Well, we made it, it’s officially “let’s circle back in the new year” season. But before you slam your laptop shut, we want to help you end the year on a high note, and make sure you head into 2026 on the right foot. And to do that, we’ve gathered a list of the top 10 (plus one) articles of 2025. This past year, we explored the top design trends, big innovations, how to take your career to the next level, and of course, how to create and harness the power of joy. We talked with experts, looked at award-winning projects, explored the contributions of Black designers, and really dug deep into pushing our careers — and the commercial design industry — into the future.
11. 5 Tips to Become a Better Presenter
Public speaking can be one of the more daunting parts of anyone’s career, but if you’ve ever seen IIDA EVP and CEO Cheryl Durst speak, you’d never know it — she’s a pro! She was joined by other heavy-hitters for a panel discussion on the art of effective presentations. If you missed it, check out our key takeaways here.
Public speaking can be one of the more daunting parts of anyone’s career, but if you’ve ever seen IIDA EVP and CEO Cheryl Durst speak, you’d never know it — she’s a pro! She was joined by other heavy-hitters for a panel discussion on the art of effective presentations. If you missed it, check out our key takeaways here.
10. Joy Diaries: What Brings Designers Bliss
Good design brings us joy, but what else brings designers joy? We asked three designers to keep track of everything that brought them joy each day for a week. Take a peek at where they hike, what they cook, and how they stay sane in an ever-changing world. Who knows, you might be inspired to try a new thing! Explore the joy diaries here
Good design brings us joy, but what else brings designers joy? We asked three designers to keep track of everything that brought them joy each day for a week. Take a peek at where they hike, what they cook, and how they stay sane in an ever-changing world. Who knows, you might be inspired to try a new thing! Explore the joy diaries here
9. Go Ahead, Break the Rules
Honoring Women’s History Month, we look to the industry’s most influential women designers today for their unique perspectives and tips on design, leadership, and collaboration. You’ll find wisdom from Barbara Bouza, Faye Toogood, Cheryl Durst, Patricia Urquiola, and Wanda Dalla Costa. Get their insights here
Honoring Women’s History Month, we look to the industry’s most influential women designers today for their unique perspectives and tips on design, leadership, and collaboration. You’ll find wisdom from Barbara Bouza, Faye Toogood, Cheryl Durst, Patricia Urquiola, and Wanda Dalla Costa. Get their insights here
8. A Design-Driven Hospital That Puts Families First
Blending advanced medical technology with deep emotional intelligence, University Health’s Women’s & Children’s Hospital is a shining example of the importance of engaged designers. The teams at ZGF and Marmon Mok drew upon research and their own experiences to push for what they knew would be the best design for postpartum care — and changed Texas building code along the way. Get the full story here
Blending advanced medical technology with deep emotional intelligence, University Health’s Women’s & Children’s Hospital is a shining example of the importance of engaged designers. The teams at ZGF and Marmon Mok drew upon research and their own experiences to push for what they knew would be the best design for postpartum care — and changed Texas building code along the way. Get the full story here
7. The Best of Academic Library Design
It’s not every year that we have the joy of honoring library design, but it IS every two years, as part of our biannual competition. We look to winners of the 2024 ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards to dive deeper into some of the biggest trends and innovations in library design today, from adaptability to biophilia and beyond. Tour the trends here
It’s not every year that we have the joy of honoring library design, but it IS every two years, as part of our biannual competition. We look to winners of the 2024 ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards to dive deeper into some of the biggest trends and innovations in library design today, from adaptability to biophilia and beyond. Tour the trends here
6. THE Gift Guide for Designers
Folks, we did it again! The discerning team at IIDA HQ have rounded up some of the most coveted and drool-worthy gifts of the season to help you move, work, create, connect, host, savor, and much much more. Welcome back to another year of gifts for the design lover in your life, even if that person is, well, you! The list for your shopping list here
Folks, we did it again! The discerning team at IIDA HQ have rounded up some of the most coveted and drool-worthy gifts of the season to help you move, work, create, connect, host, savor, and much much more. Welcome back to another year of gifts for the design lover in your life, even if that person is, well, you! The list for your shopping list here
5. Students to Know: 2024 Winners
One of our greatest honors as an association is empowering design students to find a meaningful career, and nurturing their growth along the way. One of the ways we do this is through the IIDA Foundation’s scholarships. Not only are these students the best and brightest — we believe they are the ones to watch. Meet two scholarship awardees here
One of our greatest honors as an association is empowering design students to find a meaningful career, and nurturing their growth along the way. One of the ways we do this is through the IIDA Foundation’s scholarships. Not only are these students the best and brightest — we believe they are the ones to watch. Meet two scholarship awardees here
4. Defining the Interior Designer
We all know that commercial interior designers are the ones responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of those that inhabit public spaces — but does the general public? IIDA’s Senior Director of Advocacy, Marci Merola, makes the case for pushing to have legal recognition of the interior design profession, and greater awareness of all that we do. Learn more here
We all know that commercial interior designers are the ones responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of those that inhabit public spaces — but does the general public? IIDA’s Senior Director of Advocacy, Marci Merola, makes the case for pushing to have legal recognition of the interior design profession, and greater awareness of all that we do. Learn more here
3. Black Design: 28 People, Places, Ideas, and Spaces
In celebration of Black History Month, we honor Black designers and architects who’ve had a profound influence on design as we know it. From historical figures to current-day exhibitions, initiatives, and innovators, we share one person, place, idea, or space for every day of February. Explore the list here
In celebration of Black History Month, we honor Black designers and architects who’ve had a profound influence on design as we know it. From historical figures to current-day exhibitions, initiatives, and innovators, we share one person, place, idea, or space for every day of February. Explore the list here
2. What You Need to Know: NCIDQ Exam Changes
Starting in 2026,, the NCIDQ exam will look different — but don’t worry, interior designer and NCIDQ expert Julianne Peters, IIDA, is here to break it down. She goes over the new topics and format, and explains that although it might seem daunting, it will likely make studying and time management a little more straightforward. Get the rundown here
Starting in 2026,, the NCIDQ exam will look different — but don’t worry, interior designer and NCIDQ expert Julianne Peters, IIDA, is here to break it down. She goes over the new topics and format, and explains that although it might seem daunting, it will likely make studying and time management a little more straightforward. Get the rundown here
1. 6 Tips and Tricks to Help You Ace the NCIDQ Exam
Speaking of the NCIDQ, in 2024, IIDA launched an NCIDQ test prep series led by Julianne Peters, IIDA. She breaks down her six top tips and tactics to ace the exam — helping you prep productively, feel more comfortable on test day, and, most importantly, pass. Learn more here
Speaking of the NCIDQ, in 2024, IIDA launched an NCIDQ test prep series led by Julianne Peters, IIDA. She breaks down her six top tips and tactics to ace the exam — helping you prep productively, feel more comfortable on test day, and, most importantly, pass. Learn more here
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