The panel of judges for the third Dal-Tile Interior Design Scholarship, presented by the ASID Foundation, have been announced.
This year's scholarship competition, titled "Operation Renovation," challenges students to find a residential or commercial space in need of renovation and then create a redesign to meet the needs of its users. Once students select a space, they must identify the current issues in the space and explore changes needed to make the space both beautiful and high functioning. Now through April 9, students are required to promote themselves and rally votes for their design. The general public is also invited to visit the scholarship website and vote for their favorite entry. The best designs with the most votes will move on to final judging.
Entries will be judged on the space's functional design, aesthetic design and creative use of Dal-Tile's newest product offerings by the following panel of industry professionals:
Charrisse Johnston, ASID, LEED AP BD+C, Assoc. AIA
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Columbia Business School, with a BA in Behavioral Sciences and an MBA in Management and Marketing, Charrisse was a Wall Street strategic planning executive before turning to interior design. An Associate at Gensler's LA office, Charrisse is a workplace and educational designer and project manager, and she leads the office's community service/pro bono design efforts. Outside of Gensler, Charrisse has been a member of ASID's National Board of Directors, Emerging Professionals Advisory Council, and Student Advisory Council. She currently serves on the Dean's Advisory Board at UCLA Extension and the Cal Poly Pomona-UCLA Extension Master of Interior Architecture Program Guidance Committee. She has spoken at many national design conferences and was selected by the Design Futures Council as one of six Emerging Leaders of 2010.
Lori Kirk-Rolley, Vice President, Brand Marketing, Dal-Tile
With more than 15 years of expertise in the building products industry, Lori Kirk-Rolley always has her finger on the pulse of the latest tile, color and design trends. A strategic marketer, Kirk-Rolley oversees the development and execution of marketing programs for the Dal-Tile, American Olean, Marazzi USA and Ragno brands, and leads annual Voice of the Customer research programs that provide insights into design trends, consumer needs and specifier interests and behaviors. With this knowledge, she frequently serves as a thought leader for industry and consumer publications, broadcast programs and trade organizations.
Barbara Marini, FASID, IDEC
Barbara Marini is a consultant to architectural firms, developers, and clients on issues that influence interior space. She is principal of Marini Interiors Inc., a commercial design firm and been the recipient of awards in both academics and design. Barbara currently serves as Immediate Past President of ASID, and is an Adjunct Professor at the Art Institute of Michigan, and Boston Architectural College. She has been actively engaged in interior design education and leadership, including her role as program chair at the International Academy of Design and Technology in Troy, Mich. and College for Creative Studies in Detroit. Marini is a frequent speaker on design related issues and is currently a doctoral candidate at Eastern Michigan University in the College of Education, Leadership and Counseling.
Erika Templeton, Editorial Director, Interiors & Sources
After spending 5 years on the marketing and communications side of the A&D industry, Erika Templeton jumped the fence and joined Interiors & Sources magazine as Editorial Director in June 2013. In this newly-created post, Erika manages the direction and strategic development of the ever-expanding I&S universe, including print and digital content, live events, education and research deliverables, and industry partnerships. Recently, she has been a speaker at the Wallcoverings Association Annual Meeting, and has served on the Program Advisory Committee for NeoCon®. She is also an occasional guest lecturer at Boston University's College of Communication, where she earned a bachelor's in journalism in 2009.
Kia Weatherspoon, Allied ASID, Determined by Design
The dancer turned soldier who fell in love with Interior Design. Kia Weatherspoon, President of Determined by Design, a Washington, D.C. based firm specializing in multi-family and hospitality design. She's a social media maven expanding her design network, and more importantly, connecting with creative minds across the globe. Kia has sustained her creative goals by being actively involved in ASID on the chapter and national level by serving on the Emerging Professional Advisory Council and the ASID National Board of Directors. Follow her design adventures on Twitter @DetrminedDesign.
The grand-prize winner of the competition will receive a $10,000 scholarship, and will be announced at NeoCon 2014. Winners of the first, second and third prizes each will receive a $2,500 scholarship, and 10 Merit Winners will each receive a $1,000 scholarship.
