Deb’s Seminar Topics

Below is a parial list of seminar topics that Deb can bring to your company, design event or chapter. Looking for something special?  Contact Deb  for more information or to customize a presentation.

Design Seminar Topics

Design IS…

Design is Social;  Design is Science;  Design is Process and Design is Personal.

Above all, Design is not manufactured in excessive quantities and churned out; design is something that is created with thoughtfulness and consideration; it has a story, and a soul. Design disciplines are now collaborating and cross-pollinating in ways that are transforming design. We’ll identify and define each overriding theme and then explore the people, places and ideas driving it through case studies and example. Lastly, we’ll drill down and analyze how they are revolutionizing the design experience.

Textile Crash Course for Design Professionals- 6.0 Hour Course

Fabric selection is the most favorite part of a designer’s job and the most difficult. Textiles are a complex discipline with staggering choices. We’ll discover the language of cloth with an eye to defining and differentiating between terms, techniques and materials in the interior design context and finding out the attributes and processes that give fabric its finished appearance. In an extensive discussion, we will focus on today’s fabrics; narrowing in on weaves, printing processes, dyes and finishes providing an understanding of the various characteristics and properties that make fabrics appropriate for use in interior environments. Gain an understanding of challenges that face designers and workrooms with today’s fabrics. This hands-on seminar will send you home with a swatch reference manual.

Textile Tech Support IDCEC Approved

It is not enough to simply highlight the beauty, uniqueness, and versatility of fabrics; it is the designer’s responsibility to select the appropriate fabrics for their intended end use. In this class gain an understanding of today’s fabrics to help you make correct fabric selections. This is a real life application based class. We’ll discuss fabric constructions, properties and qualities; which ones are appropriate and which ones aren’t for your custom specified soft designs. We’ll compare and contrast linings, interlinings, fabric enhancers and provide strategies in dealing with difficult textiles to help you solve those troublesome nightmares.  2 hours .2 CEU’s

Smart Textiles for Modern Environments 2.0 Hours IDCEC Approved

Fabrics and fabric selection has become more exciting and more complex with the new developments in fibers, finishes, construction, not to mention green options. By exploring the various new materials coming to market; comparing and contrasting their characteristics and properties and evaluating their performance and applications, more appropriate fabric specifications can be made for use in interiors and office environments. A discussion of textiles’ role in green design and sustainability including current manufacturing practices, technologies and identification and rating systems will supply the textile tools for making better informed decisions and wiser choices for more appropriate products and healthier lives. We’ll contextualize the knowledge and illustrate relevance through real world application examples.

The New Design Client: Who They are and How to Reach Them IDCEC Approved

Based on research on the design market and featuring in-depth demographics and psychographics along with the crucial factors that drive purchasing decisions this course provides insight into the dramatic changes taking place with consumer behavior and  in the design landscape. But this is NOT a statistics class; you’ll discover how to put all these facts to good use by learning how to reach the new consumer and interest them in your products and services.  We’ll explore the consumer attitudes and philosophies that are shaping the near- and mid-future, complete with consumer value, behavior and lifestyle outlines that will help you  positioning, sourcing and crafting your image as a stylemaker to the elusive design customer.  Finally, we’ll finish with sourcing, positioning and presentation tips to get that client’s attention. 1 hour  

The Style Sourcebook 1.0 Hour

Today’s interiors are a result of a diverse mix of culture and time. Emulating those styles drawn from other parts of the globe can transform a room and transport your client to a different world. This seminar is a discussion of those global styles as we explore the elements that make it up. Gain an understanding of appropriate furnishings, textiles and colors while gaining insight on how to (re)create that look in your client’s homes. We’ll discuss Modern English and French Country, Lodge living, Russian, Scandinavian and more. We will discuss color, fabrics, furniture, walls and floors, design details and the hallmarks of each period through PowerPoint and actual samples. You’ll go home with a sourcebook to show your style smarts.

It’s a Material World  2.0 hours IDCEC Approved

The design industry is more competitive than ever, with better-educated, more discerning design clients. How do you compete when your potential clients are shopping many of the same sources as you? Wow them with innovative, unique materials from resources they’ve never heard of! Translucent concrete, LED wallpaper, emotionally-reactive fabrics and more: New advances in material science are delivering fascinating new products to the marketplace everyday. These distinctive products and materials can give you the edge when dealing with internet-search savvy clients and aggressive competition, making your proposals difficult to price-shop.

Master Class: The Geometry of Design 1.0 hour  IDCEC Approved

Don’t let our title scare you. This class will cover design lessons in the elements and principles that make up the vocabulary of design including proportion theory and The Golden Rectangle. Learn how to apply these rules to translate pleasing proportions to fit a client’s room or window. We’ll also explore the other elements and principles of design and how they are interrelated – Scale, Balance, Line- even color. Finally, with pattern mashups de rigueur today, we’ll discuss pattern scheming and put together schemes that you can use as a jumpstart for your client presentations.

Pattern Play: Lessons in Scheming a Perfect Mix  IDCEC Approved

Nothing creates impact on a window like color or pattern, but it can also create some nervous moments in the life of a design professional. Applying of a few guidelines and having an understanding of color and pattern schemes can result in much success, when designing your projects.   We’ll discuss how to put together color schemes, work with color and your client and take a sneak peek at what color trends will be on your client’s mind in 2015.  Plus, we’ll explore pattern- from styles, motifs and layouts to repeats and schemes- that you can use as a jumpstart for your custom client presentations. 1.5 hours

Trend Topics

Connect the Dots   3.0 Hours IDCEC Approved

From design market trends to consumer purchasing behaviors. This seminar features the latest trends from the top international design shows, PLUS key insights into why and how today’s consumer purchases design products and services. Through new product, style and color introductions at markets; we’ll discuss how trends work and develop, and how these products and services are ultimately being sold to consumers. You’ll walk away understanding the underlying trends that are shaping the patterns, colors and materials of the next wave of interior design; the drivers behind purchasing custom, and many more aspects of what it takes to work with today’s design client.  4 hours .4  CEU’s  or .3 HSW CEU’s

FUTUREhome/office  4.0 hours IDCEC Approved

How will we live 5 years down the road? What will go into designing and building the home of tomorrow? How will work reshape the home? This session provides answers to these questions and gives a glimpse into what life at home may look like in the future and how we might get there. We will examine emerging behaviors and technologies; survey products, services, and assess initiatives that are driving the evolution of the home.  This is a detailed look at the major themes that shape houses into homes; work into workplaces; innovate eco efficiency and are directly influencing future lifestyles. Alongside these examples, we’ve gathered supporting data to further highlight the impact of these ideas.

The Future is Now 1.0 Hour IDCEC Approved

If design is a means of improving an individual’s interaction with the world, and our world is so rapidly changing, there is no doubt that the products and services offered by the design industry will also change. We will look at how social, technological and cultural currents are impacting design including advances in information technologies; examine design specialties such responsive, slow and universal design and illustrate how to convert these into actionable insights in a global context. Finally, through a look at the newest products and trends from some of the world’s leading design shows, we will interpret how best practices and transformative changes from other industries can be applied to your interaction with your clients and your business

World Tour: Smart Designs from the World’s Top Markets 2.0 Hours IDCEC Approved

See the latest new product introductions, color and material trends from some of the world’s leading design shows through both photos and actual sampling. This whirlwind tour brings the latest design themes to you, outlining how certain products and style references develop from one show to the next. Get your hit of international inspiration with reviews of Cologne, Paris, Milan, Frankfurt and London, as well as some of the top US markets, all without having to walk endless miles of aisles.

Note: this is a market and product report of the design shows mentioned above. Products will be seen through images and actual samples.

 

FutureVision: Interior Design in the Year 2026

If design is a means of improving an individual’s interaction with the world, and our world is so rapidly changing, there is no doubt that the products and services offered by the design industry will also change. This presentation looks at the social and cultural currents that will impact consumer’s values, motivations and lifestyles over the next 5-10 years, including advances in information technologies, an increased emphasis on well-being, new definitions of pleasure, changing demographic structures and the acceleration of the global economy. Featuring insights from cultural anthropologists, futurists and leading-edge designers including Chris Anderson, Malcolm Gladwell, Mark Dyson, Murray Moss and others.

Design /Technology  Seminar Topics

Cool Tools for Your Design Business 2.0 Hours IDCEC Approved

Digital technology offers endless possibilities managing the design process. We’ll start out with a “how-to” training primer to get you off to a quick start and to help you integrate the new digital technology into their business. We’ll identify tools to be more productive, efficient and that will ensure success. We’ll walk through the design process and demo Apps, software and platforms appropriate for each segment that will make technology work for you on the job. This is a must if you want to wow your clients with new technology and make the design process more efficient,  This presentation will include step-by-step demonstration, and includes a top Apps/ Platforms List.

The Digital Designer- 2.0  hours

Social media and the web are transforming and redefining the design world. This is a road map to harnessing the power of the internet to build your brand and cultivate your online reputation. Join in the discussion about social media platforms “built” for designers- Olioboard, Pinterest, Houzz and many more. Discover how to tap into the web to engage clients and generate buzz with Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, flash sales and your own blog. Leverage the net’s influence to transcend the “old school” ways of doing business. Bring your mobile devices and tablets to share with and learn from others while exploring the benefits of the online world.

The iPad for Design Pros   1. 0 hour class- overview – attendee numbers not limited IDCEC Approved

Are you considering buying an iPad or iPhone? Do you have one, but don’t know where to start? The iPad/iPhone offer endless possibilities for business, marketing and managing the design process. Many of your fellow pros have already made the leap. Now you can! We’ll start out with a “how-to” training primer to get you off to a quick start and to help you integrate the tablet into their business. Then we’ll discuss the must-have utilites- X mark, E print and more. This presentation will include step-by-step demonstration, and includes a top Apps list. Finally, we’ll share tips, tricks and design or project management related apps that will make your iPad work for you. This is a must if you want to wow your clients with this new technology. Bring your mobile devices and tablets to share with and learn from others while exploring the benefits of the online world.

The iPad for Design Pros- Getting Started   2. 0 hours  IDCEC Approved

Are you considering buying an iPad or iPhone? Do you have one, but don’t know where to start? The iPad/iPhone offer endless possibilities for business, marketing and managing the design process. Many of your fellow pros have already made the leap. Now you can! We’ll start out with a “how-to” training primer to get you off to a quick start and to help you integrate the tablet into their business. Then we’ll discuss the must-have utilites- X mark, E print and more. This presentation will be heavy on step-by-step demonstration, and includes a top Apps list.  Finally, we’ll share tips, tricks and design or project management related apps that will make your iPad work for you. This is a must if you want to wow your clients with this new technology. Bring your mobile devices and tablets to share with and learn from others while exploring the benefits of the online world.
iPad for Design Pros- Beyond the Basics – 3.0 hours IDCEC Approved

Tablets, smartphones and the cloud offer endless possibilities for your business and marketing and managing the design process. You’ve taken the leap; so now let’s jumpstart the learning curve with this small group interactive session. We’ve created this hands-on session to delve deeper into how to use various apps and utilities through case studies and a hypothetical client so you can get a real feel for what it is like to use your tablet in your business. We’ll show you how to set up and explore in depth the powerful utilities like Sugar Sync and Evernote.  As we walk through our hypothetical client’s design project, we’ll examine must- have apps for every designer like Hours Tracker, Note Taker HD, Moodboard, and Home Design 3D. Bring your laptops, mobile devices and tablets to share with and learn from others while exploring the benefits of the online world. The session is geared to iPads /iPhones users that have experience with tablets, downloading apps and creating admin structures and is PC based. Register early as class size is limited. There will be a must do pre- class assignment too.

Window Covering Seminar Topics

Window Fashion Master Class: Part 1
Window treatments are a complex business from design details to specifying and selling. Many designers stir clear of what is one of the most profitable niches in your design business. Learn the tricks of the trade as we delve into the intricate window fashion design process and share tips, and trade secrets that the pros know. Did you realize there are more than 100+ decisions the designer makes in the custom window design process? And at any one step things can go wrong. We’ll cover the elements that make up the vocabulary of custom window treatment design including calculating yardages, drapery hardware and drapery weights, what fabrics and linings each works best plus pattern placement. Our online supersession design lab focuses on giving you success strategies to perfect your designs. Use your lab notes to enrich your design notebook with solutions, options and details for your clients that are real life tested.

Window Fashion Master Class: Part 2

Window treatments are a complex business from design details to specifying and selling. Learn the tricks of the trade as we delve into the intricate window fashion design process. Part II of our supersession design lab focuses on the more challenging aspects of designing window fashions including offset pairs and multiple draws, ripplefolds, comparable fullness, using a proportion wheel and much more. You’ll gain success strategies to perfect your designs. Deb pulls back the curtain to unveil the secrets of the bespoke window. She’ll inspire you to flex your design muscle with a in-depth examination of the tips and the secrets of impeccably tailored treatments. You’ll gain a wealth of couture knowledge about dressmaker-inspired specialties; plus original and innovative headings, edges and hems. Enrich your portfolio with techniques, artistry and details to offer your clients.

 

Custom Window Treatments and the New Safety Standards–What You Need to Know Now  1.0 hour IDCEC Approved HSW

In September 2010 the Window Coverings Manufacturers Association and the Consumer Products Safety Council announced a new set of safety standards for ALL corded window treatments—mini blinds, Roman shades, draw draperies, etc. This has far-reaching effects for any interior designer who directly or through a sub-contractor specifies window treatments. Learn the implications of the new standards for your business—how to comply, how to properly specify, the language to use with past and current clients, as well as the inherent opportunities in all new product categories at the window.

Secrets to the Bespoke Window 1.0 Hour

Made to Order window treatments are a complex business from design details to specifying and selling- learn the tricks of the trade- from design, fabricating and installing to presenting them to your clients. An in depth examination that will offer you the tips and the secrets that the pros know. You’ll gain a wealth of couture knowledge from a mix of hands-on samples and images as we detail the steps necessary to create some of these looks. Enrich your portfolio with solutions, options and details to offer your clients a truly custom crafted window fashion.

The Top 20 Soft Window Fashion Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Have you seen design projects that make you shake your head? This session covers the most common don’ts when it comes to custom soft window treatments. You’ll see and hear some interesting stories about inappropriate choices, bad installations and custom window treatment no-no’s and we’ll tell you how to turn it into a do. You’ll come away with some great tips, tricks and trade secrets on what to avoid on future projects.

Get That Look

Borrowing inspiration and techniques from others can help motivate you in your business. Why not learn from the best designers and pros in our niche and adapt their winning strategies to your business.  In this elevator pitch style format, we’ll talk about the best ideas for solutions, techniques, design and innovation we’ve been collecting. Plus, we’ll share secret sources employed to achieve the finished look. You’ll be certain to walk away with at least one idea or strategy you can put into practice.

What Makes This Window Treatment Work? 1.0 Hour

Window treatments are a complex business from design details to specifying and selling- learn the tricks of the trade- from design, fabricating and presenting them to your clients. This is an  in- depth examination of the best examples of classic beauty, inspiring, inspired and solution driven window designs with as much personality as the decorators who designed them.  Gain an understanding of how a window can be made to look other than it is, and discover the nuances in the design process that make it all work. We’ll offer you the tips and secrets that the pros know that go beyond the window. Enrich your portfolio with solutions, options and details for your client.  Learn innovative ways to spice up your treatments and turn a predicament into a success.

The Custom Window Treatment Client: Version 2.0

This highly informative presentation debuted last year to rave reviews and this year Deb is back with all updated information based on exclusive research on the custom window treatment market. Featuring in-depth analysis of custom window treatment purchasing–by region by product style and more, along with the crucial factors that drive purchasing decisions. New research tracks changes in purchasing patterns and product preferences to give a better feel for where the market’s headed. Plus, discover how to put all these facts to good use–learn how to reach the new consumer and interest them in this unique product category. And we’ll share effective ideas for packaging your services, positioning your business, developing a brand and much more, so you’ll leave set for success.

Delivering the Luxury Window Experience 1.0 hour

How can we make the window the “it” experience in home decorating? As a luxury purveyor, your challenge is to offer exceptional experiences; engaging clients on a higher level through your brand. This course will give you keys to succeed. Gain exceptional insight into what this highly-sought-after clientele expects on their windows; who they turn to for advice, what products and services they consider valuable and other insider tips.  First, we’ll redefine the new luxury experience. We’ll discuss luxury consumer demographics and behavior; what they strive for and what it means to your market. Then, through concrete examples, we’ll explore positioning, sourcing and crafting your image as a stylemaker to the elusive high end customer.  Finally, we’ll finish with sampling, presentation and marketing tips to get that client’s attention.

Transforming Custom to Couture: A Designer’s Guide to High-Style Window Fashions

Turn your custom window fashions into couture treatments in this designer’s guide to design and construction techniques. Learn about dressmaker-inspired specialties as stitch in the ditch, hand picking, slotted seams, trapunto, corded tucks, ruffling, curtain fills, origami bands and wadded hems; plus Deb’s original and innovative headings. See samples right off the runway in this presentation that will help build your own one-of-a kind couture portfolio of inspired techniques, processes and creative styling’s and takes your work to the next level. We’ll discuss how to specify these techniques, what fabrics each works best with, and how these can be used to build your bottom line. Step up from custom to couture.

Window Fashions: Where Inspiration and Technique Meet     1.0 hour

Looking for some window inspiration? Deb’s been working overtime to show the newest designs and ideas to inspire you. See a whole new round of window treatments inspired by what she saw at the European shows, along with a few surprises. We will showcase hundreds of designs and briefly discuss fabrication details and the finer points of each treatment. Your camera is a must to build a portfolio and to capture every idea. This 1-1/2 hour class will pump you up with design inspiration for your clients.

Business Seminar Topics

The Profit Potential: Pricing Your Design Products and Services

Do you charge and get what you deserve? How do you price your goods and services? The answer given ten years ago is different from the answer of today. Pricing is much more than a number. How you price your services and charge your customers has changed dramatically with the rise of today’s new consumer. If you plan on being in business 5 years from now; how you price your design services will be key to capturing new business, markets and niches. You will leave with a pricing protocol to apply to your business, including a business and personal evaluation to help establish your current value to the client. 3 hours  .3 CEU

Behind the Curtain Insider Secrets to Building a Soft Brand

The design industry is more competitive than ever, with better-educated, more discerning clients. How do you compete when your potential clients are shopping many of the same sources as you? Distinctive soft products and materials can give you the edge. This is a road map to harnessing the power of soft accessories to build your design brand. We’ll discuss the drivers behind purchasing soft home furnishings, define the opportunities, compare and contrast them to help you choose which ones work best for your business. Plus, give you the must- do steps to get started. You’ll discover how to tap into the soft goods niche to engage clients, generate buzz and leverage its influence to help you craft your image as a savvy stylemaker.

A Guide to a Sustainable Design Business Model  2.0 hours IDCEC Approved HSW

The design landscape is in the midst of a C change and professionals must design asmart business as well as quality environments.  The same principles of responsible sustainability can be applied to our business practices. This new age of design requires a commitment to create a sustainable business before we can create sustainable spaces. We’ll examine ethics and values, compare ideas and discuss perspectives that can shape our decisions. We’ll identify tools to be more productive, efficient and greener and that will ensure success. We’ll devise new strategies and technologies to streamline and strengthen your business and new approaches to enhance your credibility. Environmentally sound business choices made today help to ensure the future health of our business, designs and planet.

Steal This Idea! 1.0 hour

Borrowing techniques from innovative industries can help revitalize your business. In this fast-paced seminar you’ll get dozens of new ideas that have proven successful in other categories including, consumer electronics, packaging, telecommunications, fine dining, Hollywood and more. Why not learn from the best—Ian Schrager, Steven Jobs, Joss Whedon, Eric Ripert—and adapt their winning strategies to your business. In this elevator pitch style format, we’ll talk about the best ideas for marketing, business, design and innovation we’ve been collecting. You’ll be certain to walk away with   at least one idea or strategy you can put into practice.