The Design Pop

Imagine a Place
  • 4.9 (54)
  • DESIGN
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

I'm your host, Alexandra Tseffos, and welcome to The Design Pop, a podcast for dealer designers! The world of the dealer designer is changing and now more than ever, this community plays an ever-increasing role in the success of projects. These designers possess a wealth of knowledge and passion for furniture and design, but it seems this group is often left unrecognized. As the industry evolves, there is a growing recognition of the value of this role, leading to more opportunities for empowerment. Join me as I share my experiences as a designer, trainer, and consultant to help this community build more influence and recognition - this is the first step in building a community of dealers designers that are focused on learning, improving their craft, and growing their careers. Whether you're a furniture enthusiast or just curious about growing and learning more to apply to your own career. I'm glad you're here. Join me as we harness the power of the design community to explore these important topics in the world of design. The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production.

  1. 12/18/2025

    The Joy of Saying "Done"

    As winter settles in and the year comes to a close, Alexandra reflects on a habit many of us share—finishing something big and immediately moving on to what’s next. A simple moment at home with her son becomes a reminder to slow down, recognize progress, and make space to celebrate the wins, both big and small. Thank you for listening, for sharing your time, and for supporting The Design POP this year. Email Alexandra at alexandra@thedesignpop.com Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn Follow The Design Pop on LinkedIn Access on-demand training at The Design POP. Questions? Email info@thedesignpop.com The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    8 min

  2. 11/21/2025

    The Renegade Mindset with Amy Jo Martin, Live at Configura's Experience 2025

    In this episode, Alexandra returns from Experience 2025 with a renewed voice—literally and figuratively. After a whirlwind of hockey coaching, travel, and the inevitable fall-break cold, she reflects on what kids learning to skate can teach adults about bravery, mindset, and the power of getting back up quickly. Alexandra sits down with keynote speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host Amy Jo Martin, who describes herself as a “renegade of life” and a lifelong learner. Together, they explore what it means to embrace curiosity, take the next brave step, and say “Why not now?”—whether in your creative practice, your career, or your personal world. Amy Jo shares her renegade rules, including asking for forgiveness instead of permission, buying back time through AI, and learning to green-light your own ideas today rather than someday. She also tells the incredible story of how she accidentally helped launch the very first Twitter verified checkmark and how that moment changed her career forever. Alexandra also recaps her favorite moments from Experience 2025. Whether you’re a designer, a leader, or someone standing at the edge of your next “trampoline moment,” this episode challenges you to move forward—today, not tomorrow—and surround yourself with people who cheer when you fall and when you rise. Learn more about Amy Jo Martin Follow Amy Jo Martin on LinkedIn Listen to Amy Jo's podcast "Why Not Now?" Buy Amy Jo Martin's book: "Renegades Write The Rules" Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn Follow The Design Pop on LinkedIn Join a Peer Circle Access on-demand training at The Design POP. Questions? Email info@thedesignpop.com The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    24 min

  3. 10/08/2025

    Live at Configura's Experience with Aaron Okkema and Rob Detrick

    We are coming to you live from Day 1 of Experience—formerly known as CET Experience—where nearly 500 designers, manufacturers, and sponsors are fueling the excitement and innovation shaping the design industry. This year marks a major shift not just in the name, but in what the event represents. Configura’s vision has expanded beyond CET, and Experience now captures the full scope of their technology solutions.  In this episode Alexandra sits down with two of Configura's very own Aaron Okkema, Head of Sales for North America, and Rob Detrick, Product Manager for Commercial Interiors, about the big announcements from the opening keynote. Check out Configura's Roadmap to discover upcoming projects and share your innovative ideas for future development. Questions for Configura? Ask Alexandra or Brooke Snow Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn Follow The Design Pop on LinkedIn Access on-demand training at The Design POP. Questions? Email info@thedesignpop.com The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    35 min

  4. 10/07/2025

    The Confidence Report: How Designers Rate Themselves

    In this episode, Alexandra Tseffos breaks down the results of her latest dealer designer survey, which drew responses from nearly 175 professionals across the industry. The survey explores the confidence levels of designers in core responsibilities such as technical specification, ancillary selection, pricing, meeting participation, live design, and advanced visualization. Not only did Alexandra share the numbers and highlight various results, but she also brings in two expert voices to put the findings into perspective. First, we hear from Shelley Rosetta, Principal at Solomon Coyle who reflects on the broader industry context, the importance of continuous learning, and how AI is reshaping workflows. Then we hear from Kari Anderson, Owner of Techbox Collective, who discusses what the survey results mean for manufacturers—plus she highlights how better tools, cleaner data, and thoughtful training can raise both confidence and competence across the field. Together, these conversations uncover surprising gaps, celebrate areas of strength, and explore how designers—along with dealerships and manufacturers can evolve together. Whether you’re a dealer designer, leader, or manufacturer, there are plenty of insights to spark new conversations about the future of design. Download the full report here. Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn Follow The Design Pop on LinkedIn Access on-demand training at The Design POP. Questions? Email info@thedesignpop.com The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    47 min

  5. 09/24/2025

    What happens when you bet on yourself? | Christine Crawford of Alfred Williams & Company

    In this inspiring episode, Alexandra sits down with Christine Crawford, Design Manager at Alfred Williams & Company in Nashville and MillerKnoll’s Designer of the Year. Christine shares her journey from an eager design student who did whatever it took to land an internship, to becoming the leader of a design team and the force behind a $15 million project. Her story highlights the power of curiosity, tenacity, and taking bold risks—such as writing a letter to land her dream role. Through Christine’s perspective, we explore what it means to redefine “perfect,” why dealer design can be a powerful accelerator for young careers, and how collaboration and courage shape long-term success. Whether you’re a student, a young designer, or a seasoned professional, Christine’s journey will leave you with practical wisdom and the confidence to bet on yourself. Check out Alfred Williams & Company Connect with Christine Crawford on LinkedIn Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn Check out Configura's Experience Conference in Orlando Explore more from Imagine a Place and OFS Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    47 min

  6. 08/27/2025

    POP into Excellence: Building a Design Career You Love with Brittney Herrera

    In this episode, designer, author, and Thunder Egg founder Brittney Herrera shares her personal journey through the design industry—from internships and dealership work to leading her own firm. Along the way, she opens up about navigating firm politics, discovering her strengths, and learning how to turn every experience into a stepping stone for growth. Brittney's book Inside the Design Industry quickly became an Amazon best-seller and a must-read for students. This conversation brings her book and it's lessons to life. Whether you’re a design student, recent graduate, or just starting out in your career, you’ll hear practical advice on networking, mentorship, interviews, and building confidence in an often-intimidating industry. Industry veteran Jeff Carlson from My Resource Library joins the conversation as well—adding some great advice about connecting with others through LinkedIn. This episode is both a guide and an encouragement for anyone ready to find their place in design. Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn. Access on-demand training at The Design POP. Get $75 off CET Experience by using promo code: THEDESIGNPOP75 if you register before September 22, 2025.

    1h 10m

  7. 07/30/2025

    How Designers Can Lead From Within with Jennifer Evans of Hyphn

    In this episode of The Design Pop, Alexandra welcomes Jennifer Evans, VP of Design and Development at Hyphn, formerly BKM. With nearly two decades of experience rising through the same dealership, Jennifer shares her unique journey from project designer to leadership. She reveals how curiosity, problem-solving, and a passion for process led her upward. They explore how Hyphn's evolution—from rebranding to strategic acquisition—has strengthened its culture and diversified its services to meet the changing demands of today’s workplace. Jennifer also talks about building strong design teams, empowering designers through live design sessions, incentivizing client engagement, and embracing the "uncomfortable" as a pathway to growth. Throughout this episode, Jennifer shares insights on capacity challenges, industry training gaps, and the mindset shift that's required to lead effectively. What if the key to elevating dealer design isn't just mastering tools, but learning how to create better conversations? Subscribe to The Design POP to access POP into Excellence recordings. Use this link for $75 off Configura's Experience in Orlando. Or use promo code TheDesignPOP75 at checkout. Follow us on social media to hear more about our upcoming launches on The Design POP. Instagram and LinkedIn. The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS) Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn Follow The Design Pop on LinkedIn

    51 min

  8. 06/02/2025

    The Office Furniture Girl: Building Credibility in Furniture, One Post at a Time

    On this episode of The Design POP Podcast, host Alexandra Tseffos sits down with Erica Jaffe—Creative Director & Ancillary Specialist at Benhar Office Interiors, and affectionately known as the "Office Furniture Girl" on Instagram, to explore how dealer designers can sharpen their approach and enhance their impact on client interactions. From her early days in interior design, retail furniture sales, to business development at a dealership, Erica shares how clear communication, thoughtful expectation-setting, and a dose of humor can transform the designer-client relationship. Hear how she's leveraging social media to educate, entertain, and build both trust and credibility within the design community. Where to find The Design POP in Chicago https://www.thedesignpop.com/Chicago-2025 The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS) Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn Follow The Design Pop on LinkedIn

    50 min
See All (40)

4.9
out of 5
54 Ratings

About

I'm your host, Alexandra Tseffos, and welcome to The Design Pop, a podcast for dealer designers! The world of the dealer designer is changing and now more than ever, this community plays an ever-increasing role in the success of projects. These designers possess a wealth of knowledge and passion for furniture and design, but it seems this group is often left unrecognized. As the industry evolves, there is a growing recognition of the value of this role, leading to more opportunities for empowerment. Join me as I share my experiences as a designer, trainer, and consultant to help this community build more influence and recognition - this is the first step in building a community of dealers designers that are focused on learning, improving their craft, and growing their careers. Whether you're a furniture enthusiast or just curious about growing and learning more to apply to your own career. I'm glad you're here. Join me as we harness the power of the design community to explore these important topics in the world of design. The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production.

Information

  • Channel
    Imagine a Place
  • Creator
    Imagine a Place Productions
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Imagine a Place
  • Show Website
    The Design Pop

More From Imagine a Place

You Might Also Like