Why did you choose to major in Interior Design?
I chose my major because I was in a very corporate business environment. I found that

mid-life, I was not very happy with what I was doing. I wanted to balance out my brain between left- and right-brained thinking. I had been involved with interior design, either helping other people or working on my own properties. I really wanted an education and to be able to take that education into more of a business-type application within interior design, a more commercial focus.

What is the most important thing the faculty taught you?
To look at things through a different lens. Being a non-traditional student, you have a tendency to lose creativity, to think inside the box. You start to lose a sense of creative processes because some things have stifled you. The faculty teaches you to be realistic, but also think outside the box.

What is your most memorable experience?
Selling a piece of artwork. I had done a workshop and made a sculpture. It was almost human scale. It was a figurative piece and I had never done anything like that before. Someone bought it. I was thrilled!

Describe your internship experience.
I’m interning with a casual furniture company. I’m the design assistant to the vice president in the design and development department. It’s been a great experience. The furniture industry somewhat follows the fashion industry in terms of being seasonal and following trends. Right now we’re in the design phase of producing 13 new lines of furniture. I just took a trip to Mexico last week. We’re working with one of the suppliers outside of Mexico City. This week I’m going to Honduras for three days. It’s a great opportunity to travel and see what suppliers do, and to understand  the processes to manufacture furniture.