Saturday, November 19, 2011

Recent Grads ~ New Hires: Get to Know Stephen Mai

Stephen  Mai
In this turbulent business economy, most graduates cringe at the thought of finding employment right out of school.  IIDA Georgia is featuring some recent success for graduates and the beginning of their career in our Design industry.  Get to know a little more about Stephen Mai who graduated from SCAD-Atlanta with a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design in this informal interview.

Hometown: Centreville, VA

Current Firm/ Company: Perkins+Will - Atlanta 

Current Professional Position: Interior Designer

Why did you decide to pursue Design as your career path?
"I wanted to impact the built environment in a human level. Designing for people is a thrill and a big challenge. There are many spaces out there that are not the most attractive or make you go “why did they do that?” I wanted to reverse that and make people go “I feel at ease in this environment.”

What benefits/experiences did you obtain as a Student member of IIDA Georgia?
"Networking was the biggest benefit for me when I was a student member. I volunteered at the IIDA office in Atl and was able to meet designers around the area, past IIDA presidents and the current president which led me to an interview and current position at P+W. It made the profession feel less intimidating as a student as well, getting to interact with people in the field I was trying to pursue."

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"I would like to think I would still be doing healthcare design and learning more innovative ways to improve healthcare environments."

What is your dream job?
"For now my dream job is what I have. I am enjoying what I do and enjoying coming to work every day. Most of the times I can’t believe people are paying me to do this job. It sounds like a cliché but it’s true. But eventually I do see myself advancing and going to a position that allows me to direct and form the design intent."

What in the design field brings out your passion?
"The design field brings out a lot of my passions. I get to sketch every day, look at art and industrial design for mostly all projects I have been involved with."

Do you have a guilty pleasure or inspiration?
"Really fun thing to do sometimes is to go on Tumblr. Sometimes all you need for inspiration is to look at random images of art, photos of industrial design, architecture, fashion and just anything that makes you. Also listening to music while you work is a great way to zone out and just focused on your ideas." 

What 3 design elements can you NOT live without?
"Three design elements that I can’t live without are symmetry and balance, rhythm and color. These are the three elements that I always try to bring into any design. Without these in my eyes, a design is not as successful as it can be."

Recent Grads ~ New Hires: Get to Know Brian Hew

In this turbulent business economy, most graduates cringe at the thought of finding employment right out of school.  IIDA Georgia is featuring some recent success for graduates and the beginning of their career in our Design industry.  Get to know a little more about Brian Hew who graduated from The Art Institute of Atlanta with a B.F.A. in Interior Design in this informal interview. 
  
Hometown:  White Plains, NY

Current Firm/Company:  Design Environments Inc.

Current Professional Position: CAD Designer  

Why did you decide to pursue Design as your career path? "After years of being in and out of school unsure of what I wanted to do with my life.  My father said that I had a real knack for designing in 2007 following a renovation I did in my parent’s home so I changed my major to interior design and never looked back."

What benefits/experiences did you obtain as a Student member of IIDA Georgia?
"The number one benefits that I obtained as a Student member of IIDA Georgia was networking.  As a student volunteering for the IIDA Georgia Office was one of the best experiences that I gained knowledge of products, industry professionals, and branding."

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"I see myself as a either a senior designer or project manager with my NCIDQ and LEED certification."

What is your dream job?
My dream job is to design presentations for Hospitality and retail industries along with 3-D simulations of spaces."  
What in the design field brings out your passion?
"The number one design field that brings out my passion is the hospitality industry for the many options associated with it."  

Do you have any specific personal interests as it relates to design?
"My specific personal interests as it relates to design is architecture."
Who is your favorite Designer?  Why?
"My favorite designers are Frank Loydd Wright, Steve Jobs, and Philip Johnson. Frank Loydd Wright for his forward thinking that was well beyond his time. Steve Jobs for his ideals on perfection and simplicity. Philip Johnson for his minimalism designs like the Glass House."   
Do you have a guilty pleasure or inspiration?
"Cities like New York and Chicago."

What 3 design elements can you NOT live without?
a.       Balance
b.      Symmetry
c.       Curvilinear

Thank you Brian!  We wish the best for you and know we will see you around the town.  Congratulations on your new position with Design Environments.  We are proud to be associated with you.  

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Healthcare Forum - Advancement in Evidenced-based Healthcare Design

Submitted by Ina Sherman, Stanley Beaman Sears, Senior Interior Designer

Source: Contract magazine, October 2011

The advancements made in evidence-based healthcare design have grown tremendously over the past several years. I recall back in the late 90's when the idea of documenting the process and outcome of healthcare design projects was just a "notion"! Today it's amazing to see how far this "notion" has come.

In this article, Rosalyn Cama, FASID, EDAC talks about the evolution of evidence-based healthcare design and how the methodology is being embraced by our industry as well as the healthcare industry. Healthcare regulators and hospital Board of Directors are beginning to see how this methodology can improve their overall effectiveness in delivering healthcare services in a more compassionate, yet efficient way. I see the implementation of evidence-based design as being an integral part of the design process. It provides sound documented data that can be used as a spring board for discussion and all parties that have a vested interested in the project that can determine, early in the process, the common goals and objectives.

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201110/index.php?startid=48

Sunday, November 6, 2011

2012 Membership Campaign Underway!!!

IIDA Georgia's Membership drive has begun!  Last week, we had 2 membership renewals and 3 new members join our chapter. 


We welcome renewal memberships of Jonnie Hanks and Andrea Soechting.  Thank you! 
A huge welcome to new members, Paula Calli (Industry), Lea Folds (Associate), and Sharifu Jackson (Student). 


Membership is important and has its privileges - members get first dibs on our Signature events and reduced rate entry for local presentations.  Contact Elizabeth Chambley for more information at membership@iidageorgia.org

It's time to get in on the action...Renew or Join now!!!

IIDA Georgia's Own MARGO JONES is Recognized...


...as 1 of DesignIntelligence's 25 Most Admired Educators of 2012
Each year, DesignIntelligence honors excellence in education and education administration by naming 25 exemplary professionals in these fields. The 2012 class of education role models was selected by DesignIntelligence staff with extensive input from thousands of design professionals, academic department heads, and students. Educators and administrators from the disciplines of architecture, industrial design, interior design, and landscape architecture are considered for inclusion...(read more).
Margo Jones
Professor and Interior Design Internship Coordinator, School of Building Arts
Savannah College of Art and Design
Jones joined SCAD in 2002, bringing with her 25 years’ experience of design work with special expertise in strategic planning, programming, and workplace analysis. She takes particular interest in mentoring and assists students and recent graduates in securing internships and full-time positions in design firms, architectural firms, and Fortune 100 companies. Jones is a fellow if the International Interior Design Association and a LEED accredited professional...(read more)
Article derived from Design Intelligence Article found at (http://www.di.net/articles/archive/3740/); Photo by John Clemmer for John Clemmer Photography