These design shoes were made for walking...and that's just what they'll do...I'm excited just to see what firm my shoes will take me to !

"So what are you going to do after you're done with Interior Design school?"

This question is extremely popular with me lately seeing as I only have 2 more quarters til I exit the design school world that has been my home for the past 2 1/2 years. Two more quarters til I embrace the knowledge I have gathered over the years and walk out towards a firm that one day might hire me full time. This is a scary thought somewhat although it is coated with excitement and nerves because hey, who isn't a little bit nervous in school?

If someone were to ask me 2 years ago what
was I going to do? I might have retorted back with "Own my own show on HGTV" But know the the knowledge base that I have obtained its more like I have several different avenues to explore and I am excited for all of them. Going to Interior Design school was one of the best decisions that I could have made because there is more than one career path that I can take with this major. So I guess now might be the appropriate time to answer..."What ARE you going to do next?"

First off, it is hard to say exactly what you want to dive into especially if you do not work anywhere in the field. But after taking classes and learning about everything that goes into design, I can say that I have narrowed it down to a few areas that I would be happy working in.



1. Commercial Design: Hospitality
I am really excited about hospitality design..mostly Hotels, Restaurants and places similar to that make up. I like the fact that there is some creative realm in this type of design and it isn't too limited. i would really like to brand some concept of design and have that be my mark in the design field, but of course, that comes with years of practice and years of training so I am looking forward to that.







2. Automotive Design
Not until recently, when I was in a class titled 'Professional Practice for Interior Designers' did I realize that this avenue of design was available to Interior Designers. I have a love and passion for cars. I love the interior and I love being able to customize a car...but what about other aspects of the vehicle that no one seems to pay much attention to? The dashboard is one of the most important components of the car and if this small detail became unnoticed in design, then it probably would make some consumers unhappy. I believe that knowing the anthropometrics of design and ergonomics of design could be a viable resource when designing a cars interior. I would love to dive into this field and start designing vehicles better.

These are just the top two avenue that I would like to branch out in as soon as I graduate from The Art Institute of Tampa in September. Of course, I will be interning between then and as soon as I get the approval from my director, I will post where I have my internship!
It is exciting to see that the journey it took to get from square one to almost getting ready to graduate has been more than successful. I am so excited to see the next step.

Honestly, I have to say that I am going to miss this school though. The people in the Interior Design department especially. We started out each individually on our own paths, but as time has passed, we have slowly merged into one collaborative path all on the same journey. Some of us might have taken U-turns, some of us might have speed up, broken down on the side of the shoulder, but all together we have walked hand in hand, side by side spending priceless moments together on this journey. Although I knew this day would come, I knew that 3 years from when I started, I would have to go out on my own path again, this time I have the backing and support from an entire community of soon to be designers. I can't wait to hear the success stories from everyone in about 5-10 years.

Thanks for all the support you have given whether indirectly or directly. It's more than just having a helping hand, every so often. But it is the time that we take to breathe, relax and enjoy us. Then back to study time "in the zone" of course. I am excited to see where I am led next!