A new fiscal year, CEO and board leadership. A new strategic plan for the future. With renewed momentum, the Society is poised to support the post-recession revival of our industry, to invigorate our profession and propel our practice into ever more meaningful realms of possibility.
We are the core and voice of the design community … a force for innovation … a champion of how interior design enhances the human experience.
The Society's leadership has put interior design at the forefront of important trends like sustainable design and has informed legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act — underscoring the positive impact of design in our homes, offices and public spaces.
Through advocacy, research, partnerships and accreditation programs, we support your mission to create spaces where people live more fully, work more productively, learn better and heal faster.
We are designers, industry representatives, educators and students who believe in the power of interior design to improve the human experience. We are committed to creating engaging and functional spaces that meet client needs while protecting the health and safety of people in interior environments. And we are committed to encouraging others to do the same.
Through ASID, we are able to connect at a very genuine level. That connection gives rise to collaboration. And through our collaboration, we elevate design.
The ASID Professional Network
Together, 48 chapters form the ASID national network. Chapters are a vital component of ASID membership, providing fellowship and delivering programs and services. ASID chapters offer a place for designers, students and Industry Partners to network, build relationships, engage in educational programs and activities, and further their professional development.
The Society's network is like no other—vast, yet accessible. We bring together more than 30,000 members from practice areas that span the entire field of interior design, including:
In 2012, we engaged in many new initiatives aimed at improving connectivity among members, giving you better business tools, increasing leadership training for our chapters, and communicating clearer, more consistent messaging on the impact of interior design on the human experience.
Through programs like GO PRO and RealWorld DesignWeek, and by recruiting talented members from our chapters to serve on national councils, the Society never stops nurturing a dynamic exchange of ideas.
We're focused on guiding change and innovation to maximize our members' potential and the potential of interior design.
In 2012, ASID saw stabilization within the industry and its membership. These are the internal, unaudited financial statements for the Society and its Foundation.
(The audited statements will be posted once they are available.)
ASID is a leading voice in the conversation about how the interiors that we spend 90 percent of our time in can be human-centered, supportive to our productivity and restorative in times of stress.
In our 2012 State of the Industry report, we opened with the assertion that interior design can, and does, help address a wide range of social, economic and health issues confronting our nation. The ASID Foundation is a leading force in research and education on these topics.
From our mid-1990s study on acoustics and office productivity to our current support of research on how design affects human behavior, we have worked to back up the important design work you do with our research. In fact, ASID is the only professional organization that maintains a regular program of research and knowledge development on interior design practices and issues.
To be the core of the design network—a valuable resource for our members and the recognized leader of collaboration in the industry.
To expand the knowledge base of interior design by creating, collecting and distributing research and information.
To deliver opportunities and resources that help our members expand their practices and promote the value of interior design.
To create a leadership culture within the organization that increases our performance.
These are exciting times for ASID. We are moving forward, through deliberate and focused collaboration, to increase our visibility and stand as a committed voice for the profession.
Preparing you to excel in an evolving profession and a global marketplace.
With the economy in recovery mode and our industry on the rebound, we are working to generate knowledge, deliver new professional development opportunities and establish exciting partnerships that will prepare our members for success in a global marketplace. Programs—like GO PRO, for emerging professionals, and the Society's numerous leadership opportunities—prove that no matter where our members stand in their careers, the experience of connecting with other designers and sharing knowledge lifts up everyone, emerging professionals and established designers alike.
Publications such as ASID ICONand our 2012 State of the Industry report, are bringing you new perspectives on your practice and on the industry as a whole.
Reviving the industry and creating new opportunities.
With our 2013 – 2015 strategic plan in place, ASID is already in
the process of:
Launching a new website that will serve as a powerful marketing tool for our members and drive home the value of good design to your potential clients.
Designing professional education programs that will prepare you to work successfully within changing business models.
Forging new partnerships with industry organizations that will allow you to expand your practice into new territory.
Expanding our legislative activity to address a broader range of business issues affecting your practice
Over time, we've raised the bar—so today when you say, "I'm an interior designer," it means something to the world.
New in 2012: ASID introduced the Associate membership category. Associate members are interior designers who have been practicing interior design for at least six years and have a degree in a subject other than interior design.
The ASID Industry Partners program connects us with the interior furnishings industry. Both interior designers and industry representatives share mutual concerns, common goals and
financial interdependence. Together, we work to improve products and services, business practices, design education and intercommunication.
Our Industry Partners' participation in and support of research, educational programs and other activities is helping advance the practice of interior design. The more we collaborate with Industry Partners, the more we promote the value of interior design.
Owner, Determined by Design LLC
ASID member since 2008
Former Student Representative to the Board for the Pennsylvania East chapter
Member of Emerging Professionals Advisory Council
Latest challenge:
"Starting my own business. My end-of-the-year goal is to pursue clients in the multifamily and hospitality markets."
ASID has…
"… given me so many great experiences. Access to other design professionals. Things that would never have happened anywhere else."
For example:
"Within months of becoming a member, I was at CLC and met Deborah Forrest [FASID] a major force in hospitality design—exactly what I was aspiring to do! I parked myself outside sessions where she was presenting in order to meet her and we connected. Now we have a very authentic, relaxed relationship and she's been an important mentor to me."
ASID is really good at:
"Reaching out to people who are talented—who have that spark—and getting those people involved. They instilled in me a real desire to pay it forward, encourage others and make sure they get the same chance I got."
Words of wisdom:
"Good design is about people. When you put people first, like ASID does, then good design follows."
Matthew J. DeGeeter, ASID, LEED AP ID+C
Interior Designer at Perkins+Will
Former Student Representative to the Board for the Indiana chapter
ASID Member since 2003
Director At Large on the ASID National Board of Directors
ASID has…
"… put my career on a fast trajectory—I never would have imagined that it would happen at this pace. Essentially, it changed my career so that I wasn't just working a lot and going home, but doing things that really make a difference."
Making a difference:
"When I was chair of the Emerging Professionals Advisory Council, we came up with the idea for GO PRO. Seeing how the event has grown so quickly in two years, seeing all those people put in the extra effort—it's very inspiring. And the reciprocal effect, there's a great vibe. It's amazing to create that moment that makes a person want to be a member for life."
Why he'll be a member for life:
"The professional development. Developing new skill sets that aren't part of my everyday work. The learning opportunities. The leadership potential."
Words of wisdom:
"Whatever you put in, you get back tenfold."
Rosalyn (Roz) Cama, FASID, EDAC
2012 ASID Designer of Distinction
President and Principal, CAMA Inc.
Chair of the Board for The Center for Health Design
Past National President of ASID
Member since 1975
Current challenge:
"Now that I am in a position of thought leadership, the stakes are higher than they have ever been in my career. I'm focusing on how I can I leverage the knowledge I have gained to be a catalyst for transformation in our profession."
ASID has…
"… been my community for my whole career. Connected me, as a novice, to sage mentors. Prepared me to be a part of discussions bigger than I could have ever imagined. Pulled me into a position of thought leadership, and taught me that the generosity of volunteerism has its rewards."
Making an impact:
"There's no question ASID has helped me have an impact on the design of healing environments. The ASID Foundation is currently funding a gap analysis of the research in the field of interior design. It is with this analysis that we will be able to spark the conversation about how interiors can be human-centered, restorative at the appropriate stressful moments and supportive in the most productive moments."
Words of wisdom:
"We do relatively nothing alone."
Promoting the value of good design—and good designers.
Our new website [link to site]—launching in the winter of 2012 – 2013—makes it easier for members to get the information you need, showcase your talent and develop vitalcontacts. It serves as a powerful marketing tool that not only promotes the value of good design but also directly connects potential customers to our members.
Look for these new features:
MyASID and Member Profile (formerly the ASID Designer Referral Service) tools that make connecting easier
"Latest News" and "Social Buzz" sections that provide interactive clearinghouses of information
Designers Near You, which highlights a group of designers beyond a user's active search
The Design Gallery, a place for Emerging Professionals to showcase their work
In June, ASID@NeoCon featured forums on ADA compliance and reinventing yourself for hard times, tours, keynotes and a roster of fantastic speakers. We also enjoyed the largest amount of booth traffic we've ever had—and raised more than $2,000 plus 200 pairs of shoes to donate to Samaritan's Feet.
In September, GO PRO: Empowering Emerging Professionals Now brought more than 100 up-and-coming designers to New York City for two days of incredible opportunities, professional development and networking. With significant sponsorship from companies like The Vinyl Institute, we were able to engage designers from 17 states across the country. About GO PRO>>>
RealWorld DesignWeek has nearly doubled in size in the past five years. The program, which took place November 4 – 10, paired 617 student members with practicing design professionals for more than 1,300 shadow day events. Since 2008, RWDW has successfully paired more than 3,000 student and professional members and has created more than 4,600 shadow day events. About RWDW>>>
Building excitement and awareness about interior design.
Our inaugural State of the Industry report, presented in September at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., told the nation more about who interior designers in the U.S. are and our place in and impact on the economy.
Findings showed that while other sectors of the building industry are continuing to struggle, interior design has been experiencing a post-recession rebound. Significantly, the report showed that designers are specifying more than $46 billion worth of products and services a year.
More on the State of the Industry
Working for you.
In 2012, ASID extended or maintained all interior design laws in the United States, which included defending the Certified Interior Designer law in Virginia that was under threat of elimination. We also hosted the annual Legislative Symposium in Atlanta.
We will continue to work toward achieving the enactment of legislation that:
Allows interior designers to bid on state and federal interior design contracts
Allows interior designers to seal and sign documents for permitting
Ensures that interior designers will benefit from reciprocity
Advancing the profession.
The ASID Foundation advances the interior design profession by drawing upon its resources to promote meaningful collaboration and research, award scholarships and fund projects that broaden the value of interior design.
The research and education that we support expands the baseline of knowledge about how interior design affects behavior; and by disseminating that knowledge and encouraging innovation, we benefit the health, safety and welfare of the public.
The ASID Foundation is working to increase its assets to $4 million by ASID's 40th anniversary in 2015. Your support will allow the ASID Foundation to continue to fund projects that demonstrate the value of design, provide scholarships to the profession's rising stars and support programs that help grow designers' skills and businesses.
Evidence-based design research is a powerful tool available to residential designers. In commercial design, integrating research into the process is standard. Restaurant designers know which colors to use to stimulate appetite; educational designers understand how different types of lighting affect learning. Residential designers can incorporate this same type of information in their design of a client's home.
In 2012, the ASID Foundation awarded $35,000 in scholarships. The Foundation was thrilled to recognize eight individuals for their talent and contribution to the interior design profession, granting awards to students, educators and practicing professionals. The scholarship and awards program, which has no application fee, has been a part of the ASID Foundation since its founding in 1975.
The ASID Foundation was proud to award $115,000 this year for research projects focusing on applied research in interior design and human behavior and well-being to the Center for Health Design, Drexel University and Texas Tech University. The Foundation chose these recipients from more than 50 proposals from interior designers, scientists and educators for projects focusing on how interior design improves human behavior.
In 2011, The ASID Foundation awarded $100,000 to the Materials Research Collaborative, a two-year project of the Healthy Building Network. A central element of the partnership between HBN and BuildingGreen, the Materials Research Collaborative operates with the purpose of enabling the interior design community to more proactively participate in reducing the use of building products that are hazardous to human health while stimulating market demand for
healthier building products. The ASID Foundation grant helped fund the recent launch of the Health Product Declaration (HPD) which facilitates transparency in the building material industry to support the selection of healthy building products.
The Society offers more than 25 research reports, white papers and market studies covering a broad spectrum of topics including employee productivity, privacy, sustainable design, lighting and daylighting, design for aging, home safety, home healthcare delivery, and design and behavior.
Congratulations to our 2012 ASID Design Award winners!
ASID Designer of Distinction Rosalyn Cama, FASID, EDAC, president and principal of CAMA Inc.
ASID Nancy Vincent McClelland Merit Award Kerrie Kelly, ASID, CAPS
ASID Billings Report Shows Improvement Across Sections and Regions
(Contract Magazine)
American Society of Interior Designers to Style 200 Pairs of TOMS Shoes for Chicago Charity Event
(Interiors & Sources)
American Society of Interior Designs Host Inaugural State of the Industry Address
(PRNewswire)
ASID's 2012 Annual Report Provides In-Depth Look at U.S. Interior Design Industry
(Home Accents Today)
ASID Announces Partnership with Dwell Media
(MediaBistro)
Interior Design Industry on the Rebound, According to ASID
(Editor at Large)
ASID Foundation Awards $115,000 in Scholarships
(Office Newswire)
New Partnerships
Dwell Media
A new and dynamic partnership with Dwell Media will provide year-round opportunities for ASID designers to showcase their work through Dwell's print and online platforms as well as in person at national events like Dwell on Design and Dwell Home Tours.
The 1% program of Public Architecture
This innovative program connects design firms with nonprofit organizations in need of design assistance and asks designers to commit 1 percent of their time to pro bono service. Through our official partnership with the 1%, we aim to recognize this work while also making it easy for any member who wants to get involved in pro bono projects to do so.
Streamlined Accreditation
ASID joined forces with Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) and International Interior Design Association (IIDA) to create the centralized and formalized Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC) in 2011, and ASID is continuing its commitment to education accreditation. Through IDCEC we aim to streamline the accreditation process for both course takers and providers, and to elevate the quality of continuing education within the industry.
New Leadership
A focus on leadership development is a cornerstone of ASID. In 2013, we are developing an expanded leadership initiative to engage talent and offer a comprehensive program for ASID leaders from local chapters through the national board. The first step in this direction will be the co-location of our annual Chapter Leadership Conference and Celebration awards ceremony
with Dwell on Design, June 21 – 23, 2013, in Los Angeles. This effort will enhance the Society's leadership training and prepare our leaders to guide change and lead innovation for the profession and for the future.
