ThinkLab Researches the Built Environment

We leverage research in the architecture and interiors industry to help you replace assumptions with facts.

 

ThinkLab is Researching the Built Environment

We leverage research on the architecture and interiors industry to help you replace assumptions with facts.

ThinkLab_Logo_TwoColor

Our passion exists at
the intersection of
business and design.

ThinkLab is the intelligence division of SANDOW.

Our global reach expands to millions of A&D professionals who directly and indirectly affect the specification of $263B in various product categories annually, including furniture, lighting, kitchen and bath fixtures, and paint. That means we have access to thousands of specifiers who offer hundreds of insights that translate into one big dose of perspective. But we didn’t start here. 

Originally founded by Amanda Schneider in 2011 as an independent consultancy, Contract Consulting Group (CCG) grew rapidly by 100 percent word of mouth referrals. As the only market research firm truly focused on the design industry, many discovered that rather than trying to help outside consultants get up to speed on the complexities of our unique industry, CCG could help their businesses through a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the design industry.

A photo of Amanda Schneider, standing against a green background.

Our passion lives at the intersection of business and design.

The architecture and interiors ecosystem is evolving fast. We know because we sit in conversations daily with end users, A&D firms, and product manufacturers. That’s why we’re uniquely positioned to uncover market sentiment, track shifting behaviors, validate product concepts, and help you anticipate what’s next—before your competitors do.


ThinkLab is the research and intelligence division of SANDOW DESIGN GROUP.

Our global reach connects us to millions of A&D professionals who influence billions of dollars in product specifications each year—from furniture and lighting to flooring, kitchens, and baths. That means access to specifiers, owners, contractors, and real end-user decision makers—all through one integrated perspective.

Founded by Amanda Schneider in 2011, ThinkLab joined SANDOW DESIGN GROUP in 2018, combining industry-leading research expertise with the reach of brands like Interior Design and Metropolis.

Amanda Schneider delivers a TEDx Talk onstage.

In November 2018, CCG was acquired by SANDOW (the parent company of Interior Design Media, Material Bank, Metropolis, and many other design-driven brands in media and beyond) and rebranded as ThinkLab. This move coupled SANDOW’s design industry leadership position and broad reach with CCG’s passions, expertise, and research methodologies. Amanda and much of the core CCG team remain on to grow the company and scale to serve a much broader audience: from commercial to residential, and including product categories from lighting to furniture to flooring and everything in between.

Today, we are proud to harness the power of the SANDOW family of brands to gather meaningful insights for the industry and share those broadly through research, editorial, and national speaking engagements.

Today, we harness this collective network to deliver insight and impact—through research reports, national keynotes, design hackathons, innovation cohorts, the Design Nerds Anonymous podcast, and advisory partnerships that move the industry forward.

“One of our passions at ThinkLab is looking at the less sexy underbelly of design—the business side of design. We dive into everything from economics to business to innovation, and explore not just the objects being designed, but the process of design itself.”

-AMANDA SCHNEIDER, THINKLAB PRESIDENT

Amanda Schneider

Amanda Schneider

President

Amanda is the Founder & President at ThinkLab, the research division of Interior Design Magazine. As a former blogger for the Huffington Post, Amanda has been exploring the future of work through the lens of design for more than two decades. Her latest research around Gen Z was featured in a viral Forbes article titled Gen Z and the Great Office Debate Won’t End in 2023. She also co-authored the #1 article in the MIT Sloan management review July of 2024, and took the TedX stage in 2024.

Her degree in Industrial Design coupled with an MBA formed her foundation at the intersection of design and business and the power of that intersection to transform our world. Learn more by tuning into her award-winning podcast, Design Nerds Anonymous.

Amanda Schneider

President

Olga Odeide

Olga Odeide

Business Development

Olga Odeide, LEED AP, is an interior designer and strategist who thrives at building successful long-term partnerships with clients. Olga started her career in electrical and computer engineering with her degree from Clemson University. Her success in this field involved her in a large-scale commercial campus makeover that sparked her love of interior design. With an interior design degree from the Art Institute of Charleston, Olga brings the perfect balance of tactical thinking and creative strategy to her new-business development role. Olga is outgoing, energetic, and committed to best-in-class client engagement and solutions—a natural fit for ThinkLab! She gets fired up when presented with a marketing problem or is asked by clients to find new ways to engage and connect with their target audiences. An on-the-go city dweller, Olga is a seasoned traveler, repeat TEDx attendee, and fitness instructor who enjoys the vibrant Washington, D.C., community in which she resides.

Olga Odeide

Business Development

Erica Waayenberg

Erica Waayenberg

Head of Research & Content Development

Erica Waayenberg, LEED AP, is an interior designer, marketer, and a strategy-minded problem solver. Erica embraces design thinking with a career that has encompassed interior design, sales, strategic program development, marketing management, and consulting within the design world. Erica’s enthusiasm for design and how we connect to our surroundings was fostered in her education in interior design from Michigan State University. She is passionate about the creative process, authentic marketing, the built environment, and connecting people with inspired and thoughtful design. To her role at ThinkLab, Erica brings a well-rounded industry perspective paired with eagerness to inform and inspire industry members of all types through research-based insights. Outside of her office, Erica loves to travel, be outdoors, dive into messy creative play with her boys, and savor great conversation with friends and family over coffee or a French 75.

Erica Waayenberg

Head of Research & Content Development

Allison Roon

Allison Roon

Data Storyteller

Allison Roon is an interior designer, marketing strategist, and storyteller. With deep roots in the contract furniture industry, Allison offers unique insight to what makes spaces and stories meaningful, and how they can be used to engage an audience and impact change. Allison has her BA in Interior Design from Kendall College of Art and Design, and went on to get her Masters in Adult and Higher Education from Grand Valley State University. With a background as Director of Design, Marketing & Product Management, Allison has an incredible ability to create meaningful conversations around the future of work and workplace, and draw out information and conclusions from client discussions that lead to high level product and market strategy decisions. Her energy is contagious, and communication style engaging. Aside from work, Allison loves sneaking out for a run with the dog along West Michigan’s lakeshore, meandering through a greenhouse, and scouring Zillow in case the next fixer upper catches her eye.

Allison Roon

Data Storyteller

Anna Lu

Anna Lu

Project Manager

Anna Lu is a project manager with a strong foundation in product development and system operations. With a Bachelor's degree in Media and Communications from The University of Technology Sydney, Anna has worked in film and television, fashion and consumer products throughout the last 10 years of her career. Anna is all about the balance between creating efficient workflows while leaving enough room for creativity. She is passionate about cultivating innovative work cultures and brings her experience and best practices from other industries to the ThinkLab team. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Anna now calls New York City home. She spends her time visiting museums, frequenting stand-up comedy shows and having adventures with her dog.

Anna Lu

Project Manager

Jordan Ruesch

Jordan Ruesch

Digital Marketing Specialist

Jordan Ruesch is passionate about helping brands tell their story in a way that feels clear, human, and meaningful. She graduated from Auburn University and previously worked as
Marketing Manager for a luxury building materials company, supporting designers, builders, and homeowners across the residential space. Today, she brings that foundation to ThinkLab as a Digital Marketing Specialist, where she leads the execution and optimization of digital campaigns, ensuring every touchpoint feels intentional and research-driven. Based in Alabama, she enjoys trying new restaurants, Auburn football Saturdays, and spending time with her husband, son, and three cats.

Jordan Ruesch

Digital Marketing Specialist

WE'VE GOT ANSWERS

Frequently Asked Questions

Why research?

We think the better question is, why not? Change is happening fast, and the interiors industry is evolving rapidly. If you want to replace assumptions with facts and make decisions with more confidence, research is key to avoiding investment pitfalls.

How many specifiers are in your network?

Our network is extensive, with thousands of participants, and it’s growing every day. As part of the SANDOW DESIGN GROUP family of brands, we leverage their reach to curate expert opinions and advice that help solve your unique challenges most effectively.

How long does a typical research project take?

Depends on the project, but a good estimate is anywhere from 4-12 weeks from project kickoff. That’s fast enough to let you keep your feet moving, and thorough enough to cover all our bases.

I’m not sure what type of research is right for me. What now?

We don’t expect you to know—we’re here to help and can often craft a better solution when we talk first, and plan from there.

As a designer, how do I get involved in research?

Join in here, fill out a few simple questions, and we’ll reach out with opportunities specific to your areas of expertise.

As a designer, what are the benefits of participating in research?

Opportunities to get paid for your thoughts and obtain exclusive sneak peek access to the results. We call that influence + information (and a few rewards along the way)!

Are your digital seminars CEU-approved?

At this time, they are not. But they’re still packed with insights that are well worth an hour of time. 

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