Amplify Change: Designers as Sounding Boards
Learning Objectives:
- Examine their internal assets and external network, merging resources into a valuable tool kit.
- Delineate tasks based on expertise and skill sets, treating the community based action as a design project with a clear process and objective.
- Evaluate the process to pivot as needed, continuing to ask questions, evolve, improve, and iterate.
- Recognize the broad benefits of the action: short term, long term, for the community, and for your firm.
Credits:
This course is approved as a Structured Course
This course can be self-reported to the AANB, as per their CE Guidelines
Approved for structured learning
Approved for Core Learning
This course can be self-reported to the NLAA
Course may qualify for Learning Hours with NWTAA
Course eligible for OAA Learning Hours
This course is approved as a core course
This course can be self-reported for Learning Units to the Architectural Institute of British Columbia
Design thinking can be applied to everyday activism. As creative problem solvers, we catalyze change by improving the environments where people live, work and play. We can extend this momentum beyond billable work to volunteer activities that promote social justice. In this presentation, learn how to leverage your resources and apply your professional skills to community engagement. Using geniant + Eastlake Studio’s Sounding Boards as a case study, explore how individual designers and firms can amplify change using the tools of our trade.
Photo courtesy of Kendall McCaugherty, Hall + Merrick + McCaugherty Photographers geniant + East Lake Studio
Christina Brown, NCIDQ, is a Principal at geniant + Eastlake Studio, an architecture and interior design firm in Chicago focused on creating inspiring workplaces. Her award-winning project work includes the Chicago Tribune’s headquarters and the design, the expansion of tech firm ActiveCampaign, and several projects in the Old Post Office. During the pandemic, Christina spearheaded the firm’s pandemic research, creating a re-occupancy survey and detailing plans and products that prioritize health and safety. She has participated in several interviews and webinars on the subject and continues to develop new strategies for wellness-forward workplace design. Christina holds a degree from Virginia Tech, and is a certified Fitwel Ambassador. As Co-Founder of Sounding Boards, a nonprofit art organization founded in the summer of 2020, Christina is expanding the firm’s mission to promote equality and social justice within the practice, and outside of it. |
Camille Hunter, is a dynamic creative with a background in graphic design, environmental branding, and experiential design in architecture and interiors. Since joining geniant + Eastlake Studio in 2019, she has been integral in designing signage and wayfinding for workplace interiors and creating custom elements including wallcoverings, murals, and branded feature walls. Previous to working at geniant + Eastlake Studio, Camille designed at an advertising agency for nonprofits. Her experience extends across various disciplines including web design, marketing collateral, and social media strategy. In 2020, she founded Sounding Boards alongside geniant + Eastlake Studio Principal Christina Brown. The mural initiative has spawned more than 30 murals around Chicago and San Diego, and continues to work closely with artists and business owners to further expand their mission. |
Vectorworks, Inc. is an award-winning design and BIM software provider serving the architecture, landscape architecture and entertainment industries in 85 countries. Creating intuitive software since 1985, we’ve become the preeminent software built to manage the entire design process. Globally more than 685,000 users are creating, connecting and influencing the next generation of design with Vectorworks on Mac and Windows. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, with offices in Newbury and London, England and Vancouver, Canada, Vectorworks is a part of the Nemetschek Group. Learn how we empower designers to create experiences that transform the world at vectorworks.net or follow @Vectorworks. |