DESIGNER Q&A: TAKE FIVE (or seven!)
GARY INMAN is a champion of design – and bit of a super hero in our book. As president of Gary Inman Interior Design, his award-winning work spans the commercial, hospitality and residential worlds. Additionally, Gary is an educator, a brand ambassador and a tireless board member and volunteer, committed to advancing the profession of interior design. He’s represented “the voice of design” as HPxD grew from seedling idea to a fully form(ing) organization. Thank you, Gary!
#1 YOU MAY PLACE THREE ITEMS IN A HIGH POINT TIME CAPSULE TO BE REOPENED IN 100 YEARS. WHAT TANGIBLE ITEMS REPRESENT YOUR HIGH POINT?
“Ferragamo walking shoes, orange glasses, HATS!!” GI
#2 HAVE YOU ESTABLISHED ANY HIGH POINT MARKET TRADITIONS?
“I always walk the ADC – Antique & Design Center – early and first. Next stop is InterHall, where I can define the current pulse and trends of the industry. At least one lunch at The Parson’s Table. The Style Spotters Live event and the final night with my best friend Phyllis for a candlelight dinner in pjs.” GI
#3 TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN?
“My first career was in medicine. I was a published researcher with aspirations to join the CDC.” GI
#4 IN THE SPIRIT OF WHERE’S WALDO, WHAT THING OR PRINCIPLE IS PRESENT IN ALL YOUR WORK?
“A great storyline! I’m the father of Narrative Design.” GI
#5 WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A NEW DESIGNER WHO HAS NEVER BEEN TO HIGH POINT AND ASKS “WHY SHOULD I GO?”
“I’d answer, ‘How could you possibly be a designer and not go?’ It’s the best show in the world, the best place to learn product connoisseurship, best place to network with industry elite including editors, and best place to create lifelong friends.” GI
#6 DOWN THE ROAD, WE ARE LIKELY TO DEFINE TIME BEFORE COVID AND AFTER COVID. HOW IS THE PANDEMIC CHANGING THE WORLD OF DESIGN?
“In many ways – improved tech skills, learning to work remotely, learning to be connected while apart. Less travel, smaller marketing budgets, and unfortunately, less hands on curation.” GI
#7 BRIEFLY RECOUNT A FAVORITE “ONLY IN HIGH POINT” MOMENT FROM MARKETS PAST.
“Being the only member of the press to show up a KAS Rugs event and spending a half hour being photographed with Bob Mackie! Absolute bliss!” GI