Keep Planting Good Seeds

When I sat down to write my very first piece for officeinsight, I wasn’t sure what I’d say or if my voice would matter.  I didn’t have the loudest voice or the widest reach, but I had one clear intention: to plant good seeds. I wanted the interior design industry to feel a little more welcoming, optimistic, and relatable. 

With the encouragement of a few friends and the trust of Rob Kirkbride, I found a voice I didn’t know I had.  I discovered that my words could do more than describe the features of a chair or the value of a space.  They could spark larger conversations, questions and ideas.  

Writing this column taught me to listen, to observe, and to help others see our industry through a different lens. In the process, it helped me grow as a writer, a speaker, and a believer in design’s power to shape how we live, work, and belong.   

That original mission, the seed-planting one, hasn’t gone away.  It’s simply grown into new soil through my work at OFS, travels from coast to coast, the Imagine a Place podcast, and other fresh ways of connecting and storytelling. 

As I close my 32nd (and final) monthly column, I’m grateful to have explored these ideas and insights with you. Like they did with me, I hope they inspire you to take a moment and notice the difference you’re already making, too.  Here are the ten most important lessons I’ve learned along the way: 

1) Purpose beats polish. 

In design and in life, it’s easy to overedit, overplan, and smooth out every rough edge. But the more we chase perfection, the less we sound like ourselves. People connect to what’s real – a little humor, a little heart, and a little humanity. The best projects (and the best people) are never flawless. So bring your true self to the table, and let your authenticity and purpose shine through. 

2) Words shape worlds. 

I’ve become a little vocabulary obsessed (which is funny because that used to make my eyes roll), but words have power. They can open doors, shift thinking, and change how people feel. The language we use, whether in meetings, specifications, or stories, sets the tone for what follows. Thoughtful words build trust, guide decisions, and remind us that our work (and success or failure) hinges on communication.  Choose your words wisely. 

3) People, place, and purpose are inseparable. 

I used to think design was all about spaces and places. That’s backward. People come first. Place is the setting, and purpose is what guides us through it all. The three are interconnected, and the best projects honor all three.  This is the “why” behind our work. If you’ve lost your “why,” think back to where it began and what first drew you to this industry. When you do, my guess is that those memories connect back to people, place, and purpose. 

4) Design is a relay, not a sprint. 

The work we do may live within a schedule or timeline, but its impact reaches far beyond it. Mentorship matters. Legacy matters. Each of us should be growing into the kind of person we once looked up to for guidance. Show up, pass the baton, and receive it with humility. The industry moves forward when we do it together. 

5) Change is constant, and design is how we adapt. 

From in-office to remote to hybrid and back again, plus the speed of technology, everything seems to shift faster than ever. Our job isn’t to resist change, but it’s to help people adapt through it. Rigid processes stall progress. Curiosity and nimbleness keep it moving. Let’s build resilient teams and frameworks that evolve as quickly as the world does. 

6) A single story can widen the pipeline. 

Writing Design Your World reminded me that representation changes everything. When a student sees someone who looks like them doing this work, it changes what feels possible. Our industry gets smarter and more creative when more voices are invited to the table. Mentor one young person in 2026. Plant that good seed. 

7) One good word can carry a year. 

“Vision” was my word of the year for 2024, a beacon for staying clear on priorities and aspirations in both family and career.  “Presence” became my word for 2025, a reminder of how quickly time moves and how important it is to be intentional. With 2026 around the corner, I hope you’ll choose a word for your team, your practice, or your year. A single word can bring focus when life gets noisy. It’s a small practice with a big impact. 

8) Network everywhere, listen always. 

Networking isn’t just for conferences or client meetings or other formal settings. The best connections can happen in the coffee line, in the elevator, or at the gate before your flight. A quick chat, a shared laugh, or a curious question can build trust faster than a LinkedIn request ever could. Stay curious and listen well. The best connections rarely start with a business card exchange, so don’t be afraid to embrace those spontaneous networking moments, too! 

9) The equation of YOU matters. 

I’ve worn a lot of hats: designer, sales rep, storyteller, podcaster, design strategist.  That combination turned into a journey of purpose and momentum. Your career will likely be a blend, too. Own your mix.  Your unique equation is what makes your perspective one of a kind. 

10) Design is for everyone, and we are its champions. 

Our industry thrives when we honor the full ecosystem of our work, from the hands that craft our products to the footsteps that will inhabit the spaces for years to come. It grows stronger when we seek unique perspectives, listen more deeply, and design with empathy and intention. If we keep holding the door open, others will walk through and continue what we began. That is the legacy (and the magic) of design. 

Although you won’t hear from me monthly, the seed-planting mission continues. My hope is that you’ll keep planting good seeds, too. Use words that build trust. Mentor across differences. Design for change. Grow spaces, people, and ideas that help others feel inspired and included. 

We each have good seeds to plant – and this industry (and world) needs every one of them. 

Seeds are never planted alone: Special thanks to Aaron Estabrook, Nick Blessinger, and Ben Yoder for reading and supporting every word. 

Maria VanDeman, NCIDQ, Ind. IIDA, is an interior designer, published children’s book author, Director of Design Strategy at OFS, host of the Imagine a Place Podcast, and advocate for equity in the workplace.  Passionate about people and purposeful design, Maria is dedicated to creating meaningful impact through environments, storytelling, and mentorship. Say hello and follow along on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/mariavandeman