(Above image: Students enter the STUDIO program with open minds to learn the ins and outs of the design process. Image courtesy of Casey Martin)

Students at George Fox University gained real-world experience designing residential and commercial projects in their communities, working alongside university staff for the STUDIO. The STUDIO derived from a need for students to get more experience working on projects in the field, giving them real-world experience. Assistant professor of Interior Design, Casey Martin, IIDA, says this work allows students to develop an empathy-based practice, and to be the change they want to see in the world and in the design industry.

Throughout the program students would average about 5-6 projects per semester within their own communities, building their confidence in how to talk to and work with clients throughout the entire design process. Every semester students were paid a stipend for at least one project they worked on. Many of the projects featured designs for nonprofits and local businesses that couldn’t afford to hire a design firm. Each project teaches students different aspects of what it's like to be a designer and how they can truly change people's lives through the built environment. Seeing their projects come into fruition exemplifies who they are as changemakers.

This project was impactful to both the students, and to their communities, making George Fox University IIDA’s 2024 Campus Center Awards Sponsored by OFS winner. The campus center mission to develop and nurture socially-conscious, innovative, and open-minded individuals who exhibit strong design skills for a successful career in the worldwide design industry exemplifies the campus center, students, and Martin as changemakers who are enhancing their communities through design.

Students Ava Heflen, Student IIDA, Taylor Ho, and Alexis McCabe share their thoughts on the STUDIO, the importance of having a campus center and what it means to build with and for your community.

Describe your experience working in the STUDIO, and how it’s changed how you think about design?

Ava Heflen, Student IIDA (AH): Working on this project gave me more insight into how the design process works in real-time with real clients. By working within a specific budget, repurposing furniture the client wants to use, sticking to a timeline, and accommodating the client's changes, I am more prepared for my design career ahead.

Taylor Ho (TH): Working in the STUDIO has been one of the most important pieces of my education in the George Fox Interior Design program, because it’s where everything I learned was applied. It allowed me to put my skills towards real world projects and helped me understand how what I’m learning and practicing in class can actually unfold into a real design for real clients. It also puts realistic limitations on projects, for example budget or space, challenging me to think more practically about design.

Alexis McCabe (AM): Working on projects for the STUDIO has been incredible, challenging, and eye-opening! The best part about working with real clients while still being in school is the opportunity to grow my design knowledge and skillset to better prepare me for working professionally post-graduation. Through the STUDIO and the specific projects I have been a part of, I have learned how to listen intently to client’s feedback, requests, and insight and make changes accordingly; I have been able to exercise my presentation skills and grow in the area of communicating design concepts; and I’ve also been stretched in my 3D modeling skills in Revit while creating detailed and precise models for the clients. The STUDIO has allowed me to think about design in a new light by showing me that through collaboration, positive change can be made to impact the livelihood of others on a day to day basis.

How did this experience help you build community within your campus center and within your city?

AH: When I was in the STUDIO, it was my second year and I had only built relationships with peers in my year. Through the STUDIO, I was able to work with students from different years, building connections and relationships with them. Our client was in downtown Portland, which allowed us to further make connections within the city.

TH: I’ve had the opportunity to work on spaces around campus, spaces in cities around me, and even spaces near my hometown in Southern California. With these projects comes team building within my program, and networking with different faculty and clients. My classmates and I have had to work together, taking advantage of having multiple creative thinkers assigned to one project.

AM: My experience working on the STUDIO projects has helped me build community within my campus center through working alongside my peers towards one common goal of: exceeding the client’s needs. Through sharing ideas and concepts with one another to presenting our designs to clients, I have been able to foster connection and collaboration with those in my campus center. I also have built a community within my city through the STUDIO by representing my institution, George Fox University, while designing spaces that local community members will one day be able to use and enjoy.

How has IIDA contributed to your education? And why would you encourage design students to get involved in their IIDA campus center?

AH: As a student member of the IIDA Oregon Chapter Board of Directors, I attend weekly meetings with the Student Affairs team. In these meetings, I learn a lot about things going on in the industry. IIDA members provide mentorship to interior design students at George Fox University. Members of the Student Affairs team have shown up to our campus presentations, showing their support. Through IIDA hosting local charrettes, I have gotten to meet other students from other nearby schools, learning and teaming up with them for projects. I would encourage students to get involved in their campus center because it builds connections with those in the industry. They also are so helpful to students and love to give advice or help if you need it.

TH: IIDA has provided so many networking opportunities and has opened the door for our program to step foot into the working world of interior design. I would encourage other design students to say yes to the invites that come their way from IIDA because they can be huge chances to be around very experienced designers and learn from the best.

AM: IIDA has contributed to my education by providing me with design resources, leaders to look up to and learn from, and opportunities to grow my design experience as a student. I am grateful for the sense of community I feel with other IIDA student members and the possibilities I have had to strengthen my knowledge and skillset through IIDA events and challenges. It has provided me with many opportunities to understand the professional world of interior design while being a student and forge connections with my peers to ultimately provide support and encouragement to one another as interior design students.

Learn more about how you can bring a campus center your school here