contributed by Ariel Steuer, Allied Member ASID, LEED AP ID+C [interior designer – The Kubala Washatko Architects / career day co-chair / thrifty twenty-something]
Each year, members from the Wisconsin Chapter of ASID [American Society of Interior Designers] and the Wisconsin Chapter of IIDA [International Interior Design Association] volunteer their time and efforts to plan the WI Interior Design Student Career Day. It is a day dedicated to expanding students’ knowledge and awareness of current trends and issues in the design field, as well as providing an opportunity for students to network with practicing design professionals. This year’s theme was “Make Your Mark,” expanding on last year’s theme, “Passion for Design: Putting the Pieces Together.” Setting The Stage
Students had an early start to their day, making the commute to Madison, Wisconsin, where American Family Insurance graciously provides their facilities. Schools represented include Gateway Technical College, Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Mount Mary College, UW-Madison, UW-Stevens Point and Waukesha Community Technical College.
At check-in, students were given hand-sewn portfolios, which contained the day’s agenda, instructions for activities, and bios of attending professionals and speakers. Designed, cut, and sewn by the planning committee, the portfolios were made of discarded wallcovering, which was donated by local wallcovering representatives.
Speaking Up
After a continental breakfast, everyone settled in to the auditorium for the morning remarks and keynote speaker. Wisconsin chapter presidents Bill Beaudreau, ASID, and Tracy Pugh, IIDA, opened up the day with personal reflections and insights on their paths in interior design. They touched on how students can begin to make their mark on the profession and within their careers. Their dialogue included rotating photographs of their projects and involvement, and how they’ve made their marks on the industry and beyond.
Laura Gainor of GMR Marketing, Milwaukee, started the day running with an excellent presentation, “Make Your Mark with Social Media.” Her multimedia presentation focused on how to develop one’s personal brand and launch an interior design business with social media through the examples of her own endeavors. Find her full presentation at LauraGainor.com. At the end of her presentation, Laura challenged the students to create a compelling virtual resume in four days using the new social media tools learned in her presentation. CLICK HERE to see the top five submissions from Wisconsin interior design students.
Breaking-Out
The day was then broken up into three break-out sessions.
- The Interviewing & Confidence panel addressed how to get that initial interview, the interview process, dos and don’ts, proper attire and etiquette, and follow-up.
- The Healthcare panel consisted of healthcare designers speaking to their roles and the process of designing a wide variety of healthcare facilities, including current trends and issues.
- The third session, New Avenues in Design, featured designers who have taken on new or additional roles in the design industry in response to the changing economy. They offered their personal insights and advice on how to become multidisciplinary and stay on top in uncertain times, as well as outlining many alternate paths that are available in design.
The “Make Your Mark” lunch activity encouraged students to work together to create a two dimensional design within the parameters of the exquisite corpse method, armed with only scissors, glue, a paint deck, and their creativity in answering the question “What does interior design mean to you”” At the end of the day, twenty sections of the exquisite corpse were strung together in a banner for all to see.
Making Connections
Following lunch was the Career Fair and Vendor Fair, which gave students the opportunity to meet local product representatives that they’ll likely be working with after graduation, as well to network with practicing design professionals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. This was their chance to really engage with professionals, ask questions and get a sense for the design world outside of the classroom. When students engaged with a professional, they received a paint chip, which becomes their raffle ticket for the drawing at the end of the day. The more professionals they network with, the more raffle tickets they received.
Debbie Bautista of Antron Carpet Fiber, Los Angeles, gave the closing keynote. Her presentation, “Reinterpretations: A Sign of the Times” focused on eight current and upcoming trends that are shaping the world of design as well as fashion. Influences encompassed iconic trends from past decades, military, romanticism, technology and native cultures, and more.
Wrapping Up
The day ended with the raffle drawing, which included all sorts of fantastic items, including a rug, luggage, gift cards, gift baskets, and more. Thank you to our local reps from EJ Welch, Haworth, Hirschfield’s Wallcovering, Herman Miller, Jaekle Distributors, Kimball Office, Knoll, LG Surfaces, ProSource Flooring, Mannington Carpets, MDC Wallcovering, Shaw Flooring, Target Commercial Interiors, and Wolf Gordon for donating the raffle prizes!
Also, thank you to Allsteel for donating the grand prize, a Relate chair with choice of seat fabric. In addition, throughout the day’s activities, each member of the planning committee secretly kept their eyes peeled for a student that made their mark on them. From asking wonderful questions, to demonstrating motivation and passion, to even being punctual, eleven students were awarded with the Golden Paint Stick prize and a gift card.
Students walked away from the event with new knowledge tools, new contacts, and we hope a greater sense of how they can make their mark in the design profession and beyond.
