Design + Technology

My research specialization is environmental symbology – studying the personal, cultural, and mythic meanings of space – but I also have an interest in the symbolic aspects of human-computer interactions, in particular design-related applications of virtual and augmented reality technologies. I have often been referred to as the “techie” or “nerd” at faculty meetings, and in my undergraduate senior year was named “CAD Lab Goddess” by my senior class colleagues. True story – I have a nice little certificate and everything.

The Challenge of Design + Technology

One of the challenges of interior design education is keeping pace with the evolving needs of the profession, including the need for effective design communication skills. You’ll see, in between all the symbology, that my CV is peppered with technology research. Technology is an important part of my work; technology is part of the symbolic whole of human interaction and a vital appendage of the successful interior design practitioner.

Projects

Since 2006 I have worked with faculty from Florida State University, Kansas State University, Auburn University, Savannah College of Art and Design and the Interior Design Educators Council in the adoption and use of web 2.0 technologies in teaching and research. Some of these projects include:

IDEC Social Networking – 2010 and beyond, the Interior Design Educators Council launched a campaign to engage its membership via social media. I was a key member of the committee that initiated and sustained this campaign. I also served a central role in the restructuring of the IDEC website in 2011-2012 to integrate web 2.o functionality.

PowerCat Enhanced – 2010, a mobile augmented reality micro-application that provides location-based information about campus buildings and services, housing and dining, and parking. I was a member of the development team that created PowerCat Enhanced (powered by Layar), for Kansas State University.

wikID – 2009, wiki interior design body of knowledge for interior designers by Hannah Rose Mendoza – I worked with Hannah in the creation of the infrastructure for both the wikID and wikiDiscourse.

iSpaceFSU – 2008, Florida State University’s presence in Second Life – I worked with several colleagues, headed by Peter Jorgensen, Paul Marty, Lorri Mon, and Lisa Waxman, in the creation of a virtualization of the Florida State University’s Landis Green and campus buildings in Second Life. In a branch project we also collaborated in the creation of a virtual merchandising location on an adjacent parcel of land within Second Life. Read more about my ongoing involvement in virtual worlds.