Waterworks Design Leadership Conference (Montecito, California)
At the recent Waterworks Design Leadership Conference (held in Montecito, California) many speakers described how design and creativity enhance products, profits, and the quality of life.
Michael Graves designed trash cans and other household conveniences which increased sales and added a fashion statement to the Target Brand. Steve Jobs developed IMAC and later the huge success of the IPOD overshadowed all other music players by using color and plastic to make electronic stylish. Swatch applied design to cheap Swiss watches which created a new category of watches as fashion. Slifer Designs is in the business of applying design to enhance Lifestyle. Our upscale comfortable furniture transformed the ski camp-like experience of Vail in the 60's and 70's to the sophisticated family resort of the 80's and 90's.
Design can improve life's experience. In fact, it can change the experience in a given place or circumstance. Think of the increased excitement at a Homecoming Dance in an "over the top" decorated gymnasium versus a stark, under decorated gym.
Design can add to the atmosphere, to the mood and to personal satisfaction in a home, on a boat, in a small cabin in the woods. And design can add or diminish dollar value of resort real estate.
Design is no longer only available and appreciated by the educated connoisseurs. Businesses and individuals are increasingly recognizing the value of good design. The mass market has become very savvy with their exposure to TV shows, magazine ads and photo features, Home Depot, Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware and Target. All these and other influences have raised awareness and taste levels of the American public. They want more surprises, more creativity and more quality.
For Slifer Designs, a purveyor of furniture and interior design, we find expectations are higher. Our clients with more money than time, want professional help to create what they have learned to appreciate. They want astute buyers and designers to offer them what they cannot provide for themselves. Our challenge is to combine creativity with service to capitalize on today's demand for design talents. When we do our job best, our clients find they enjoy the environment, their home, more than they could have without our creativity and service.
The opportunity for Slifer Designs is to tap into the new priorities of the 21st Century. The 90's were about "wealth creation". Since then, the emphasis is on "value creation" and "life style creation". Our core purpose and goal has always related to improving the life experience of our clients. We do that as well or better than any design firm in the resort industry. Public demand is increasingly aligned with what we offer. We have the geographic advantage of being in markets where the super rich want to gather and enjoy well designed environments. We have the talents and service levels to meet their discerning demands.
Beth Slifer
Michael Graves designed trash cans and other household conveniences which increased sales and added a fashion statement to the Target Brand. Steve Jobs developed IMAC and later the huge success of the IPOD overshadowed all other music players by using color and plastic to make electronic stylish. Swatch applied design to cheap Swiss watches which created a new category of watches as fashion. Slifer Designs is in the business of applying design to enhance Lifestyle. Our upscale comfortable furniture transformed the ski camp-like experience of Vail in the 60's and 70's to the sophisticated family resort of the 80's and 90's.
Design can improve life's experience. In fact, it can change the experience in a given place or circumstance. Think of the increased excitement at a Homecoming Dance in an "over the top" decorated gymnasium versus a stark, under decorated gym.
Design can add to the atmosphere, to the mood and to personal satisfaction in a home, on a boat, in a small cabin in the woods. And design can add or diminish dollar value of resort real estate.
Design is no longer only available and appreciated by the educated connoisseurs. Businesses and individuals are increasingly recognizing the value of good design. The mass market has become very savvy with their exposure to TV shows, magazine ads and photo features, Home Depot, Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware and Target. All these and other influences have raised awareness and taste levels of the American public. They want more surprises, more creativity and more quality.
For Slifer Designs, a purveyor of furniture and interior design, we find expectations are higher. Our clients with more money than time, want professional help to create what they have learned to appreciate. They want astute buyers and designers to offer them what they cannot provide for themselves. Our challenge is to combine creativity with service to capitalize on today's demand for design talents. When we do our job best, our clients find they enjoy the environment, their home, more than they could have without our creativity and service.
The opportunity for Slifer Designs is to tap into the new priorities of the 21st Century. The 90's were about "wealth creation". Since then, the emphasis is on "value creation" and "life style creation". Our core purpose and goal has always related to improving the life experience of our clients. We do that as well or better than any design firm in the resort industry. Public demand is increasingly aligned with what we offer. We have the geographic advantage of being in markets where the super rich want to gather and enjoy well designed environments. We have the talents and service levels to meet their discerning demands.
Beth Slifer
