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The California Preservation Foundation is pleased to announce the 2018 Call for Student Papers to be presented at the California Preservation Foundation’s annual conference, entitled, “Deep Roots in Dynamic Times,” at the Sheraton of Palo Alto from May 17 – 20, 2018.
The California Preservation Foundation is accepting abstracts no later than Monday, February 19, 2018 for a session presentation in one of the following themes (though these themes are meant only to be suggestive, and your session is not required to fit into them):
Your proposal should share, describe, or include a more focused analysis of historic preservation topics.
Click here for more information!
The Student Design Competition celebrates the talent and fresh design ideas of interior design students throughout the world who are currently enrolled in an interior design program or institution. The competition provides emerging professionals the opportunity to showcase their work and gain exposure in the Interior Design industry
Artist and interior designer Marcio Decker wins international art award
Florence Biennale Recognizes Artist for piece, ‘Vanishing Mutualism’
TRUCKEE, Calif. – (Oct. 24, 2017) – The Florence Biennale, a renowned international art exhibit, recently awarded first-place recognition in the mixed media category to Marcio Decker, Decker Fine Arts and co-owner of Truckee, Calif. based Aspen Leaf Interiors. Decker was the only artist representing the U.S. to be recognized.
The Biennale is a contemporary art exhibit held every other year in Florence, Italy, that gathers hundreds of artists from all over the world to display their works. The finalists whose works were on exhibit and competing for Best of Show accolades were selected from over 3,000 nominated and reviewed artists; their works were hosted in the Spadolini Pavilion of the historic Fortezza da Basso in Florence for 10 days
Begun in 1997, the Biennale promotes cross-cultural dialogue through art as an independent showcase for contemporary art. An international jury composed of critics, museum directors and scholars selects winners in a variety of art categories. Themed eARTh – Creativity & Sustainability, the XI Florence Biennale was held from Oct. 6-15 and hosted 462 artists from 70 countries.
Decker’s piece, “Vanishing Mutualism,” was awarded first place in the mixed media category. The work is a triptych, with three panels of collages that incorporates acrylic paint and photographs, backlit by LED lights. The panels depict abstracted selfies of the artist and his friends that become more flat and monochromatic with each successive panel, with the final panel depicting a dissipating, barren desert-like environment, suggesting a future void of the necessary harmony between man and nature.
“The piece is inspired by the pact that should exist between humans and nature,” said Decker. “It poses the question, ‘can we go back to where we were before?’”
“It is a human work pretending to be digital in order to catch the eye of the viewer and build a connection,” explained Emanuela Catalano, an Italian art critic and historian who viewed the piece.
In addition to his painting and mixed media artwork, Decker is the co-founder of acclaimed interior design company, Aspen Leaf Interiors, based in Truckee, Calif. His art and design work “walk together,” as he says, often influencing and building upon each other. Decker’s works of art are sometimes even purchased by home owners for whom he is designing their home.
About Marcio Decker: The Brazilian-born artist and interior designer studied fine arts in Brazil and Colombia before moving to the Reno/Tahoe area in 2000 and ultimately attending the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where he received a master’s degree in interior architecture and design. Decker enjoys abstract painting, curating artworks for private collections and shows, as well as spending time at Lake Tahoe with his family and two Yorkshire Terriers. Visit Decker Fine Arts for more information on his art or Aspen Leaf Interiors for details about his interior design firm or call 775-342-3477.
Congratulations, Marcio!
Studio Coupar is hiring!
1. Studio Intern
2. Design Assistant
3. Interior Designer
4. Project Manager
Please use this link to review opening positions + job descriptions
http://www.studiocoupar.com/team#anchor1 (scroll down to the Careers portion) – Send resumes to jobs@couparconsulting.com
LEED Green Associate (GA) Training
When: November 7th 2017 – 6:00PM to 10:00 PM
Where: UC Berkeley – Dwinelle Hall – Room 215
Registration: https://leadinggreen.com/berkeley
Want to get involved in sustainability? Opportunities are plentiful and LEED is at the forefront!
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is simply a sustainability scorecard for green buildings. Buildings can become LEED Certified as can people! The LEED Green Associate is the only professional designation to show employers and clients you have certified knowledge in the field.
To date, this course and its materials have proven to be instrumental in helping over 8000 students pass their respective exam at a 100% pass rate. This course is offered at a quarter of the price and time as the competition and is geared at allowing students to graduate with letters after their name!
This course meets the exam’s eligibility requirements and the USGBC charges a $100 (reduced for students) fee for the actual exam which can be taken at any time at your nearest Prometric center. Save money by reserving your spot today and make a positive difference in your career!
Early-Bird Cost: $300 ($200 for full time students)
To register for the class please visit: https://leadinggreen.com/berkeley
Every now and then a news item crops up about an interior designer or decorator accused of egregiously overcharging or bilking a client. These rare occurrences make sensational headlines.
However, in my 20 years of experience counseling designers, I have witnessed that most complaints against designers arise not from fraud or greed but from misunderstandings that could — and should — have been avoided in the first place.
Because of the complexity and subjectivity involved in design projects, confusion can occur at many points in the process. It goes without saying that clear and responsive communication is an essential skill for any designer.
I have identified five key points in the intake process where misunderstandings often occur that lead to disagreements and even lawsuits later on. Take care to avoid these fatal errors when setting expectations with prospective clients.
Prospects naturally want to know how much the project is going to cost them. Many designers, in an effort to be honest and realistic, will say they don’t know or it depends. Unfortunately, that can set up erroneous expectations for both parties.
What the prospect really wants to know is whether they can afford the project or whether the cost is worth it to them. I recommend providing an example or two from a similar type of project so that the prospect can get a ballpark idea of possible costs.
Then, follow that with a clear and thorough review of your fees and how you bill, including travel fees, drafting fees, markup, shopping fees, and administrative fees. Be clear about what is and is not covered in each fee. Ideally, you should provide this information in writing as well.
This is the flip side of the coin from costs. Although they may be reluctant to share a figure with you, clients — even the very wealthy ones — usually have some idea of how much they are planning or willing to spend.
If they say they don’t know or haven’t decided, suggest a likely range based on their requirements and ask if they are comfortable with that range. It is better to overestimate than underestimate. Once clients get a figure set in their mind, they will expect you to adhere to it, regardless of any caution you give them regarding possible additional costs.
Admittedly, this is a tricky one, because prospects may be influenced by current trends, friends or family members into thinking they want something they may not really want. When presenting your portfolio, explain that these rooms were designed to meet the tastes and needs of particular clients, and that you will work with the prospect through an iterative process to create a design you both agree on.
Never assume you “know” what the client will like or what is best for them. Get explicit confirmation from the client first, preferably in writing or by having them sign off on a design or purchase.
Ask the prospect if anyone else will be involved in the project, such as an architect, contractor, consultant or specialist, or spouse or other family member. If others are involved, you will want to confer with them before deciding whether to take on the project.
If you decide to take the project, make sure at the start that the client and other parties are all clear and in agreement as to your role and the services you will and will not be providing, as who has final decision-making authority.
Establish the client’s expectations for the timeline of the project — in particular whether there is a hard due date, such as a special event or holiday, by which they need the project to be completed. Also, discuss approximate delivery dates for materials, furnishings and custom work to ensure you will have access to the project site at that time.
Advise the client that any changes they or others they have enlisted to work on the project make may affect the schedule deadline. Keep the client apprised immediately of any schedule changes that may arise throughout the project and have them approve the changes.
When clients are uncertain, evasive or wishy-washy, it may be tempting to skip over some specifics until later or to assure the client that everything will be fine. However, you are only digging a hole that you may fall into later if something comes up and the client complains he/she did not agree to and does not want to pay.
In the long run, it pays to take the extra time to probe and provide estimates or hypotheticals to get a surer understanding of the client’s expectations from the start, even if they are not able to articulate them.
ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS & EMERGING PROFESSIONAL S
MENTORING EVENT
BUILD YOUR ONLINE RESUME WITH THE
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The Hospitality Industry Network STUDENT MENTORING EVENT
“BUILD YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK”
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 2017
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM STUDENTS+ EMERGING RSVP BELOW PROFESSIONALS FREE
Gensler
2 Harrison St #400 San Francisco, CA 94105
RSVP : NEWHSF.SCHOLARSHIP@GMAIL.COM