Elevating Student Success in Interior Design


January 29, 202

Event Recap

2024 StEP Part 3

Student Affairs

 

On January 29, 2025, IIDA Northern California hosted StEP Part 3: Student Empowerment Program in San Francisco, bringing together aspiring interior designers and industry professionals for an evening of mentorship, career development, and networking.

A Night of Professional Growth

The event kicked off with a Professional Roundtable, where students had the opportunity to engage with leading design professionals from firms such as Gensler, Huntsman, Revel, and MillerKnoll. Each expert shared insights about their career paths, industry trends, and strategies for standing out in the competitive design field. One of the most impactful moments was hearing firsthand from design professionals about the many different options available within the industry. Students realized how non-linear professional journeys often are, with many discovering that alternative paths can lead to even more valuable opportunities.

Resume & Portfolio Review + Personal Branding

One of the highlights of the evening was the Resume & Portfolio Review session, where students received one-on-one feedback on their work. In parallel, the Build Your Brand workshop guided students in refining their professional identity, leveraging LinkedIn, and crafting a compelling personal narrative to enhance their job search. Many students left with a better understanding of how to promote themselves beyond just their resumes, incorporating their unique experiences and personal stories into their branding.

Showroom Tour & Networking

The evening concluded with a showroom tour and networking session, allowing students to experience innovative workplace solutions while continuing conversations with industry professionals in a more informal setting. The networking session was particularly engaging, as students were able to strategize on how to individuate themselves and stand out to employers. It was eye-opening for many attendees who had never engaged with design professionals outside of their college professors, providing the

Memorable Moments & Impact

Throughout the evening, the energy in the room was incredibly positive. Attendees frequently applauded and laughed during the panel discussion, highlighting the engaging and insightful nature of the conversation. Several students expressed gratitude for the opportunity to better understand how IIDA and its events can support their transition to the professional world through portfolio reviews, design competitions, and networking opportunities.

The professional panel was engaging, and each connection felt personal. The evening’s sincerity made me feel welcomed as a student, leaving me encouraged, motivated, and grateful.
Sally Midgley, IIDA NC Student Director,

Key Takeaways

  • Many students, particularly those transitioning from other careers, found reassurance in learning that their past experiences could actually help them stand out in the industry.
  • Students gained invaluable knowledge about the different paths they can take within the commercial design industry.
  • Attendees learned that setbacks in their career journeys often lead to better opportunities, reinforcing the importance of adaptability and resilience.
  • The event provided expert advice on improving portfolios and resumes, along with actionable strategies for standing out in job searches.

Special Thanks

A huge thank you to our guest speakers, mentors, and volunteers who made this event possible. Your guidance and expertise provided invaluable support to the next generation of designers.

Emily Burchill
IIDA NC VP of Student Affairs
Scott Clement
President
Revel
Tovah Cook
Multidisciplinary Designer
Ashley Greenwald
Design Director
Huntsman
Stephen Kolacki
Ancillary Relationship Executive
MillerKnoll
Alana Makilan
Business Development Manager
Allsteel
Joyce Mizuhara
Project Designer
Revel
Mary Oliver
Interior Designer
Gensler
Tiffany Patton
Senior Creative Strategist
Insidesource
Francisco Vargas
Technical Designer
Gensler
Damien Watson
Market Development Mgr + Sustainability Lead
Two
Helen Wright
Associate Interior Designer
Huntsman
This event gave students invaluable insight into commercial design opportunities and how their experiences make them standout candidates, highlighting IIDA’s support beyond the classroom. Thank you to our hosts and volunteers!
Jonny Bywater, IIDA NC Assistant VP of Student Affairs

Event Photos

Northern California Shines at the Student Design Charette


June 2024

Event Recap

National Student Design Charette

IIDA HQ | Chicago

Excitement filled the air as 50 IIDA Student members from around the country gathered at IIDA Headquarters in Chicago for the 2024 Student Design Charette during Neocon/Design Days. This prestigious competition challenged ten teams to design a cutting-edge co-working space with a focus on adaptability, connection, sustainability, and well-being.

The winning team!
Valerie La – Winning Team Member from IIDA Northern California

Competition Highlights

The competition provided an invaluable platform for students to network, learn from one another, and showcase their design skills. Teams utilized materials from sponsors like BEHR, MillerKnoll, the Wallcoverings Association, and The National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association to bring their innovative concepts to life.

Looking Ahead

The 2024 Student Design Charette finals demonstrated the immense talent and creativity within our student members. Valerie La’s victory is a testament to the spirit of innovation and community that defines IIDA Northern California. We eagerly anticipate more achievements from our student members as they continue to shape the future of interior design.

Triumph for Northern California

Representing the Northern California chapter, Valerie La and her team stood out with their exceptional design, ultimately winning the competition. Emily Burchill, our VP of Student Affairs from Gensler, proudly shared, “Valerie and her charette team won the National Charette!!! The judges loved the concept and storytelling done by the team! Valerie has a concept design superpower and I’m so proud!”

Valerie La: A Talent to Watch

Valerie La, a student at City College of San Francisco, has shown remarkable passion and skill in interior design. Inspired by the beauty and wisdom of nature, Valerie combines creativity with a strong commitment to sustainability. Her involvement with IIDA has provided her with invaluable networking opportunities and experiences that have significantly supported her growth as a design student.

Representing IIDA Northern California, VP of Student Affairs, Emily Burchill of Gensler and Valerie La.

Fall Student Conference at Pier 70


October 12 2022

Event Recap

Annual Student Conference

Pier 70, San Francisco

“Where might your design education lead you?”

On October 12th, we welcomed students and young professionals from across the region to join IIDA Northern California Chapter’s Student Conference for an inspiring in-person experience. We had small group tours throughout the city of furniture and material showrooms, design offices, and client spaces, enjoyed delicious lunch from BiRite in the beautiful atrium at Pier 70, learned from an inspiring group of panelists innovating on the life cycle of materials, and connected with design professionals working across different aspects of our industry in small group conversations.

For more information about the benefits of student membership, visit our Student page or contact our VP of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@iidanc.org.


Event Photos

Full photo album

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