of the e-mails but nothing seems to catch my interest. I feel that P&C speaks more to my peer group, my graphic design eye, and is more representative of my voice as a designer (and it’s free!). I’d like your honest opinion – not as an ASID leader, but as a designer and friend. Is there really a reason for me to renew?(submitted by B. B.) As answered by Laura McDonald Stewart, ASID / IIDA
I completely understand your hesitation, and I will try to present an objective stance. Of course, I am extremely flattered by your comments about P&C, but remember that P&C is nothing like a professional organization, though it certainly inspires a similar type of camaraderie between readers and contributors.
Although the advice that I’m going to provide you truly applies to any professional organization that you find yourself a member of, I’m obviously going to talk about some considerations specific to ASID.
So let's look at some of the benefits of ASID membership in particular, combined with professional membership in general...
simply having a professional industry affiliation, period
simply supporting the profession of interior design in general
using the “ASID” or “Allied Member ASID” appellation after your name
using the ASID mark (Professional members only) on allowable materials
expanding your personal professional / industry knowledge via: ICON, ASID’s national magazine, Design Daily; ASID’s daily email newsletter compiled with the help of U.S. News & World Report; local and Chapter meetings, lectures, tours and continuing education offerings
networking & socializing with industry peers in person at meetings and conferences, as well as online via ASIDConnex.org, ASID’s newly launched networking community
accessing the latest industry research via ASID.org
accessing product & service information via the Industry Partners directory on ASID.org and/or local Industry Partners
having a free online business profile on ASID.org that’s searchable to any consumer looking for interior design services
being able to participate in national ASID design competitions
participating in Chapter-wide and local ASID-sponsored design competitions
participating in local events (such as monthly meetings, tours, charity projects, etc.)
receiving help working towards state interior design registration via discounts on the STEP program and other locally sponsored NCIDQ preparation offerings
connecting with Student Members / Faculty / ID programs in your area
being able to attend local Chapter events at a discount
Are any of these things valuable to you? It may all depend on where you see your career going. To be perfectly honest, keeping your ASID membership might not be the thing for you to do, especially if you really see yourself focusing completely on graphics and moving away from interior design.
As I see it, membership in any organization is not really about events – it's simply about access: to a concentrated peer network, to industry resources, to education, to relevant events, etc. It brings all of these things to your doorstep, but what you decide to do with it is up to you. If you don't find value in this access and these connections and feel that your career and future endeavors would not be helped by them, then I would recommend that you do not renew. However, if you feel that you either haven't taken advantage of these things and/or might need to take advantage of them in the future, then I definitely would renew.
Answer by: Laura McDonald Stewart, ASID / IIDA Founder of PLiNTHandCHiNTZ.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: This question was edited down for the sake of brevity and succinctness, as well as to shield the identity of the person who submitted it.
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.
Shop Through Us
When you enter Amazon through our humble little website, a wee portion of your purchase – no matter what you buy – helps to keep PLiNTH & CHiNTZ up-n-running. The best part: It doesn't cost you anything extra and it helps us keep your access to PLiNTH & CHiNTZ free.
IIDA, in partnership with Hospitality Design magazine, proudly announces the 17th Annual IIDA/Hospitality Design Product Design Competition honoring manufacturers and designers for achievements in furthering innovation, function and aesthetics in the hospitality industry. The entry deadline for the competitions is April 19, 2013. CLICK HERE to find out more about the competition.
Enough Said T-Shirts
Created by a couple of Milwaukee interior designers with a quirky sense of humor, a healthy dose of sarcasm and a heaping serving of caring. Check out Enough Said to find fun t-shirts with a message.
Home 
Going Public 
