Best Decision Ever

Our first impulse when confronting radical technological change is to push back. So writes Kevin Kelly in his 2017 book, The Inevitable, Understanding the Twelve Technological Forces that will Shape our Future. The ability to download free music on the internet is but one example. The music industry did everything they could to stop the advance, but to no avail. Now, even Taylor Swift gives in to the “Inevitable.” In Kelly’s words, “Prohibition is at best temporary, and in the long run counterproductive. A vigilant, eyes-wide-open embrace works much better.”

I look to the future of the design professions to provide solutions on reducing emissions related to the built environment, to slowing global warning, and to utilizing real estate as a healthcare prevention tool. Our value as creatives to solve problems is immeasurable. As ASID enters our three-year cycle to review and update our Strategic Plan, our focus is not on today or tomorrow. Our focus is ten years into the future, allowing time to direct resources and programs to best align with the evolving building industry, technology, and other factors that will impact our livelihood.

I was in New York last week for my annual entrepreneur’s retreat. My forum of seven secured Dandapani, a prominent Hindu monk, to share his understanding of the mind and the power of focus. In the two day session his recurring message, “Life is a manifestation of where you invest your energy,” was powerful. An admitted growth junkie, life-long learning is a priority for myself as a business person and as an individual who wants to optimize my time and contribution to the universe. Education is the safest investment against the shifting sands of the Inevitable - change.

ASID offers continuous learning in four primary modalities:

The ASID Academy has recently released the first phase of The LeadxDesign Model which focuses designers on career development and growth in three areas:

• Business: Innovate, transform, and build your business to intensify your impact and increase the value proposition offered to your clients.
• Industry: Gain a deeper understanding of the external factors influencing the design industry and how they affect your business and practice.
• People: Increase your impact and influence while building personal competencies.

Four Conferences are offered annually

• SCALE: The ASID National Student Summit, our student experience
• The Leadership Experience: Presented by ASID, for emerging professionals and mid careerists
• ASID Outcome of Design Awards, celebrating the impact of design
• Platform: A Retreat for Design Visionaries, a boutique conference, designed for principals, partners and owners of design firms.