Hot Tools from Design Tech Summit – High Point Market – Techie Tips Tuesday

As always, High Point Market had amazing educational events for designers during this past fall market.  New to market this time was, The Design Tech Summit, which was a three part panel of industry which provided designers with technological tools to improve productivity.  To say it was a big hit is an understatement.   As moderator one of  the three panels, along with HGTV Stars, and Design Camp Founders, Kelli Ellis and Lori Dennis, I had the good fortune of hearing first hand, about the time saving technological advances our industry has available.  We are continually saying, “there isn’t enough time in a day” but with these resources, we were offered tools which allow us to work smarter and regain hours in our day.   

 

                           Panel # I         “Project Management for the Design Pro”  

Panel # II       “3D/2D Presentation & Rendering Software for the Design Professional”

 

Panel # III      “Mobile Design Apps & the G+ Interior Design Community (over 50,000 strong)” 

Each panel was broken out into the topics above, then tools or apps that addressed the topic needs were introduced and explained.  I really liked how Katy Garrett organized the program by offering a plethora of options in each category.  This allowed for the designers to decide which tools work best for their businesses.  This revealed Katy’s pure motive in helping the designer find the proper tools to become more proficient, not just an effort to promote tools or apps.  I was amazed at the many interesting tools that were discussed.  I consider myself fairly tech savvy, but I must say I learned a lot of new things.  It was great to have a expert of each tool, and in some cases the creator of the application, explain exactly how it works and the best way to get the most from the tool.   

 

 

Design Manager  Lyndsey Piaoli

 

 

 

Connexionsoft – Mike & Katy Garrett

 

A fantastic system to manage your proposals, projects and plans all in one place. This app allows you to manage your projects and people so that you work smarter and spend less time re-inventing the wheel.

 

 

Design Doc – Gillian Gilles

 

Design Doc is also a management app to help you manage your projects, clients, accounting,etc. Read more about it on their website.

 

 

Minutes Matter Quickbooks &Quoting -Debbie Green

 

Everything the designer needs from Studio Graphic Software to work orders,

 measuring, and quickbooks quoting   And they offer a 30 day free trial.

 

Hunter Douglas ” The Art of Window Dressing”  App – Debbie Green

 

A free app that allows you to download to see your favorite Hunter Douglas

Window treatments. It has the capability of upload your photos and applying

the Hunter Douglas product so you or your client can see what your window

would look like dressed in the product. 

 

Design Business RX – Deb Barrett

(running a design business using mobile apps)

 

Magic Plan download magic plan on your iPhone or iPad to measure your rooms by

taking pictures, then creating a floor plan from the photo in a matter of minutes.

 

      Cube time and expense tracker

Trace Sketch, create and design with Trace.

 

 

3Dream – Donna & Ross Barlett –

 

A quick and easy way to create 3D designs online.  You can take

 snapshots then create 3D designs and share via print or email with clients.  

 

 

SketchUP & SketchThis – Eric Schimelpfenig

 

The easiest way to draw in 3D on your computer. Please go to the

website to read all about these two apps.  There isn’t enough room

here to adequately explain all they can do.

 

 

AutoDESK  Homestyler–

 

The experts at Autodesk bring you Homestyler, which is  free online design

 software to help you with interior design and remodeling.  With this app

 layout floor plans in 2D or 3D in a snap.

 

 

 

Color911 – Amy Wax

 

Just chosen as one of the best Home Products for 2013 by This Old House, Color911

 will help you create colors and color combos from photos.  You have the versatility of creating your own color palettes at the click of a button and then sharing via email. 

 

 

Rounded Corners by Fortuny – Maury Riad

 

Evernote – Josh Zerkel 

 

Evernote is like an online filing system where everything is easily accessible at your fingertips.  It is an amazing app that allows a multitude of options for keeping up with

 client files as well as your personal folders. 

 

MarkonCall – Mark Lewiston

 

“Home Design In The Palm of Your Hand”

Amazing app that is like having a personal interior designer on call 24/7.

Use it for designing and space planning your rooms.

 

 

 

RoomHints – Tiffany Wilson

 

This app is in beta so you must request an invitation on the website, but make sure you do, because it’s awesome!  The client takes a photo of a room and after uploading is immediately able to find the perfect decor by getting advice from interior designer pros on the spot.  Find the lowest prices on items and view the latest trends. Get style and interior design advice from the pros with this app.  If you are a designer take advantage of the designer signup.  Go to the website and sign up today!  Once you request the designer sign up and fill out the required information you will be put on the beta wait list.

 

 

Laurie Chambers Laizure – CustomizedWalls.com (she might like you to add her wallpaper biz?) 

– G+ Interior Design Community -Who shared why Google and G+.

 

Mark Traphagen – Google+ & SEO Ambassador