010: Behind the Board- Meet ASID San Diego President‑Elect Kristy Kropat

In this episode of Interior Design San Diego, host Rachel Crawford sits down with Kristy Kropat, the incoming President‑Elect of the ASID San Diego Chapter, to explore her journey, design philosophy, and her vision for the chapter.

Key Topics Covered:

• Kristy’s unconventional path into interior design: from a decade as a software and embedded systems engineer to retraining at the Design Institute of San Diego and starting her own studio.
• How her technical/engineering background informs her design process — especially problem solving, usability, organization.
• Founding her design firm in San Diego in 2008; moving the business to San Francisco in 2014, then relocating to Berlin and building an international practice.
• Expanding her services: emphasizing lighting design and integrating her engineering + interior design expertise. Her current master’s thesis topic: Advancing Quality of Light in California Homes.
• Discussion of residential versus commercial design, and why Kristy values residential for its personal connection to clients.
• Insights into her lighting design philosophy — the role of color temperature, color rendering (CRI, TM‑30), layering light, the importance of proper lighting in realizing design.
• Her decision to say “yes” to the board role for ASID: giving back, supporting the chapter, helping bridge student/professional gaps.
• What her upcoming year as President‑Elect looks like: supporting the President, focusing on student involvement, launching new programs, lighting‑focused chapter meeting coming up on November 19 at Blackwell Lighting & Home in Encinitas.
• Ways for listeners (designers, students, industry partners) to connect with her and the chapter.

Takeaways for Listeners:

• A reminder that career paths in design can be non‑linear — technical skills and creative interests can combine powerfully.
• The often‑underestimated role of lighting in interior design — not just aesthetics but usability, quality, and outcome.
• The value of professional community (like ASID) in supporting designers, especially emerging ones.
• Encouragement for students and young professionals: how to engage, network, and transition into the profession.
• Practical event opportunities: upcoming ASID San Diego events, programs and how to plug in.

Kristy Kropat is an interior designer, lighting designer, engineer, and entrepreneur. She founded her boutique design studio 18 years ago in San Diego, designing award-winning residential and commercial projects throughout California and Germany. With a background that blends creative and technical expertise, she combines analytical problem-solving and design thinking to create beautiful, functional, sustainable and inclusive spaces. Kristy’s designs have been featured in over 28 national and international publications including Better Homes and Gardens, Wall Street Journal, Atomic Ranch, Cooking Light, Houzz Germany and more. Kristy was the off camera designer for A&E’s reality design show “Fix This Kitchen” and was the featured interior designer in California Closet’s TV commercial.

Having lived in San Francisco and Berlin, she brings an international perspective to her designs. After spending 11 years abroad, she has returned to her native San Diego, where she is currently serving as President-Elect of the San Diego Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and a judge for San Diego Magazine’s Home + Design Awards 2026.

• Connect with Kristy Kropat: [e-mail]

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