The Womens Journal » Blog Archive » Think Like a Business Person…See Like a Designer

Think Like a Business Person…See Like a Designer

9 December 2009 No Comment View all Articles by: Pamela

By: Rita S. Wilkins, President
Design Services, Ltd.

The problem solving aspect of Interior Design continues to intrigue me
after 35 years in this business.

Each day I have an opportunity to solve real problems that can create real change for individuals and businesses.

On a daily basis I am challenged to discover innovative ways to solve problems, to provide inspired and thoughtful solutions that will have a profound impact on the personal and business lives of my clients.

Evidence-Based Design (design solutions based on proven research) has caused a dramatic shift in the design industry, in that it has challenged designers to become more pragmatic. Business owners not only want their offices and practices to be highly functional and aesthetically pleasing for years to come, but they want the design to provide a solid return on investment.

Some examples of how Evidence-Based Design impacts Return on Investment are the following:
• It encourages patient healing
• It increases patient and staff safety
• It reduces patient and staff stress
• It improves patient and family satisfaction
• It increases staff effectiveness
• It reduces staff turnover

Successful design involves a thorough examination and understanding of the client’s wants, needs, and “wish lists” to discover the best solutions that will impact the change they envision.

WHY DOES DESIGN MATTER?

By combining “Business Thinking” (analytical thinking) with “Design Thinking” (inspirational thinking) the true impact of the design process allows us to solve real problems by thinking like a business person and seeing like a designer.

A BUSINESS PERSON’S DESIGNER is just one of the reasons that our clients continue to call on Design Services and refer us to their friends and business associates.

Testimonials:
“Rita Wilkins has exceptional design capability in regard to both appearance, functionality, and attention to detail. All of our projects with Design Services were completed on time and within budget. Design Services, Ltd. is highly recommended for their high quality design and for their ability to take on the responsibility for project management from concept to completion, so that the finished product comes out exactly as designed.”
~ Dental Associates of Delaware

“Design Services was extraordinary in their detail and expression of how we could take our office to the next level in function, design, and comfort for our patients.
Ms. Wilkins provided us with several beautiful designs which gave us a clear vision of what we wanted this project to accomplish. Ms. Wilkins took much of the stress away from me, due to her clear understanding of the look we were hoping to achieve.”
~ Peter F. Subach,
DMD

DESIGN CHALLENGE

During the month of December present Design Services, Ltd.
with your design challenge.
We will be selecting one of these challenges and offering two
complimentary hours of design
time to help solve your
design challenge.
Please e-mail us a description
and any photos to
dsltd@dsltdonline.com.
We will be accepting them
through December 31st.
If we choose your design challenge we will contact you in
early January. We look forward
to hearing form you!

Rita Wilkins, President

Rita is the President of Design Services, Ltd., as well as principal designer and project manager. With over 35 years of experience in design and management, her approach to design is both aesthetic and business-like. She is known to be a highly effective “hands-on” designer with extensive knowledge and expertise in dental, medical, and commercial interiors.

She is a graduate of University of Rhode Island, attended Rhode Island School of Design and University of North Carolina. Having received numerous design awards, she has been published in a variety of national publications and is currently writing a book on using design as a business strategy.