International Interior Design Association

🔊 Now boarding: award-worthy healthcare design. Attention all firms! If you've recently completed a healthcare interior project, this is your boarding call. The IIDA Healthcare Design Awards celebrates projects that elevate patient experiences, support caregivers, and demonstrate the power of thoughtful design. If your project was completed after June 1, 2024, it's ready for its next destination: industry recognition. Regular pricing is available through Aug. 24, and the final submission deadline is Sept. 1. Don't miss your chance to have your work recognized alongside the best in healthcare design. Submit your project today: https://ow.ly/mySG50ZuIxl

Meet the latest leader featured in our Design Leaders series: Kari Lemon, Ind. IIDA, Architectural Sales Representative at USG Ceilings. After 13 years as a commercial interior designer, Kari made the leap into architectural sales where she's spent the last 11 years championing collaboration, supporting the design community, and helping shape solutions that put people first. In this conversation, Kari shares: ✨ The leadership values that guide her every day ✨ The career move that transformed her professional journey ✨ Why advocacy for the interior design profession is deeply personal ✨ How USG Ceilings is advancing innovation through sustainability, acoustics, and thoughtful product design Read Kari's inspiring story and discover how partnership, listening, and advocacy continue to shape her leadership. 🔗 Read the full interview: https://ow.ly/NiqK50ZtX02

🎉 Celebrating 36 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Today marks the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark piece of legislation that transformed how we think about accessibility, equity, and inclusion in the built environment. For the design community, the ADA has been more than a legal standard. It has challenged us to create spaces that are functional, welcoming, and accessible for people of all abilities. From workplaces and healthcare facilities to hospitality, education, and public spaces, accessible design continues to shape environments where everyone can participate and thrive. As our profession continues to evolve, accessibility remains a fundamental part of thoughtful, human-centered design not an afterthought. Today, we celebrate the progress made over the past 36 years while recognizing the importance of continuing to design spaces that support inclusion for all. ♿

We're experiencing a loneliness crisis and designers have an important role to play in addressing it. Third spaces: the cafés, courtyards, music venues, parks, libraries, and other places where people gather outside of home and work—have long been essential to building community. But as these spaces become less common, the need to intentionally design for connection has never been greater. In this issue of Perspective, three designers share the third spaces that have shaped them, why these environments matter, and practical insights for creating spaces that foster belonging, comfort, and authentic human interaction. From designing for invitation instead of intimidation to creating moments that encourage people to linger, their perspectives offer thoughtful reminders that great design isn't just about aesthetics, it's about people. Read the full story and discover how designers can help create spaces where connection thrives: https://ow.ly/cJMp50Zshu7

The future of design is shaped by the people bringing new perspectives, lived experiences, and thoughtful ideas into the profession. Congratulations to the 2026 IA Interior Architects Diversity in Design Scholarship recipients, whose essays explore one of the most pressing questions facing the industry today: How can designers embrace AI while preserving authentic, people-centered creativity? Read the inspiring winning essays from first-place recipient Haruko Utsuki and second-place recipient Samia Hilton and meet all this year's scholarship winners who are helping shape a more inclusive future for design. Read the full story: https://vist.ly/5c9gm

We believe in the importance of interior design professionals participation in conversations about policy actions that accelerate the creation of better built environments, while learning from expert voices dedicated to advancing healthy buildings. So, we are excited to continue our support and partnership with @International WELL Building Institute for its Healthy Building Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., on September 29, 2026 hosted at Georgetown University, now in its third year. This event convenes an influential cross-sector group of policymakers, government officials, industry leaders and experts at a pivotal moment for the future of building policy. We hope all interior designers can attend! Learn more about the day and register here: https://vist.ly/5c8rs

Confused by the Future Readiness Index? You're not alone. Here's the quick version 👇 The IIDA Futures Readiness Index is a research-backed resource that helps interior design professionals assess their readiness for the future while exploring the trends, conditions, and scenarios shaping the next decade. Choose the level that's right for you: 📈 Essentials Report – Go beyond the basics with top trends and readiness insights. 📚 Full Index – Access the complete research, capability framework, and strategic recommendations. 🔍 Expanded Scenarios – Add an even deeper dive into future scenarios and their crossover impacts. Whether you're just getting started or leading strategic decisions for your organization, there's a report designed to help you move forward with confidence. Grab your Readiness Index today: https://vist.ly/5c5pe

⏰ Last chance to register! If the NCIDQ Certification is on your career roadmap, don't miss tomorrow's live "The Q and You" webinar. Join industry experts from CIDQ, Design Success Network, and Marcia Sweigert Interiors for an inside look at the NCIDQ exam, including the important updates coming in 2026. You'll learn: - Why NCIDQ certification matters for your career - The benefits of becoming certified—from professional credibility to career advancement - Eligibility, exam format, and section requirements - What's changing in the 2026 exam, including the new blueprint and question formats - Practical tips to prepare and plan your exam strategy Whether you're deciding when to take the exam or already preparing, this session will help you make an informed plan. 📅 Tomorrow, July 23 | 1 p.m. CT Register now before it's too late: https://vist.ly/5c597

In partnership with IIDA. Introducing FENIX® NTX, the latest in sustainable surfacing innovation. FENIX® NTX is engineered with up to 90% bio-based content and reflects a long-term commitment to advancing more sustainable materials without compromising design or durability. Learn More: https://vist.ly/5c4jh Arpa Industriale

The memes are funny... but the achievement is no joke. 🎉 Congratulations to all our members who passed the NCIDQ Examination and earned the industry's leading credential for interior designers. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to health, safety, and welfare have paid off. Here's to the next chapter of your design career, we can't wait to see what you create. 👏 Interested in studying/preparing for the NCIDQ? We offer a virtual NCIDQ test prep series that includes four sessions covering every part of the exam, along with general test-taking tips and study strategies. Details at https://vist.ly/5bz8q