WEEK 4: FALLING INTO ROUTINE
Erin BMonday started off busy. I worked with Sarina to complete a finish plan that I had started last week. We talked about it together to make changes and make sure the formatting was correct based on the standards for IDS. After lunch I started working on several elevations for the same project as the finish plan. Soon the CD phase will begin. I hope that once construction begins, I can see the project and how everything is coming together.
Tuesday I started off the day with working with the other intern, Nick, to help pull finishes for a designer. After that I went with Sarina to a job site for her weekly meeting with the contractor and to take pictures of the construction progress. I enjoyed getting to see a jobsite under construction. We also had to figure out a different solution to the duct work because the current setup made the ceilings too low for code. In the afternoon I used photoshop to color in a floor plan for a designer, Roya.
On Wednesday I had several things to do for different designers. I am excited that this week has been busier; I feel more productive and useful. I worked with the other intern, Nick, on several story boards for a designer, Erica. We had to match all the furniture with their specified finishes so that it would be clear to the client. I also completed the floor pattern that I started Tuesday for Roya. At the end of the day I had to choose alternate wallcoverings for Sarina, because the one she had originally chosen is being phased out.
Thursday again was another busy day. I had different things to do all day. In the morning I went with Nick and Sarina to a site to do field verifications, RCP, and a PCP. All of this needed to be completed so the next phase, construction documents, can begin. After we got back to the office, I continued to finish the story boards for Erica for most of the afternoon. Towards the end of the day Maharam came in and gave a short presentation about some of their new products. After all of this, the day was already over!
Friday was an eventful day at the office. First thing I noticed when I pulled in was that there were extra cars in the parking lot…come to find out they are filming a scene of a movie at IDS. So naturally that is what most people talk about for the day, and it was slightly annoying at times because we had to be quiet and take different routes. I did actually do some productive work such as I converted the field verifications into CAD from Thursday. The field verifications included exterior dimensions and locations of receptacles, thermostats, switches, etc.
IDS is a fairly large company and offers most services within the commercial field. They also have a lot of repeat clients. One example is HCA, a healthcare company located throughout the country. There are several designers that only do designs for this particular client. Other designers also have many repeat clients. The CEO is a large part of bringing in clients and business for IDS. A lot of the time IDS deals with brokers. They call IDS to do work.
Because IDS has most services within commercial, healthcare, businesses, retail, restaurants, etc. it does not seem that the company targets one specific market but many.
The accounting is handled in-house. A lady named Yvetta and Melody do most of the accounting procedures. Designers log their time to each week to determine what is billable and what is considered overhead. Yvetta and Melody are continuously communicating with the designers to make sure everything is correct with invoices and time sheets. It is a good thing they are organized with all the projects to keep track of and what stage they are in at the time. Every few weeks billable time is compiled and an invoice is written up and sent off to the client. It is very important that designers keep an accurate record of their time.
Name: Emily Goins and Laura Hood
Most of you probably recognize these two lovely ladies! I thought it would be fun to put some familiar faces. They both graduated from UT! They also both work in the furniture and space planning group. This group is responsible for making sure everyone that is supposed to be in the space will fit in the space. Aas well as when a client gets new furniture, this group makes sure that every little part and piece is ordered and is the correct one. Needless to say these two girls are very important in the design phases when the client orders furniture.
Reader Comments (1)
Great to see that Emily and Laura are doing so well! IDS hired two capable and talented designers. In addition to getting into a routine this week, you are learning to juggle quite a bit, and multitask well. Your focus and attention to detail is an important asset when having to bounce from one task to another! As for the movie making, what happened to the opportunity to be an extra? You need to tell us the whole story here.... Repeat clients are certainly an indication of client satisfaction. I suspect that in addition to the CEO as primary marketer for the company, each designer plays a role. What are the means of creating a unique identity in the community, and what means do they engage in getting their name out to potential clients? I suspect the scope is broader than what you describe. Good description about accounting's role. Are their issues regarding billable and unbillable time? There is typically an approach and attitude part of a company's culture. Would be good for you to find out more. Four weeks is just about right to feel like you've fallen into a routine -- congrats!