Comments on: 5 Things They Don’t Teach You In Interior Design School

By: Gail Doby

Gail Doby — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:53:30 +0000

Several members have expressed frustration lately about students not understanding what it really takes to be successful. Many want to be a designer and potentially run their own business, but guess what? When they have their own business, they will be asking their employees to do the tasks that they are resisting doing. Interesting, isn't it? This is me venting, but this is one of the most complex businesses, and it takes special skills to be great at all of the parts of the business…but then again, why learn what you don't like to do and what you don't want to do? Just outsource or delegate.

By: Gail Doby

Gail Doby — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:53:28 +0000

By: Jane Ann Maxwell

Jane Ann Maxwell — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:12:24 +0000

I couldn't agree more! Design School just like any school environment is more about academics than real life. To carry on a design business, you have to have the skill set of any entrepenuer. You need to know administrative systems, marketing, sales, contracts and time management in addition to the whole list that belongs on the design side. It is daunting to say the least, yet when it all works… MAGIC! A business that you can really enjoy and take to whatever level you aspire to achieve.

By: Gail Doby

Gail Doby — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:53:50 +0000

I agree, Joyce. One of the challenges for an employer is fighting the urge to get angry in this situation. It takes a tremendous amount of patience to coach interns and employees. The best you can hope to accomplish is to explain how learning the task will benefit them. Sometimes, you have to explain through story-telling to make it seem less like an order than an opportunity. You might want to share the interview we sent over the holidays with Scott Halford about his book, Be A Shortcut. I purposely did that interview to share with students that are looking for internships or jobs after they graduate. Many lack the maturity to understand that you have to start at the bottom and learn how to do every single part of the business if you ever want to run your own firm. Thanks for sharing. I know you're not alone in your frustrations.

By: dezngal1

dezngal1 — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:41:08 +0000

I have had interns every summer for the last 6 years. It is amazing to me how many of them resent having to file, write in journals and work on resources. Learning your resources is one of the most important things as a designer you do. Anything the intern believes is not “design work”, becomes a point of conflict. It is not taught that the items not listed for the design work; Is what makes the business possible for the designer to be in business.

By: terriehall

terriehall — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:34:57 +0000

I have a webinar with them today.

By: Gail Doby

Gail Doby — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:38:30 +0000

Thanks, Deborah! Hope you are having a great start to your New Year.

By: Deborah Oertle

Deborah Oertle — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:57:29 +0000

Great info, Gail

By: Gail Doby

Gail Doby — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:18:35 +0000

I have used their desktop version since 1998 or so, and I loved it. Having used the other options before, this is the best. On top of this, you can access it from anywhere. You don't have to be in your office, and when they update the software, it is instantly updated for everyone because it is web based. Fabulous product. We also did a couple of demos with Lance Haeberle, the developer who created it. We'll try to get that posted for our members, too. I'll be sure to pass the comment along to Lance. (He lives in Denver, too)

By: Gail Doby

Gail Doby — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:15:41 +0000

Hi Leslie, I experienced frustrations with employees and interns, too. I really recommend to everyone to read the book, Be a Shortcut by Scott Halford whether you are an employer, employee or prospective employee. We gave a copy of the recording to our members last month, and we'll post the recording sometime in February for students. Thanks for your comment!