In this episode, Doug is joined by Joey Shimoda of Shimoda Design Group. This reflective conversation spans from Joey's unique upbringing in Alabama and the challenges of growing up in a racially tense environment to the potential impacts of emerging technologies.

Growing up in Alabama during a turbulent period in American history—Joey reveals a journey marked by challenges, including his family's history of internment during World War II and the complexities of being one of the few Asian families in his community amidst the racial tensions of the 1960s. This backdrop serves as a foundation for Shimoda's profound insights into the role of curiosity, open-mindedness, and the embrace of both the analog and digital realms in shaping his design practices.

Doug and Joey talk about how the implications of technological advancements like AI and the metaverse cannot be overlooked in the field of design. There is a need to emphasize human-centered creativity and tangible experiences in this rapidly changing technological landscape.

This conversation not only showcases Joey's illustrious career and musings, but also serves as a testament to the enduring relevance of human creativity in the face of technological change.

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In this episode we talk with Tasha Singh a design student from Drexel University. Tasha's design philosophy centers around fostering social connection and a sense of community through the built environment. Her experiences moving from the close-knit neighborhoods of India tot he more individualistic society of Philadelphia have profoundly shaped her approach. Tasha aims to blur the lines between public and private spaces, creating a "porosity" that encourages casual interactions and chance encounters.

Underpinning her work is a deep belief that design should serve those who are often overlooked or forgotten. Tasha advocates for designing with empathy and considering how even the most marginalized might engage with and benefit from the spaces we create.

Tasha even touches on a crucial point: the need for designers to slow down, be present, and truly experience how environments impact people's sense of belonging and wellbeing. Tasha's mission is to contribute designs that knit together communities while elevating the voices of the unseen.

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Welcome to a special episode recorded LIVE at the "Crafted for Living" event in collaboration with Carolina and Mannington Commercial. Join us as we sit down with Kevin Swanson, a seasoned expert in Senior Living design at Hawthorn Construction Group. Kevin shares his heartfelt passion for creating spaces that truly cater to the needs of seniors, discussing the delicate balance between aesthetics and safety. From the importance of choosing the right words to implementing small yet impactful changes, Kevin's dedication shines through. Join us for an engaging conversation about the art of designing with purpose and making a meaningful impact in senior living environments

We’re also joined by Lauren Morgan, Brand Manager at Carolina, adding her insights to the conversation and a little about her journey into healthcare design.

Want to learn more? Visit Carolina's insights page to get a recap of the Crafted for Living event here

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In this special episode for Women's History Month, we've gathered 8 incredible stories of perseverance and personal growth from some of our favorite guests. These stories are not just about the perseverance and achievements of these women but are meant to motivate and encourage everyone listening. You'll also meet Lydia Moya, an executive producer for Imagine a Place, as we take a look back at this episode and reflect on these stories and what this month is all about.

Here's a list of our guests in order and links to their original podcast:

1. My Ngyuen

2. Ginger Curtis

3. Charlotte Kingsbury

4. Erin Peavey

5. Kia Weatherspoon

6. Ximena Diaz

7. Debbie Millman

8. Krystal Lucero

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Architect Nadia Borrás Marković takes us back to her childhood in Mexico City, reflecting on special memories of the home her father built and the creative spirit he nurtured in her. She opens up about her persistence in achieving her goals as one of the few women studying architecture. Towards the end, she explains how architecture goes beyond the practical to create connection and the importance of understanding people’s stories.

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Here are some key takeaways from Doug's experience at the New Year New You event in Miami.
 

Authentic intelligence comes from experience and activating our brains, hearts, and souls.

There is a difference between artificial intelligence (AI) and authentic intelligence. Artificial intelligence is knowledge gained through algorithmic study and memorization—learning in 2D—while authentic intelligence comes from experience that activates more areas of the brain and leaves emotional imprints. It engages our brains, hearts, and souls. And as AI advances, we need to balance and develop our authentic intelligence through conversations, travel, and immersive experiences.
 

Curiosity is the most important skill in the AI era.

Curiosity is singled out as the most important skill in the AI era. With unlimited information at our fingertips, our impact comes from the questions we ask, not just passively accepting the answers we receive. Staying curious allows us to steer our use of AI tools, rather than losing agency and keeps us from falling into sameness.
 

Imperfections make us human.

As AI generates hyper-perfect images and content, imperfections make us human. We need to embrace the imperfections and uniqueness that differentiates human creativity from AI. In design, we should move away from perfection and embrace more human, authentic work. Our humanity shines through those imperfections.

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In this episode Doug sits down with David Polzin, Executive Director of Design at Cannon Design in St Louis. David is known for creating and fostering a creative culture within a large organization—something that proves to be more and more difficult. There is an inherent tension between structure and creativity in large organizations which means it can be difficult to spark innovation. But David believes that embracing risk and failure is actually very important for fostering a creative environment. New ideas are born from continuously iterating on ideas, letting go of attachments, and synthesizing constraints.

The workplace is changing and the creative process is changing with it. One of David's biggest concerns is that people are becoming disengaged from their physical environments due to immersion in technology and that architecture should enhance lived experience and nature. We are slowly losing our connection to spaces and nature. It's on leaders to adapt their leadership styles to new generations and help rescue the creative process.

Overall this is an incredible interview where David shares his thoughtful philosophies on creativity, design, leadership, and the human experience.

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Today is Martin Luther King Jr. day and we are honored to present an interview with renowned architect Curtis Moody, Founder of Moody Nolan.  In today's episode, we delve into the profound impact of truth and self-belief on Curtis's life and pioneering achievements. He shares intimate reflections on his upbringing in Columbus, Ohio, highlighted by a pivotal life moment: a school counselor's claim that his skin color barred him from pursuing a career in architecture. This episode is a journey through the challenges and triumphs that have defined Curtis's journey.

Curtis shares vivid memories of learning about Dr. King’s assassination as a teenager and the impact this event had on his life. He also discusses how being a competitive athlete impacted his approach to business, including an incredible strategy that landed him the commission to design Ohio State's arena.

From the guiding principles he lives by to the projects most meaningful to him, Curtis speaks candidly about the passion and persistence that led him to become one of the most prominent architects in the country.

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In this end-of-year solo episode from Doug Shapiro, he shares how picking a random seat at a dinner changed the course of his life. Doug's story of how he found OFS and became a part of the company is inspiring. It shows that taking initiative can lead to big opportunities and even bigger growth.

Doug also gives insight into barriers. The things things that call us the most, the things we know we should do, those are the things we tend to avoid the most. Attack them head on and your possibilities open up tremendously.

We also get some holiday and family appreciation from Doug. He is human after all and he couldn't do what he does without the support of those closest to him.

Thank you all for a wonderful year! We have big things planned for 2024!

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Earlier this year at NeoCon 2023—OFS, Imagine a Place, and IIDA hosted a lively roundtable discussion focused on sustainability, moderated by sustainability leader George Bandy. The panel featured Stacey Crumbaker, an architect and designer based in Seattle, and Paul Shahriari, founder of green building data platform ecomedes. Their conversation offered wisdom and advice for the next generation of interior designers and architects aiming to make sustainability a priority in their work.

How does the next generation get involved and make changes? Building and developing a personal brand that puts you in the position to advocate for sustainable design in your current position is a great way to get involved. Make the case for conscious material choices and their impacts. Legacy mindsets are part of the problem, but designers can create a new legacy mindset—one that aims to reduce consumption and waste, not just meeting minimum requirements. Consider the full lifecycle of your specifications and be mindful of the generational impact.

Designers need to redefine beauty and realign the definition with sustainability. Seek out inspiration from a diversity of spaces like food deserts (geographic areas, often low-income neighborhoods, where residents have limited access to affordable, nutritious food), not just affluent communities. We need to design with marginalized users in mind and include them in the process.

Learn more about IIDA

Learn more about George Bandy

Learn more about Stacey Crumbaker

Learn more about Paul Shahriari

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