Research Agenda
I am continuing the work I did for my dissertation on the professionalization of interior design and licensure. My second area is sustainability in Action or how sustainability can be integrated into projects without expanding the budget. I was invited to be part of a panel discussion at the International IDEC Conference last year about applying sustainable principles to building codes. The third revolves around reactivating creativity in my students. Last year I interviewed 25 design educators, graduate students, and practitioners and a product designer on a visual representation of the interactivity of Evidence Based Design and research as a catalyst for creativity. The fourth topic is about interdisciplinary design. I did a presentation this summer in Prague at the Interdisciplinary Social Science Conference. The presentation was about a class teaming business and interior design students to produce a feasibility study for the Lenawee County YMCA. I have submitted my paper on Collaboration in the Classroom for publication in their journal.
Pedagogical Method
My personal pedagogical method was enhanced by my recent education at Virginia Tech and teaching at Savannah College of Art and Design. I expanded an innate teaching ability with and understanding of how to use research as a mechanism to spur on student creativity and innovative design. I have expanded Evidence Based Design with other exploration to give student’s designs a richness and depth of meaning. The enrichment includes, scholarly research, philosophy, theory, culture, case studies, precedent studies, building codes and inspirational studies. In addition, the application of client branding as a source for design inspiration and the use of experiential design has taken my students interiors to a new level of meaning. This meaning goes beyond function to what their future clients will need to prosper, physically, mentally and spiritually.
My pedagogical methods for studio classes include a short lecture to give the students the information they need for the task at hand. Then, I use individualized desk critiques meeting with every student every week to nudge them into more holistic, integrated and creative designs. Through this individualized attention, I can target what each students needs to be successful, nudge them into a deeper understanding of the client and help them find their own personal design voice. Through these methods, I have great results with excellent students and I have good results with struggling students.
My pedagogical methods for studio classes include a short lecture to give the students the information they need for the task at hand. Then, I use individualized desk critiques meeting with every student every week to nudge them into more holistic, integrated and creative designs. Through this individualized attention, I can target what each students needs to be successful, nudge them into a deeper understanding of the client and help them find their own personal design voice. Through these methods, I have great results with excellent students and I have good results with struggling students.
personal design philosophy
My personal design philosophy is client based. Before branding was a catch phrase, I delved into my client’s personality and company’s mission statement to find an interior that totally reflects who they are as a person, family or a business. I used this to spur on my creativity and produce innovative designs.
After going to Virginia Tech, I have expanded this direction by using research to enrich my designs. I used scholarly research, philosophy, theory, culture, case studies, precedent studies and inspirational studies to find the core of my client. Using these concepts brings the interior beyond function to give my clients an environment to help them to prosper, physically, mentally and spiritually.
After going to Virginia Tech, I have expanded this direction by using research to enrich my designs. I used scholarly research, philosophy, theory, culture, case studies, precedent studies and inspirational studies to find the core of my client. Using these concepts brings the interior beyond function to give my clients an environment to help them to prosper, physically, mentally and spiritually.