Imagine a Place

Latest Episodes:

Nature's Lessons for Better Design | Natalie Telewiak, Michael Green Architecture Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

This episode brings you an architect from Michael Green Architecture in Vancouver – Natalie Telewiak. Natalie has done work for some of the most impressive companies on the planet, but it's her strong connection to nature that makes her approach more powerful and this conversation richer.

In this episode, Doug and Natalie explore the idea of how cities can be designed to evoke the same feelings mother nature and her beautiful landscape brings out of us so naturally.

Doug and Natalie get into some additional conversation and talk about her "Wide Net / Small Net" theory when it comes to how we can leverage group size during creative thinking.

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Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

Growing your career in design, IIDA Student Roundtable Apr 10, 2023

Show notes

Every year, OFS sponsors two student roundtables through the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

The roundtables consists of a panel of professionals sharing insights that can help students and new professionals grow their career in design. Everything from putting together the right portfolio, to picking the right firm, to nailing the interview.

The target audience for this episode is students. However, if you're going through the interview process at any stage of your career or you take your role as a mentor seriously, this episode is also for you.

This year, we decided to bring this event to Tennessee State University. TSU is an HBCU with a growing interior design program. We brought in some impressive talent for this panel including:

Mike Johnson II, Associate Principal at Hickok Cole

Sofia Acosta, Designer at Gensler

Tonya Spry, Director of Human Resources at Gresham Smith.

Hosting the panel is the one and only Cheryl Durst, Executive Vice President and CEO of IIDA and host of The Skill Set podcast.

Listen to Cheryl's podcast The Skill Set

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The Intersection of AI, Design, and Humanity with Sociologist and Podcast Host, Gary David of Experience By Design Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

Today is a conversational treat. We are joined by Gary David, a sociologist, professor, professional speaker, and co-host of the popular podcast Experience By Design.

Gary is one entertaining human and delivers a conversation that is rich in intellectual stimuli. We explore the keys to a deeper understanding of the people, cultures, and context for which we design. We also go deep into future thinking and how AI will impact our society. At one point, Gary actually says that we should be less concerned with what AI means to us and more concerned with what it says about us.

The last 15 minutes get pretty sci-fi, and we touch on why we need to write with more soul, heart, and purpose… and why it might important to our very existence.

It’s a long conversation and I hope you can make time for all of it – It just kept getting better.

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Go for what you believe in with Jen Levisen, Mortarr / Ecomedes Mar 31, 2023

Show notes

A few months back, Imagine a Place Productions welcomed a new podcast to the network—Impact Icons—hosted by Jen Levisen and brought to you by Ecomedes. Impact Icons is more than just a podcast, it's a way to honor those who make a difference for this planet through the built environment.

In this episode, the very friendly and energetic host—Jen Levisen—will give us a window into Impact Icons. It’s impossible not to like her. She’ll share what she’s learned since becoming a host and a secret pathway to building your confidence.

If you know someone who might be an "Impact Icon" you'll want to remember this when submissions open for 2023.

Listen to Impact Icons

Learn more about Impact Icons, the award

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Designing for high value engagements Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

There is a new variable to consider for your workplace planning equation. Melissa Hanley will share why "time" needs to find its way into our planning metrics.

She’s the co-founder of Blitz, an architecture and Interiors firm, and the author of several popular articles on workplace design. Her language around designing more meaningful places for work is a fresh and honest take.

As we hope you’ve come to expect, there’s great advice at the end too.

Melissa grew up on a Christmas tree farm, which we discuss in the interview.

You can visit the farm here: www.wallinfarm.com
You can visit Blitz here: www.studioblitz.com

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Trust (but verify) the universe with Brian Graham Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode, we welcome back Brian Graham, a fan favorite who always brings his unique blend of humor, thoughtfulness, and insight to our discussions.

After our previous episode with Brian, we received an overwhelming response from listeners who wanted to hear more from him. So, we invited him back to chat about his recent trip to the IIDA Industry Roundtable in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Brian and Doug share their biggest takeaways from the event (including their take on the 2022 Oxford Dictionary word of the year....Goblin Mode).

Join Doug and Brian as they explore the significance of placing trust in the universe, embracing risks as a designer, and the crucial role of robust leadership and mentorship in the design industry.

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The Future of Our Work Life: Regan Donoghue, Unispace Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

My guest today is the ever-so-creative and impressive, Regan Donoghue. She leads workplace strategy at Unispace and is one of the most original thinkers when it comes to people and place.

We sat with Regan now for a third time and we cover a lot of ground. In this discussion, we explore the potential of the metaverse and how it could impact the structure of work in the next decade, while also emphasizing the importance of prioritizing human connections over technological advancements. We also delve into how to promote “purposeful happiness” and why now is the time to develop emotional intelligence or an "inner sage" to overcome the challenges of the future workplace.

Of course, there is SO MUCH more we discuss, so sharpen your pencils, get comfortable, and let’s take a look at what lays ahead for the future of work.

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#bemorelinclusive, Charlotte Kingsbury, Urban Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Today, we hop over the Atlantic to the small coastal town of Portsmouth England to speak with Charlotte Kingsbury.

Charlotte is the head of US Operations for the London-based firm Urban and she leads Urban's #bemoreinclusive movement aiming to the change demographics of architects, designers and firm leaders.

If you feel that you’ve been overlooked or underrepresented through your career, or, If you are hoping to build a more a inclusive-minded hiring practice, you'll love Charlotte's advice.

At the end she shares a bit of her life story and there’s a good reminder in there about whether you’ve got "it", where "it" comes from, and whether "it" will get you through… and "it" will all be explained towards the end of the conversation.

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Also, did you know we wrote a children's book. Click here to purchase your copy of "Design Your World."

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

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Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.

Click here to get your own Imagine a Place Conversation Card Deck.

New Year, New You: LIVE from Miami Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

In this special LIVE episode of Imagine a Place, host Doug Shapiro travels to Miami to attend the 3rd annual "New Year, New You" event (presented by IIDA South Florida). The event brings together a diverse group of interior designers and design leaders to encourage, educate, and inspire a growing community of professionals in South Florida. This year's theme was legacy.

As Doug records live from the event, he chats with event organizers Rad Larios, Sunny Reed, and other special guests on what legacy means to them, how they're working to create a lasting impact in their communities, and what they hope their legacy will be.

Through conversation and personal anecdotes, our guests explore how they're shaping their legacies through their work, relationships, and personal values. From building businesses to advocating for social change, each guest shares their unique perspective on how they hope to leave a positive mark on the world.

What will be your legacy?

Click here to get your FREE copy of the Imagine a Place journal

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Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.

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We wrote a children’s book. Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

Today is a special day as Imagine a Place is launching its first children's book, "Design Your World."

This heartwarming book shares the mission of IIDA's pipeline program of the same name (Design Your World), which aims to educate and inspire kids to see design as an accessible tool for both their life and career - and to make a positive impact on the world. A portion of the proceeds from each book directly supports IIDA's Design Your World program.

On today's episode, we feature co-author Maria VanDeman, who is known for advocating for diversity and inclusion in the design profession, and the talented illustrator, Kenzie Leon Perry, one of Miami's favorite artists and designers. Together, we discuss the inspiration, purpose, and goals of this book and the importance of sharing its story.

We hope you enjoy today's episode and join us in supporting this important initiative and sharing the book with young readers in your life.

Get the book here

Learn more about IIDA's Design Your World program

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn

Connect with Doug Shapiro on LinkedIn

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.

Click here to get your own Imagine a Place Conversation Card Deck.