President's Message

April 20, 2011

Just a couple of weeks ago we celebrated design excellence in its many and varied forms at the 2011 IIDA Northland Chapter FAB Awards.  The projects represented were inspiring, engaging and incredibly diverse.  The teams represented far exceeded the expectations of their clients and themselves to create truly FRESH, ARTISTIC and BRILLIANT design solutions; each responding to unique criteria for success.  Witnessing the successes of our talented design community reminds us that the work of interior designers is truly fundamental to our built environment.  Not long after the previous President's Letter was published asking the question "What do you do?" one of our members shared a quote with me.  While the quote may not describe what we do it certainly describes the reason for doing it. 

"Design is not an add-on. It is not cosmetic. It is not window-dressing... It is a core, primary activity, because anything in any part of the world that we inhabit has to be made. But before it is made it has to be designed."

- Sir Norman Foster

How very true.  As interior designers, we know the design quality of spaces made for human inhabitants directly affect the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants.  We also know inspiring, functional, aesthetically pleasing and engaging spaces are simply more enjoyable to experience.  Our profession, and our design community specifically, is focused on excellence in delivery of design services ensuring the spaces we make are also designed; thoughtfully, creatively, appropriately.  This focus was apparent at the FAB Awards presentation.  Congratulations to the award winners and all of the participants for a job very well-done!

Jodie Leppa, IIDA, LEED AP
President, IIDA Northland Chapter