design practice

Episode 2203 of 303 See Other, a personal podcast 303 seconds in length by me,  @polysemic. It’s an exercise in practice, production and thinking in public.

After a couple of weeks dominated by deadlines and day jobs,  I wanted to face my Resistance to personal projects such as this podcast... which brought to mind "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield.

The original Invocation for Beginnings by Ze Frank  can be found in this YouTube video.

The format of this podcast is lifted directly from that of Permanently Moved by @thejaymo. The name and length of this one just felt like the right choice.

In this episode we discuss: 

1. Strategies for taking the WELL Building Exam
2. The importance of designing for building health
3. How to apply the strategies of WELL to the design of a project

“The role buildings can play in human health and well-being has never been more evident or more important. Thanks to an evolving evidence base, we understand more about the relationship between the physical environment and human health than ever before. We know how to create spaces that enhance – rather than hinder – health and well-being. We can measure – and then improve – the quality of our air, water and light. We can design environments that fuel our bodies, move us, keep us connected, inspire our best work and facilitate a good night's sleep.” - WELL

Guest Summary

Becca Dobosh has over 16 years of experience in the interior design industry, with a focus on and passion for sustainability.  For the past thirteen years she has been an integral part of SERA’s Hospitality Studio, which focuses on custom packages for branded hotels in complex, urban environments. Her approach to incorporating sustainability into projects is deeply immersed in biophilic design with an emphasis on creating healthy interior spaces that are grounded in occupant engagement through compelling storytelling. By creating spaces that strengthen the symbiotic relationship between humans and our environment, Becca designs for long-term resiliency and wellbeing.  She is a LEED & WELL AP, and Associate Interior Designer at SERA Architects.

To listen to the show and read the show notes on tips for taking the Well Building exam.

Follow us on instragram to stay in the loop on future episodes.

Interested in being a guest or have a topic covered, contact Mile Long Trace. We love hearing from our guests. 

Till next time keep designing yawl. 

The first attempt at a new thing.
Learning new software and a workflow (audio) that is utterly foreign to me.
Publishing this now because sometimes it is important just to begin. Practice will make progress.
If you do find (and listen to) this, please do let me know when.
For now, maybe the best place to find me is @polysemic.

With apologies to @thejaymo for the outright cribbing of the format for his Permanently Moved podcast. The name and length of this one just felt like the right choice.

Mile Long Trace speaks with Becca Dobosh about how she has woven the principles of biophilia into hospitality design.

Guest Summary

Becca Dobosh has over 16 years of experience in the interior design industry, with a focus on and passion for sustainability.  For the past thirteen years she has been an integral part of SERA’s Hospitality Studio, which focuses on custom packages for branded hotels in complex, urban environments. Her approach to incorporating sustainability into projects is deeply immersed in biophilic design with an emphasis on creating healthy interior spaces that are grounded in occupant engagement through compelling storytelling. By creating spaces that strengthen the symbiotic relationship between humans and our environment, Becca designs for long-term resiliency and wellbeing.  She is a LEED & WELL AP, and Associate Interior Designer at SERA Architects.

In this episode we discuss: 

1. What biophilic design is and how to apply it to a project 
2. What lead Becca to learning more about biophilic design
3. How she has applied the principles of biophilic design to a urban hospitality project

“Refuge is the idea that if people or animals or living beings are protected at the back and slightly overhead, they will feel more protected. It is the reason why animals have their deans in caves. The next principle is prospect which is access to views. Back in the day, humans were drawn to prospect because they could see predators coming. It provides a sense of safety. If you combine refuge (protection around and above you) and prospect (with views) you get a space that is very comforting to people". -Becca Dobosh

To listen to the show and read the show notes on tips for how to integrate biophilia into hospitality design. 

Follow us on instragram to stay in the loop on future episodes.

Interested in being a guest or have a topic covered, contact Mile Long Trace. We love hearing from our guests. 

Till next time keep designing yawl. 

Mile Long Trace speaks with Rachel Codd to explore the concept of designing for public spaces and place based design. We discuss a diversity of project sectors to talk about the importance of post occupancy evaluation, and how we can inform the design of public spaces using place based strategies.

Guest Summary

Rachel Codd is working on her MA in Interior Architecture and Design at Heriot Watt University.  She brings with her a background in illustration design and spent a decade working as a research librarian. While working in the library, it occurred to her she has a passion for how the built environment could be better through post occupancy evaluation and place based design strategies.  She brings with her a background in illustration design and spent a decade working as a research librarian. While working in the library, it occurred to her she has a passion for how the built environment could be better through post occupancy evaluation and place based design strategies.

In this episode we discuss: 

1. Why Rachel decided to get a MA in Interior Architecture
2. What her experience is like studying in Scotland 
3. How her background in illustration design has shaped her approach to the built environment
4. How ones mindset has to shift when working in different project sectors 
5. Why it is important to close the loop and perform post occupancy evaluations
6. How a place based design mindset can elevate ones design practice

Read the full show notes for key quotes and details about this episode.

Don't forget to engage on instagram to stay in the loop as episodes become available.

Feel free to reach out if your itching for a topic to be covered elizabeth@milelongtrace.com. 

Till next time keep designing yawl. 

Ever wonder how you can level up your design career? In this episode, Mile Long Trace speaks with Nita Posada about how to elevate oneself professionally between 5pm and 9am.

Guest Summary

Nita Posada is a Principal at Skylab Architecture in Portland, Oregon.  

• IIDA Chapter President and Strategic Advisory Committee Member
• She holds a NCIDQ Certificate and is a LEED AP BD+C
• She has a Bachelor of Interior Architecture from University of Oregon
• She has worked on projects that span across healthcare, higher education, hospitality and residential market sectors. 
• She enjoys participating in AIA softball leagues and industry golf tournaments. 

“This is an industry where you have to advocate for yourself, and not be afraid to speak up. Carve out your own path to find your passion. If you want to try something new advocate for it.” - Nita Posada

What are things you can do between 5pm and 9am as a design practitioner to elevate your career? Read the show notes to find out.

Don't forget to leave a rave review in your favorite podcast app.

Engage with us on social to stay in the loop.

Till next time keep designing yawl. 

The architecture and design field is a service-based industry. A designer must somehow bring in a profit and how we do that is through the design services we provide. In this episode we explore: 

• What a service-based industry means? 
• Why have good customer service?
• How to apply a client centric approach to your projects?

“As one becomes more experienced in their practice they can begin to see warning signs with clients. You can head off challenging clients by practicing a service-based mindset.” - Elizabeth

To listen to the show and read the show notes on 10 tips to providing good customer service.

Follow us on instragram to stay in the loop on future episodes.

Interested in being a guest or have a topic covered, contact Mile Long Trace. We love hearing from our guests. 

Till next time keep designing yawl. 

In this episode we will look at the transition of starting a new design position:

• Discuss how you know it is time to transition
• Interview tips
• How to approach your new position physically and emotionally

For 5 tips on how to approach your new job position read the full show notes.

Don't forget to leave a rave review in your favorite podcast app and follow us on instagram to stay in the loop as new episodes release.

Curious about a topic you would like for us to cover contact us. 

Till next time keep designing y'all. 

We take a dive into the practice of design from a parenting practitioner’s perspective. This episode is for you if you have kids or are thinking about having kids or your curious about the term work life balance. We will look at how parenting impacts the design process. 

Guest Summary

Megan Plante is a A&D Marketing Manager with OFS. She is a mother of two and has started a social media account called Mothers of Design, also known as MOD Squad. MOD Squad's vision is to create a voice and recognize that mothers in design exist. She strives to normalizing parenting by creating events around parenting and design. In this episode, Megan and I are going to take a dive into parenting, being a practitioner, and honing our voice of what feels right as a practitioner with a work life balance.

Whether or not you have a family that you're currently living with, or you're thinking about starting a family. We will look at what it means to have a work life balance within the context of a modern day design practice. 

In this episode we asked Megan:

• What led you to starting MOD Squad?
• What have you been hearing and feeling in the design industry from working parents?
• How do you think the profession has shifted since parents are working from home?
• There are parents in the workplace, then there are mothers in the workplace, how are mother's brains wired and how does that impact the workplace? 
• Do you think the 9-5 is realistic for parents?
• What advice do you have for the younger you when thinking about having kids in the design profession?

 “We as practitioners have to remember that working is a relationship. We have a relationship with our job. A relationship means there is a give and take. It is not a constant take. That is not a relationship.” - Elizabeth

“You're going to come across other ways of thinking, other relationships, other people, other upbringings. You are also going to come across people that have a very narrow mindsets, and I think no matter what, honor what is in you. Listen to your inner voice and what it is telling you to do. Be true to yourself.” - Megan

If you are a parent and practitioner that is seeking a work life balance we would love to hear what has worked for you. Please share elizabeth@milelongtrace.com. We want to hear from you and help build this profession together.

Make sure to follow us https://www.instagram.com/milelongtrace_podcast/ and tag a fellow designer that comes to mind when you listen to this episode. 

Till next time keep designing yawl. 

As we zoom into 2021 we take a look at the digital presentation process to set you up for success.

In this episode we will talk about:

• How to prep for a design meeting
• How to structure a meeting with a clear agenda
• Effective verbal and visual presentation styles
• Look at zoom etiquette
• How to maximize client engagement and form a relationship digitally 

Now lets elevate your practice by crafting successful design meetings.

To get  professional tips on how to design, run and shape a digital design presentation check out the show notes.   

Don't forget to leave a rave review in your favorite podcast app and follow us on instagram to stay in the loop as new episodes release.

Curious about a topic you would like for us to cover contact us. 

Till next time keep designing y'all. 

In this episode we talk about the relationship of architecture and interiors as a practice, we size up the ARE and the NCIDQ, we discuss pursuing a masters in architecture and provide insightful tips to help you elevate your practice.

Guest Summary

Michael Riscica is founder, creator, brainchild and show host of Young Architect. 

• Graduated from the New York School of Technology  with a Bachelor of Architecture
• Registered Architect with his NCARB Certificate 
• Volunteered for Architects in schools with Architecture Foundation of Oregon
• 2014 he founded Young Architect - Helping Young Architects navigate the early years of their careers and being more successful in school, work and the Architecture Registration Exam
• Written publications on how to pass the Architectural Registration Exam
• Created an ARE bootcamp to help architectural designers pass the ARE exams

“There are a lot of hats an interior designer can wear. In some way they are the same as an architect and some ways they are different. I think understanding what hats you're great at wearing and how you fit in is important.” - Michael

“If you don't have good bones, if the proportions of the space aren't right, you're just putting lipstick on a pig.” – Elizabeth

Check out the show notes to capture a summary of our discussion.

Don't forget to leave a rave review in your favorite podcast app and follow us on instagram to stay in the loop as new episodes release.

Curious about a topic you would like for us to cover contact us. 

Till next time keep designing y'all. 

Interior designers have the capacity to produce thought provoking work that is regionally empathetic and culturally diverse. 

When we travel, we open up to observing and learning about other cultures. During the process of observation we break down internal cultural biases. We become empathetic to other ways of living, working and socializing. We learn how to create culturally appropriate responses to global design problems. We increase tolerance among other cultures, religions and race. When we lean into a worldly viewpoint we are one step closer to promoting social justice. In this episode we will explore the importance of travel in the design practice and how to adopt this thinking while we can not travel.

Guest Summary

Casey Martin is an interior designer and educator. She has practiced nationally and internationally on LEED projects in Hawaii and South Korea. Since 2009 Casey has practiced at Mitsunaga & Associates out of Hawaii, supporting the architectural department with planning and interior design services. Casey leads a design practice with Reverie Design Studio. She taught an exploratory course called Multi-global Design working with students creating empathy and culture awareness. Casey has traveled extensively and documents her experience through a travel blog called Land of Marvels.

Read the show notes to gain 6 tips on how to apply travel to your design practice.

Don't forget to leave a rave review in your favorite podcast app and follow us on instagram to stay in the loop as new episodes release.

Curious about a topic you would like for us to cover contact us. 

Keep observing, traveling with your minds and designing!  

As designers strive to become more innovative, working in groups is at the root of harvesting a larger breadth of creativity.  Collaboration is a tool for reaching greater innovation and creativity in the design field. In this episode we will offer 10 tips to creating a collaborative culture.

“When we collaborate creativity unfolds across people; the sparks fly faster and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  Collaboration drives creativity because innovation always emerges from a series of sparks – never a single flash of insight.” 

- Sawyer

Read the full shownotes on 10 tips to creating collaboration.

Don't forget to leave a rave review in your favorite podcast app and follow us on instagram to stay in the loop as new episodes release.

Curious about a topic you would like for us to cover contact us. 

Till next time keep designing y'all. 

How does one foster creativity? In this episode we will talk about the moment in the design process when one needs to summon the creative voices inside. We will unpack how to be creative and offer 10 tips to foster creativity in the design process.

“I believe that inspiration will always try its best to work with you – but if you are not ready or available, it may indeed choose to leave you and to search for a different human collaborator.” - Elizabeth Gilbert, Author of Big Magic

“The shear act of freeing your mind to be creative in another medium can un-lock your brain enough to be able to think more freely, clearly and creativity about your own design.” - Elizabeth

Read the full shownotes to see 10 tips for fostering creativity.

Don't forget to leave a rave review in your favorite podcast app and follow us on instagram to stay in the loop on new episode releases.

Curious about a topic you would like for Mile Long Trace to cover contact us. 

Till next time keep designing y'all. 

When we hear the terms equity and inclusive design these days our ears perk up, but if you are like me you are left wondering, what does equity really look like in the built environment and how does a busy designer apply the concept of spatial justice to their practice? In this week’s episode we will look at:

• An overview of what spatial justice means
• Discuss the range of inclusion that should be considered
• Look closely at mobility and access to sharpen your design practice
• Discuss how to adopt a more spatially just practice

Let’s go from awareness to action in your design practice.

“Spatial justice is drilling it down to the individual experience within the design of space. In my mind, spatial justice is about how space is shared among people and how we have biased design. When we design for the “average” human, we really design for no one. It excludes so many experiences. Spatial justice is about bringing the benefits of good design to everybody, especially those who have been historically left out.” – Hannah Silver

Guest Summary

Hannah Silver is founder and inclusive design educator with Informal Function, LLC. I/F’s mission is to empower activist designers of the built environment through spatial justice education and project consultation.

• Formerly she was an inclusive design consultant with AllGo.
• She is an adjunct instructor at PSU in the School of Urban Studies and Architecture
• Previously a sustainability manager at an architectural firm. She is a LEED AP for Homes, EcoDistricts AP, WELL AP, and Fitwel Ambassador.
• Hannah fuses her degrees in architecture from University of Virginia with a focus in Global Sustainability to her Masters in Urban and Regional Planning at Portland State with a focus in land use to her current venture with Informal/Function.

“Design won't save the world, but it can do a lot to shift whether people feel welcome or not in a space. There is a lot that comes from our business culture or social culture, and what we're doing to be inclusive in environments. The more that we have queer and trans people, folks with disabilities and representing neurodiversity, people of size, people of color, and other folks designing in the profession, the more that we will see design that is more inclusive.” – Hannah Silver

Check out the show notes and additional resource on equity in design.

Don't forget to leave a rave review in your favorite podcast app and follow us on instagram to stay in the loop on new episode releases.

Curious about a topic you would like for Mile Long Trace to cover contact us. 

Till next time keep designing y'all. 

Design Justice is the intersection of race, culture and architecture. 

With protesters across the nation calling upon communities saying, “it isn’t enough to be silent anymore.” The design community should do more, a lot more, but how? Even though the systems at play are so massively broken, doing something is a start.  

In this episode Elizabeth explores how architects and interior designers can start to address social change and equity in the design process.

“We need to adopt a new role as a facilitator, not the all high and mighty practitioner that knows best. We need to be humble. We need to be vulnerable. We need to be willing to step down and recognize that the skill sets lie in leading teams through the design process. We need to elevate the voice of others. Now that is Design Justice. ”

It is highly recommend you reference the show notes for this episode. The quotes brought forward and resources from the show are worth a second read.

Don't forget to spread the love and share this show with a friend. Follow Mile Long Trace on Instagram to watch for future episode releases.

Till Next Time Keep Designing Y'all.

We are in week 10 of a worldwide pandemic. Many Architecture and Interior Design firms around the world have normalized the working from home culture. Yet we are left wondering where our collaborative design process is heading? We find in times of change, we as a human race are turned upside down, brought out of our comfort zone and forced to recon with thoughts that were always there but were masked by the bustling of the daily race. In this episode industry leader Bill Bouchey joins Elizabeth Lockwood to muse on:

• Resetting the design process during social distancing 
• Debunking the working from home culture
• Explore what it means to "reoccupy"
• Establishing new behavioral norms and developing guiding principles that enhance the built environment
• How design thinking is impacted by social distancing

Guest Summary

Bill Bouchey, FIIDA, ASID

• 30 years of design experience
• Director of Design, Interiors for HOK and leads projects out of Los Angeles and New York
• Recently admitted into the IIDA College of Fellows
• Bill has experience as a thought leader in workplace, showroom and retail environments, with an emphasis on innovation and brand presence
• His design sense is driven by the belief that interior design empowers people and transforms organizations
•  He serves on Contract magazine’s editorial advisory board and is a frequent contributor and guest speaker on design
•  IFMA Design Innovation Award for Touch Mudder Brooklyn Headquarters (nominated)  and Design & Construction Awards (The Law Firm of Fitzpatrick, Cella, Scinto & Harper: Large Office Category)
• Interior Design BOY Best of Year 2012 & 2013
• SARA Society of American Registered Architects
• Hot off the press, NYCxDESIGN has honored Bouchey and his team at HOK the 2020 Best Creative Office for Shiseido Cosmetics. Look for the project feature in the May issue of Interior Design Magazine.

“What are the guiding principles that might come out of this that a portion of the world will adopt, even if this pandemic is cured and goes away?  Because there will be someone thinking what about the next one?  How will we approach the design of the built environment to be more immediately responsive to the next one? Those are the lessons learned that continue to unpack themselves every day in the pandemic that we’re in. They are adding up to guiding principles. That is the next place that I would like myself and my peers thinking to go because I think that is where leadership around the built environment is going next.” 

- Bill Bouchey

To read key highlights from the show check out Mile Long Trace.

Don't forget to head on over to our Instagram feed to engage and stay informed! Can’t wait to hear from you. https://www.instagram.com/milelongtrace_podcast/
 
Lastly don't forget to hit subscribe in your favorite podcast feed and leave a review. In order for Mile Long Trace to deliver you credible content that meets your practice, we need to grow this platform.
 
Keep Designing Ya'll!

In this episode you will hear first hand how to navigate the profession of interior design. Guest Peter Harrison and Elizabeth discuss:

• How to be resilient during different economic climates
• How to transition from school to practice
• How to approach the intimidating topic of networking
• How to make yourself indispensable at a firm

“You are the driver of your professional destiny.  No one is going to hand it to you. Know that whatever happens during a recession you can make things happen for yourself. It might not happen today.  It might not happen tomorrow but it will happen.  Do not lose sight of your goals, dreams and aspirations. I think if you are resilient and you focus on the end goal things will work out.  They always do.  So be tenacious and be excited, positive and ready to enter a profession that is incredibly enriching and touches so many aspects of our lives.  It is very worthwhile to stick through this kind of period of uncertainty and just keep going, keep producing and being excited about interior design.” - Peter Harrison

Guest Summary:
Peter Harrison is a Interior Designer at Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership. He is a captivating emerging designer. Early on in his career he has identified how to set goals and through networking align himself with his career aspirations. 

Some highlights from his career include:

• Director of Student Affairs with IIDA Oregon
• Bachelor in Interior Design with a Minor in Landscape Architecture from Utah State University
• Portland Materials Transparency Collaborative Leadership Group
• USGBC Special Programs Working Group for Green Build
• Recently completed the Parson Healthy Materials Lab Program
• LEED AP ID + C and Living Future Accreditation
• He has a passion for sustainability, networking and paying it forward to the next generations of designers. 

To read 11 Pro Tips and to reference additional professional resources visit the show notes. 

To contact us with questions please reach out. 

Don't forget to leave a rave review on your favorite podcast player. 

Till next time keep designing y'all. 

We are all musing on how the built environment will transform in response to pandemics. Though we can not predict the future we, as designers, can start to toss ideas out there to see what will stick. Very much like the iterative process of design, the idea has to come from somewhere. Lets toss it out there, lets collaborate as an industry and start to see what will stick.

Curious about what other design professionals have published in response to pandemics. Read the full show notes to find out. Mile Long Trace

Do you have trends you are hearing and seeing in your networks. Please leave a comment in the show notes.

Engage with us on social at https://www.instagram.com/milelongtrace_podcast/. 

Overview 

In this episode Primo Orpilla with Studio O+A discusses:

• Design resiliency
• Designing for user experience 
• Change management strategies 
• How interior design touches lives
• Empowering designers to be design activists

“I want designers to feel empowered to make the request to push and create great environments because humanity is at stake.” - Primo Orpilla

Guest Summary 

Primo Orpilla is co-founder with Verda Alexander at Studio O+A. Studio O + A is a interior design studio in San Francisco, best known for designing stylish offices for tech clients such as Cisco, Uber, Alibaba, Yelp, Capital One Labs, Nike, Levis, Adidas and McDonald's.

Some highlights from Primo’s career include: 

• Growing a firm along with his partner to 40 plus employees by becoming an icon in corporate office design.
• Studio O+A was awarded Interior top 50 honors as a firm that is doing eye catching, game changing work.  
• Fast Company named O+A in the top 10 firm as part of the “most innovative companies.” 
• Cooper Hewitt National Design Award Winner, inducted into Interior Design Magazine Hall of Fame, is Contract Magazine Designer of the Year and ASID Designer of Distinction Award winner. 
• Published Twelve True Tales of Workplace Design. 
•  Founded a product design line working for Kimball Office, IdeaPaint OFS, and Martin Brattrud to create a furniture line called the Canopy. 
• He is a FIIDA and has served on the national IIDA board promoting design education. 
• He is currently teaching in the Master Program at IE University in Madrid and has taught Senior Advance studios at University of Texas. 
•  He is dedicated to advancing commercial interior design through not only design excellence but giving back to universities and professional organizations. 

To read the full show notes and see work from Studio O+A.

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Keep Designing Ya'll!