In the realm where form meets with function, Adrian Galvan, Allied ASID, emerges as a voice within the field of interior design, not only shaping environments but also shaping the future of the industry. Amid a demanding travel schedule and an ever-evolving design practice, he paused with us to reflect on his creative journey, the ethos behind his firm, and his leadership position as the 2024/2025 President of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Texas Chapter.
MiSA: Tell us about your background and how you became interested in interior design.
AG: I was always the kid creating, playing with Legos, drawing and doodling and constantly rearranging things in my room. I loved to create, work with my hands and I was lucky enough to be surrounded with creativity. My parents, both working professionals, heavily pursued their hobbies in leather crafts, and ceramics. Everyone in the house was always working on something creative. When it came time for college, interior design was out of reach for me so I pursued a degree in communications, which I loved, and led me to my first career in the beauty industry, which I also loved. After going through some professional development, I decided to pursue my true passion of interior design. I went to St. Mary’s University to get some formal education and knew one day I would be running my own firm.
MiSA: Can you share more about your firm, Designology—its guiding philosophy and the kinds of projects you typically take on?
AG: My firm is rooted in authenticity, professionalism, and creativity. We love to collaborate with our clients and truly believe that we are designing a space for them to enjoy, not us. Getting to know our clients, their likes, dislikes, how they live, and how they think is very important to us. We’re a small team and we strive to run our projects as efficiently as possible. I think there’s a stigma in our industry that designers are snooty, too expensive, or are judgy in some way, so my team and I aim to show up as authentic, easy-going, and fun professionals to get the best outcome for everyone. We get to work on all kinds of creative projects, though we mostly do fundamental construction design.
MiSA: You are the 2024/2025 President of the ASID Texas Chapter, your professional organization. What is the mission of ASID, and how is the Texas chapter different than other states within the organization?
AG: I love being part of this organization and fully support its mission. As the largest and oldest design organization, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) believes that design impacts lives and collaborates with others to promote the value of interior design. Interior design supports the human experience through the functionality, materiality, safety and building codes, and much more of the interior built environment, it’s in everything we use today. It really is much more than making spaces pretty; it's about function, safety, all while making spaces aesthetically pleasing. Interior designers also focus on accessibility and inclusivity in our work to make sure that interiors can be used by all.
The position of president is such a high honor, I’m thrilled to have been elected for it, especially during our landmark 50th year. Out of 44 chapters throughout the nation, the Texas Chapter is the largest, standing proud with over 2,000 members. We’re so large that we're lucky to be one of the few chapters with design communities all over the state. We do so much as a chapter, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with all our members at various events throughout the state.
MiSA: If someone was considering hiring you for your services, what can they expect from the way you like to work?
AG: Working with my firm and team is a fun and collaborative experience. Picture structured appointments with loud laughter, relatable scenarios of how we use our spaces, snacks, and thinking BIG to create something amazing. Working with us is so much more about getting the best result; it’s about the process. There are tons of decisions to be made and so much to consider when creating a space; it’s easy to get overwhelmed and get decision fatigue. We take the reins and guide our clients along the way to make sure they are getting the best value for their money and the best look for the space. At the end, we don’t live in the space; they do, so we want it to be functional, beautiful, and a space that truly reflects them and that they are proud of.
MiSA: What were some recent projects that you are proud of?
AG: We get to be involved in so many wonderful projects with some amazing people. As designers, we get close with our clients and end up becoming their cheerleaders to get the job done. Our scope always varies, though we recently worked for over three years with a wonderful couple restoring a 100-year-old home in King William and updating the home to reflect their lifestyle. We got to work with a lifelong friend on her new business venture, an amazing event venue in Gruene, TX, and worked with a young couple designing their first short-term rental in the Lavaca District. Our work varies so much, it’s nice to have the variety of projects to keep our creative juices going.
If you are interested in exploring a new project with Adrian and the Designology team, they can be reached by phone at 210.317.9982 or by email at scienceofdesign@live.com.