RealWorld DesignWeek--ASID and Businesses Team up to Offer Shadowing Experiences

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is gearing up for the first ever national mentorship program for the design community. Called RealWorld DesignWeek, students from across the country will team up with experienced design professionals Oct. 19 – 25, 2008 and simultaneously participate in shadowing experiences. This opportunity for emerging designers will give them hands-on experience, introduce them to a mentor, and open up doors for their future.

Below are examples of the type of shadowing experiences that will be taking place.

Manager of Interior Design for a jet manufacturer (New Jersey)
The student will:

• Be involved in the selection of paint schemes
• Assemble style drawings
• Select materials and finishes
• Board the aircraft

Residential Design Firm (San Diego)
The student will:

• Accompany the designer to the design center
• Complete a punch list
• Contribute in the selection of materials and work with vendors
• Learn how to develop good relationships with showrooms

Commercial Design Firm (San Francisco and Las Vegas)
The student will:

• Work on a hotel renovation project in San Francisco
• Meet with various contractors
• Complete a walk thru
• Return in January and March to see how the project has progressed and contribute ideas

Should you be interested, the designers and students involved in each are available for phone and on-site interviews. If you prefer to learn about a shadowing experience in a different city, I can track down others.

Korenna Cline ASID
kcline@asid.org
202-675-4441

About ASID: The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a community of people—designers, industry representatives, educators and students—committed to interior design. Through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, the Society strives to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives. Its more than 40,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. www.asid.org