Current Issues and Opportunities

Hear from ASID and other experts on how the design industry landscape is changing in response to societal trends, and explore new research on the impact of your design solutions.

Explore a variety of career path options to help you determine where to specialize and what type of position to look for as your first step. 

What You Will Learn

• Gain a solid understanding of the current industry landscape
• Identify potential career paths
• Understand how global and societal events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, impact the profession
• How design solutions impact the health and wellbeing of people in spaces

Core Content

Summer Series 2021: Beauty of Impact: Design & Social Justice

Designing for social justice puts people and communities first. The beauty of social justice projects is seen in the resulting impact and reflection of the communities they serve. Hear from the designers and educators who have led projects on a variety of scales, from the built environment to the development of curriculum, and see how this work can bring about positive mental, physical, and social outcomes for people and communities. Inversely, find out how the design team is impacted by the lessons learned from the people they serve in these projects. Empower yourself to bring social justice practices to your work that will have a lasting benefit and be seen and felt for decades.
Recording available under the On-Demand Content tab.

Summer Series 2021: The Competitive Advantage of NCIDQ Certification

Give yourself a competitive edge in the job market, establish your credibility and expertise, and qualify to register as an interior designer in many states – all of these futures are possible when you earn NCIDQ Certification. Earning the Certification involves a combination of education, work experience, and sitting for a three-part exam. You may be wondering if it’s worth the effort. Learn from practitioners who’ve gone through the process and hear how NCIDQ Certification has made a difference in their careers by opening doors to expanded job opportunities. Get practical advice as you map your future to earning NCIDQ Certification.
Recording available under the On-Demand Content tab.

Summer Series 2020: Design Problem Solving Scenarios 

Take on the challenge to tackle design problems provided by practitioners, and see how the designer resolved the same issue. Read about the design problem and challenge first, then review the videos from practitioners to see how they solved their problem, including recordings of live “Ask the Expert” sessions where they answered more in-depth questions about their approach.

• Problem Solving Scenario 1 | Room Flexibility  
• Problem Solving Scenario 2 | Restroom of the Future 
• Problem Solving Scenario 3 | Wellness and Cryotherapy Spa 
• Problem Solving Scenario 4 | Patient Check-in 
• Problem Solving Scenario 5 | Hospital Patient Room 

Changes in the Psychology of Design: Rethinking Space

Our attitudes toward space, both virtual and physical, changed through the COVID-19 pandemic – how will they continue to transform? Designers have an opportunity to enter the conversation and demonstrate the profession’s value through the development of healthy, innovative spaces. Leading experts Sally Augustin, Ph.D., Lida Lewis, ASID, WELL AP, WELL Faculty, LEED AP ID+C, Fitwel Ambassador, and Whitney Austin Gray, Ph.D., WELL AP, WELL Faculty, LEED AP, analyze challenges designers may tackle in future spaces and investigate the profession’s role in implementing change.

Design for Sensory Wellbeing

People with developmental disabilities process sensory stimuli in unique ways. For those with autism spectrum disorders, especially, atypical sensory processing can greatly impact their everyday lives. Become informed about current evidence regarding sensory processing and design implications to enhance sensory well-being. You will explore a recent case study of a sensory wellbeing hub for students with developmental disabilities installed at a public high school, and gain a deep understanding of the design and research methods used to create this multi-sensory environment which you can apply to serve this population group. This course presents an overview and findings from a study conducted by HKS, Inc., funded by an ASID Foundation Transform Grant.

Design Your Path

When you graduate, interior design may be your degree but you can chart a path for yourself in any direction you choose. Hear from Jennifer Kolstad, ASID, Assoc. AIA as she shares her experiences navigating her own career, starting in hospitality design, leading to healthcare design, and finally to her current position as Global Director of Design at Ford Motor Company. Throughout her career, Jennifer has built her expertise and skills no matter the environment in order to create her own opportunities. You will also learn how she approaches design projects using the “think, make, test” model to discover, design, and deliver results centered on the human experience.

Returning to Your Workplace: What to Consider

Learn how designers can safely and successfully reenter the workplace after a health crisis (using COVID-19 as an example) and how employers can best support their staff through the transition. A panel representing various areas of the interior design community provides insight on the best strategies to create a smart rebound from home to work. The program references guidelines from health and workplace thought leaders and discusses key considerations to implement into practice.

The Pulse of the Industry: ASID Research on Industry Resilience

What is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, interior design industry, design professionals, and their businesses? ASID has conducted a series of “pulse surveys” every two weeks since March 31, 2020 to capture snapshots of how interior design companies and practitioners have been responding to this unprecedented time and practicing resilience. Explore the results of the industry-wide survey to understand the impacts on projects and business performance and identify the challenges professionals are facing. You will also hear from designers, manufacturers, and media partners who are adapting to advance the profession and build resiliency.