Tag: ARIDO members

Mohamad Sabeh Ayoun is an ARIDO Intern who has been a member since 2019. He is currently working at Mayhew as an Interior Design & Brand Consultant and is a member of the ARIDO Communications Committee.

How long have you been a member of ARIDO?
I joined in 2019.

We talk a lot about “The Path” at ARIDO, how did you get on the path to the association and develop your interest in Interior Design as a career?

Since I graduated from a university outside Canada, I took the Alternative Pathway into ARIDO Membership which is the Intern Competencies Review System (ICRS).

Design professionals can sometimes specialize in one aspect of the process i.e. accessibility/building code, FF&E etc. Do you have a specialty?

I specialize in workplace branded environments, experiential design, corporate brand identities, signage and wayfinding, and have worked with many organizations in different sectors.

What has been a memorable project you have been part of in your career?

I was part of the team who worked on a large pharmaceutical client recently, and it was great to explore the fusion between interior architecture and brand design.

What do you think is the most pressing issue facing the association or profession?

I believe we need to do more to promote the benefits of being a member of a professional organization like ARIDO.

What advice would you give to students or emerging professionals at the start of their careers?

I highly recommend joining a professional design association that help them develop their skills and knowledge. ARIDO has great student events that help students take steps that lead to a successful career.

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The Member Spotlight features a different member each month.

Do you know a member who should be featured next? Get in touch with communications@arido.ca .

See you next month!

Q: How long have you been a member of ARIDO?

FS: Less than a year.

Q: We talk a lot about “The Path” at ARIDO, how did you get on the path to the association and develop your interest in Interior Design as a career?

Halfway through my undergraduate degree in architecture, I realised I was more drawn to crafting the experiences for those who used a building within its interior spaces. I wanted to use my skills to not simply curate innovative structures but to create interior spaces that would be just as inspiring as the edifices that they were embedded in. And so, I pursued my master’s in Interior Architecture at the Suffolk University in Boston, which became my gateway to the Interior Design industry.

Q: You’re the chair of the Awareness subcommittee formed as part of the Equity, Diversity, Accessibility and Advancement committee’s work. Tell us about your work with the committee and what’s ahead?

FS: It’s a vital time to re-evaluate what we mean by equity, diversity and accessibility particularly as we continue to learn how the pandemic has impacted different communities in unique ways. The EDAA is exploring how we can champion equity and inclusion both within ARIDO’s membership and as goals that underwrite our professional practice. The Awareness subcommittee is prioritizing accessibility at organised ARIDO events (virtual or in-person), creating a safe space for everyone to engage in, and bringing diverse value to participants. We also plan to reach out to youth and high-school students to raise awareness about the professional opportunities within the industry.

Q: What has been a memorable project you have been part of in your career?

FS: New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NJ, USA) from when I worked in Boston – as a new designer, this was the first project I was involved in from Concept to Construction Admin – it was a very rewarding experience.

Q: What book are you reading now?

FS: How to Travel with a Salmon & Other Stories (Umberto Eco), and The Secret Lives of Colour (Kassia St Clair) – highly recommended!

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The Member Spotlight will feature a different member each month.

Do you know a member who should be featured next? Get in touch with communications@arido.ca .

See you next month!

Meet Karen Walcott, ARIDO. Karen is a Senior Interior Designer and Team Lead with Mayhew and is our featured member in the Member Spotlight this month.

Q: How long have you been a member of ARIDO? KW: I joined ARIDO as a student.

We talk a lot about “The Path” at ARIDO, how did you get on the path to the association and develop your interest in Interior Design as a career?

KW: When I was in college, we had a good student representative from ARIDO that strongly encouraged me to connect with ARIDO as students.

Design professionals can sometimes specialize in one aspect of the process i.e. accessibility/building code, FF&E etc. Do you have a specialty?

KW: I hold a BCIN for House, Small Buildings, and Large Buildings; while I would not say I am a specialist, some of the technical projects are steered my way.

What has been a memorable project you have been part of in your career?

KW: One of the more memorable projects I have worked on would be my first solo project. It was a very small project for a pharmacy (out of province) but I led the project from the beginning right through construction. The experiences and knowledge I gained, still help me to this day.

For example, communication, communication, communication. It was key on this project. Issues that arose [on the pharmacy project] really helped me with future projects, especially during the information gathering stage. It taught me the value of ensuring the client is informed at all junctures (formal notice is best).

Another lesson was the more detailed the drawings, the more accurate outcome, and the sharper the price (i.e. avoid generic catch-all phrases). Lastly, it also introduced me to different building codes, working with other provinces, and working with contractors.

What do you think is the most pressing issue facing the association or profession?

KW: ARIDO’s association with OAA is potentially game-changing.

What advice would you give to students or emerging professionals at the start of their careers?

KW: With the right mindset, everything you do is an opportunity to learn and grow.

With the right mindset, everything you do is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Karen Walcott, ARIDO

What book are you reading now?

KW: Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

How do you deal with disappointment/frustration when a project doesn’t go to plan?

KW: I make it a point to remember situations or experiences, so I can use the lessons learned for the future.

The Member Spotlight will feature a different member each month.

Know someone who should be featured? Get in touch with communications@arido.ca .

See you next month!