PLiNTH & CHiNTZ: The online interior design magazine for current students, new graduates, established designers and those just plain curious about this crazy, far-reaching, dynamic industry. Focusing on the people and the process, not the project, we feature industry profiles, sage advice, helpful links, and a visual dictionary – all packed into one seriously entertaining site. New interior design industry content for August 2009.
[This is our 60th Issue! Time does indeed fly when you’re having fun.]
 Notes From NeoCon 2009 - continued...
When we served up the first course of NeoCon finds last month, we neglected to cover a few mouth-watering experiences – specifically… a) how enamored we were with keynote speaker Paola Antonelli, who whetted everyone’s appetite with her eccentric concepts regarding the future of design; b) how satisfied we felt after keynote speaker Daniel Pink shared a recipe for successfully motivating the creative process by mixing together the crucial ingredients of autonomy, mastery and purpose; and c) how hungry we became to explore more on the subject of Building Information Modeling [BIM] after digesting a mere fraction of its potential. But it is time to present a second course of juicy resources, which include 13 tasty menu items in alphabetical order, starting with...
Read more | grab a calorie-free afternoon design snack here.
 Great Designers Never Stop Learning - Before, During & After School
contributed by Emily Siegel [designer-in-training / artist / world traveler]
Over a two-year period, we at Texas State University [TSU] have learned a lot about what it means to design in the real world. Every year student organizations from TSU hold an event called Bobcat Build, going out to the San Marcos community to provide services to residents who may otherwise not be able to maintain their properties. Traditionally, activities have included ramp building, trash removal, yard work, fence repair and other tasks related to general upkeep. For the last two years, however, the TSU ASID Student Chapter has added some interior design projects to the mix. We gained valuable experience and contributed at the same time. A win-win situation, to be sure…
Read more | find out what Emily and her mates learned here.
 Handmade Wallcovering:
Dispelling the Myths | Part 1
contributed by D. Marie Leon [Silk Dynasty SW regional sales representative / therapist / master cupcakestress]
Interior designers continually strive to create distinctive spaces for each of their clients. Depending on the project, the goal could be to reflect a personal style, carry through with a corporate culture, or communicate a company brand. One interesting element having attractive possibilities – but that is often overlooked by designer professionals due to an array of perceived concerns – is handmade wallcovering. In this two-part series, accompanied by video footage explaining the installation process, I will address the four anxiety-elevating issues that frequently accompany handmade product. In so doing, I hope not only to dispel the myths about this versatile option, but also to expand your creative process, resulting in a final design that is both beyond satisfying and well within your client’s budget...
Read more | take part in some myth busting here.
 NCIDQ&A: NCIDQ Updates Practicum Examination
contributed by The NCIDQ Crew
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification [NCIDQ] is changing the exam in 2010. The modifications ensure that the examination continues to test the knowledge and skills of interior designers. Every five years NCIDQ conducts a comprehensive survey of the profession. A task force of practicing interior designers evaluates the results and makes recommendations regarding the content of the exam, when necessary. This ensures that the NCIDQ Examination remains a reliable measure of the competence of entry-level interior design professionals to protect the public’s health, life safety and welfare...
Read more | get practical about the practicum here.
What In The World? [10 new links]
There's a lot of info out there on the World Wide Web. Let us do some of the searching so that you don't have to.
What The Spec?
[Carnegie Surface iQ –The replacement to vinyl wallcovering.]
Eco Savvy
[The Green Standard – Setting the standard for product life cycles.]
[Never-Ending Stories – Allowing design professionals to share their sustainable success stories.]
Other Design Junkies
[Urbane Nomads – Architecture and design-centric tours for design junkies.]
The Pros
[Alliance for Sustainable Built Environments]
[American Architectural Manufacturers Association]
Productive Sites
[LearnHub – An endless loop of learning.]
Hot Shopping
[BabyEarth – Googoo gaga green.]
[Blick Art Materials – Everything to bring out your inner Picasso.]
Time Killers
[MixPod – Online music playlists without downloads.]
Design Speak [5 new terms]
Impress your interviewers / professors / co-workers with interior design industry jargon.
drywall | escritoire | flashing | life cycle assessment / LCA | rosette
Say What? [3 new words]
Speak more intelligently when presenting and networking by incorporating some new vocabulary.
aspersion | mercurial | somnambulant
Go Ahead…Ask Me [submitted by Anonymous]
As answered by Fiona Royer LEED AP, Allied ASID, Associate IIDA
If I graduate from an online interior design school that is accredited, will my degree be respected in the field? Am I missing out on anything by doing my courses online? Read the A to this Q here.
Rant & Rave
Keep those comments coming. Email us at contact@plinthandchintz.com, and read more rants and raves here.
I just found your Facebook page page (I’m now a proud fan) for P&C earlier today. Thanks for the mention and for the picture! Though everyone was talking about how attendance at NeoCon was down, I found that I had more time for more rewarding conversations this year than last.
--Sujeel Taj, Product Specialist – T R I C Y C L E
 Learn Via Social Networking...really
 We’re posting and tweeting often, pointing you in the direction of even more valuable articles, products and resources not included directly on plinthandchintz.com. Don’t miss out: Use the logos to the right to find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Just For Fun
Fans of Ferragamo’s famous footwear will get goose bumps by this succession of virtual, 3-D, high-end “cobbling” of some of the most fabulous shoes ever conceived. Even if your heart doesn’t go pitter-patter over platforms, you’ll be mesmerized by this artist’s attention to detail and overall illustration prowess.
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