198 organizations R e c y c l e Lookout Coach and Prada — a new kind of purse has made its debut. Two times this school year, members of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) sold purses at the Searcy Town Square Festival. However, these were not just ordinary purses; they were made from recycled material. The recycled purses were sold on two weekends during the Fall 2008 semester. The first was in September, and the second followed during Homecoming weekend, Oct. 24-25. The purses were sold at prices ranging from $5 to $30, depending on the fabric used and size of the bag. “The purses are made of fabrics that have been discontinued or discarded by interior design firms and companies that use interior designers,” senior Stacy Geraci said. “These fabrics would have otherwise been thrown away. Some of these are made of recycled material or go through a process that is environmentally friendly, like the adhesives that back certain fabrics. [The purse] may have low or no [volatile organic compounds] that are detrimental to our health and environment.” In addition to this project, Geraci and Amy Cox, director of interior design and the club’s sponsor, agreed that ASID provided a great way to raise awareness about interior design and promote environmentally friendly practices. “ASID provides its members with the opportunity to expand their networking within the industry and communicate to the public and government the importance of the profession of interior design,” Cox said. Being a sponsor, Cox was grateful to ASID for helping the student members with internships, allowing them to expand their knowledge of the field and giving the students an opportunity to get involved with projects such as Searcy Public Library, Habitat for Humanity and Searcy Children’s Home. Cox also felt that ASID was a good organization because it allowed the members to show what interior design students truly did in their profession. “An interior design student must understand and be able to coordinate many non-aesthetic aspects of a project including building codes, the Americans with Disabilities Act, lighting principles, fire safety, construction practices, building systems and sustainable building design,” Cox said. “With the media and programs on [networks] such as HGTV, there is a common misconception of what an interior designer does, and ASID is trying to get the message out that we are more than simply good color pickers.” However, ASID was not only a project-oriented group; it provided social benefits as well. Geraci said that when she came to Harding, she joined to get to know other people. “I joined Harding’s ASID organization when I was a freshman because I thought it would be a chance to meet new people as well as get to know the upperclassmen,” she said. “At the beginning of every fall and spring, ASID has a mixer specifically for new students and members.” ASID allowed students to get to know each other, similar to a social club. They took trips, worked on projects and attended events and lectures. “Once a month, Harding ASID students take a trip up to Little Rock for an ASID meeting with professionals to learn about up-and-coming materials, processes and enhancements in the interior design industry,” Geraci said. “Other events we attend include The Gathering and Career Day in Little Rock along with ASID chapters from other schools. These events include speakers, vendors, tours and design competitions.” Through the different opportunities it provided its members, ASID was a great addition to Harding and projects already supported on campus. The members felt lucky to have the chance to learn so much about their profession while still in college. Rebecca Harrell Row 1: R. McMahan, A. Green, S. Geraci, K. Coss. Row 2: C. Young, R. Brown, C. Burris, B. Morris, M. Tanksley. Row 3: H. Bloomster, A. Moore, W. Wash. Row 4: K. Dingus, K. Anderson, J. Jesus, T. Massa. Row 5: S. McCormic, A. Cox (Sponsor), J. Russell. Row 1: S. Schoen, T. Winslow, K. Williams, A. Parks, J. Pancoast, B. Cannon. Row 2: D. Adams (Sponsor), K. Masters, A. Long, C. Kraus, I. Voigts. Row 3: E. Johnson, J. Buterbaugh, J. Yaeger. American Society of Interior Design Red Brick Studios ASID Raises Money Selling Purses Made From Recyled Material
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==