Interior Design Artistry, Custom Creations, AI & a Path to Happiness and Financial Success
There is a lot of nervous chatter in the interior design world about how AI powered technology is going to disrupt the entire industry.
But, maybe the fear that AI-generated designs is going to commoditize the industry & see small design firms replaced by AI-powered interior design apps is being blown way out of proportion.
Maybe AI-powered tech frees designers from a whole host of time consuming repetitive tasks allowing for a deeper focus on artistry, custom furniture - hardware - lighting - fabrics - etc, improved customer service, deeper relationships with clients, trades, contractors, suppliers, media and your local community…you know…fun stuff.
Listen to today’s Interior Design Podcast Episodes:
Convo By Design - Josh Cooperman - Sensational Tactile Creations that Loom Large in a Time of Renewed Artistic Appreciation - William Storms - 52 min
Creative Genius Podcast - Gail Doby and Erin Weir - How to Fail at Business and Other Tips for Success (David Farris) - 49 min
The Interior Design Business CEO - Desi Creswell - When Your Day (Or Week) Is Derailed - 27 min
Business of Design - Kimberley Seldon - Winning at Project Management with Alexandra Crevier - 36 min
The Holistic Interior Design Business Podcast - Rachel Larraine - How to Publish Your Work & Get Noticed- 1 hr, 9 min
Convo By Design - Josh Cooperman - Sensational Tactile Creations that Loom Large in a Time of Renewed Artistic Appreciation - William Storms - 52 min
Have you ever heard about the “mathematical driven craftsman”? I had never heard the term before but after speaking with the founder of his eponymous, Brooklyn based textile studio, I understand. And I think after hearing his story, you will understand as well.
Woven deep into the fabric of William Storms DNA lies an almost primal desire to create from instinct. To weave a story into the work he crafts and looming large within the narrative is a strong desire to make something never before seen and at a time when there is a premium placed on unique, original, handmade work, William Storms is someone you should know.
Creative Genius Podcast - Gail Doby and Erin Weir - How to Fail at Business and Other Tips for Success (David Farris) - 49 min
Highly successful entrepreneurs frequently comment on how many failures they suffered and recovered from along the path to making it big. No one wants to fail. Yet, many business-people will say they learned more from failure than from success. Rebounding from failure also gave them the courage to keep trying new things, which eventually led to discovery, innovation and making their mark.
In this podcast, Erin talks with David Farris, president and CEO of Ted Scott Designs, a custom upholstery design firm in High Point, North Carolina. David came to the upholstery business almost accidentally after having pursued several other previous careers. That diverse background helped him to bring a fresh perspective to the business and how he manages the factory…
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David began by explaining that Ted Scott Designs is a direct-to-designer-only business, offering true custom services, including build-to-order pieces according to a designer’s specifications. The majority of their clients, he said, are small, independent designers who may buy only one piece at a time.
David talked about the process involved in creating custom pieces and why there often are long lead times involved. He encouraged designers to tour a factory so they can see for themselves all the steps and craftsmanship that go into producing the final product.
Although clients sometimes may balk at how long they have to wait to get a custom item, David emphasized that for interior designers, “custom is where you can make a lot of money.” The designer’s creativity and style results in a unique piece that can command a substantial mark-up.
David explained that he has created a firm culture that puts his people first. The heart and soul of the business, they are both artists and craftspeople who must learn how to perform many different tasks involved in creating each type of furniture. Rather than making employees conform to a manufacturing routine, he chose to find a way to make production work around them to give them more autonomy and flexibility in their work schedules. While he cannot afford to provide employees with many costly benefits, he has created a workplace environment that few would give up for higher compensation.
Erin asked David what advice he had for listeners. He said to learn to get over your fear of failure. Instead, contemplate failure. Make a plan for how you will get past or recover from failure, and then take risks and try new things. Fear of failure, he said, leads people to make bad decisions that they falsely think will help them avoid failure. It also stifles creativity.
To hear what other advice David had for business and personal success, what designers need to know in order to properly order custom furniture, and how a career as a flight attendant prepared him to lead a custom upholstery company, listen to the entire podcast.
The Interior Design Business CEO - Desi Creswell - When Your Day (Or Week) Is Derailed - 27 min
Effective problem-solving is a vital skill you must cultivate as an interior design business CEO. Whether you’re currently facing a derailed calendar or not, learning how to save yourself time and create space in your business will always serve you, and today, host Desi Creswell is showing us how to be prepared for any obstacle that comes your way because the truth is, it’s inevitable.
Discover how to get back on track when your day or week is derailed. Desi’s inviting you to consider the empowering thoughts you want to take on when things don’t go as planned, why examining your thoughts matter, and strategies you can use to get back in the driver’s seat of your calendar when you’re forced to adjust your plan.
What You’ll Discover from this Episode:
What a margin is, and why I always recommend planning at least an hour of it into your day.
How to get back on track when your schedule is derailed.
Why addressing your thoughts about your derailed day or week matters.
The most impactful thing you can do when you’re facing a derailed day or week.
How to remind yourself of alternative truths when things don’t go as planned.
4 questions to ask yourself when you’re forced to replan your calendar.
Business of Design - Kimberley Seldon - Winning at Project Management with Alexandra Crevier - 36 min
Is there an ideal balance for the design professional; a median point that relies equally on creativity and process? In this episode, Alexandra Crevier shares her experience melding a background in civil engineering and construction management with the somewhat less rigid world of residential design.
In this episode we learn:
educate yourself with books, YouTube, podcasts—never stop learning
when implementing a design, theory doesn’t cut it, pick up the phone and ask your contractor for help
bring formal process to the residential construction world
clients love to see you managing the project with process
host a post-mortem for every project and don't forget to include your trades who will have valuable insight as well
professional doesn't have to mean boring, it’s ok to have fun with clients
saying yes to everything is the number one mistake
The Holistic Interior Design Business Podcast - Rachel Larraine - How to Publish Your Work & Get Noticed- 1 hr, 9 min
Today’s episode was recorded live as part of a panel - moderated by host Rachel Larraine - all about publishing for an ASID chapter meeting. The discussion covered the key components of getting your work published, including hiring photographers, building your social media, and pitching your stories to editors with our talented and expert panelists: Architectural Photographer Jim Brady, President & Group Publisher at Modern Luxury Ken St. Pierre; and nationally-recognized communications expert and Creative Director of Experiences, Alexandria Ott.
Jim, Ken, and Alex generously shared their perspectives on how interior designers today can stand out and get their work featured, whether they’re seasoned designers or are just starting to build their businesses. There’s so many amazing tips shared in this one discussion, and the best part is that you can put many of these tips into action today!
