Participate in the Conversation at NeoCon

Are you on Twitter?  If so, you can participate in the conversation by utilizing the NeoCon hash tag.

A Twitter hash tag allows you to tweet to a larger community about, well, pretty much anything.  The Merchandise Mart is utilizing #neocon09 for the show this year.

How do you use the hash tag?! Follow the example below:

“#neocon09 Knoll has a great showroom this year!”

Then follow your tweets at Hash Tags. We look forward to following your comments.  Follow IIDA_HQ for all of the latest updates regarding IIDA at NeoCon!  Our interns will also be busy posting pictures and their thoughts on the show as it happens here on our blog!

Last minute LEED!

Now that school is out for the summer, it is difficult for a lot of us to even comprehend taking on yet another exam. Yet, some ambitious design students are hitting the books hard this summer in studying for LEED, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accreditation exam administered by the GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute), and written by the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council). Even though the current LEED version 2 exam is soon to retire (the last registration date for the current exam has come and gone, but the last chance to take it goes until the end of this month), there are still some people studying hard.

Among the brave souls who are beginning to study this summer is my new co-worker at IIDA, fellow intern Dallas Dyer. As someone who took and passed this exam mere months ago, I had a few words of advice for her, and I thought I’d pass this advice onto all of you as well.

Click here for specific advice on taking and passing the LEED CI exam.

As I mentioned before, the LEED exam will be changing into LEED v3 in only weeks, which is going to be slightly complicated as far as I can tell. Specifically for students, the exam they will be eligible to take will not allow them to be accredited at the same level as professionals who have experience with LEED projects or green buildings, as they do now. Also, there will no longer be LEED-CI (Commercial Interiors) or LEED-NC (New Construction), but LEED-ID+C (for Interiors) and LEED-BD+C (for New Construction). Seem confusing? You’re not alone. But, if you’re interested, check out the following links I found that might help clarify, both from USGBC’s website and otherwise:

http://www.intheleed.com/the-leed-2009-greenbuild-update-the-leed-2009-exam/

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1970

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1936

A diagram of the new LEED v3 rating system

Hopefully this advice helps Dallas in her studying efforts and maybe some other people as well! I know that if I can pass the exam, others definitely can too! Good luck to everyone! 

Posted by Michelle Carroll, IIDA Summer Intern

IIDA Events at NeoCon 2009

“IIDA at NeoCon ® 2009: See the Future…Be the Future
For 15 years, NeoCon has been IIDA’s annual conference. This year, the International Interior Design Association will provide an engaging range of events and presentations, all fashioned to yield a discerning glimpse into The Future of Design. From serious contemplation to laugh-out-loud game interaction, IIDA presents a strong lineup of events.”

As NeoCon is quickly approaching, all of us here at IIDA HQ are frantically working to make sure that we get all of our projects done and events planned to make this years World Trade’s Fair a success. As I’m sure most of you already know, there are going to be a variety of seminars, showrooms, and new products launched right here at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago in just two weeks. Mark your calendars everybody! NeoCon events start Saturday, June 13th for Chapter presidents and IIDA members, but is open to the public Monday, June 15th, through Wednesday June 17th. Registration is FREE and can be done at neocon.com!

A complete list of everything that will be going on during NeoCon can also be found on the website. Although most are FREE, a couple events and seminars  have small fees, but if you’re a member you can get DISCOUNTS! Wanna become a member of International Interior Design Association? A complete list of the events, descriptions, prices and contact information for IIDA’s events at NeoCon, as well as registration to become a new member can be found on the IIDA website.  For those of you who want a quick run-down of IIDA’s events I’ve listed the basic info. below:

IIDA’s Chapter Leadership Council (CLC), Meetings and Workshops
Saturday, June 13, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at IIDA Headquarters, Suite 567 and Sunday, June 14, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at IIDA Headquarters, Suite 567

IIDA presents Twista!
Throughout NeoCon, June 13 – 15, 10am – 4pm daily at IIDA Headquarters, Suite 567

IIDA/Contract Magazine Showroom & Booth Design Competition Sunday, June 14, 8 a.m. – Noon at Showrooms and Booths in the Mart and IIDA Headquarters. Deadline for entry: May 22, 2009

IIDA Annual Business Meeting

Sunday, June 14, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., enter at Pearson St.

COOL 2009, IIDA Black Tie Celebration
Sunday, June 14, 7:00-11:30 p.m. at the Westin Chicago, River North

IIDA/NeoCon Keynote Speaker Address
Monday, June 15, 7:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza

IIDA Forum Advisors Presentation: Trends for the Future of Design

Monday, June 15, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at IIDA Headquarters, Suite 567

IIDA College of Fellows VIP Reception
Monday, June 15, 3-4 p.m. at IIDA Headquarters, Suite 567

Applied Brilliance at IIDA: The Future of Design
Speaker: Dr. Jim Taylor, Futurist and Vice Chairman, Harrison Group
Tuesday, June 16, 10 a.m. at IIDA Headquarters, Suite 567

Legislative Roundtable
Tuesday, June 16, Noon-1 p.m. at IIDA Headquarters, Suite 567

Stories from a Classic, featuring Herman Miller’s Hilda Longinotti
Tuesday, June 16, 3-4 p.m. at IIDA Headquarters, Suite 567

Pecha Kucha Night
Tuesday, June 16, 5:30-8 p.m. at English, 444 N La Salle Blvd.

United by Design: IIDA Government Forum
Wednesday, June 17, 7:30 a.m.-Noon at IIDA Headquarters, Suite 567

IIDA Student Series Program: Magazine Panel
Wednesday, June 17, 11 a.m.-Noon at IIDA Headquarters, Suite 567

D.4.21 Social Networking Event post-NeoCon
Wednesday, June 17, 5:30- 8:30 p.m. at IIDA Headquarters, Suite 567

SEE YOU THERE!

-KAYLA

Brand Yourself

Today is the last day to send in your submission for IIDA’s Brand Yourself NeoCon competition!

We have received some excellent entries so far, and we hope to get more!

Send us your resume and business card postmarked (or emailed) by June 1st, and we will display them for NeoCon 2009 in Chicago. One winner will be chosen to receive a free membership for the 2009-2010 school year. Submissions can be mailed to:

Christa Koskosky
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Suite 567
Chicago, IL 60654

Submissions will be judged for design cohesion, content, professionalism and creativity.

Need inspiration or a little direction?
Adobe Illustrator business card tutorial
Business Card examples on Flickr

Oh Sweet Summer

 

 

For at least most of us, summer is finally here! Of course, for a recent college graduate like me, that doesn’t mean daylong sunbathing or sleeping in until noon as much as it used to. This year, my summer will be busy with not one, but two great internships; one at the Knoll showroom in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, and the other here at the IIDA headquarters! Not that I’m not thoroughly excited about both of these great opportunities, but I can’t help but reminisce about summers past when all I had to worry about was applying sunscreen in the morning and enjoying my day.

 

Another night at Piazzale Michelangelo

Probably my favorite summer was last year in 2008. A year ago today, I was living in Florence, Italy (or Firenze, as the Italians call it), taking classes at Lorenzo de Medici, an exchange school through my University. Everyday I would wake up to cappuccino and walk through the San Lorenzo market to class where I and my three classmates (yes, three), would head to the next famous garden or historic building in this beautiful European city. The rest of my day usually consisted of eating lunch at a nearby café (and of course, a helping of gelato), followed by my Italian class. Finally, at night I would either make dinner with something I had bought at the Mercato Centrale (fresh fish, meat, produce), or head to the nearest trattoria to have a portion of delicious pasta and maybe another cup or two of gelato. And of course, a day in Florence would not be complete until I walked around the city, past the Duomo a few times, and maybe even up to Piazzale Michelangelo, a popular lookout point over the entire city of Florence. My weekends usually consisted of traveling, either to the surrounding Tuscan cities, or else to farther distances like Nice, France or Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. Needless to say, last summer is not one that I will soon (or ever) forget and is definitely a “hard act to follow” for any subsequent summer.

 

 

My roommates, their teacher, and I at our favorite gelateria!

While this summer won’t be quite as travel worthy as the last, it certainly won’t be any less adventurous! For the first time in my life, I really have no idea where my life will take me six months from now, which is entirely excited and terrifying at the same time. But, I cannot take this for granted. I could get a job right away, or I could go back to school, or I could even take the year off to travel if I wanted. The possibilities at this point are endless and if that isn’t an adventure, I don’t know what is! Not to mention, now that I’m done with school, I finally have time to do some of those things that I’ve been meaning to do forever but just didn’t have time while in school. Things like, catch up on enjoyable reading (not just for school!), learn to sew, experiment with cooking new recipes, and even catch up on that Italian that may have gotten rusty over the past year. Especially in 2009, I know a lot of college graduates are a little nervous to be leaving school, and even though it’s probably not the easiest time to do so, it’s still a time of our lives that we’ll never get back! Even though many of us wish we could go back to that first year of college, we can’t. But, we can be absolutely grateful for that time and the lessons we learned, and remember that a new experience that can be just as great awaits us in the years ahead, whatever that may be! And to those of you who are still in college: enjoy it! I know the papers and projects and hours of homework can be a bummer, but take the opportunities that college presents to you and run with them! You’ll always remember that time of your life fondly and maybe even reminisce about it someday like I am now.

So now that you know what my summer will consist of this year and what summer I’ll be reminiscing about for years to come, let me know what yours will be! What summer are you reminiscing about? What exciting plans do you have coming up? What interests are you going to catch up with now that you have a break from classes?

Posted by Michelle Carroll, IIDA Summer Intern

Staying In Contact With All Of Those College Friends

Hello IIDA members and friends! My name is Kayla Stauffer and I am interning at the IIDA HQ this summer. Before I start rambling on about an article that you may find interesting, I would like to tell you a little about myself! I am about to enter my senior year at Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana, and am pursuing a double major in Interior Design and Marketing. I am passionate about Interior Design and am motivated to transform the design world in a positive way.

 

As I find myself entering my fourth year of college, I am starting to recall all of the memories and friends that I have made along the way. College is not only about the education, it is about the experiences you have and the people you meet. I have been thinking about many friends that have come and gone and all of the friends that will be graduating and moving on into the “real world.” These thoughts can be intimidating and scary because of the unknown future. I came across an article that discusses these issues and others that are common among college students. It gives great advice on how to stay in touch with friends of the present and how to reconnect with those of the past. It is a pretty short article, but is definitely worth reading over! If you find yourself pondering similar thoughts and would like some ways of keeping in touch with your collegiate buddies, this article will be beneficial. To view the article click here.

 I am happy that I got the chance to introduce myself to you and look forward to speaking with you all soon!

 Happy Summer!

 Kayla

Groupon: Have a Fun and Safe Summer!

Summer is upon us, at least it finally feels like it is here in Chicago!

We know the economy is bad, but that shouldn’t limit your ability to get out, take a break and relax.  Check out Groupon, which is all about collective buying power.

Groupon is currently only available in a couple of cities, but the deals they offer are pretty amazing!  Cubs tickets, zipcar memberships, massages and restaurant discounts.

Have a safe and fun summer!

IIDA 7th Annual Student Sustainable Design Winners

IIDA is pleased to announce the student winners of the 7th Annual Student Sustainable Design Competition.  This year marked our highest number of entries and some of the best projects we have seen!

Best of Competition went to Joung Youn Park of the New York School of Interior Design.  His design, Brown for Green, serves as a community center that cares for the elderly and strives to educate children on the upper east side of New York.

Joung Youn Park, Brown for Green

Joung Youn Park, Brown for Green

The Award of Excellence was given to Cassidy Lange, Washington State University, for her rendering of Market Mix.

Cassidy Lange, Market Mix

Market Mix aims to create a built environment in which consumers will view food differently through education and demonstration.  The design features a recycled glass terrazzo floor and My Mix classrooms where the community can gather to share healthy eating practices.

The Honorable Mention entry belongs to Giselle Alboniga, Miami International University, and her project “Surface Dermatology.”

Giselle Alboniga, Surface Dermatology

The actual site is located in Miami’s MiMo Biscayne Boulevard Historic District.  The architectural style of the building is MiMo, or Miami Modernist architecture.  Giselle incorporated a seamless, aesthetically pleasing and functional design throughout.

Giselle Alboniga, Surface Dermatology

Congratulations to the three winners!

Best Cities for College Grads

Looking for an affordable place to land after graduation?  You may want to check out Career Builder’s top 10 places for graduates!  Click here to read the entire article.

According to the article, the list is based on the ranking of the top U.S. cities with the highest concentration of young adults (age 20 – 24) from the U.S. Census Bureau (2006), inventory of jobs requiring less than one year of experience from CBcampus.com (2009) and the average cost of rent for a one bedroom apartment from Apartments.com (2009)

#1 Indianapolis

#10 San Antonio
Want to know what’s in between?

NeoCon Student Day

Don’t forget to check us out at NeoCon 2009!  Our student day panel will be full of information!  We are bringing together the best editors of today’s top interior design magazines, to let you know what designs have impacted them and their readership.  They will also give you insights into how you can get your work published.

Join us Wednesday, June June 17th at 11:00 a.m. in suite 567 in the Merchandise Mart.  Light refreshments will be served.