IIDA chapters continue to create programs that leave a lasting impact on their members and communities. From investing in students to cultivating professional connections and advocating for the value of design, this year’s winners of the IIDA Chapter Awards show how local design networks are building a stronger future for the profession. Join us as we celebrate the innovative work of the IIDA Mid-America, New York, Northern Pacific, and Ohio/Kentucky chapters, and explore how their award-winning achievements are making a meaningful difference across the design industry.
IIDA Mid-America: The Mid-America Chapter Scholarship
IIDA Mid-America’s annual scholarship program supports interior design students through their education while preparing them to grow into professionals. With four campus centers and six active campuses, the chapter recognized a unique opportunity to support and build the next generation of designers in their region. Through an endowed partnership with the Kansas City Architectural Foundation (KCAF) and the ongoing support of IIDA, the scholarship became the first and only KCAF scholarship dedicated exclusively to interior design students. Recipients of the scholarship are honored at an annual reception alongside other KCAF Foundation award winners, strengthening the chapter’s relationship with other industry organizations. By creating a seamless application process and offering support solely to interior design students, the chapter has built a meaningful program that directly impacts the future of the industry, starting at the student level.
Image courtesy of IIDA Mid-America Chapter
IIDA New York: SUP (Student Uplift Program)
IIDA New York noticed a need in their design community to bridge the gap between students, emerging professionals, and IIDA New York’s sponsors. To address that, they created the Student Uplift Program (SUP). SUP was built based on an important idea: The most meaningful growth happens when generations learn from each other. The program puts 12 students, 12 emerging professionals, and 12 sponsors in the same room to foster lasting relationships and professional development opportunities. Each sponsor provides one student with an annual IIDA membership to kick-start their path to a successful career in the industry. Connections matter, and SUP brings together 36 individuals at different levels in their design journey to spark conversations that will help shape future careers and uplift the next generation of designers.
IIDA New York noticed a need in their design community to bridge the gap between students, emerging professionals, and IIDA New York’s sponsors. So they created the Student Uplift Program (SUP).
Image courtesy of IIDA New York Chapter
IIDA New York’s Vice President of Student Development, Paridhi Chawla, Assoc. IIDA (right), had this to say about SUP: “When I was an emerging designer, I was paired with a student through this program and saw firsthand how impactful that connection could be. Now, as VP of Student Development, it’s incredibly rewarding to help grow the SUP program and expand the opportunities it creates for the next generation of designers.”
Image courtesy of IIDA New York Chapter
IIDA Northern Pacific: Boise Barkitecture
IIDA Northern Pacific set out on a mission to unite interior designers, architects, contractors, and consultants through collective action. What better way to bring people together than through something we all love? Animals! Through Boise Barkictecture, the chapter created an environment to educate the public on what interior designers actually do. A successful promotional campaign, from social media to flyers and word of mouth, helped the event gain local news coverage. More than 800 people attended, making Boise Barkitecture the chapter’s largest event ever. Dogs, cats, community, and advocacy. What more could you ask for?
Check out this cute Boise Barkictecture doggy volunteer.
Image courtesy of IIDA Northern Pacific Chapter
Through sponsorships and event proceeds the chapter generated $10,500 in revenue.
Image courtesy of IIDA Northern Pacific Chapter
IIDA Ohio/Kentucky: Better for Business Booklet
A recurring challenge within the IIDA Ohio/Kentucky Chapter community? Helping designers and firms understand the value of professional engagement with IIDA. The chapter gathered feedback to understand where the gap in professional engagement is and how to combat it. The answer was simple: Designers need a tool they can bring to their firms and broader design communities that communicates the professional and business value of IIDA beyond social networking. The Better for Business book effectively communicates the value of IIDA membership to firms. It focuses on four areas of value: professional growth to leadership development, business development to industry connections, advocacy for the profession, and education through knowledge sharing. It is available at all Ohio/Kentucky programming as a physical asset, and as a digital resource on their website. Professional members now have a tool to utilize that fosters dialogue and strengthens relationships between firm leaders and design professionals across the industry.
Learn more about IIDA Ohio/Kentucky: Better for Business Booklet
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