The International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and Steelcase Inc., have launched a partnership to create professional development curricula to support both organizations’ commitment to lifelong learning. The modules in the “Impact Points” series are funded by Steelcase Inc., and developed by IIDA.
The design profession and business in general has experienced rapid evolution in the past few years precipitating a different approach to the design process. To address these changes, IIDA and Steelcase agreed that additional course materials would allow designers to maintain their competitive position in this explosive business climate. The first module, ‘Starting Point,’ discusses the evolution of corporate culture, describes the concept of organizational performance and outlines how design can impact the workplace and performance. Subsequent modules to be released over the next year include ‘The Balanced Scorecard’ and ‘Goal Setting,’ followed by future modules.
The education modules differentiate the design professional from their competitors by linking business goals with design strategy, and utilizing metrics for establishing the value of implementing solid design solutions. The series of modules gathers perspectives from expert sources and research done by notable organizations into a concise workbook. Each workbook features a terminology glossary, a bibliography (including related web sites), as well as a self-assessment and discussion section. To schedule a presentation of this course, contact your local Steelcase Market Manager for Architecture & Design or contact Michelle Kleyla, Program Manager for Architecture & Design, in Grand Rapids, MI, at 616.247.2203 or mkleyla@steelcase.com. Information is also available on IIDA’s website, www.iida.org.
