Design Impacts

In this episode, Ana sits down with Amanda and Lauren to dig into what advocacy really means for interior designers, from explaining your work to a family member at dinner to testifying before a state legislature. They break down the current national landscape of interior design legislation, what’s being fought for (and fought off), and how any designer can get involved regardless of how much time they have.In this episode we discuss: * What is advocacy? — Lauren’s “ripple effect” framework: from personal conversations to state and federal legislation* The three E’s — Education, Experience, and Examination as the foundation for advocating for the profession* Current legislative landscape — Recent wins (NC, WI, IL, IA, OK, NE, PA), the trend of deregulation in Florida, Utah, and Tennessee, and what’s at stake* How laws get changed — The multi-year process: building coalitions, engaging lobbyists, sponsoring bills, committee hearings, and the rules & regulations phase* The Consortium for Interior Design — Joint advocacy partnership between ASID HQ, CIDQ, and IIDA HQ working toward universal licensure* Arkansas update — Amanda shares what the South Central Chapter’s 14-person advocacy subcommittee is working on, including updating outdated state legislation and encouraging designer registration* How to get involved — Options for every bandwidth level, from 5-minute action alerts to joining a chapter advocacy committee or the National Advocacy CommitteeWays to Get Involved:* If you have five minutes — text the words interior design to 50457 or visit the Consortium’s Advocacy Action Center at www.consortiumforinteriordesign.org. (The Take Action tab will lead you to the Advocacy Action Center. You can also access the Advocacy Action Center via ASID or IIDA’s advocacy pages.)* Note that if you had signed up with any of our previous platforms (Phone2Action or Capitol Canary), you will need to update your contact information.* If you have an hour — contact the Chapter Advocacy Chair / Committee or Lauren Earley, Esq., ASID HQ Director of Advocacy, to see how you can engage locally or nationally, whether writing support letters, offering testimony, or providing other assistance. Contact at: [email protected]* If you have a year+ — get involved with advocacy efforts in your area, from standing meetings or creation and rollout of advocacy alerts and resources, or apply for service on the national Advocacy Committee.Resources Mentioned:* Lauren Earley’s Earley Morning Chats is a social media campaign in its first season (meant to have ten episodes per season), but here is the latest episode with my guest, Kristie Nicoloff. The short clips are available across HQ socials on the second or third Monday each month; as a reminder, the punchy clips are meant to spark conversations and encourage folks to learn more by reaching out and/or reviewing the resources available on Design Connection’s “Advocacy in Action” community group.Design Impacts is a podcast by the South Central Chapter of ASID — elevating, celebrating, and educating our design community.If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved with the chapter — locally, regionally, or nationally — please reach out. Your voice shapes the chapter! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit designimpacts.substack.com

Design Impacts – Episode 2 :Hosted by the South Central Chapter of ASID A Conversation with Amanda Reviere about the history of the South Central Chapter of ASIDIn this episode, host Ana Clark sits down with Amanda Reviere, Chapter Administrator for the South Central Chapter of ASID. Amanda shares her fascinating career journey from licensed interior designer to marketing and business management, and her decades-long role as the backbone of the South Central chapter. The conversation dives deep into the history of ASID, the evolution of the South Central chapter, and what makes this community so unique.In this episode, we discuss: Amanda's Background – From interior design in South Louisiana (residential, remodeling, specialty flooring) to business management, website copywriting, and marketingHer ASID Journey – Chapter membership chair, president-elect, president, National Chapter Support Team (now Chapter Leadership Team), and chapter administratorHistory of ASID – Founded in 1975 from the merger of the American Institute of Decorators (est. 1931) and the National Society of Interior Designers (est. 1957); started with ~13,000 membersHistory of the South Central Chapter – Originally the Louisiana District Chapter (first recorded president in 1978), encompassing Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas; renamed South Central in 2002Hurricane Katrina's Impact (2005) – How the chapter rallied to support displaced members, relocated the annual conference to Little Rock, secured fee waivers from national, and kept the NCIDQ prep program aliveGrowth & Evolution of the Chapter – Design communities (formerly associations, then districts), the Excellence in Design Competition's evolution from physical binders to CDs to fully digital, and how CEU programming shifted to meet members' changing needsWhat the South Central Chapter Is Known For – A reputation for being organized, collaborative, and collegial; the concept of "collaboration without competition"Legacy & Looking Ahead – The chapter's pathway from local to national involvement; members winning national awards; the upcoming ASID Gather conference in DallasEncouragement to Get Involved – Why every stage of your career benefits from ASID involvement, and how to take that first stepFamily in the Chapter – A fun look at the surprising number of family connections (mother-daughter pairs, twins, even spouses!) that have formed through chapter membershipResources & LinksASID South Central Chapter – Learn more and get involvedASID Gather Conference – Coming up in DallasNCIDQ Certification – www.cidq.orgConnect with the PodcastDesign Impacts is a podcast hosted by the South Central Chapter of ASID — elevating, celebrating, and educating our design community.If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved with the chapter — locally, regionally, or nationally — please reach out. Your voice shapes the chapter! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit designimpacts.substack.com

Design Impacts: Episode 02Hosted by the South Central Chapter of ASIDA conversation with Rachel McNeil & Emily Hill on being twins and working in the interior design industry together. In this episode, Ana sits down with twin sisters Rachel McNeil (Director of Design, L&M Office Furniture) and Emily Hill (Interior Designer, Taggart Architects) to talk about their parallel journeys in the interior design industry — from growing up creatively inclined to building successful commercial design careers on opposite sides of the industry.In this episode we discuss:Growing up creative – How Rachel and Emily knew from a young age they wanted to pursue design, and the childhood moments that hinted at where they’d each end up.Finding their path in college – Attending Harding University, discovering their strengths in commercial design, and the professors who shaped them.Entering the workforce in 2013 – Navigating a tough job market post-recession, landing first jobs, and the side hustle (Coaches’ Daughters calligraphy & signs) that kept them connected when they were nine hours apart.Different sides of the same industry – Rachel’s path through furniture dealerships and Emily’s journey from a Haworth dealership to an A&D firm, and how those experiences built skills neither expected.Advice for students and emerging professionals:Keep an open mind — your first job won’t always be your last or your best fitDon’t wait to reach out to professionals; shadow days and internships are invaluableGet involved in ASID early — it sets you apart in interviewsSales reps are a major networking resource, even if you don’t plan to stay in your current marketCollaborating as sisters – Working on award-winning projects together including ASU Newport Campus and the SAU Tech Fire Training Academy dormitory; how their complementary tools (CET + Revit) streamline the A&D and furniture dealership relationship.Being moms in the industry – Setting boundaries, managing two full-time jobs, and finding employers who support family-first flexibility.Projects they’re most proud of:Emily: The Dr. Marian G. Lacey K–8 Academy — a six-year project that won the ASID Ovation Award for Best Commercial DesignRachel: Recurring work with Practice Plus clinics and Simmons Bank, plus a gold award-winning family clinic in North Little Rock; the Searcy library project with Tony WyreDesign Impacts is a podcast by the South Central Chapter of ASID — elevating, celebrating, and educating our design community.If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved with the chapter — locally, regionally, or nationally — please reach out. Your voice shapes the chapter! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit designimpacts.substack.com

Design Impacts – Episode 1Hosted by the South Central Chapter of ASID"A Conversation with Mikayla Rea, President-Elect"In this inaugural episode, host Ana Clark sits down with Mikayla Rea, South Central Chapter President-Elect, for a candid conversation about their shared passion for interior design, professional development, and the ASID community.In this episode, we discuss:Mikayla and Ana's design backgrounds and how they got involved with ASID.What it's like to serve on the South Central Chapter board — from Student Rep to President-Elect.How the chapter is structured and what each board role does.What sets the South Central Chapter (Arkansas, Louisiana & Mississippi) apart from other ASID chapters.How the chapter has evolved post-COVID and what it means to meet members where they are.Mikayla's vision for her upcoming presidency.Why the podcast is called Design Impacts — inspired by ASID's mission that Design Impacts Lives.How to get involved with ASID at the local, regional, and national level.About the Guests:Ana Clark – Current South Central Chapter President, Harding University graduate, adjunct instructor at UCA, and host of Design Impacts.Mikayla Rea – South Central Chapter President-Elect, UCA graduate, currently working at an architectural firm and teaching as an adjunct at UCA.Connect with Us:We want to hear from you! Share your feedback, ideas, and thoughts on the chapter's direction. Reach out to Ana and Mikayla at the emails listed below.Ana Clark: [email protected] Rea: [email protected] Impacts is a podcast by the South Central Chapter of ASID — elevating, celebrating, and educating our design community.If you have questions, comments, or want to get involved with the chapter — locally, regionally, or nationally — please reach out. Your voice shapes the chapter! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit designimpacts.substack.com