Week 6

Monday morning started off with some filing and just general cleaning of the materials library. After lunch, I pulled some finishes for a designer. This sounds like an easy, simple task, but in reality it was a little difficult because the project was completed several years ago and many of the finishes have been discontinued. I had to hunt down the finishes and call all of the different manufacturers only to be told that the product was no longer available. After that I organized some fabrics for a designer that had been ordered.

First thing Tuesday morning I started to type up part of a spec sheet that would be reformatted to go on a set of CD’s. Even though the work itself was not overly exciting, it was interesting to see a spec sheet and the amount of information that is included. After lunch I pulled some more finishes for the same project I was working on Monday. I also started with another designer to begin working on pulling together two alternate finish schemes for a designer. Once finished, the designer will have three schemes that can be used to show the client and from those three options can pick which scheme they feel best works with their clinic. At the end of the day I worked on completing a finish board.

Wednesday was a busy day. I started the morning off by starting a healthcare project. I had to order or pull the finishes from the library so that I can put together a concept board early next week. There were two rep presentations; one from Stonepeak and another that had different types of wood and cork flooring. The cork rep also had this fun floor called Liquid Motion. There are two different colors and when you walk on it the “liquid” moves around giving almost a lava lamp effect. After lunch I continued to work on the two finish schemes for the clinic and worked on an electronic finish board.

Thursday was sample day. I did a lot of ordering samples for different designers for each of their projects. It is starting to get a little easier contacting reps and manufacturers, but sometimes you still get the run-around. Some way or another, the designer gets the sample.

Friday was a half day. So in the morning I did some library filing. I also worked on an elevation and plan for a check-in counter at a clinic. I had to show how the glass windows would line up on the curved counter. I was throwing a friend a wedding shower and decided to take a half day to have more time to get ready for the shower.

This is a finish board I worked on for Vanderbilt University.

 FF&E

IDS has a fairly large materials library which allows the designers to find most of what they need without ordering a sample. If the library does not have the product in stock then typically the interns are sent on a hunt to find the manufacturer and order a sample. There are also many rep presentations throughout the year. Since I’ve been here we typically have at least one presentation a week. This really helps the designers stay on top of the new products.

To keep all of this information organized is quite a task. Melody is in charge of the library and keeps track of what manufacturers have products in the library. When different reps come into the library to give presentations they always update their current information. Other reps come in on a daily basis just to update their products even if their not giving a presentation. Melody is also careful as to what binders, fabrics, laminate, etc. is allowed to stay in the library. It definitely takes someone very organized to keep the library functional.

Most of the resources can be found in binders/books provided by the manufacturer including information on furniture, fabric, wallcovering, and carpet. The loose fabrics are organized by manufacturer in drawers and then broken down by color. There are also large filing drawers that house all of the information and finishes for Steelcase.

Name: Melody England

Melody is in charge of keeping the materials library organized and running. She deals with all the reps and presentations. I work down in the materials library so I have gotten to know Melody well. She graduated from Lipscomb University with a degree in textiles. She also helps keep the designer's time sheets and projects organized.