Last week I was named President of the International Interior Design Association for 2013-2014. I was inducted at IIDA’s Annual Meeting on June 9, just preceding NeoCon 2013. I am extremely excited about the year ahead, and about working with members and supporters of IIDA to advance the profession of interior design together. Please contact me to learn more about IIDA, and visit our facebook page for a gallery of photos from IIDA and NeoCon events!
Following is the text of my acceptance speech:
-Felice
I am so honored, and humbled to be accepting the role of President of IIDA, an organization that has had an invaluable impact on my career as an Interior Designer, and as a professional. In 1988 I was encouraged by teachers to join IBD, and for 25 years I’ve benefited from the mentorship, community, education, leadership opportunities and friendships in ways that have transformed me both personally and professionally. And so it is my mission to see that every member of IIDA has the same opportunity for an enriching experience as we advance our profession of interior design together.
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I’ll approach leading IIDA in the same way I approach my design process.As an Interior Designer, I think about each individual person that is affected by my design decisions, while thinking about, and creating solutions for a whole entity.
In a similar way, each detail I design is an integral part of a space, and in fact collectively the details create strength in the design.
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”
That’s how I feel about each and every member of IIDA – each of you is a unique and significant part of not only IIDA, but of the profession of Interior Design, and I am here to represent you.
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I’d like to spend just a minute telling you a little bit about me.
I grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the 60’s, with creative and brilliant parents who instilled in me a love and passion for the arts, design and music.
I’m 100% Greek, and I make a mean baklava.
My undergraduate is from Harvard University, and while that’s a fine institution, it is not exactly known for Interior Design. But it was there that I studied Psychology and Fine Arts, and where my passion for the design of spaces for people evolved.
I studied Interior Design at the Boston Architectural Center, where I not only received an amazing design education, but I also met not one, but two very important men in my life. At the BAC I met my future business partner, TomTrykowski, and my husband, David Silverman. And I am so pleased that both are here with me today.The BAC has been a very important part of my career – I’ve had the opportunity to teach, to mentor, and to govern. I am continually inspired by the creative spirit of students and young designers.
After developing my experience at several great Boston firms, Tom and I ventured off and started our own practice, Silverman Trykowski Associates, and we are celebrating our 17th year. We are an eight-person firm – some call us “boutique” – providing hands on, client-focused, research-based design services in workplace, healthcare, child care, education, fitness and retail. And I am thrilled that one of our lead designers, Jon Hanson, is also here with me today.
A true highlight, and turning point of my career was leading the IIDA New England Chapter as President in 2006-2007. It was here that I learned that our local community and chapter are part of a larger whole – and began to expand my perception of our community to its members and chapters around the country, and beyond. During my term we launched the IIDA New England Interior Design Awards program, and we could not have done it without the collaboration of our friends from other IIDA Chapters.
When I am not designing or teaching, I am cycling, spinning, practicing yoga, going to concerts and listening to music (the louder the better), playing with my three beautiful cats, driving my convertible, traveling, and photographing — and in some way, all of that informs my design. Design is life, isn’t it?
When I’m not in Boston, I’m on Block Island, Rhode Island, where I love to study the beauty and transformation of nature through the seasons.
I cherish time with family and friends, and I am so grateful for the support I get from them, especially my parents, my sister Pavan, joining me here from California; and of course my wonderful husband, David.
My philosophy is to live every day with passion. I work hard and I play hard. Everything I do, I do all-out – so for the next year you’ve got me 100%!
So that’s a bit about me.
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But today is not about me – it’s about you. You, as members, and as partners with IIDA, are why I am here. Whether you are a student, an emerging professional, a practicing designer, an educator, an industry member, a member of the media, or one of our partner organizations – you are why IIDA exists, and you are why I am here.
To the students: You are the future of design – and we will support you by introducing you to the professional side of practice through mentoring, networking, and providing you with the tools to help you become a professional.
Each of us has at one point been in your shoes and remembers our mentors, and we are ready to give back.
To the educators: Our profession would not exist without you. You are responsible for our future, and IIDA will support you, and help be the bridge between academia and practice for your students. We respect and will foster and reward your research — a crucial component of our profession.
To Designers: At every stage of your career, we are here to support you with education, networking, business and professional tools. We want to hear about your experiences, and work together to help you advance your career in a positive way.
To the Chapter Leaders: You are the pulse of IIDA. I’ve been following what you are doing with your chapters, and it was wonderful getting to know many of you this weekend at CLC. I am truly in awe of all that you are accomplishing in each of your chapters, and I am excited to work with all of you in the coming year.
To our Industry members: We simply cannot design without you. The design process is a true collaboration between designers, manufacturers and dealers, and at IIDA we recognize that important partnership. Our association could not exist without your generous support and sponsorship of our efforts, and we thank you for that.
To our partners: We all play a unique and important role in our profession, and only through working together can we advance the profession collectively. A wonderful example of partnership is developing now in Boston – between IIDA NE, and the Boston Society of Architects (the local chapter of the AIA). Designers and Architects will be working together to provide pro bono design services for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings who now need accessibility improvements to their homes.
I look forward to continued partnerships with all of you.
To the Media: We thank you for communicating our message, and for getting the word out about great design and its value. I look forward to participating in our collaborations and contributions throughout the year.
Thank you all for being here today.
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We have a lot of work to do this year. There are so many wonderful things that IIDA is accomplishing, but we know we can do more. Our profession — in fact all of the design professions — are changing. We face global, economic, technological, climate, and many other challenges that affect our profession, and we are committed to adapting and responding to how these changes affect our members.
We also have a lot to celebrate this year! IIDA will be 20 years old, and we want to share that celebration with each of you. Remember, as I said before, I work hard, and I play hard!
So to do all of this we want to hear from you – we want to hear your experiences, your concerns, and your ideas. And so my virtual cyber door is open to you.
I’m not here alone. I am thrilled to continue to work with an incredible group of designers, the IIDA Board of Directors. Trust me when I tell you that they are as dedicated a group of people that you can hope for, and they are here for you. And what can I say about Cheryl, Dennis and the IIDA Staff? The incredible efforts of each of the staff are something that not everyone sees – but behind the scenes are an amazingly talented and dedicated group of people working on our behalf.
To all of you, I thank you for your support, your interest and your dedication to IIDA and the Interior Design profession, and I look forward to working and celebrating with you over the next year.
Let’s have a great year together!
