Huntingburg, IN (November 4, 2026) - OFS and Imagine a Place are bringing together seven voices from across the architecture and design industry for a set of new podcast episodes exploring leadership, personal experiences, and the future of design. Recorded during the second annual OFS and Imagine a Place Designer Summit in Huntingburg, Indiana, the recordings offer an inside look at not only the people, but the perspectives shaping the design industry today.
Earlier this October, OFS brought together design professionals from a variety of firms, backgrounds, and design disciplines, for an opportunity to step away from everyday responsibilities, build relationships, and exchange ideas beyond the traditional industry setting.
During the summit, Maria VanDeman, Director of Design Strategy at OFS and host of The Imagine a Place Podcast, sat down with seven designers for one-on-one conversations about their careers, experiences, and perspectives on the industry.
The featured designers include:
Kristy Swann, Associate Principal, Regional Design Leader Workplace | HLGstudio
Jelena Bajkovic, Project Director | The Switzer Group
Amy Shavelson, Principal, Co-Regional Practice Leader | Perkins Eastman
Lauren Coughlin, Director, Strategy + Culture | D2 Groups LLC
Claudia Lofton, Director of Interior Design | Hastings Architecture
Lauren Prickett, Director of Interiors | Ware Malcomb
Kristin Cerutti, Associate Principal, Regional Design Leader Workplace | Nelson
From navigating leadership and workplace relationships to designing for disabilities and advocating for the profession, the conversations explore the challenges, opportunities, and personal experiences influencing the future of design.
The series kicks off with a trailer featuring all seven designers, offering a first look at the conversations and perspectives audiences can expect throughout the coming months. Each episode will highlight an individual designer, diving deeper into their experiences, lessons learned, and ideas for the future.
Maria VanDeman also reflects on the experience in a new Imagine a Place Journal article, exploring the power of bringing designers together and creating space for meaningful conversations that strengthen the design community.
The trailer is available now through Imagine a Place, with new episodes releasing throughout the coming months. Follow @imagineaplace and @ofs on social media for episode announcements, behind-the-scenes content, and additional insights from the series.
About OFS
OFS is a family-owned contract furniture manufacturer dedicated to crafting experiences and products that contribute to places where people want to be. Founded in 1937, OFS provides furniture and logistics solutions for office, healthcare, education, lifestyle, government, and home office markets worldwide, offering seating products, tables, casegoods, and open-plan products. OFS is based in Huntingburg, Indiana.
About Imagine a Place Productions
Imagine a Place Productions gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place Productions is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.
OFS Press Contact: Jaden Derleth - @jderleth@ofs.com
