7.26.10 | On July 1 of last year, HOK Product Design, LLC, a subsidiary of HOK, became the first new company out of a blue ocean initiative conceived by the firm. A year later, the company led by Susan Grossinger had twelve products in development or out on the market, four products at NeoCon 2010 or previewed offsite, and three patents pending.
7.26.10 | For Marner Architecture, the discussion of converting its existing resource library to a virtual digital library rose out of a need to fulfill a professional commitment. “One of the first steps,” said Heidi de Bethmann, “was coming up with a list of things that reduce our impact on the environment within our office.
A&D Firms >>, Technology >>
7.26.10 | New York is tough. There are so many opportunities that sometime it's difficult to get folks to pull together, at least in the same direction. But it's beginning to look like Jim Druckman and Dennis Cahill and their colleagues at the New York Design Center are finally putting together a New York contract product show that is going to stick.
Events >>
7.26.10 | There is a hierarchy to what visually distracts individuals from working. Understanding what catches the eyes’ attention, and why, can help designers and facility managers create more efficient and less distracting work environments.
Research >>, Minds At Work >>
7.19.10 | Little attention is given in the interiors world to individual differences. Yet, we know that people see the world differently, and we are fortunate to have someone — Robert Allen, an architect, and interior designer, a product designer, and a professor of interior design — bringing to our pages his distinctive view of the NeoCon WTF shows.
Mr. Allen, in our opinion, has unusually refined sensibilities, with the eye and judgment of products that most of us do not possess, bringing to bear the experience to judge product suitability in the context of architecture, clients’ interior design needs, and a product designers knowledge of engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Combine this with his artistic sensibility, he adds a dimension that, while not all of us share, we may find edifying.
The Best of NeoCon competition, sponsored by Contract magazine and directed by Eileen McMorrow, editor of the McMorrowReport.com, includes jurors from a cross section of interior designers, corporate facility managers and resource librarians.
Events >>
With trepidation we set foot onto the 10th floor of the Mart, still nursing our disappointment from last year’s mostly tepid offerings. We need not have worried; we were greeted by masses of clear, vibrant colors and decisive patterns that set the stage for this year’s carpet story.
Nicole Casey, a design management professional with extensive knowledge in product development and materials, returns to NeoCon from the real world of motherhood to provide a visual journey among some of the textiles featured at NeoCon WTF 2010, focusing on the color trends and textures.
7.12.10 | The Westin Hotel’s fine air conditioning helped us celebrated the COOL Gala 2010, the IIDA’s black-tie awards. In keeping with the celebratory solemnity of the occasion, my tie was black and I resisted the temptation to do a Terry-Mowers and wear my sneakers. (Apparently a level of design talent is necessary to push oneself beyond the normal bounds of propriety.)
Events >>, Prof. Associations >>
7.12.10 | Experiments link tactile experiences and social judgments/behaviors. For example, negotiators sitting in soft chairs did not drive as hard a bargain as ones sitting on harder chairs without cushions.
Research >>
