What Teaching Interior Design Actually Looks Like

I love learning, I love figuring things out, I love making things better, easier, more fun! I don’t like to watch other people struggle or feel inadequate. I think that's why I love teaching so much. 

The Fall semester just started, and I have been back at Endicott teaching in their Interior Architecture program now for 3 weeks. This year feels different than last year. The commercial industry has picked up, more students are getting hired for internships and jobs, however it seems that the residential industry has become a bit leaner. As with any industry, there are ebbs and flows. 

I am noticing students are more driven, more confident, and generally happier than in previous years. Partly because COVID had a huge impact on education and social dynamics those years, but also because I think people are appreciating hands-on work more with the rise of AI.

View inside Endicott's Center for the Arts

I see teaching interior design as closer to training someone in a trade than just giving a lecture with pretty pictures. One of the reasons I chose this career was because it was more hands-on, more tactile, more practical. The more questions a young designer asks, the more knowledgeable they gain, but experience is key! Taking risks and trying new things is always the fastest way to grow, even if you have some failures. And anyone will tell you failures make you stronger, and definitely more valuable. There is no learning experience more transformative than learning from your mistakes!

So keep on learning and trying new things, and if you feel stuck, well there’s always someone who would love to help you continue to move forward!