Mark Bryan has been announced as the first chief research and strategy officer for the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). Bryan will be tasked with driving IIDA’s focus on the future of the commercial interior design profession and the design industry at large. He previously worked as a senior foresight manager at the Future Today Strategy Group (FTSG), where Bryan collaborated with leading practices in the built environment, hospitality, retail, F&B, and CPG sectors. Throughout his career, Bryan has served as a workplace strategist, designer, design researcher, and futurist as well. “I’m honored to be joining IIDA at such an auspicious moment; I can’t imagine a more crucial time to bring a robust, in-house foresight practice to an organization that has already invested so much in the future of our profession and industry,” he says. “The momentum is on our side, and I can’t wait to explore all the ways in which IIDA will be shaping the future of design.”
The new role will also see Bryan helming IIDA Futures, a newly launched brand that consolidates IIDA’s work in foresight practice with strategy, research, and thought leadership. The branch will also offer a Certified Design Futurist course along with new content, educational offerings, and exclusive reports. Bryan was elemental in the development of coursework during his tenure as IIDA’s Futurist-in-Residence. “This marks a significant moment for IIDA,” saysIIDA executive vice president and CEO Cheryl S. Durst. “One that allows us to build on the strengths of the organization and introduce new capabilities that will point the way to an incredibly vibrant, vital future. Mark’s considerable skills as a foresight practitioner, as well as his deep knowledge of the design industry, make him the ideal addition to an executive team that is focused on opening doors to what’s next for our membership and our industry.”
