Imagine a Place

What makes a great leader in the interior design industry? How can design leaders create a workplace culture where people feel empowered to speak up, take risks, and grow?  In this episode of The Imagine a Place Podcast, host Maria VanDeman sits down with Kristy Swann, Associate Principal at HLGstudio in Atlanta, Georgia, to explore design leadership, mentorship, and the importance of building trust within creative teams.  Kristy reflects on her career journey in architecture and interior design and how her experiences have shaped her approach to leading others. From navigating the transition from designer to leader to managing across generations, she shares why great leadership isn't about having all the answers or controlling every detail. It's about empowering people, giving them ownership, and encouraging them to spread their wings, even when that means pursuing opportunities elsewhere.  Together, Maria and Kristy discuss mentorship in interior design, creating a positive workplace culture, supporting career growth, and finding joy both inside and outside of work. Because building a fulfilling career in design doesn't always mean following a straight path. Sometimes, it means having the courage to create your own.  For more Imagine a Place, please visit: https://ofs.com/imagine-a-place Subscribe to the Imagine a Place podcast: https://apple.co/3cn8A8d 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.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's on the minds of today's leaders in design? Get a sneak peek at seven conversations exploring workplace relationships, inclusive design, advocating for the profession, and the challenges shaping the future of our industry. OFS and Imagine a Place welcomed seven leading minds in the design industry to our home in Huntingburg, Indiana. Beyond the laughs and connections made, we sat down with each designer to hear their personal perspectives on design and what's next in the industry. PLUS, Maria reflects on the experience in a new journal article, exploring the power of bringing designers together for honest conversations and connection in the industry. Read now: https://ofs.com/imagine-a-place/strangers-friends-and-power-shared-purpose   Contributors: - Kristy Swann, Associate Principal, Regional Design Leader Workplace | HLGstudio - Jelena Bajkovic, Project Director | The Switzer Group - Amy Shavelson, Principal, Co-Regional Practice Leader | Perkins Eastman - Lauren Coughlin, Director, Strategy + Culture | D2 Groups LLC - Claudia Lofton, Director of Interior Design | Hastings Architecture - Lauren Prickett, Director of Interiors | Ware Malcomb - Kristin Cerutti, Associate Principal, Regional Design Leader Workplace | Nelson   For more Imagine a Place, please visit: https://ofs.com/imagine-a-place Subscribe to the Imagine a Place podcast: https://apple.co/3cn8A8d 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.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 of In the Room, Wesley Edmonds sits down with Plymouth Harbor interior designers Emily Glasser and Shannon Moriarty to explore the thoughtful, and deeply human, world of senior living design. From creating highly personalized residences to designing for future accessibility and healthcare needs, they share how they balance beauty, functionality, dignity, and choice.Along the way, the conversation explores the emotions that can come with leaving a longtime home, the importance of community, and how thoughtful design can help turn an unfamiliar next chapter into a place that truly feels like home.Connect with Emily on LinkedIn.Connect with Shannon on Linkedin.Connect with Wesley 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.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 does it really mean to be an interior designer, and why should designers be proud to own that title?In this conversation, we explore why strengthening the interior design profession starts with designers themselves, from pursuing credentials and getting involved to advocating for a more unified voice. We also talk about the next generation of designers, the power of mentorship and industry connection, and how thoughtful design can make a measurable difference in healthcare and the way people experience space.It’s a conversation about pride in the profession, advocating for its future, and recognizing the incredible impact interior designers have on people’s lives.Connect with Samantha 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.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 happens when workplace leaders from Meta, Google, Etsy, NVIDIA, WSP, Fresenius Medical Care and Acuity Brands, plus a workplace veteran whose career spans Alo, Netflix, Uber and Headspace, get in a room? You quickly realize they are wrestling with the same question: how do we make the workplace worth the commute for people and worth the investment for the business? Fresh from WorkX San Francisco, we unpack the ideas that stuck with us. Francis Aquino on shrinking budgets and growing expectations. John Lopes of WSP on the workplace as a “value signal.” Jenn LaBelle of Etsy on piloting before committing. Sharad Aggarwal of Google Cloud on why AI makes human skills even more valuable. And Raymond Chan of NVIDIA and Chirag Kadiwar of Meta on choice, focus, collaboration and how we “bring the buzz back.” The takeaway? Occupancy is not the goal. Value is. And people are still the biggest reason people choose the workplace. Discover more insights through our WorkX insight article HERE. Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn. Connect with Christina 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.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 does it really look like to build a meaningful career in design while raising a family? In this special Imagine a Place episode, Maria VanDeman takes us inside Mothers of Design: Calling in the Double Shift, a live conversation in Knoxville, Tennessee, exploring the intersection of motherhood, design, leadership, and life. Following the panel, Maria sat down with designers and leaders for candid mini conversations about what motherhood has taught them about empathy, presence, boundaries, asking for help, and navigating the changing seasons of a career. Their perspectives reveal that there is no single formula for balancing work and family and that doing it all doesn't mean doing it all at once or alone. From learning to put down the phone and be present, to practicing saying no, leaning on community, and recognizing motherhood as a powerful form of leadership, these women share refreshingly real advice for anyone navigating ambition, caregiving, and a full life. Whether you're a mother in design, lead working parents on your team, or simply want to build a more human workplace, this conversation is a reminder that healthy places require healthy people to design them. Listen for an honest conversation about motherhood, interior design careers, working parents, leadership, work life balance, community, and finding grace in the season you're in. Read Maria's insights from this event Connect with Christina Fehr -Brooks on LinkedIn Connect with Milagros Zingoni on LinkedIn Connect with Kelly  Reynolds on LinkedIn Connect with Julie Dalby on LinkedIn Connect with Heather Dodd on LinkedIn Connect with Barbie Thomas 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.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 if great healthcare design isn't just about beautiful spaces but about helping people heal, caregivers thrive, and every second count? In this episode, Nicole Ward, Senior Associate and Interior Designer at NBBJ, shares how purpose has shaped her career in healthcare design. Nicole offers an inside look at the complexity, and humanity, behind designing spaces where lives are changed every day. It's a thoughtful conversation about innovation, empathy, and why the best design solutions begin with asking better questions. Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn. Connect with Wesley 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.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.

Amanda Schneider joins Imagine a Place for a candid conversation about the future of work, generational leadership, and what it takes to build workplaces where people can thrive. Beyond the researcher, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author, Maria uncovers the authentic Amanda, discussing motherhood, burnout, finding joy, and the "elephant circle" of women who helped her rediscover balance. Together, they explore Gen Z, personal branding, authenticity, and leading across generations with empathy, curiosity, and purpose. It's an inspiring conversation for anyone navigating leadership, generational differences, career growth, or the changing world of work. Check out Imagine a Place on Instagram and LinkedIn for a giveaway of Amanda's new book, Work for What's Next: Why Workplace Culture is Failing and How the Next Generation Can Fix It. Connect with Amanda 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.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.

Discover how neuroinclusive design is reshaping the way we think about workplaces, justice facilities, and human-centered environments. In this episode, Olivia Danielson-Veed, independent contractor for ThinkLab and former Associate and Senior Project Interior Designer at HOK, shares practical insights on designing for neurodiversity through choice, control, and variety, while exploring how thoughtful design can improve well-being, support rehabilitation, and create spaces where more people can thrive. She also discusses mentoring the next generation of designers, navigating an increasingly complex world, and why empathy remains one of the most powerful tools in the design profession. It's a compelling conversation about inclusion, human experience, and why great design begins with understanding people. Connect with Olivia 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.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.

Dealer designers play a vital role in shaping the workplace experience, yet many navigate their careers without a strong professional network or a clear roadmap for growth. In this engaging conversation, Maria VanDeman sits down with Alexandra Tseffos, founder of The Design POP, to discuss the evolving role of dealer designers and the power of building community within the industry. Together, they explore career development, leadership, mentorship, professional visibility, and the importance of understanding what truly brings fulfillment and value to your work. From creating meaningful connections with peers to finding opportunities for growth within your organization, this episode offers practical insights and encouragement for designers who want to build a more purposeful, connected, and rewarding career. Explore Pop into Excellence Connect with Alexandra 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.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.