Featured Interior Design Software: Studio IT









Studio Designer 8.0

From Proposal to Invoice, Studio Designer manages the daily activities of interior design firms.


Studio Designer
 
• Proposals

• Purchase Orders
• Invoices
• Cash Receipts
• Check Writing
• Email Client Correspondence
• Email Vendor Correspondence
• Automatic Expediting Reminders
• Phone Message Management
• Address Management
• Mailing Labels
• Project Management
• Budget and Profit Analysis
• Time Management
• Time Billing
• Inventory Management
• Inventory Labels
• Inventory Bar Coding
• Inventory Scanning
• General Ledger Accounting
• Accounts Receivable
• Accounts Payable
• Client Deposits
• Work in Progress
  



Features include:

Address Management:

Manage client and vendor information in one central location

Maintain name and address information for clients and vendors.


Separate physical and mailing address.


Enter the company email address and automatically address emails to the company.


Enter the company website address and automatically link to the company website.




Enter contacts with email address and phone numbers.


Automatically address emails to specific contacts.



Define the parameters of how you work with individual clients and vendors to personalize how Studio Designer works for you.


Filter, Locate and Sort


Filter addresses by any field in the address database.


Locate addresses by any field in the address database.


Sort the entire address list ascending or descending by any field in the address database.

 
manage design projects from the initial proposal to final invoice




One Step Entry


Items for clients are entered in one simple step. Proposals, Purchase Orders, Invoices and Checks are automatically created with the click of a button.



Project Management


View the summary status of design project items in one central location.


View your purchase cost, selling cost and profit for each individual item in the list.


Watch the project profit change as you adjust item costs.


Enter and maintain budgets for individual items or for the project overall.



Expediting


Easily track the status of each item with dates and notes to insure orders proceed seamlessly.


Filter, Locate and Sort


Filter, locate and sort items to find information quickly.
 

Reminders and Project Scheduling

reminders keep orders on track and clients informed



Studio Designer provides employees a list of reminders or tasks that need to be completed to keep orders on schedule.



Project Scheduling


Enter and maintain activities with beginning and estimated completion dates.


View and print project schedule timeline charts with a click of the mouse.



History


A complete history of all communication regarding an order is displayed for quick reference when employees


follow up on tasks.



Phone Messages


No more lost phone messages. Studio Designer keeps track of phone messages and maintains an ongoing


history of all calls.
 

Time Billing

schedule meetings and produce time billing invoices




Schedule


Schedule and maintain an organized list of meetings with clients and vendors.


View schedules in a calendar format by day, week or month.



Track


Track time spent on design projects by employee and the activity performed.


Measure project profitability by time spent.


Start and stop a timer to calculate time spent on administrative tasks



Invoice


Time is money. Automatically invoice clients for the time spent on a design project.



Client Rates


Unique client rates can automatically fill in based on the client, employee and the activity.
 

Cash Receipts

Enter payments from clients and other miscellaneous cash receipts




Client Payments


Receive client payments and maintain accurate checking account balances.


Easily move payments from one item to another.



Flexibility


Enter client deposits and invoice payments in one simple step and the appropriate accounting transactions are


automatically posted.



Payment Detail


View account posting detail for each individual deposit. Studio Designer tracks cash receipts and maintains


deposits and accounts receivable automatically.



Client Deposits


Track client deposits and automatically apply them to final invoices.
 
AND MORE!

 
For More Information:

Studio IT
http://www.studiotothetrade.com/studiodesigner/studiodesigner.htm










IDRA Featured Book: Kelly Hoppen: Ideas

Kelly Hoppen: Ideas taps into this world-renowned designer's exceptional talent and professional experience. It's an indispensible source of inspiration and advice for anyone undertaking home design or redecoration, whatever the scale or budget. Kelly explains how she works and offers creative solutions for every aspect of design and decoration, from evaluating and reconfiguring space and layout, to planning the lighting, choosing materials and furniture, and adding individual touches. Through photographs and plans Kelly explains the creative process involved in turning a concept into reality. She considers every element of a home - from walls to windows, floors to doors, stairs, lighting and more, giving you the know-how to make informed decorating decisions and think beyond the obvious solutions. The room-by-room master class includes checklists and more tips, highlighting the key points to address for each space in the home, whatever its size and shape. Keynotes looks at one example in detail, explaining the essential elements to consider. Throughout the book Signature Details illustrates tried-and-tested ways to give a home the designer touch. More Keynotes, Kelly Loves ...' and tip-filled inspiration boxes offer a wealth of clever ideas at a glance, making Kelly Hoppen: Ideas an invaluable resource for anyone embarking on a home design project, whether you're starting with a blank canvas or merely giving one room a fresh look.

Photography: Mel Yates; Design: Sarah Stewart-Smith

Kelly Hoppen: Ideas
Now available at a bookstore near you.

_________________________________



+++

HGTV’s Design Star is now casting Season 7!

Calling all interior designers, architects, contractors, artists and other design experts!




Do you want to be the next star on HGTV?

What we are looking for:

■Extensive design knowledge
■Personality that pops
■A clear and unique design perspective
■Lots of energy and enthusiasm

If you or someone you know has what it takes, we want to hear from you!


WHERE WE’LL BE:

We will be holding open calls in Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Austin, Charlotte, Miami, New York City and Boston. Check out our “Open Call Information” page for more details.

If you can’t make it to an open call, you can still apply!

There are three ways to apply to HGTV DESIGN STAR. All participants must provide the following documents and materials when submitting your Participant Application. Failure to do so will result in delaying the processing of your Participant Application and/or may result in eliminating you from further consideration. No materials will be returned. Participants will be responsible for all costs and expenses associated with their application for any option of entry set forth below.


Option 1: Attend a HGTV DESIGN STAR open casting call and bring a completed participant application, two (2) recent photographs of you, each clearly labeled on the back with your name clearly printed, a minimum of three (3) samples of your design work (clearly visible copies of pages from your portfolio or a website) and, one (1) legible photocopy of EITHER (1) your passport; OR (2) your driver’s license OR (3) your state ID card.

We will be casting in Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Austin, Charlotte, Miami, New York City and Boston. For detailed information about each open call (including date, time and location), please see our “Open Call Information” page.



Option 2: Upload your 5-minute video to hgtv.com/designstar and then e-mail designstar7application@gmail.com with a completed participant application as a PDF document, along with two (2) photographs of yourself, clearly labeled with your name. Example: firstlast1, firstlast2, and three (3) examples of your work or a link to your website, clearly labeled if attached, and one (1) legible photocopy of EITHER (1) your passport; OR (2) your driver’s license; OR (3) your state ID card, clearly labeled. Please see our “Home Video Instructions” page for additional information about home video requirements.



Option 3: Mail in your 5-minute DVD or mini DV tape (please see our “Home Video Instructions” page), a completed participant application, two (2) recent photographs of yourself, each clearly labeled on the back with your name clearly printed, three (3) samples of your design work (clearly visible copies of pages from your portfolio or a website) and one (1) legible photocopy of EITHER (1) your passport; OR (2) your driver’s license; OR (3) your state ID card to:



HGTV DESIGN STAR
Scripps Networks, LLC
5757 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 220
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Rules & Eligibility


If you have any questions, please contact us at designstar7casting@gmail.com

HGTV's Design Star Open Call Information













Open Call Information


***



DC Open Casting Call

Date: Tuesday, August 9th

Time: 10am- 2pm

Location: The Westin City Center

1400 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

Email: DesignStar7DC@gmail.com

***

Las Vegas Open Casting Call

Date: Sunday, August 21st

Time: 10am- 2pm

Location: The Westin Casuarina

160 East Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89109

Email: DesignStar7Vegas@gmail.com

***

LA Open Casting Call

Date: Saturday, August 27th

Time: 10am- 2pm

Location: Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel

2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505

Email: DesignStar7LA@gmail.com

***

Austin Open Casting Call

Date: Friday, September 9th

Time: 9am- 1pm

Location: Hyatt Regency Austin

208 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Email: DesignStar7Austin@gmail.com

***

Charlotte Open Casting Call

Date: Friday, September 23rd

Time: 10am- 2pm

Location: Hyatt Place Charlotte/ City Park

4119 South Stream Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28217

Email: DesignStar7Charlotte@gmail.com

***

Boston Open Casting Call

Date: Saturday, September 24th

Time: 10am- 2pm

Location: Lenox Hotel

61 Exeter St at Boylston., Boston, MA 02116

Email: DesignStar7Boston@gmail.com

***

Miami Open Casting Call

Date: Saturday, October 1st

Time: 10am- 2pm

Location: Miami International University of Art & Design

1501 Biscayne Blvd. Ste. 100, 2nd Fl. Atrium

Miami, FL 33132

Email: DesignStar7Miami@gmail.com

***

NYC Open Casting Call

Date: Monday, October 3rd

Time: 9am- 1pm

Location: Sutton Place

1015 Second Ave., New York, NY 10022

Email: DesignStar7NYC@gmail.com


HGTV's Design Star Video Instructions

Home Video Instructions

HGTV DESIGN STAR VIDEO TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS

1. Please show us your personality. This is the key to having a great tape. Have fun with it! Remember, you only have 5 minutes. Don’t make the tape any longer than that. We want to see your personality from the moment the tape starts rolling

2. Introduce yourself (name, age, hometown, etc.)

3. Talk about your design background (How long have you been a designer? How did you get started? What other fields have you worked in? What inspired you to become a designer? Schooling?)

4. Sum up your design style in one sentence and elaborate on what it means to you.

5. What do you love about designing? Why is it your passion?

6. Show off and talk about one of your favorite designs.

7. Tell us why you want to be on HGTV Design Star and why you think you can win.

8. Show us a part of your lives. Introduce us to your home, your family, something important in your life. We want some insight into your life!
9. If you are mailing in a tape, please only film on mini DV, DVD & MAKE SURE YOU CHECK TO BE SURE YOUR DVD PLAYS IN YOUR DVD PLAYER, sometimes even when it plays on the computer it won’t play in the DVD player.

Suggestions for shooting a quality video:

■DISTANCE: try not to be more than 10 feet from the camera, as the sound will be too faint.
■Do not chew gum or have candy in your mouth.
■Close the blinds, shades, etc. and turn on the lights. Make sure the room is well lit.
■Do not sit in front of a window or lamp, as this will create a silhouette.
■Turn off the TV, radio, air conditioning, ceiling fans or heating units.
■Be sure no photographs or other artwork is in the background of your shots.
■Do not wear clothing with any visible trademarks, logos or other copyrighted material that you don’t own and control.
■Have fun! Emotions – both happy and sad – make for a compelling tape.
■Have someone other than yourself run the camera. Make sure it’s someone with whom you feel very comfortable and who knows how to run a video.
How to submit your video:

Option 1: Upload your 5-minute video to hgtv.com/designstar and then e-mail designstar7application@gmail.com with a completed participant application as a PDF document, along with two (2) photographs of yourself, clearly labeled with your name. Example: firstlast1, firstlast2, and three (3) examples of your work or a link to your website, clearly labeled if attached, and one (1) legible photocopy of EITHER (1) your passport; OR (2) your driver’s license; OR (3) your state ID card, clearly labeled.

Option 2: Mail in your 5-minute DVD or mini DV tape, a completed participant application, two (2) recent photographs of yourself, each clearly labeled on the back with your name clearly printed, three (3) samples of your design work (clearly visible copies of pages from your portfolio or a website) and one (1) legible photocopy of EITHER (1) your passport; OR (2) your driver’s license; OR (3) your state ID card to:

HGTV DESIGN STAR
Scripps Networks, LLC
5757 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 220
Los Angeles, CA 90036