IIDA Perspective - Fall/Winter 2013 - 34

There's a perception that,
as a design discipline,
Interiors is an "easier"
place for women to find
more of a work/life
balance. Why do you
think that perception
still exists?

There's a lot of focus
today on "having it all."
Is that feasible? What
can the design industry
do to help designers
(both women and men)
find more of a balance
between work
and everything else?

Patricia rotondo: I don't believe that perception ever existed. Interior Design

is a demanding career.

catHrine Velkos: In Interiors, more women are leading their own firms-which

makes work/life balance easier to achieve. Setting your own schedule is a key factor.

Gina Berndt: Easier?

I have not found this to be true for my female colleagues or in
my own career. As interdisciplinary design has increased in value to clients, the
wisest firms are bringing different voices and professional perspectives to the table
to provide their clients with the best design solutions.

cHeryl durst: Nothing about interiors is "easier." That perception is probably
a gender-based bias. Interiors is in fact more all-encompassing and requires an
inherent ability to juggle different projects and multi-task-something women
excel at. Design isn't for the faint of heart-and anyone with a passion for this
profession realizes that very early in their career.

Patricia rotondo: The key to "having it all" is the ability to prioritize, the ability
to balance work and life. I would add that behind every great woman, there is a great
support system... in my case, it is my husband. I work on international projects
and I am constantly traveling oversees for weeks at a time and without the support
at home with our two little ones, I couldn't do it. It is not easy and it takes discipline,
organization and a lot of creativity.
Holly Hunt: Women can do it all, but you cannot do it all at the same time. My business
probably suffered less than my children. The balance is very hard-I'm not sure if it's
harder when you're married or when you're single. I did it as a single woman.
catHrine Velkos: As a creative industry we can find solutions to help accommodate
a valued professional's multiple commitments - especially to their children. Flexible
scheduling, support and time-off for maternity and childcare akin to that of the
world's most developed countries would be a good start.
Gina Berndt: In the words of Madeleine Albright, "Women can have it all, but not
at the same time. Our life comes in segments, and we have to understand that
we can have it all if we're not trying to do it all at once." We are in a deadline-driven
business, and that presents inherent challenges. Make your personal and
professional objectives clear. Communication is key.
cHeryl durst: Human nature dictates the notion of have it all, when in reality we
just want it all. There's a theory in today's society that life today is more manageable-
which is totally untrue-it's just that our expectations are higher. I believe we
can "have it all"-just not all at once. It's possible to balance life, career and your
inbox, as long as you realize it is incremental, exhausting, and fantastically
fleeting-and you just need to give yourself a break, every now and then. The ability
to say "no", define boundaries, recognize your own tolerances (and intolerances)
companioned with healthy ambition and periodic reality checks will go a long way.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IIDA Perspective - Fall/Winter 2013