Getting to Know Intereum: Rollie Marcovitch
May 10, 2013
This Intereum employee blog puts our longtime designer, Rollie, in the spotlight. Rollie has worked with Intereum since 1994 as a designer and project manager specializing in higher education.
Rollie and her husband Ben
Outside of work Rollie has many passions and hobbies that keep her busy and active. Her most obvious love is for her “little man,” Bode, a two and a half year old boxer. She fell in love with the breed over 11 years ago and has owned one ever since. Her first boxer was named Tai and with Tai, Rollie discovered the sport of dog agility! She and Bode stay busy with agility and obedience training where they are able to foster their teamwork skills and then take principles learned there and apply them outside the classroom. What Rollie particularly loves about agility training with Bode is that it builds such an amazing canine-human relationship and it teaches Bode to watch Rollie and be more connected to her as well.
Rollie and Bode
Rollie also volunteers at the Ronald McDonald house serving 8-9 meals a year through their “Cooks for Kids” program. During any one of the meals there can be upwards of 90 people to provide meals and community to. Rollie has done this for so many years; she has her recipes and serving down like clockwork! All people being served are families that have children with life threatening illnesses. The Ronald McDonald house provides food and shelter for these families while their children are in treatment.
Kisses from Bode
Rollie is also a self-proclaimed “Frustrated Photographer.” As a kid, she and her sister had a darkroom in their basement where they had equipment used to develop photos. They were savvy enough kids that they bought the equipment from a teacher at their school (Sidebar: It wasn’t until Rollie was an adult that she realized this teacher didn’t actually own that equipment and therefore it wasn’t his to sell!). Turns out that they had had hot developing equipment all those years!
Picture of Bode taken by Rollie
Rollie also loves to travel! Her favorite and most memorable vacations have been centered around beautiful mountain views in Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Yosemite, Yellow Stone, and Alaska. She just loves being outside – going for long walks and hikes in the woods and taking in the majestic views of the mountains and breathing in the fresh air!
Rollie’s love for animals, people, the arts, and the outdoors makes her an extremely compassionate and driven person. Those are the values that transcend into her everyday work life here at Intereum. We are lucky to have her on our team and even more lucky to call her friend.
The POWEROFFICE Event
April 30, 2013
Herman Miller’s Small and Medium Business (SMB) team from Minneapolis collaborated with Intereum, Entrepreneurs’ Organization of Minnesota, and StepStoneGroup to rock the house with an informative and fun evening branded ‘The POWEROFFICE Event’.
What does the future hold in store for us regarding our web presence and web design, and how do we get there? That’s exactly what we all sat tight to hear.
Opening up the evening for us was RJ Stelter (@RJStelter) and Anna Olson (@AnnaOlson20) with Herman Miller SMB. They provided our audience with an overview to Herman Miller, Thrive, and the benefits of the Small and Medium Business program.
Moving along into the core of the evening, StepStoneGroup took the floor, which was composed of Kevin (President), Paul (Sr. Web Developer), Alex (Graphic Designer), and Stephen (SEO Guru), by providing us with a tech overview that was informative and easy to absorb without feeling lost on this dense topic.
We all know how websites look and function for the most part but it’s not often we go back in time to pull up what Yahoo’s site from 1995 was like now do we. Taking the walk down the path of where web has been to where it is now (and going) was very intriguing. Web 1.0 was your basic, table layout page that had little to next and ran on a dial-up modem (insert old dial-up modem sound here).
Remember this?
Web 2.0 took a migration to more dynamic content and interactivity with the use of more flash and social capabilities. Biggest trends that have come from this phase of Web 2.0 are still commonly used today: Top navigation, rotating banner images, and website footers which serve as the toolbox for the bottom site. Overall, content is the frame and the design is frameless.
Shifting to today and turning the page for a glimpse into where the future trends lie, web design is being categorized as needing to have “responsive design.” Broken down, this means that there needs to be UX elements (one environment for all technology platforms: mobile, desktop, etc). Becoming more popular is the one page, one element look with full screen graphics for a clean layout. It’s best to keep in mind that your web presence should be compatible on mobile technology. Why? Because research indicates that by 2014, 15% of commerce will be done on mobile devices. And think of all of the searching and information we pull from these gadgets!
Digital real estate is paramount this day in age and over the last three years there has been a dramatic shift in web design. Always a good rule of thumb is to remember that content is king, your copy and text is still very important as the makeup of your digital real estate.
A big thanks to our attendees, sponsors, speakers and helpers! If you attended this event, we’d love to hear what you took away from the evening, simply message us @Intereum.
Getting to Know Intereum: Sue Weisberg
April 19, 2013
We had the spotlight on Sue Weisberg last year as she was preparing for a cycling tour beginning in Amsterdam. Today, we caught up with Sue to see where she’s been visiting over the course of the last year. Read all about it here!
Getting to Know Intereum: Ricki Arnold
February 15, 2013
When you talk to Ricki Arnold, it is easy to see that she is profoundly passionate about design, and it is the way that good design can impact a person, that sparks this flame.
Ricki has been in sales at Intereum for 29 years, but started her career by receiving an interior design degree with a minor in studio art from the University of Minnesota. By way of working, she was introduced to this industry in 1968, the year Action Office was launched, and from this point on, she’d continue to witness the workplace transformation. Rather than let opportunities pass her by, Ricki was involved and played an active role in the changes we see today by working closely with Herman Miller in their pursuits. This change is one of the aspects of design that excites her so much; being able to look back and see where design has come from and being able to look forward to what the future will bring. Her expertise on products and love for researching aspects of design, ranging from color to new trends, has resulted in an incredible accomplishment of receiving a national design award!
As much as design is a part of Ricki’s heart and soul, it would be impossible to think that she would reserve such a passion only for work. Ricki brings the principles of design outside to her garden beds at home and this is where she really comes alive! She has said that she can think of no better way to spend a day than getting her hands dirty in the earth and making her yard come to life with color, texture, and movement.
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- Click to enlarge images
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- Ricki’s Gardens
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- Ricki’s Gardens
A story of a Native American woman who has been carved from a 142-year-old Oak tree in Ricki’s yard reflects what makes up the person who Ricki is.
Ricki called this old Oak tree her ‘dancing tree’ as its branches reached from her yard into her neighbors and swayed back and forth like a dancer’s arms, celebrating the beauty of nature. Ricki had spent many occasions admiring this tree, leaning against it to enjoy the bright colors of summer’s sunsets, watching the autumn leaf colors change, and snowfall bury branches while looking out from the comforts of her sunroom. After years of enjoying the “dancing tree”, Ricki had news that it needed to come down. To preserve the soul of this tree, Ricki looked to having it carved by an expert craftsman. After much research, she selected Kevin Showell, an artist who studied stone carving in Italy and wood carving in the Scandinavian countries. Ricki shared with Kevin that she wanted the tree to be sculpted into a young Native American woman dancing alone in the woods, celebrating Mother Nature and the Chippewa (Ojibwa nation). It was important to Ricki that the woman wore her everyday dress and that her hair was free and soaring in the breeze like an eagle. Spoken eloquently, the artist said that the tree would let them know what she really was.
After sketching, modeling, and many months of labor, Wachipi, ‘Oak Woman Dancing,’ came to be. Just as the artist had indicated, they found secrets that the tree held during this process. It became clear that the tree had once been hit by lightning as a crack down the center was revealed. Also, an iron spike was found inside the tree, which can be seen today as a small indication of metal stain creases the sculpted hair. Look a little closer and one will see a hallow opening in the back of the sculpture and it is here that you can peer in and see her soul. The artist incorporated, at the base of the sculpture, a place for Ricki to rest and they continue to enjoy the beautiful sunsets together.
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- Click to enlarge: Wachipi coming to life
In harmonious ways, design has impacted Ricki’s career and interests.
“My gardens are my sanity, my peace, and my joy, but most of all my way to join my soul with Mother Nature – Bless Her!” – Ricki Arnold
Rewind of NeoCon 2012
June 18, 2012
While it may take a few days to recover from the excitement and action-packed NeoCon, it’s all worth it. Tromping around the Merchandise Mart and one will come across an incredible scene of fresh, innovative, and eye-catching furniture, textiles, and more. Here’s a brief run through of the highlights from our experience.
Herman Miller
Weren’t the Alexander Girard textiles beautiful? The pop of color, texture, and the story behind the designer really made for a great reintroduction at NeoCon. Viewing the Herman Miller Collection was a must in the showroom as there was lots to see, touch, feel and relax on. With plenty to explore, Herman Miller also had stations setup for people to join the conversation with the Community Pulse, which was used to survey individuals and provide instant infographic results. Check it out here. Congratulations to Herman Miller, Herman Miller Healthcare and Geiger for their wonderful showrooms and for taking home seven Best of NeoCon Awards!
Davis
All around, it was a beautiful showroom and they had beautiful products (ok, and superb flower arrangements). The Tre Stool caught a lot of attention with it’s functionality and form, and the uniqueness of Perch made for an eye-catching and “I gotta try that!” reaction.
Global
We were able to explore their wide array of product that is suitable to meet any needs. From chairs to workstations, we sat in a variety and while taking it all in we were able to rest our feet ever so comfortably.
Jofco
The color palette of the showroom was popping with the combination of orange, blue and white. If you stopped into Jofco, then you noticed many pieces from the Collective and Ziva collections. Collective is here in our showroom and it provides a nice collaborative seating area. Ziva addresses the needs of an open environment with multiple configurations and mobile and electrical capabilities.
Nucraft
Nucraft impressed us with their award-winning products: Passport Solo, Passport Duo, Reveal, and Emme. Sleek and sophisticated, this collection integrates technology and purposeful applications to each functional piece it creates.
DIRTT
Once again, DIRTT awes us with their reconfigurable solutions for any environment. Their Chicago Chic theme came to life when you toured their penthouse showroom complete with a stunning view of Chicago. On display was a high-class residential setting, a “chapel” with geometric influences, the Peek-a-Boo wall and table, and new technological touches to the healthcare side. The creme brulee oatmeal was a nice touch for the early morning tour, too.
NeoCon is just the start of summer activities. Be sure to visit our Facebook page to see what else Intereum is staying busy with!
Trung Le and the Paradigm Shift in Education Design
April 19, 2012
At Intereum, we believe that furniture and the physical environment have a transformative effect on learners. Having served the education market for over 28 years, we’ve become a go-to resource for clients in the K-12 and Higher Education markets. As a Herman Miller Certified Dealer, we recognize that quality products are derived from extensive research, problem solving, and with a commitment to human-centered designs.
Seven years ago, Intereum formed a partnership with V/S, which like Herman Miller, is a research-driven company that delivers quality, ergonomically-fit, and suitable education furniture for 21st Century learners in K-12 and Higher Education environments. With their extensive knowledge of the industry and trends, V/S partnered with Cannon Design to publish the book The Third Teacher, a cabinet of wonders on how design can transform the ecology of learning.
“It is time to change the conversation about learning. It is time to transform our understanding of teaching and learning. It is time for a holistic consideration that creates a new ecology of living, growing and learning for our children.” – Cannon Design
Photo courtesy of Cannon Design Architecture
In support of the research and its impact on education as a whole, Intereum and V/S are cosponsors for a learning presentation featuring Trung Le. As a key leader in education for Cannon Design, an ‘Ideas Based Architectural Practice’ recognized worldwide for their design excellence and technological innovation, Le has become an award-winning speaker, consultant, and collaborator on The Third Teacher publication.
Trung Le, who is most recognized for his advocacy and work with educational design, has opened the doors to meaningful conversations about changing the education landscape to better serve the 21st Century learners. His experience and design philosophy for emboldening student inquiry and imagination have given way to how change through design can foster growth with students.
Photo courtesy of http://www.thethirdteacher.com
8 Chapters, 79 Ideas: What started as a research project, turned into a published book, works as a design tool, and now serves as the motivation for a architectural groups near and far. To experience the conversation, visit the TED Talk featuring Trung Le.
Trung Le – TEDxReset Talk 2011 from TEDxReset on Vimeo.
Getting to Know Intereum: Sue Weisberg (Update)
April 13, 2012
April 18, 2013: Travel Update
There’s a lot of ground that can be covered in a year, and no one may know that better than our travel guru, Sue. In just a year’s time, she spent a week in Paris (her first trip to the City of Light) with a Road Scholar tour, followed by a few days in Amsterdam; took a trip with her husband to Vancouver, B.C., Canada in January to visit family who have emigrated from Cape Town, South Africa over the past 30 years or so; enjoyed a 4-day weekend in Havana, Cuba; and is currently preparing for a cycling trip from Bruges to Amsterdam in mid-May.
Traveling brings great perspective and enrichment while discovering new cultures and lifestyles. In this post (which should be appropriately titled “Where in the World is Sue?”), we learn about her time in Havana, Cuba when she traveled there on a licensed tour in February. Sue described Cuba’s capital as surprising, lively and beautiful. Their Cuban guide, Hijo, couldn’t have provided a more balanced, knowledgeable, energetic (and often hilarious) exploration of Havana, enhanced by valuable insights into Cuba’s past, present and the possibilities for its future.
The architecture around Havana holds a lot of history, and even behind some of the stone that’s chipping away, you can still see and feel the vibrant flair of the culture. Wandering through some plazas, renovations were underway with old cathedrals being turned into hotels or a new splash of color going up. It’s a bustling town with street vendors out selling fruit, a farmer’s market setting up in town, and then come the weekend, the sizzling Tropicana. Enjoy the scenes from Cuba below thanks to Sue!
Outdoor dining on the plaza; a lovely state-run restaurant is upstairs. The napping dog never moved!
Cathedral with remarkable architecture.
Lovingly restored, polished taxis like this one get the best fares in town. This pristine 1950′s Buick is identical the one Sue first learned how to drive on.
White restored Chevy, another one similar to what Sue’s family had while growing up.
Colorful architecture and elaborate ironwork are characteristic of most neighborhoods in the city.
These street-side fruit vendors are typical of small-scale entrepreneurs throughout Havana.
Local Cubans at the nightly celebration where a cannon is traditionally shot off.
Cuban architecture.
A gorgeous oasis of greenery and art in the courtyard of a contemporary gallery.
Venturing into a plaza with renovations happening. Lots of color!
Fear of Nostalgia – Photograph
There’s always a book sale in this park. Cuba has an enviable literacy rate of 98%!
A popular bar: Grab a mojito, write your name on the wall, and enjoy the music with the locals.
A very pink taxi. Every day there was perfect convertible weather!
Local farmer’s market on a busy Saturday morning. Most farms are organic, and the produce is fabulous!
Entertainers at the Tropicana, a classic Las Vegas-style nightclub that has been packing them in since 1939.
April 13, 2012
This next showcase of Intereum’s talent is someone who just about anyone here wouldn’t know what to do without. Her name is Sue and she is our admirable resource librarian. Sue brings a breath of fresh air to the office with her calm demeanor, vast knowledge of the industry, and passion for art and design. And that’s just the start of it.
There are many characteristics and traits that make her our rock-solid support and an invaluable resource to our sales and design teams. Much of Sue’s career has been in one way or another related to the furniture side of business and after a six month blink-of-the-eye retirement from it all, she found herself back working with furniture, but this time as Intereum’s resource librarian! Sue is always staying up-to-date on the latest and greatest design trends and offerings from our vendors, and she stays busy training the interns on the endless responsibilities of the library.
Take a closeup on Sue and you’ll discover her love for travel, adventure, and people around the world. It’s hard to think of a corner on this earth she hasn’t been to, but somehow her list keeps growing and growing. In just a few weeks she’s leaving to bike from Amsterdam to Bruges, Belgium!
Amsterdam to Bruges photo courtesy of Google Maps.
What she loves about traveling is seeing how people live, work, socialize, and appreciating what brings them great pride in their country. When asked how her adventures have impacted her work, she indicates that while it hasn’t been a day-to-day thing, “it is helpful to expand the view of the world even if your world doesn’t get bigger. To understand who is out there, what they have done to change the world. Traveling gives better views of the world and where everyone fits in”. What an inspiration! Sue couldn’t be a better fit for Intereum, and with all of the knowledge and passion she has to share, we sure are fortunate to have such a great resource for our Intereum team and customers.
Around the world with Sue in a few snapshots, enjoy!
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