Welcome to the KiSP blog!

Michael Astle

Michael Astle
Michael is a writer for KiSP and Yulio, writing on topics such as renderings, The KITS collaborator, augmented reality, and virtual reality. With a personal interest in technology and design, Michael is always excited to see the newest technological tools and how they can bring ideas to life.

Recent Posts

Gen Z Office Design – Attracting the Generation Now Entering the Workforce

Posted by Michael Astle on Sep 20, 2023 12:00:00 PM

We are now in the age of Gen Z starting to join the workforce in industries around the world. Like every generation, those of Gen Z have specific priorities in their life when it comes to work, family, and money and because of this, office designers are learning how to cater to Gen X workers. Many are wondering what Gen Z office design looks like and how can employers attract new Gen Z workers. 

We’ve looked at the latest trends when it comes to Gen Z office design as well as some of the main points that Gen Z workers consider when looking for employment. Take these points into consideration when designing spaces using tools like The KITS collaborator so you can design the perfect Gen Z office space.

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Topics: gen z, office design

The Value of Creating Proper Product Data: A Key to Sales Success

Posted by Michael Astle on Sep 1, 2023 12:30:00 PM

As customer research and sales rely more heavily on great visual selling over time, creating product data is a crucial step for businesses aiming to thrive in the highly competitive marketplace. Product data encompasses various elements, including swatches/finishes, pricing, 2D-3D graphics and descriptions. By investing time and effort in creating proper product data, companies can ensure seamless ordering and delivery processes, facilitate collaboration with dealer partners, appear on popular sales or designer platforms, and build compelling digital imaging for their websites. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of creating complete product data and provide insights on how to maximize its value.

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Topics: Product data, Entity

Manufacturer Spotlight: Bernhardt

Posted by Michael Astle on Aug 29, 2023 12:30:00 PM

We’re excited to announce that Bernhardt is now available on The KITS collaborator! Explore their digital catalog filled with contemporary office furniture. 

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Topics: Manufacturer Spotlight

Winning Furniture RFPs with Visualization: The Power of Compelling Visual and 3D Presentations

Posted by Michael Astle on Aug 1, 2023 2:00:00 PM

In the competitive world of contract furniture manufacturing, the ability to win Request for Proposal (RFP) bids is crucial for business growth and success. While traditional RFP responses typically rely on written proposals and specifications, incorporating compelling visual and 3D presentations can give you a significant advantage over your competitors. In this article, we will explore the role of visual presentations in the RFP process and provide valuable insights for marketers on how to create impressive visualization materials that align with client requirements - and you can start winning furniture RFPs with Visualization Services.

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Topics: Visual storytelling, Visualizations, RFP

Visual and 3D Marketing Strategies for Contract Furniture Manufacturers

Posted by Michael Astle on Jul 18, 2023 2:00:00 PM

In today's competitive business landscape, contract furniture manufacturers need to leverage effective visual and 3D marketing strategies to stand out and capture the attention of potential clients. Incorporating these techniques into your marketing approach can enhance your brand's visibility, engage your target audience, give your dealers an advantage and ultimately drive sales. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of visual and 3D presentations for contract furniture manufacturers and provide actionable steps to implement these strategies successfully. Discover how integrating visual and 3D marketing techniques can help contract furniture manufacturers gain a competitive edge.

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Top Healthcare Furniture Design Trends of 2023

Posted by Michael Astle on Jul 11, 2023 1:00:00 PM

Over the last 3 years, healthcare systems worldwide have undergone extreme changes brought on by tremendous pressure. They continue to be taxed and look toward the future as the world continues to recover from the pandemic. As hospitals and other healthcare facilities are taking the time to recover, they are also examining their design process and making changes to patient well-being through furniture design.

In 2023, the major healthcare furniture design trends that we are seeing are in direct response to the issues that arose during the pandemic. Manufacturers and contract furniture salespeople should keep the following issues in mind when planning layouts for clients in the healthcare vertical with The KITS collaborator.  Proper healthcare furniture design can help clients manage issues such as overcrowding and space flexibility; staff comfort and retention; and the behavioral health of both caregivers and patients. These healthcare design trends are sometimes similar to the ones we’ve seen in education and business settings as well, showing consistent responses to the societal changes we’ve seen in the early 2020s.

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Topics: design trends

Manufacturer Spotlight: Vonhaucke

Posted by Michael Astle on Jun 29, 2023 11:30:00 AM

We’re excited to announce that Vonhauke is now available on The KITS collaborator! Explore their digital catalog filled with contemporary office furniture. 

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Topics: Manufacturer Spotlight

NeoCon 2023 Recap – The Top Industry Design Trends We Saw

Posted by Michael Astle on Jun 23, 2023 2:55:24 PM

Last week, we had the privilege to travel to Chicago and attend NeoCon 2023. NeoCon is one of the largest events in the commercial interior design industry. People from all over the globe travel to NeoCon to check out showcases, attend sessions and show off new products to the rest of the community. This year we were able to set up in the INDEAL Inc. showroom and we were able to connect with many colleagues and other professionals in the industry. 

We find that during our time at NeoCon, we always can get a good snapshot of the current design trends in the industry. It’s a great way for contract furniture salespeople and those who use The KITS collaborator to get an idea of what people may be looking for in their layouts today. For those who were unable to attend, we’ve put together a NeoCon 2023 recap of the top industry design trends that we saw.

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Topics: NeoCon 2023

The KITS collaborator Guide to Trends in Office Meeting Spaces

Posted by Michael Astle on May 31, 2023 12:00:00 PM

Embracing the Hybrid Work Model in Office Solutions

The workplace landscape has experienced a significant shift with the rise of hybrid working. As organizations adapt to the new normal, office meeting spaces have become crucial in facilitating collaboration, communication, and productivity. They have a new and elevated purpose when people are in space together less often. In this blog post, we will explore the latest trends in meeting spaces for offices and discuss how they align with the hybrid work model. As The KITS Collaborator aims to equip sales representatives with valuable insights for your clients, we will delve into key aspects of office design and how you can make your presentations better while showcasing the industry knowledge you bring to your client partners.

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Topics: Office design trends

NeoCon Virtual Showrooms: Expand Your Neocon Investment

Posted by Michael Astle on May 19, 2023 1:00:00 PM

The furniture industry is no stranger to trade shows, and one of the biggest events of the year is Neocon, held every June in Chicago. It's a great opportunity for furniture manufacturers and designers to showcase their latest products and connect with potential buyers and partners. However, the limitations of physical events restrict their reach to a limited audience. To overcome this hurdle, furniture businesses are turning to virtual showrooms, turning their Neocon showrooms into Virtual Showrooms and elevating the value they receive from the show.  

By harnessing the power of virtual reality (VR) technology, companies can showcase their furniture products to a global audience year-round. Let's delve deeper into the benefits and opportunities presented by the Neocon Virtual Showroom concept.

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Topics: NeoCon