What does sustainability even mean?
It actually takes on several definitions. To some it means to continue our capacity to live life on this planet - to endure. To others it is to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It could be that it is improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of the Earth’s supporting eco-systems. Or even it is about stabilizing the currently disruptive relationship between earth’s two most complex systems—human culture and the living world. They are all pretty much the same definition just with different words but what they have in common is that its they are all about meeting our needs today, while preseving tomorrow.
How is this the future?
We can't continue down our current unsustainable path of relentless growth we will one day overshoot the planet’s capacity to support us. The best possible option is that we choose a sustainable future. Many think that we’re already at or well past the divergence point, and have gone down the wrong path. However, that’s not obvious to most people yet. Only when a majority of people see the need to change paths they will either push us in one direction or the other. The consequences continuing to push the growth curve beyond its supportable limits are collapsing.
Change needs to happen sooner than later, while our resources are still some what abundant. Until the time when people fully realize the need for change, sustainability will be where the path takes us!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
What do you think Interior Design is? Let me claify for you...
You probably think based on what you've seen on TV, most likely the HGTV channel, that interior designers can whip up designs and knock them out in a matter of days. This is ridiculously incorrect! Back in the real world, design projects can take up to months from beginning to end. TV shows do not show the process part or anything that may go deeper into what really happens when a client approaches a designer. Don't get me wrong, I love watching HGTV on a lazy afternoon but it is not realistic what they portray. Unfortunately, because of what is shown on TV the general public only see interior designers as people who come into a space and make it pretty. While decorating is a part of interior design, it is not the only thing we are capable of. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) best defines our profession which states: Interior design includes a scope of services performed by a professional design practitioner, qualified by means of education, experience and examination, to protect and enhance the health, life safety and welfare of the public.
We, as future interior designer's hold the responsibility of educating the general public on what exactly it is we do. If people are not educated about our profession, we will always be confused with interior decorators.
We, as future interior designer's hold the responsibility of educating the general public on what exactly it is we do. If people are not educated about our profession, we will always be confused with interior decorators.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Ethics - Do you have any?
First and foremost we have to ask ourselves a few questions about ethics. Do we know how to define the word ethics? Based on the definition, Are ethics important to you or are they not? How do your ethics affect your daily life? and How are they implemented when it comes to design?
Ethics are the moral foundation on which people build their lives. They assist in decision making, guiding you to participate in actions that meet your internal moral standards. Ethics represent the core value system you use for everyday problem solving. They create a framework for determining “right” versus “wrong”.
When defining personal ethics, there are several aspects to consider which can vary greatly from person to person. What makes up the framework of ethics is loosely based on elements of value. Starting with the value of others - or how one person treats another person in terms of respect, concern for their well being and recognition of their autonomy. It strongly impacts the depth and longevity of relationships. Next is the value of society - or how one interacts with society as a whole also speaks to their ethical standards. This includes compliance with the law, conforming to generally accepted social norms, and contributing to the community. And lastly and probably the most important, the value of self - or how a person presents themselves is an indicator of personal ethics. This refers to trustworthiness, honesty, reliability, and consistency.
Personally, Ethics are important to me! I have personal values, morals and ethics that I tap into almost everyday. On a daily basis different things come my way in which I am to make decisions on. I think about them, process them, and then make my decision. Within that process stage is when I decide whether or not the decision I make with affect my ethics, morals or values. They certainly affect my daily life but they are definitely not a hindrance in any way. Implementing ethics into design could be a little trickier. What if you were presented with a design project but it was for a business or person and you don't like or support. Would you be putting your ethics to the side to take that job? or Would that internal voice in your head tell you that it is "wrong?"and not take the job because it goes against your personal ethics.
We as designers will be facing the real world every single day while working in this career field. It is up to us and our personal ethics to decide whether or not we would take a particular job. Everyone is different and so are their ethics. There will be conflicts at some point in the future but as long as you stay true to your own personal ethics then you wont have any problems. Just keep it professional when turning down a job if it goes against what you believe is "right."
Ethics are the moral foundation on which people build their lives. They assist in decision making, guiding you to participate in actions that meet your internal moral standards. Ethics represent the core value system you use for everyday problem solving. They create a framework for determining “right” versus “wrong”.
When defining personal ethics, there are several aspects to consider which can vary greatly from person to person. What makes up the framework of ethics is loosely based on elements of value. Starting with the value of others - or how one person treats another person in terms of respect, concern for their well being and recognition of their autonomy. It strongly impacts the depth and longevity of relationships. Next is the value of society - or how one interacts with society as a whole also speaks to their ethical standards. This includes compliance with the law, conforming to generally accepted social norms, and contributing to the community. And lastly and probably the most important, the value of self - or how a person presents themselves is an indicator of personal ethics. This refers to trustworthiness, honesty, reliability, and consistency.
Personally, Ethics are important to me! I have personal values, morals and ethics that I tap into almost everyday. On a daily basis different things come my way in which I am to make decisions on. I think about them, process them, and then make my decision. Within that process stage is when I decide whether or not the decision I make with affect my ethics, morals or values. They certainly affect my daily life but they are definitely not a hindrance in any way. Implementing ethics into design could be a little trickier. What if you were presented with a design project but it was for a business or person and you don't like or support. Would you be putting your ethics to the side to take that job? or Would that internal voice in your head tell you that it is "wrong?"and not take the job because it goes against your personal ethics.
We as designers will be facing the real world every single day while working in this career field. It is up to us and our personal ethics to decide whether or not we would take a particular job. Everyone is different and so are their ethics. There will be conflicts at some point in the future but as long as you stay true to your own personal ethics then you wont have any problems. Just keep it professional when turning down a job if it goes against what you believe is "right."
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Professionalism & Design Education
Professionalism and Success go hand-in-hand. For some, being professional might mean dressing up for work, or doing a good job. For others, being professional means having advanced degrees or other certifications but it actualy encompasses all of these.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines professionalism as "the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation."
These definitions imply that professionalism encompasses a number of different attributes, and, together, these attributes identify and define a professional. Attributes that include, having a specialized knowledge or skill, being competent, being honest, maintaining integrity, ethics and accountability. It is so important that we work to earn a professional reputation in the workplace. True professionals are the first to be considered for promotions, they are awarded valuable projects or clients, and they are routinely successful in their careers.
Professionalism intertwines with Design Education in that our education is what molds us to become professionals. And with our new design knowledge and specific skill set learned in school and taking that into the real world by providing a service to the public makes us professionals while incorporating those attributes mentioned above.
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has provided a manual called the ASID Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct so that their members know how to be a successful professional.
http://www.asid.org/sites/default/files/ASID2011_CodeOfEthicsAndProfessionalConduct.pdf
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines professionalism as "the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation."
These definitions imply that professionalism encompasses a number of different attributes, and, together, these attributes identify and define a professional. Attributes that include, having a specialized knowledge or skill, being competent, being honest, maintaining integrity, ethics and accountability. It is so important that we work to earn a professional reputation in the workplace. True professionals are the first to be considered for promotions, they are awarded valuable projects or clients, and they are routinely successful in their careers.
Professionalism intertwines with Design Education in that our education is what molds us to become professionals. And with our new design knowledge and specific skill set learned in school and taking that into the real world by providing a service to the public makes us professionals while incorporating those attributes mentioned above.
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has provided a manual called the ASID Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct so that their members know how to be a successful professional.
http://www.asid.org/sites/default/files/ASID2011_CodeOfEthicsAndProfessionalConduct.pdf
Monday, April 15, 2013
I'm a Designer, NOT a Decorator...Damn it!!!
Why is it that a good portion of society still does not know that an Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator are not, I repeat not the same thing? Let me break this down for those who do not know.
According to the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, "Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building." Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design.
Interior designers apply creative and technical solutions within a structure that are functional, attractive and beneficial to the occupants' quality of life and culture. Designs respond to and coordinate with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability.
The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology—including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process—to satisfy the needs and resources of the client.Many U.S. states and Canadian provinces have passed laws requiring interior designers to be licensed or registered—documenting their formal education and training—and many of them specifically require that all practicing interior designers earn the NCIDQ Certificate to demonstrate their experience and qualifications. By contrast, interior decorators require no formal training or licensure.
Don't get me wrong I have nothing against Interior Decorators and there are a ton of them who are out there making a great living. But what gives Interior Designers that step up is the education and degree we obtain. A decorator does not require a degree, they can just decide to call themselves a decorator and start working with no knowledge or experience in the field. This can get dangerous for those who do not know the difference.
.http://www.ncidq.org/aboutus/aboutinteriordesign/differencesbetweeninteriordesigndecorating.aspx
According to the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, "Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building." Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design.
Interior designers apply creative and technical solutions within a structure that are functional, attractive and beneficial to the occupants' quality of life and culture. Designs respond to and coordinate with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability.
The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology—including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process—to satisfy the needs and resources of the client.Many U.S. states and Canadian provinces have passed laws requiring interior designers to be licensed or registered—documenting their formal education and training—and many of them specifically require that all practicing interior designers earn the NCIDQ Certificate to demonstrate their experience and qualifications. By contrast, interior decorators require no formal training or licensure.
Don't get me wrong I have nothing against Interior Decorators and there are a ton of them who are out there making a great living. But what gives Interior Designers that step up is the education and degree we obtain. A decorator does not require a degree, they can just decide to call themselves a decorator and start working with no knowledge or experience in the field. This can get dangerous for those who do not know the difference.
.http://www.ncidq.org/aboutus/aboutinteriordesign/differencesbetweeninteriordesigndecorating.aspx
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