From the current issue of ICON obtained here; http://www.nxtbook.com/naylor/AIDQ/AIDQ0113/index.php

Seems pretty straightforward right?  Now what semantic/title issue has this organization taken a stance against?  That’s right interior designers who claim themselves to be “Interior Architects” for no better reason than to avoid the interior decorator/design diva stereotype.  Then why promote such a degree granting institution?  Or are you now opening the door to acknowledge this title as a legitimate semantic alternative?  If you are then come clean- there are a lot of us out here (myself included) that would like to see that happen.  That is a minor concern though….

Better yet which allied professional organization is a very vocal and major financial supporter of the anti-regulation effort against one of the major advocacy efforts of this very professional organization?  That’s correct- NKBA.   Now if you share my concerns (bloviated as they tend to be…there I said it again) you see the irony….which if you really think about the conflict of interests here you may see red. It’s obvious why they did it…advertising dollars. I get that but are you that desperate for funds that you tacitly support our sworn enemy…you know the group that claims you are an evil cartel.  Or are you simply trying to keep your friends close and your enemy closer? If that is the case you need to fess up.

I did not want my most recent posts to appear focused on any one particular professional organization..particularly one that I am not a member of.  I have crossed the line into obsession and I am sure I will hear about it…at least that is the message I am receiving from my aluminum foil space helmet.  Unfortunately as our profession’s only public face they speak for me and every other independent professional interior designer.

With that I have two suggestions.  Either decide what your message/brand is and focus on its public dissemination with laser focus and consistency or limit your PR efforts to your members only.

Okay three suggestions. Trademark/Copyright both the logo and the acronym and start policing the unofficial use of your brand.  Steve Jobs may have been a jerk but he understood the value of his brand and he defended it with every breath.