Author Archives: Claire Smith

Member Spotlight: Eliza Balen

Name: Eliza Balen
Company/Years:
GBD Architects – 11 months
Membership Type: Associate
IIDA member since: 2013

Hobbies?: I’m a very active person and I love to get outside – you can usually find me playing or coaching soccer. That being said, I can also appreciate a good Netflix binge. I’m also a huge foodie and love trying all the awesome craft beers and restaurants Portland has to offer!

What gets you excited about design?: Every time I complete a project or assignment, I think of something I could have done differently. I get inspired every day by my peers and other designs and it’s hard to not feel like you could’ve done something better. The great thing I’ve learned is that the next time around, you get to implement the lessons you’ve learned. The constant exposure I get to great design everyday is amazing and that’s what gets me excited about the work I do.

Favorite color at the moment?: All those shades of yellow/green! Chartreuse especially is catching my eye right now. Also greys have always been very comforting to me. I usually struggle with bright colors but with all the grey we get in Portland it’s easy to add a bit of sunshine!  I love to add a pop of color to a mostly neutral palette.

Favorite design magazine/blog?: For personal enjoyment – Dwell. Dream houses and dream furniture galore! For inspiration at work I like to scroll through retaildesignblog.net.

Why are you a member of IIDA?: I joined IIDA when I was a student at Savannah College of Art and Design. Since I’ve began my career and moved to Portland it’s been a great way to meet and connect with peers.

 

IIDA Oregon Chapter Wins Advocacy & GRA Activities Award

advocacy_chapterspotlight_2-01The IIDA Oregon Chapter was awarded the Chapter Advocacy and GRA Activities Award by IIDA Headquarters. Check out the full post on the IIDA blog, DesignMatters.

Special shout-out to the IIDA Oregon VP of Advocacy, Bethanne Mikkelsen, IIDA, NCIDQ Certificate No. 29445, LEED AP ID+C, for working so hard to bring IIDA legislation issues to the attention of local designers, politicians, and the Oregon public as a whole.

Continuing Education Forums, A Year in Review

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The Forums team would like to extend big thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered and sponsored forums events this past year. It is because of you, that we had such a successful year to date! We would like to share a few highlights from this fun and educational year.

Increased Attendance
Overall event attendance was up by 10%! This was not only great for networking opportunities, but enhanced each presentation with interesting conversation and audience participation.

A Focus on Education
CEU credits were offered at 4 forum events and the Design Crawl…with the March event offering 3 credits, a total of 7 CEU opportunities were available through forums events!

Community Involvement
Because of your support and attendance of the October Forum, $1000.00 dollars in funds was donated to the local nonprofit, Harper’s Playground.

Enhanced Sponsorship Opportunities
This year we formally introduced the opportunity to sponsor an entire forum! This opportunity offers  increased benefits such as exclusive sponsorship recognition in event related communications, verbal recognition at the beginning of the forum and a 5 min segment to speak on the behalf of the sponsors company and space to display your product of choosing.

In planning for forums in the 2015-2016 board year, we are committed to continuing to enhance program value, address member interests and provide relevant and educational opportunities. Thanks again for your support, and we look forward to learning and connecting with everyone during upcoming forums events!

Cheers,
The Forums Team

Member Spotlight: Carissa Mylin

Name: Carissa Mylin
Membership Type: Professional
Company / Position: SERA Architects, Associate / Interior Designer
Years of Experience: 9 years
IIDA Member Since: 2008

Why are you a member of IIDA?: I have been a member of IIDA since I was a student and my involvement in the organization has consistently supported me in all aspects of my professional career. From making a connection with my future employer at an IIDA event, to portfolio coaching, support studying for NCIDQ as well as unlimited opportunities to network with our highly connected design community.

Interesting fact: I actually grew up in Portland. So many people are transplants here now that most people are shocked to learn that I’ve lived here for all but the first four years of my life. I am also named after a plant.

Why did you become an Interior Designer?: When I began school, I studied graphic design at PNCA (Pacific Northwest College of Art). I quickly realized that I wanted to design things that were more tangible and would have a longer lasting impact. I transferred to Oregon State University’s Interior Design program and found a calling in my sustainable systems class. I became fascinated with the idea of designing spaces which are both healthy for people but are also good stewards of our planet’s finite resources. I also believe that good design can and should be universally accessible to all people regardless of age, ability or social status.

Favorite IIDA event: I love the Design Excellence Awards. There are simply not enough opportunities to share the amazing design work happening in Oregon. It makes me feel so proud and inspired to see what my colleagues are working on.

Affiliate Member Spotlight: Carrie Gates

Carrie_Gates

Name: Carrie Gates
Company/Years: Absolute Procurement / 6 years (10 years previously at Ankrom Moisan Architects)
IIDA Member Since: 2008

Favorite IIDA event: The Design Awards, held every fall. It’s basically a big party where designers, reps, consultants and other industry professionals can enjoy the fruits of our labor and feel a great sense of camaraderie as part of the interior design field. I love seeing the completed projects that my peers have worked on and am always inspired by the design innovations specific to our region. Plus it’s fun to show the judges the amazing work our Oregon Chapter produces. From a business perspective, it allows me to see the work of various design firms, giving me opportunity to discuss future collaborations.

Hobbies?: Spending time with my husband Jayson, our two little ladies and dog, being amongst friends and family, traveling, running, listening to live music, trying new restaurants and setting off on new adventures.

Favorite color at the moment?: Color is perhaps one of the most important decisions in design. Amongst other things, color can evoke mood, define spaces and affect the way a space is used. Color trends are always changing but these days, I’m really digging Navy blue – always classic, always fresh, always elevates a space.

Interesting fact?:There are many reports of elephants showing altruism toward other species, such as rescuing trapped dogs at considerable cost to themselves.

Favorite design magazine/blog?: For business, I like hospitalitydesign.com. In the procurement industry it’s a great FF&E / furniture resource because it connects my business to vendors, products and projects. I often research current projects to find out who is designing them, and have forged relationships with many companies that I have found on the site. For fun, I like Remodilista.com so I can dream up my future beach house.