Join host Doug Shapiro at ICFF in New York City as he kicks off the new series, "In the ROOM," part of the Imagine a Place podcast. Inspired by the innovative ROOM products, this new series offers intimate, on-the-scene experiences from design events across the country. Be sure to tune in next week, as Doug chats with design luminaries Giulio Cappellini, Luca Nichetto, Susan Lyons, Amy Devers, and many more, to discover fresh insights and personal takes on the latest in design. Don’t miss out—step "In the ROOM" with us! 

The debut episode of "In the Room" airs on The Imagine a Place podcast feed on Tuesday, May 28th, across all major podcast platforms.

To learn more about ROOM, please visit room.com

Are you in NYC and want to check out ICFF? Imagine a Place invites you to be our guest! Click here for a complimentary pass.

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

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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.

What do you get when you survey 70 designers and challenge 10 of the leading minds in design? You get "Game Time," an entertaining and insightful exploration of design concepts and trends.

Join host Doug Shapiro in the latest creation from Imagine a Place Productions – a unique game show that merges engaging discussions with exciting gameplay! In this innovative format, two teams, composed of some of the industry's leading minds, go head-to-head in a lively debate and competition. Watch as our participants use their knowledge and wit to compete, all while diving deep into the issues that shape our spaces and lives.

Don't miss this blend of competition, discussion, and discovery. Tune in to see who comes out on top in the ultimate design showdown! Watch now! 

Featuring: 

Ronnie Belizaire, HKS 

Erika Moody, Helix Architecture + Design 

Mark Bryan, Future Today Institute 

Cheryl Durst, International Interior Design Association 

Bill Bouchey, Gensler 

Stacey Crumbaker, Mahlum Architects Inc. 

Mike Johnson II, Hickok Cole 

Joe Pettipas, ARCADIS 

Ana Pinto-Alexander, HKS 

Abby Scott, HDR

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

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

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

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.

In this episode, Doug Shapiro sits down with author, podcast host, and thought leader, Rex Miller, to explore the true essence of hospitality in the workplace. Together, they discuss how incorporating hospitality-style design without genuine hospitality experiences creates a disconnect in modern workspaces. Through engaging stories and examples, they reveal how companies like GoDaddy and CBRE have successfully integrated real hospitality to transform their environments and enhance employee interactions. The conversation also previews Rex’s upcoming "Future Travelers" event, aiming to reshape perspectives on work and wellness. 

Subscribe to The Resilience Lab (an Imagine a Place Production)

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

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

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

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.

In this episode, host Doug Shapiro sits down with Claire Pijoulat and Odile Hainaut, the dynamic duo behind ICFF and the founders of WantedDesign. From their chance meeting in 2010 to becoming Brand Directors, they share their journey of transforming the International Contemporary Furniture Fair into a vibrant hub for design and community. Discover how they've redefined ICFF by integrating culture with commerce, fostering meaningful connections, and turning the fair into a year-round platform for innovation. 

Are you in NYC and want to check out ICFF? Imagine a Place invites you to be our guest! Click here for a complimentary pass.

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

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

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

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.

Is your information diet holding you back? In this episode, guest Mario Vasilescu, founder of Readocracy, explores how to manage our informational intake in a knowledge-driven workforce. Mario likens "informational health" to physical health, emphasizing the need for selective information consumption in an attention-seeking economy.

He discusses the societal impacts of AI, urging a critical examination of its effects on job security and privacy. The conversation also highlights the importance of "proof of human knowledge," advocating for verifying human input in the age of AI. Through his platform, Readocracy, Mario helps users validate their learning to enhance professional credibility.

Sign up to Readocracy (mention that you heard about it through Imagine a Place to skip the waitlist!)

Learn more about The Design POP into Excellence event, use promo code Imagine24 to pay just $1 for your seat! 

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

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

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

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.

In honor of Earth Day, Doug sits down with journalist and founder of Climate Positive Now—Kenn Busch, to discuss the intricacies of carbon management and its environmental implications.

Throughout the episode, Kenn demystifies the complex dynamics of carbon's interaction with our environment and highlights some innovative approaches to utilize carbon management for environmental gain.

Looking for continuing education credits related to sustainability? Check out Ken's CEU below! 

Climate Positive Materials for Sustainable Interiors, A CEU course brought to you by OFS

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

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

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

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.

In a recent episode, Doug asked a question that sparked considerable discussion: should a college degree be mandatory for the NCIDQ exam, or if work experience and apprenticeships be adequate? Responding to insightful listener feedback, Doug invited Jon Otis, a distinguished figure in interior design advocacy and a Professor, to explore the issue further. The feedback varied; some listeners supported alternative licensure paths for their diversity and affordability, while others advocated for the necessity of a bachelor's degree due to the rigor of formal education. This sparked a broader conversation between Doug and Jon about the merits of formal education versus learning through experience.

Do you have a hot take? Email Doug at [email protected] with your opinions on the NCIDQ degree requirements.

Join The Design Pop's virtual event POP into Excellence

Sign up for the POP Into Excellence Event

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

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

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

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.

Is the private office taking on a new and important role? Is it time for the private office to be reimagined? In this special episode, Doug shares part of a conversation we captured between designer Brian Graham and our very own, Molly Prior. Together, Brian and Molly chat about the rapid shift in management styles that might challenge the traditional use of the private office - from a more hierarchical environment to a more inclusive and flexible space that can encourage open dialogue and create a sense of equality.  But, what might that look like for the future of private offices and workspaces in general?  

Hear more from Brian Graham on this new take on the private office.  Watch here.

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

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

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

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.

In this solo episode, Doug looks back at the first quarter of 2024. He reminisces on insightful past episodes exploring creativity, leadership, and the impact of design on the human experience and our well-being. He also poses an interesting question regarding the NCIDQ exam for interior designers—should a college degree be required for this exam or is significant work experience/apprenticeship enough to suffice?

Email Doug at [email protected] with your opinions on the NCIDQ degree requirements.

We also look forward, as we have some exciting plans for the podcast network including an upcoming season focused on the power of design in education, new episodes from other shows, and a "surprise" for delivering insights in a unique and exciting way.

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

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

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

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.

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.

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

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

Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

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.