Psychology and Design

Here are my tools: I have two degrees- the first is a BS in human development and the second is a BFA in interior design. 

Here is the goal: build on the two degrees through experience and continued education to effect change in the design community and the way we create environments for those around us

Here’s the question: how the heck do I start doing that?!

My first degree is a study in the way humans develop over the span of their life- how culture, age, race, and biology effect an individuals perception and interactions with the world around them.  My interior design degree has taught me how to construct environments and how to integrate creativity into the design process. So basically, my design degree taught me HOW to design but my human development degree has taught me why we design. And I feel very strongly that the WHY is often excluded when professionals begin to rearrange their physical world.

Thankfully, evidence-based design is catching on, but how do I become a part of that? I have my degrees but now what? What’s the next step?  The most logical one is to obtain a position as a junior designer/design assistant, but this economy is hardly helping any of us. So if that “step” is blocked from me at the moment, perhaps there is an alternate route?  I’ve considered looking into the Center for Health Design, or maybe a design magazine. I live in Orlando so what is around here? What can a recent grad do to stand out when so many are clamoring for attention?

At the suggestion of others

So here it is, my first blog ever.

To be quite honest, until now I have avoided joining ranks with the blogging world. Granted, I am already on Facebook,  Myspace and Linkedin, but blogging has always seemed…I don’t know…like passive-agressive attention seeking.  For me, it draws up an image of the lonely girl looking for validation who strategically leaves her open and unlocked diary lying on the counter, hoping that someone, anyone, will stumble across her thoughts and find them interesting.

So here is where you ask the obvious, “If you have such a negative view on blogging, why do you have a blog?” And HERE is where I explain my presence on WordPress- I am here at the suggestion of others.

I recently attended a hospitality design conference in Miami and attended a seminar about personal branding.  The speaker, Janice Marko of Marko Intl., spoke at length about logos, resumes, and portfolios, but also about expanding your internet presence. She became very animated about the value of having a blog and I really began to change my perception of the usage and purpose of blogging. I see it now as just another way to initiate dialogs with others in your field, as a way to spread knowledge and information, and as a way to continually grow and expand, not only your network base, but your personal views and attitudes as well.

Perhaps, in a way, we all have that little girl inside of us, looking for interaction, approval and acceptance, but I hope that by beginning this blog and joining others in their discussions, I can begin to expand my own knowledge base and see the world through the eyes of many, instead of just my own.