The Design Pop

We are coming to you live from Day 1 of Experience—formerly known as CET Experience—where nearly 500 designers, manufacturers, and sponsors are fueling the excitement and innovation shaping the design industry. This year marks a major shift not just in the name, but in what the event represents. Configura’s vision has expanded beyond CET, and Experience now captures the full scope of their technology solutions. In this episode Alexandra sits down with two of Configura's very own Aaron Okkema, Head of Sales for North America, and Rob Detrick, Product Manager for Commercial Interiors, about the big announcements from the opening keynote.Check out Configura's Roadmap to discover upcoming projects and share your innovative ideas for future development.Questions for Configura? Ask Alexandra or Brooke SnowConnect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInAccess on-demand training at The Design POP.Questions? Email info@thedesignpop.comThe Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Alexandra Tseffos breaks down the results of her latest dealer designer survey, which drew responses from nearly 175 professionals across the industry. The survey explores the confidence levels of designers in core responsibilities such as technical specification, ancillary selection, pricing, meeting participation, live design, and advanced visualization.Not only did Alexandra share the numbers and highlight various results, but she also brings in two expert voices to put the findings into perspective. First, we hear from Shelley Rosetta, Principal at Solomon Coyle who reflects on the broader industry context, the importance of continuous learning, and how AI is reshaping workflows. Then we hear from Kari Anderson, Owner of Techbox Collective, who discusses what the survey results mean for manufacturers—plus she highlights how better tools, cleaner data, and thoughtful training can raise both confidence and competence across the field.Together, these conversations uncover surprising gaps, celebrate areas of strength, and explore how designers—along with dealerships and manufacturers can evolve together. Whether you’re a dealer designer, leader, or manufacturer, there are plenty of insights to spark new conversations about the future of design.Download the full report here.Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInAccess on-demand training at The Design POP.Questions? Email info@thedesignpop.comThe Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this inspiring episode, Alexandra sits down with Christine Crawford, Design Manager at Alfred Williams & Company in Nashville and MillerKnoll’s Designer of the Year. Christine shares her journey from an eager design student who did whatever it took to land an internship, to becoming the leader of a design team and the force behind a $15 million project. Her story highlights the power of curiosity, tenacity, and taking bold risks—such as writing a letter to land her dream role.Through Christine’s perspective, we explore what it means to redefine “perfect,” why dealer design can be a powerful accelerator for young careers, and how collaboration and courage shape long-term success. Whether you’re a student, a young designer, or a seasoned professional, Christine’s journey will leave you with practical wisdom and the confidence to bet on yourself.Check out Alfred Williams & CompanyConnect with Christine Crawford on LinkedInConnect with Alexandra on LinkedInCheck out Configura's Experience Conference in OrlandoExplore more from Imagine a Place and OFS Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, designer, author, and Thunder Egg founder Brittney Herrera shares her personal journey through the design industry—from internships and dealership work to leading her own firm. Along the way, she opens up about navigating firm politics, discovering her strengths, and learning how to turn every experience into a stepping stone for growth. Brittney's book Inside the Design Industry quickly became an Amazon best-seller and a must-read for students. This conversation brings her book and it's lessons to life.Whether you’re a design student, recent graduate, or just starting out in your career, you’ll hear practical advice on networking, mentorship, interviews, and building confidence in an often-intimidating industry. Industry veteran Jeff Carlson from My Resource Library joins the conversation as well—adding some great advice about connecting with others through LinkedIn. This episode is both a guide and an encouragement for anyone ready to find their place in design.Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn.Access on-demand training at The Design POP.Get $75 off CET Experience by using promo code: THEDESIGNPOP75 if you register before September 22, 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Design Pop, Alexandra welcomes Jennifer Evans, VP of Design and Development at Hyphn, formerly BKM. With nearly two decades of experience rising through the same dealership, Jennifer shares her unique journey from project designer to leadership.She reveals how curiosity, problem-solving, and a passion for process led her upward. They explore how Hyphn's evolution—from rebranding to strategic acquisition—has strengthened its culture and diversified its services to meet the changing demands of today’s workplace.Jennifer also talks about building strong design teams, empowering designers through live design sessions, incentivizing client engagement, and embracing the "uncomfortable" as a pathway to growth. Throughout this episode, Jennifer shares insights on capacity challenges, industry training gaps, and the mindset shift that's required to lead effectively.What if the key to elevating dealer design isn't just mastering tools, but learning how to create better conversations?Subscribe to The Design POP to access POP into Excellence recordings.Use this link for $75 off Configura's Experience in Orlando. Or use promo code TheDesignPOP75 at checkout.Follow us on social media to hear more about our upcoming launches on The Design POP. Instagram and LinkedIn.The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedIn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of The Design POP Podcast, host Alexandra Tseffos sits down with Erica Jaffe—Creative Director & Ancillary Specialist at Benhar Office Interiors, and affectionately known as the "Office Furniture Girl" on Instagram, to explore how dealer designers can sharpen their approach and enhance their impact on client interactions.From her early days in interior design, retail furniture sales, to business development at a dealership, Erica shares how clear communication, thoughtful expectation-setting, and a dose of humor can transform the designer-client relationship. Hear how she's leveraging social media to educate, entertain, and build both trust and credibility within the design community.Where to find The Design POP in Chicago https://www.thedesignpop.com/Chicago-2025The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedIn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stephanie Wolfson, Design Manager at HAT Collective, didn’t set out to become a designer—she followed her curiosity, and it led her somewhere unexpected. With a background in theater and marketing, she found her way into the world of commercial interiors and discovered a love for the “3D puzzles” of furniture design.In this episode, Stephanie shares how curiosity helped her carve out new roles, take a bold career pause, and navigate the tough conversations that come with growth. It’s a candid, inspiring look at what’s possible when you stop chasing the perfect plan—and start following what lights you up.Learn more about POP into Excellence 2025; a professional development event for dealer designers & design leadersLast chance for "All Access:" https://www.thedesignpop.com/offers/dmdNUU2R/checkout The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedIn  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we sit down with Kate Bradley and Pam Smith—two former dealer designers who made the jump to the A&D world and now work at HKS. They open up about what that transition was really like, from unexpected stress relief to letting go of manufacturer sales goals and adapting to new tech.We dive into the sometimes tricky dynamic between dealerships and A&D firms, and what it takes to collaborate well. Kate and Pam share what they wish they had known earlier, bust a few myths (like whether fancy renderings actually help win projects), and offer real, practical advice for building better partnerships.Register for FREE to attend the webinar Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Collaboration Between Dealer Designers and A+DSubmit a question for the panelists link: https://www.thedesignpop.com/pie-2025-questionsLearn more about POP into Excellence 2025; a professional development event for dealer designers & design leadersThe Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedIn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this candid conversation, Alexandra chats with Wesley Edmonds, Director of Workplace at OFS, about the challenges and opportunities for women in design. They tackle the evolving role of dealer designers, the gender gap in leadership, and how sponsorship can fuel career growth.With personal stories, industry insights, and plenty of laughter, they explore the disconnect between A&D and dealer designers, the need to break down silos, and why empowering all designers—regardless of title—matters. Plus, they get real about juggling careers and motherhood in a fast-paced, male-dominated industry.Honest, funny, and full of actionable advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in workplace design or leadership.Oh, and Pop Into Excellence kicks off on May 5th! (Stay tuned for more information). The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInConnect with Alexandra Tseffos and The Design Pop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join Alexandra Tseffos as she chats with innovation strategist Shawn Kanungo about how AI is shaking up the commercial interiors industry. After crossing paths at CET Experience, where Shawn delivered a keynote that got everyone thinking, they dive into what it really means to be "remarkable" in an AI-powered world. From lessons in cross-industry innovation to the future of furniture specification, this conversation will challenge how you see technology’s role in design. Whether you’re all-in on AI or still a little skeptical, Shawn’s take on embracing disruption "without losing the human touch" is one you won’t want to miss.The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInConnect with Alexandra Tseffos and The Design Pop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode, I sit down with Rob Kirkbride (Editor in Chief of officeinsight magazine), a true legend in commercial furniture journalism. Rob’s seen it all—from covering “just office furniture” in the early days to witnessing the incredible changes shaping our industry today. Recorded LIVE from the CET Experience in October, we dive into some seriously interesting stuff, like how AI is shaking up design and journalism, why in-person workplace connections are more important than ever, and what it’s like to have toured almost every furniture factory out there. Rob also shares his thoughts on mentorship, the future of dealer networks, and how we can better connect with younger professionals. It’s a lively, thoughtful conversation with someone who’s been at the heart of our industry for years—join us! You can hear more on CETx, such as one of our most popular episodes, "Look for Friendly Faces."Learn more about ROOM The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInConnect with Alexandra Tseffos and The Design Pop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Design Pop starts the new year with a reflective and forward-looking episode. Alexandra takes you on a journey through the milestones of the past year while sharing her vision for the year ahead. Discover how experiences from 2024 are shaping bold new initiatives, inspiring personal growth, and fostering deeper connections in the design community. Tune in to be inspired, refocus your goals, and gear up for an impactful 2025!Listen to Trisha Harp's episodeListen to The Design Pop LIVE from CETxContact The Design Pop about Teknion's trainingThe Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInConnect with Alexandra Tseffos and The Design Pop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this candid conversation, Trisha Harp from Young Office shares her incredible story of resilience in the wake of Hurricane damage to their Asheville location. She walks through the devastating impact of the hurricane, how her team rallied together, and the unexpected silver linings of rebuilding their showroom from scratch. From navigating disaster recovery to sharing insights about her career journey through working for a dealer and manufacturer, Trisha offers a powerful look at adaptability, teamwork, and finding opportunities in challenging moments. The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInConnect with Alexandra Tseffos and The Design Pop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join us as we chat with Erick Gama, a strategic RFP specialist at BOS in Chicago, about his unique journey in the design world. From his college days studying interior design to becoming an integral part of a specialized response team, Erick shares how he carved out his career path. He opens up about the challenges of working on RFPs, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and his advice for emerging designers eager to make their mark. Erick’s story is a testament to the power of teamwork, personal growth, and staying open to unexpected opportunities in the design industry.Sign up for The Design POP’s Monthly webinar as we continue to learn existing design technologies and explore new ones too! https://www.thedesignpop.com/webinarThe Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInConnect with Alexandra Tseffos and The Design Pop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Design Pop, host Alexandra chats with Lance Amato, Head of Customer Experience at CANOA, live from CET Experience. Together, they explore how design technology is changing the commercial furniture industry, especially for dealer designers. Lance opens up on his journey from architecture and design to tech, admitting he once underestimated the complexity of dealer designers' work. They discuss CANOA’s bottom-up tech adoption, new SIF file integration, and how AI enhances (not replaces) the design process. It’s a conversation about bridging gaps, improving data access, and making tools work better for everyone in design.Sign up for The Design POP’s Monthly webinar as we continue to learn existing design technologies and explore new ones too! https://www.thedesignpop.com/webinarThe Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Learn more about ROOM Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInConnect with Alexandra Tseffos and The Design Pop  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 I'm at CET Experience this week, meeting with designers and hugging friends, new and old - this is one happy place!  This morning, Configura hit the stage with some exciting updates, and though you might’ve missed it, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!  In this episode, I sit down with two very special guests: Aaron Okkema (Global Head of Interiors at Configura) and Erin Corrill (Global Head of User Community at Configura). Together, we discuss what's happening at this year's show,  what's new at Configura, and what might be on the horizon for the commercial interiors industry. Sign up for The Design POP’s Monthly webinar as we continue to learn existing design technologies and explore new ones too! https://www.thedesignpop.com/webinarThe Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Learn more about ROOM Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInConnect with Alexandra Tseffos and The Design Pop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are you using AI without even realizing it? In this episode, Alexandra takes a fun dive into how AI is shaking up the design world. She’s joined by Kari Anderson, founder of Techbox Collective, Scott Loomis from Steelcase, and Felipe Teixeira of Encodec to chat about how AI is being used in real design projects. They break down the perks, the pitfalls, and what we need to watch out for as AI becomes a bigger part of our creative process. From ditching boring tasks to unlocking new levels of creativity, they explore how AI shapes the future of design and what it means for you!Sign up for The Design POP’s Monthly webinar as we continue to learn existing design technologies and explore new ones too! https://www.thedesignpop.com/webinarThe Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInConnect with Alexandra Tseffos and The Design Pop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join Alexandra as she takes you on a journey to the CET Experience, Configura's annual user conference. From her emotional first attendance in 2009 to her current role as a media sponsor, Alexandra shares personal anecdotes and insights into this unique industry event.Featuring interviews with Configura CEO Stefan Persson and award-winning designer Allessandra Sollazzo, this episode explores what makes the CET Experience special. Whether you're a seasoned CET user or new to the commercial interior design industry, this episode offers valuable perspectives on professional growth, industry connections, and the latest in design technology.Also - don't miss exclusive details about the 2024 CET Experience and a special discount code for Design Pop listeners!For $75 off registration to CETX: https://www.cetexperience.com?promo=CETXDESIGNPOP2024Or use the code: CETXDESIGNPOP2024If you are heading to CETX let us know! We are looking for people who want to participate in the pod. Contact alexandra@thedesignpop.comWant to sign up for a free monthly pop webinar in the future?  Follow this link to register.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Alexandra Tseffos takes a moment to reflect and reconnect after a whirlwind month. She shares stories from a recent journey to Greece, exploring her heritage and creating memorable family experiences. From historic landmarks to unique family dynamics, Alexandra's travel tales reveal deeper connections to her life's purpose.She also dives into her experiences at NeoCon and Design Days and how reconnecting with others creates true moments of gratitude and curiosity. Tune in for a heartfelt blend of personal stories and professional insights that underscore the importance of human connection and discovery.To access the Pop into Excellence recordings, please visit: https://www.thedesignpop.com/offers/AP2S9W9LPOP into Excellence 2024 recordings are a limited release. This offer ends on August 1st at 12am central time.The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInConnect with Alexandra Tseffos and The Design Pop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What truly drives collaboration between sales reps and designers? Today, we cut through the noise to explore how technology and simplified processes can foster better partnerships.Join us as we hear from industry experts Lindsey Shepherd, owner of Full Circle, and Tom Caterino, principal at Contract Sources in Boston, as they share how they use technology and unique approaches to communication to create harmonious and impactful relationships that deliver real results for their businesses and people.But wait, there’s more! Alexandra also examines survey results from the North American Independent Rep Council (NAIRC), hosted by Jeff Carlson, on the use of specification services and technology by independent rep groups. The results may surprise you.The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect with Alexandra on LinkedInFollow The Design Pop on LinkedInLearn more about Alexandra Tseffos and The Design Pop Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.