NKBA’s November webinars, sponsored by 2020, dive deep into the world of design software. By Dianne M. Pogoda
The world is going digital at an ever-faster pace, and design is most assuredly keeping up. And while software that specifically serves architectural and interior design applications is not new, like everything else in this realm, it’s changing rapidly.
NKBA’s free webinars in November tackle the sometimes complex world of digital design and detail the programs that streamline the work, make it easier and more user-friendly. The month’s sessions are generously sponsored by design software producer 2020, which helps professional designers, retailers and manufacturers in the interior design and furniture industries capture ideas, inspire innovation and streamline processes. 2020 provides end-to-end solutions and the world’s largest collection of manufacturers’ catalogs, offering businesses the software and content to be more efficient, integrated, and productive.
Each month, NKBA offers free 60-minute webinars, each of which features a presentation by an expert in the specific subject matter, delivered via a virtual platform. The sessions offer certified participants 0.1 CEU per event — it’s an easy way for designers to collect the CEUs needed to maintain NKBA certification. Participants must engage in 80 percent of the live sessions to receive CEU credit; registration closes two hours prior to start times. All webinars begin at 12 noon, Eastern Time. To register, click here, and select “Learn more.”
Starting on Nov. 4, Miguel Merida, partner at Microcad Software Inc., presents “Creating Outstanding Color Renders – Easy Tips.” Color renders are powerful communicators of proposed designs, and consumers now expect it as part of the process. Most design software programs include some color render functionality, which means a basic render is easily achievable — but a great-looking one can be time-consuming. This webinar focuses on creating outstanding color renders using easy, time-tested techniques that do not require much time. Incorporate the color renders as part of a client presentation package, and use them as tools to improve communication and increase sales. Attendees will learn to recognize the three components of a color render; develop techniques to apply colors, materials and textures quickly — and edit them, and also discover how to use the cloud to share designs easily with clients, contractors, and staff.
To register for this webinar, click here.
Phillip Gibney, sales and marketing consultant for Chief Architect, steps in on Nov. 10 with “Design and Sell Using 3D Design Software.” This session is about learning how to better communicate with clients and sell the job with 3D presentations. Gibney will show how using different rendering techniques — watercolor, technical illustration and photo realistic ray tracing — can provide clients with feedback that can focus on design concepts or the final look and feel of the completed project. He’ll cover the latest mobile technologies and how they can be used as a client communication tool, explain how to change designs, materials and colors on the fly — even in front of clients — to create a satisfying customer experience that will help sell more jobs and increase referrals. This will help sell and upsell jobs and help clients visualize design and material options. The session will also explore the use of automated design tools to increase productivity and speed up the design process, and examine how home design software increases speed and accuracy in creating floorplans, wall elevations, layouts and more.
To register for this webinar, click here.
On Nov. 16, Vanessa DeKoekkoek, global training manager at 2020 Spaces, presents “How to Leverage Technology, from Inspiration to Installation.” This interactive webinar is full of tips and tricks to improve the design process with easy-to-use tools, aiming to make keeping up with technology less daunting. DeKoekkoek will show how leveraging cloud technology, can help designers work toward mastering the tools that assist with site analysis, conceptual planning, technical documentation and communication. “Technology should not be overwhelming,” she says. “It should be your doorway into a world where you stand out among your competition. It should give you a way to display your ideas and design solutions with confidence.” Attendees will learn to identify the steps in the design process that can be improved with technology, explore how to implement technology to save time and money, and set the right expectation through clear communication and avoid mistakes.
To register for this webinar, click here.
Finally, on Nov. 18, Jonathan Blackburn, account executive at Vortek Spaces, presents “How to Integrate Virtual Reality into Your Sales Process.” By now, everyone has heard of virtual reality, but most are not sure how it applies to real life — in this case, the woodworking industry. During this presentation, Blackburn will explain more about what the technology involves and how it can be integrated into the sales process. He’ll discuss what virtual reality is, what it can do for sales, when to use it and how to maximize its impact. He’ll explain what’s needed to get started, and provide examples of virtual reality software for woodworkers. Finally, Blackburn will show attendees how to devise a plan to best implement virtual reality into the showroom.
To register for this webinar, click here.
