Please look over the following awards. Our state Administrator, Donna, has emailed this information to the membership. These awards have been changed from previous years so be sure and nominate and send in your form you received to Donna!
IDAs
1. Kenneth C. Kimbrough Award of Excellence
This is the highest honor bestowed by the Chapter. Presented to a Professional or Allied Member who has a proven history of participation in a wide range of ASID activities and community service over the years. Additionally, the recipient must be a published designer.
I nominate _______________________________________________
2. Educator’s Award
Presented to a member of the academic community, affiliated with an accredited school who has promoted the advancement of Interior Design education and has exhibited the commitment to enhancing the student experience and knowledge through education and example.
I nominate _______________________________________________
3. TN Humanitarian Award
Presented to a non-member who has championed the ideals of ASID’s platform directives of Sustainability, Aging, Health Safety & Welfare, and /or Global issues.
I nominate _______________________________________________
4. Chapter Service Award
Practitioner, IP or Student Member who has exhibited a commitment to the support of the professional practice of Interior Design by demonstrating exceptional leadership and voluntary service to support and promote the TN Chapter of ASID. The recipient of this award must not be a member of the immediate past or current state board.
I nominate _______________________________________________
5. Chapter IP Award
Industry Partner who has exhibited a commitment to the support of the professional practice of Interior Design. IP’s must have demonstrated exceptional and outstanding loyalty and support to the TN Chapter of ASID.
I nominate _______________________________________________
6. Emerging Professional Award
Presented to a practicing interior design member who exhibits a commitment to the professional practice of interior design. Applicants must have graduated form an accredited school within the past 5 years.
This award consists of 1 year of membership dues paid by Tn Chapter of ASID.
Recipients of this award are chosen by the immediate past and current Chapter boards based on the following criteria:
1. Completed application which would include information about education and work history.
2. Must submit a portfolio of at least 3 but no more than 5 projects in which you had significant participation.
3. Must submit a 200 word essay on “What it means to be a professional designer”.
4. 3 letters of recommendation from current members in good standing.
5. MUST DEMONSTRATE THEIR PASSION FOR THE PROFESSION BY AGREEING TO SERVE ON A DISTRICT OR CHAPTER BOARD FOR TN IN THE UPCOMING YEAR FOR A 1 YEAR TERM.
I nominate _______________________________________________
7. Jane D. Reagor Award
Presented to a student who is affliated with a school chapter of ASID or is an independent student member of ASID in good standing who exhibits a commitment to the professional practice of interior design.
This award consists of a gift certificate for books and/or supplies to students in the amount of $100.00.
Recipients of this award are chosen by the immediate past and current state boards based on the following criteria:
1. GPA
2. Portfolio
3. Teacher recommendation ( 1 minimum, 3 maximum)
4. Must submit a 200 word essay on ‘What it means to be a professional designer” or “What you see as your future in Interior Design?
I nominate _______________________________________________
8. District Service Award
Member who has exhibited a commitment to the support of the professional practice of Interior Design by demonstrating exceptional leadership and voluntary service to support and promote an individual district of the TN Chapter of ASID. The recipient of this award must not be a member of the immediate past or current state board.
1. Memphis Area
2. Nashville Area
3. Knoxville Area
4. Chattanooga Area
5. Tri-Cities Area
I nominate _______________________________________________
9. District IP Award
Industry Partner who has exhibited a commitment to the support of the professional practice of Interior Design. IP’s must have demonstrated exceptional and outstanding loyalty and support to an individual district of the TN Chapter of ASID.
1. Memphis Area
2. Nashville Area
3. Knoxville Area
4. Chattanooga Area
5. Tri-Cities Area
I nominate _______________________________________________
AGAIN..Please do not nominate here on this blog! Please print the information and or contact our state administrator for your ballot.
Put it on your calendar, the last Memphis District ASID meeting before the summer break!
Back by popular demand, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting will be opening up their kitchens for cooking, eating, drinking and being merry. You will not want to miss it.
Where :: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting
8100 Macon Station Dr, Suite 110
Cordova, TN 38018
When :: Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Time :: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Topic :: A great place to socialize
From Walter Polk, Memphis ASID District Director
Don’t forget about the Viking Range Plant Tour scheduled for next Tuesday April 20, 2010
For those interested in carpooling, I will designate a place for us to meet in Memphis and then consolidate cars for the trip to Greenwood.
Date: April 20, 2010
Time at Greenwood:10 am to 3 pm
Location: Viking Plant
111 Front Street
Greenwood, Ms 38930
Event includes: Tour of the facilities, lunch and review of new products and programs.
RSVP: Let me know as soon as possible if you plan to attend. The Viking group would appreciate a headcount to plan accordingly.
PDH: This qualifies for a PDH and I will have certificates available for those interested. Cost will be $10/certificate
Please notify Walter Polk if you are interested in attending this really great tour!
While it seems the economy is coming out of its slump, the housing market isn't. This factor may be a key component to a lot of interior design and architectural firms either laying off practicing interior designers or refusing to hire new ones. The residential housing market is one of the key indicators of the economy and will have an effect not only on the residential sector, but also the commercial sector.
This can be very frustrating to professionals who have done their research in a particular market, have experience under their belt and have taken the time to enhance their credentials as a professional. But, there is hope. A lot of potential employers are reinventing themselves, becoming more stream lined, and starting to think there may be a need for additional designers to have on staff, IF they have skills which can enhance their business.
In the past when an interior designer would work for a firm, the firm was largely responsible for the marketing function of the business. They would put out the advertisements and the new clients with projects ready to go would call and hire them. This trend has changed. In fact, 1 in 2 interior design firms have eliminated design assistant positions and are seeking out revenue producers to market and attract new business. Answering the questions clients have and producing drawings are no longer the basis of hire. Most firms even state they are seeking new graduates to hire because they are easy to train, have the computer skills and are willing to do some footwork - all at an entry level salary.
If you are a member of ASID, you have a few very important tools at your hands of in which you can learn from and use to enhance your skill set during this down time.
#1 - Be sure you are familiar with how to use online marketing resources. There are so many out there today, most designers don't even realize what they can bring to the table - at no cost to the firm. Be sure you are on social networking sites, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and the ASID TN website. All are designed for you to position yourself as a professional and helps to being additional value to an employer. After all, if you are doing it for yourself, you could even help with the business that is interviewing you. These sites are free to use, therefore opening up the lines of communication during the interview process and presenting to potential employers you know a lot more than AutoCAD and Revit.
#2 - Sharpen your selling skills. While you may have a lot of skills in the design department, be sure you are comfortable selling your creation. Attending seminars online, reading books aimed at sales and presentation techniques, and communication skills will make you an asset. no matter the environment you design, if your clients can't be comfortable in your confidence and with the design itself you will not sell the big picture. People buy one thing - feelings. So, be sure you can sell them on these points.
#3 - Blogging. We aren't suggesting you go out and spend thousands to create a blog. We are suggesting you blog at least 1-2 times a week using free tools available to you. There are multiple blogging sites out there. Blogger, Wordpress and Typepad are just a few to get you started. Creating content on your blog then posting the content to your social networking sites will only add value to your bag of tricks and quickly make you part of a growing community of online professionals sharing information with the rest of the world.
#4 - Sharpen your resume. This is the only thing a potential employer judges you on. Without an impressive resume listing all of the knowledge you have, not only from a design standpoint, but also from a marketing standpoint will definately make you a standout. Keep your resume short, to the point and professional.
#5 - Attend your local ASID meetings. You are a member of the largest professional organization for interior designers. Utilize your membership. From free CEU's to expand your base to meeting other practicing designers you have a lot of resources. Most designers who own their own firms or who are in charge of hiring for their firms will say they hire people they can trust, but mostly they hire on personality. Having a degree is a must, but since everyone sending in resumes also has a degree in interior design? That is the standard. So your education may not stand out. When people are familiar with you, they will help you in your job search. This is of course, word of mouth - which is the best way to gain the attention of a firm. Firms will shy away from hiring someone they are unsure of, or from hiring someone they feel is temporary. Set goals for yourself and be sure they are in line with the firm you are interviewing with. If your goals are not in line with the firm? You are less likely to get hired.
#6 - Funding a hire. Although the normal course would be to have an interview, get hired and earn a great living, a lot of firms will tell potential candidates they are not going to earn 40K the first year out. Or maybe even ever just working as a designer at their firm. As a candidate you have a number in your head you need to make to live. Yet the employer also has a number they know they can afford with existing market conditions. The two may not be the same or even close. A lot of designers looking to be employed do not know the cost associated with being employed. Tax rates and deductions are all part of the equation put into consideration when an employer makes an offer to a candidate. So when seeking a job be sure you are realistic with the number you are asking for. If you are offered a position, there is a large probability you will be earning less than originally thought, or until the economy grows again.
By implementing some of the ideas listed here - and bringing value to your potential employer, you will be on the right track. After you are in the office and working and implementing your skill set across a broad spectrum, you will become a valuable team member and increase your salary.
As more research is brought to light in this area we will share it with you all. These are difficult times but the technology is available to you as a candidate for a position can move you ahead of the pack.
Good Luck on your job search and as always be sure to ask questions here. If we don't know the answers, we will surely work our hardest to get them for you.
There is a time in every interior design students life when you start to get all jittery and nervous. Graduation is coming very soon for our spring seniors, and it is important to start the job search now.
If you are an interior design student getting ready to make the big trek out into the world, you need to be ready and equipped to handle the realities of practicing in this field. It isn't always pretty and it isn't always easy. In fact? It is hard work.
But the job search doesn't have to be a difficult one. If you are a member of one of the seven Tennessee student chapters, you have the world at your feet. Below are a few tips to help you make the transition and be ready to land your first job!
1. Ready your portfolio :: While it is important to be able to showcase your talents and design abilities on paper, it is equally important to showcase your knowledge of other skills such as the internet. As most firms feel as though they can do the interior design workload on their own without hiring new employees, having a grasp on blogging, photoshop, InDesign, and AutoCAD will lend new skills to the firm you are interviewing with. If you do not have a blog, start one. It's free, easy and show off your research skills and ability to communicate with the outside world. Be sure to include postings, any graphic work and CAD drawings in your portfolio.
2. Ready your warbdrobe :: While Ugg boots may be a staple for you in college, it isn't going to go over very well in the professional environment. Most employers look for a well coordinated overall style while in the interview process. You will be working with clients of all economic backgrounds, but you will need to be prepared to look your best. Just like the spaces you are creating.
3. Ready your goals :: Be prepared to have a direction you wish to go with a firm. Do your research on the firm. A lot of interior design firms have an online presence, but the overwhelming majority of them do not. But, utilize your mentors in ASID who are practicing to get feedback and information on any firms you may be interviewing with.
4. Talk with Industry Partners :: While they are a huge part of ASID, they are also the most knowledgable about how individual interior design firms work and function. Why? Because they are providing the wholesale goods and services to them. You have hopefully developed relationships with IP members during your time in the student chapters. If not, your professors will be able to help direct you into the right direction.
5. Start attending the district meetings :: This is imperative to landing the right job because you can interact and get to know everyone before you send out the first resume. Don't be afraid to stirke up a conversation with the members. They have all been in your shoes before.
Good luck on the job search and congratulations on taking the amazing journey through interior design education. The skills you have learned in school will give you the knowledge to succeed, and your ASID membership will only give you credentials as you work to build your business and rapport as a professional interior designer.
Congratulations!
The Tennesssee Chapter of ASID absolutely LOVES to see our members succeeding in the workplace. This is a great opportunity for all to see how crucial it is to have the right professional at the right time for everything to fit together. We hope you enjoy her story and congrats Karen!
Karen Kassen, ASID, CMKBD got the call from a friend that they needed a kitchen and needed it fast! A pipe had burst and was leaking under the slab in the kitchen area. They were a family of four with two small children and a very busy lifestyle.
They wanted to work with Karen to make wise decisions in a timely fashion and knew she had the experience and expertise to get the job done.
Since she had the opportunity to rework the existing kitchen, which desperately needed it, she recommended relocating every appliance. She also closed off a window, installed a new door, opened the kitchen up to a keeping room adding a peninsula with counter seating and enlarged a cased opening into the dining room to allow for extra natural light.
Results of the remodel: more storage, better function with a more open plan, and an added “eat-in area”. New appliances and cabinetry contributed to the function of the kitchen and efficiency of the layout. The clients now have extra cabinet space that is not even being used.
The project was completed in approximately 6 weeks with Karen’s company, Kitchens Unlimited in Memphis serving as the contractor providing a “turnkey” job.
Dear Design Professionals:
The MTSU Student Chapter ASID/IIDA would like to invite you to our 2010 Interior Design Student Showcase. At 5:00, we will kick off our event with our reception, student show and vendor exhibit. At 7:00, we will start dinner which is going to be a delicious stuffed chicken with all the works. At about 7:45, we have Cheryl Durst, Honorary FIIDA, LEED AP speaking. Then, we will celebrate our 5th Anniversary. So, please join us for a fabulous celebration and help blow out some candles!
The cost of the dinner is $25.00. Please, see the attached for additional details. Contact Amanda Sweeney at justdesignthis@yahoo.com or 615-578-4738 or myself at hilarywalkerdesign@gmail.com or 615-943-6306 to save your seat. We will need to receive checks, made out to MTSU ASID for $25.00, by February 17, 2010 to confirm your meal.
We look forward to seeing each of you,
Hilary Walker, Student Member ASID
MTSU Co-Event Chair
Our Student ASID Chapter at MTSU is busy prepping for their Student Showcase! If you haven't been to one? You should go. This is a great way to meet the talent and see the future of ASID with your own eyes.
Check it out, and if you go? Let us know how much you enjoyed it!
Getting the most out of your ASID membership is critical - you can maximize your experience by taking a few short seconds to fill out the simple and quick information gathering census!
Please help ASID TN by forwarding to all of your emails lists in with members of ASID TN.
Thank you asll so much!
http://www.asid.org/census
