Interior Design INFO

interior design INFOspring 2009Evidence-based approach keeps Uahead of the curve By Suzy FrischWhen an interior designer tackles a project, practitioners often don’t have the time orresources to pore over journal articles about gender restroom discrimination or theinfluence of ergonomics on workers’ productivity. But they can turn to InformeDesign , anonline searchable database of the latest research on design and human behavior.Two interior design professors in the College of Design are the co-creators ofInformeDesign, which was funded by the American Society of Interior Designers. It aimsto help professionals use current research to inform their design decisions, a conceptcalled evidence-based design. Simultaneously, the site serves as a tool for the University’sinterior design program to teach students how to engage in evidence-based design whilebalancing it with creativity.As evidence-based design emerged as a compelling trend in the past decade, the U’sinterior design program stayed ahead of the curve by integrating this approach andInformeDesign into its curriculum. Starting in their earliest studios, interior design studentslearn how to take an evidence-based approach to their projects. And by the time theygraduate, students are well-versed in the practice, said Professor Denise Guerin, Ph.D.,who developed InformeDesign with Assistant Professor Caren Martin, Ph.D.This is just one example of how the interior design program keeps up on industrytrends and incorporates them into its evolving curriculum, noted Guerin, Morse-AlumniDistinguished Professor and interior design program director. “We’re not just addressingwhat’s happening in today’s profession,” she said. “We’re also forecasting where practiceis headed so that by the time students become alumni, they are able to work in ways thatwill contribute to a firm’s growth and development.”Other curriculum additions to the interior design program include sustainable design andthe relationship of culture and design. Professors introduce sustainability in students’sophomore-level studios, and this concept gets included in most subsequent courses.In fact, spring 2009 students can take an elective course that prepares them for theLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDTM) commercial interiors exam.Due to the globalization of design, another studio focuses on developing cultural identityin the residential environment, encouraging student designers to consider the social andpsychological needs of multi-cultural occupants. “It’s not just about international culture,”Guerin says. “We’re teaching a method by which students can gain a deep understandingof the occupants and their needs in any environment.”The interior design program’s advisory board is a critical element in its success at stayingon the leading edge. Composed of 12 interior designers, architects, project managers, andmanufacturers’ representatives, the board meets twice a year to discuss industry needs,technologies, and future forecasts. In addition, the board helps evaluate the program’sstrengths and areas to improve. Members have their pulse on the profession, serving asan invaluable resource that keeps the interior design program on the right track.Welcome to interiordesign Info, anewsletter bringing youup to date. This issuefeatures an updateon the interior designprogram, a quickview of key faculty,interviews with “justgraduated” studentsand practitioners turnedgraduate students. You’llget a great view of whatwe are all about—now!Please send your e-mailaddress to dhainfo@umn.edu for future issues!

zanski’s interior design workKaiser’s interior design workRecent grad Mandi Zanski advises students toconverse, observe, interact By Lori-Anne � Theseare the words ofadvice that freshlyminted interior designgraduate MandiZanski delivered toincoming Universityfreshmen at the fall 2008 convocation.She was selected as a convocationspeaker because of her strong academicrecord, as well as the enthusiastic way sheapproached her education.“I had amazing experiences,” Zanskisays, looking back. In her freshmanyear, she traveled with Professor BradHokanson and other students to BuenosAires, where she visited a variety ofgraphic design firms over two weeks. Thefollowing summer, she focused on thehistory of design and architecture whilestudying in London, Paris, and Florencewith Associate Professor StephanieZollinger, Ed.D.Academic Excellence at the end of her DISstudies. Zanski may one day return to DISas an intern to obtain experience in theinternational workplace.Back in Minnesota, Zanski never stoppedworking. As her honors capstone project,she worked with Denise Guerin, Ph.D. andwrote an InformeDesign issue of Inquiry,a research brief on culturally sensitivedesign. She approached the project first bycompleting an exhaustive literature search,then crafting what she terms “culturallysensitive design for beginners,” a firststep to understanding the complexities ofworking outside of one’s own culture.Zanski also took full advantage of hersenior thesis project as well. With a teamof students, she researched healthcaredesign. In the first semester, the teamlearned about healthcare design forchildren by interviewing doctors and otherpractitioners, visiting clinics across the TwinCities, and completing a comprehensivedesign program. The following semestershe designed a pediatric clinic—goingthrough the phases of schematic design,design development, constructiondocuments, and final 3-D representations.Zanski also found time to complete aninternship with Studio Hive, Inc., whereshe had an opportunity to work on aproject at the new TCF Bank Stadium. Theinternship led to a job offer at Studio Hivefollowing graduation.With such a variety of experiences, Zanskiwas a natural choice as the freshmanconvocation speaker last fall. She gavethe new students simple advice thatserved her well during her years in theCollege of Design: converse with eachother, observe the professionals, andinteract with your professors.Zanski also spent six months inCopenhagen, studying at Danish Institutefor Study Abroad (DIS). Although interiordesign students were in the minorityin the program, Zanski was awardedthe Architecture and Design Award forScholarships Make a DifferenceThe Interior Design program isfocused on creating privately fundedscholarships funds to help students meetthe rising costs of higher education. TheUniversity is offering a rare opportunityto double the impact of gifts throughthe Promise of Tomorrow Scholarshipdrive. Gifts of 25,000 or more areinterior design, Spring 2009used to create an endowment fund at theUniversity of Minnesota Foundation andthe payout from the fund is matched by theUniversity, thereby doubling the impact ofthe gift. A group of interior design alumniis currently meeting to make a plan fordeveloping at least one of these matchingscholarships. Alumni and friends can helpSummer internship turns into full-time job forKatie Kaiser By Suzy FrischKatie Kaiserpacked in alot of learning,traveling,leading, andwork experienceduring her fouryears as aninterior designundergraduate.And it all paid off when she turned aninternship into a full-time job at the Bostonarea firm Sasaki Associates.She couldn’t be happier at Sasaki, aninterdisciplinary design firm with its handin architecture, urban planning, landscapearchitecture, graphic design, interior design,and eco-technologies. Kaiser credits herstretch at the University with preparing herfully for her first professional job.“There are many opportunities at the U,and I loved being in Minneapolis becauseit’s a great place for design,” says Kaiser.“Everything I learned I’m seeing myselfapply in the field. My education definitelyprepared me for different scenarios.”Kaiser, a native of Altoona, Wisconsin,started at Sasaki as a summer intern witha cohort of 12 other students from acrossthe country. Unlike the other interns whohad to return for their senior year, she hadrecently earned her bachelor’s degreein interior design from the University ofMinnesota. So Sasaki kept Kaiser onthrough the fall and then extended her ajob offer at the end of last year.Kaiser took full advantage of many ofthose opportunities, including two studyabroad trips to Argentina and Europe,several internships, the Honors Program,and a capstone project. She also servedon the student and alumni board for theCollege of Design and participated in theAmerican Society for Interior Designersstudent chapter.During her time at Sasaki, Kaiser hasbeen designing the interior of a largecorporate office in a nearby Boston suburb.Kaiser says she learned a lot from hercapstone project, which got her involvedwith the Minnesota Interior DesignLegislative Action Committee. Throughthis organization she helped lobby fora practice act in Minnesota that wouldregulate who can practice licensedinterior design.Her many internships—including stintsat Target Corporation, Wells Fargo,RSP Architects, and a residential firmin her hometown—exposed Kaiser tohow designers work in the real world.They also gave her a close-up viewof different work environments andspecialties, including corporate, inhouse retail, and residential interiors.“Being in an office is a great learningexperience. You learn so much that youdon’t necessarily get in the classroom,”she says. “I think it’s great that theU supports internships. I don’t thinkI would be a successful designer if Ihadn’t had them.”Kaiser plans to continue exploringinterior design, eventually going back toschool for an advanced degree. She’swell on her way to a promising future.What if healthcare facilities could prevent injury and disease?by making gifts directed to scholarshipsfor interior design students that can thenbe added to this endowment.Increasingly, evidence-based healthcare environments are designed to promote healing and reduce stress. Health sciences andenvironmental health research also points to ways in which infection, illness, and injury can be prevented through good design.Check out these Research Summaries on InformeDesign!For more information, contact Jan Sickbertat 612-624-3283 or sickb001@umn.edu,or visit the U of M Foundation’s Web siteat: www.giving.umn.edu.Natural Sights and Sounds Reduce Medical Procedure Painhttp://www.informedesign.umn.edu/Rs detail.aspx?rsId 2506Controlling Daylight for People with Alzheimer’s Diseasehttp://www.informedesign.umn.edu/Rs detail.aspx?rsId 2058Promoting Healing in Health Environmentshttp://www.informedesign.umn.edu/Rs detail.aspx?rsId 2178Patient Outcomes in a Surgical Intensive Care Unithttp://www.informedesign.umn.edu/Rs detail.aspx?rsId 20162interior design Spring 20093