The exam focuses on issues of public health, life safety, and welfare. It consists of three parts – two multiple choice sections and one practicum section – which must be successfully completed before the NCIDQ certificate is awarded. To qualify for the examination, one must complete a formal education in interior design and acquire a minimum amount of professional work experience. More information on the NCIDQ can be found at www.ncidq.org.

After her presentation, IARc correspondents Kathryn Frye and Kara Kooy conducted a brief interview with Grigsby:

IARc: Where did you attend college? What interested you in interior design and when did you decide this was the career path for you?

Grigsby: My freshman and sophomore years were spent at UNC-G.  I did not declare a major my first year, decided [or I thought!] I wanted to go to medical school, so I transferred to Duke for my junior and senior years, graduating with a BS Pre-Med. I decided not to go to medical school [go figure!] and worked in medical research for 2 years, NOT enjoying it but not knowing what else to do. Then, one day, I was walking down the hall in the hospital and overheard 2 women discussing the fact that one of them had decided to go to school in Interior Design. The “light bulb” went on, and I knew that was what I wanted to do! Obviously, my interest in the field was there, just under the surface. So, I was accepted into the master’s degree program at UNC-G, and back I went for my Interior Design education. This was in the early 1970’s, and I only had to take the undergraduate prerequisites first, before I took any graduate level courses.

IARc: What was your process from graduation to where you are now?

Grigsby: When I graduated, my husband and I moved to Florida where he was to continue his medical training. There was also an economic recession at that time, and none of the design firms in Miami were hiring. The only job I could get was at a major department store, where I was hired to fill a slot in their interior design department which was going to become vacant in about 9 months. So, I started my career selling furniture and carpeting until that position opened up. I will say that in hindsight this experience was invaluable. I learned from professional salesmen, people who had been in the business 20+ years, how to sell. This knowledge and skill helped me throughout my career in selling myself, my company, and my designs. I also went to the High Point Furniture Market with the buyers and learned how the furniture industry works, learned what constitutes a “good” delivery and installation, and learned the ins and outs of the custom upholstery and window treatment businesses. None of this was learned in school. My next job was with a commercial furniture dealer, affording me the opportunity to learn the commercial industry the same way I had learned the residential industry.  This is why my company has always practiced both commercial and residential interior design.  I feel comfortable in both arenas. I formed my first company in 1990 and have owned my own business ever since.

IARc: If you could give any advice to young student designers, what would it be?

Grigsby: My advice would be to learn from every experience, no matter what it may be, and to realize the power that interior design holds in its ability to affect the lives of everyone where they live, work, and play. Network with professionals whenever you get the chance and never stop thinking out of the box.

Contributed by Kathryn Frye and Kara Kooy.

Contributed by Alyssa Hankus

As a previous student member and a current IARc Ambassador on the advisory board, I have come to know both structures.  I look forward to seeing how it progresses, and becomes more accessible to the department as we learn who our resources truly are, and how we can utilize their help. I am grateful as a [3rd] year student to know that they are an available resource, and are doing their best to benefit us as students, and as a department.

Contributed by Alyssa Hankus

On Friday, January 20, Justin McNair and Alyssa Hankus guided one of the several tours the department puts on each semester for prospective students. In typical fashion, the tour started in the lobby, where Justin spoke about the Solar Decathlon project organized in Washington DC. His involvement in this project let the students and their parents understand how designers progress through the program. As eyes lit up in amazement, the tour continued past the art gallery to the basement to greet faculty member Matt Jones in the woodshop.  Justin explained to the tour group that Matt is excellent in terms of helping everyone and it was great to see Matt in action.  Justin pointed out the foundry and ceramics rooms also located in the basement, telling everyone that although we aren’t necessarily part of that vicinity, “don’t be afraid of the art department.”

Continuing up to the main studio areas on the third floor, Justin showed his own model for a previous project that led into discussion of CAM Studio. It’s important for everyone to realize how many resources are available to create a final product that’s worth all the hard work. When you are able to see your ideas some to life, that’s when you know you have succeeded. This idea comes across strongly through Patrick Lucas’ [3^rd] year studio projects with the reconstruction of the Jackson Library + our own Gatewood Studio building. Community engagement plays a major role in the IARc program, and with those examples, that was greatly pushed upon the prospective students. Talking to Hannah Mendoza’s [2^nd] year studio, the tour group understood that studios vary greatly, with Professor Mendoza’s holding a very conceptual approach to design. A quick look into the IARc Library and Natuzzi Lounge and with a speedy view of the 4^th floor,  Justin finished off the tour.

Lastly, Tommy Lambeth, the previous head of the department spoke to the group. He sbegan with the progression of expectations + complexities from year to year and how important is the studio atmosphere. “First year is about trial and error,” stated Tommy. “One of the first things I tell my first years is how I’m going to teach them how to fail.” A few chuckles arise in the room as he goes on to say that it’s the only way to truly figure out who you are not only as a designer, but as a person. It’s all about development. He then goes on to draw his famous “donut diagram,” something I’m sure all present and former IARc students remember (even if vaguely.)

The importance of the Open House is obvious; whether a student is straight out of high school or has previous experience, the event allows all prospective designers to get an inside peek at what our program has to offer. I spoke with a wonderful woman named Erin Griffin, providing as much information as I could so she could get a basic understanding from an “insider.” She has experience in furniture making but still had the itch to see what interior design was all about. It’s never too late to follow your true passions and the Open House is perfect to test the waters.

Contributed by Paige Hohlt, Photos by Kate Ewen

Syd Gaskins, [4th] year, traveled to Belfast, Ireland in the spring of 2011. She described her study abroad as, “One of the most rewarding experiences I have had the chance to do, and would go back in a second”. As a fellow IARc Student who has studied abroad, I couldn’t agree with her more!

Where to go is one of the hardest decisions to make before packing your bags for a semester long stay. Considerations include program curricula and location. When I asked Syd why she chose Ireland, she rattled off a long list faster than my hand could write. Two main points she stated were, “I wanted to be in or near Europe so that I could travel easily, as well as see a range of architecture from many countries.”

Syd chose to study at The University of Ulster, in Belfast. She noted that their design program was very similar to UNCG’s so it was extremely easy to blend in with the other students. She really enjoyed the way everyone collaborated on projects, and felt very much a part of their community. Syd said that, “The program at Ulster really helped me grow in my skill sets because I got to see a range of architecture from the world on the trips we took to other countries”. She further described all the places she visited including; France, Spain, the Netherlands, England and Switzerland. When I asked her about her favorite journey, she said “Without a doubt, it had to be Paris. My parents and brother came to visit me there, which was good to get a piece of home since I had been gone for such a long time. I also fell in love with the architecture and saw influential buildings like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe”.

When Syd wasn’t off living the life of a traveler, she lived on campus in Belfast. She describes Belfast as “A smaller sized city, but one that had many interesting stores and restaurants to visit, so every day there was something to do”. She also revealed that the architecture of the town is a mix of old buildings with charm, and modern ones that light up the landscape. Whatever the day was, Syd always had an exciting adventure right in her own backyard.

Gaining a broader understanding of design is one of the greatest advantages of studying abroad. Since Syd studied in a multilingual country, she expressed herself through design work, also improving her communication skills.  Syd explained, “I really got to understand architecture in a different way by getting to see international buildings that most people only get the chance to study [in a book]. Seeing it in person made it that much more amazing and influential. “

After hearing all of her inspiring experiences, I asked her why more students should study abroad. She expressed with a smile on her face, “It is an experience in culture, design, life, travel and independence. Everyone should  have the chance to study abroad, because it will truly change your life.”

Contributed by Kelsey Rhode [4th] Year, Photos by Syd Gaskins

Contributed by Dajana Nedic

Jo Leimenstoll’s [4th] year studio is hypothetically renovating the Southeastern Building in Downtown Greensboro.  Originally the National Exchange Bank, the building was constructed in the 1920s. By the 1940s, the classical facade of the first two floors was gone. As time has passed, the storefronts of the building have become progressively more closed off to the street. The building has been unoccupied for the last four years.

On Friday, the building owners and developers led the [4th] year studio through the site to evaulate the conditions.  These types of trips are not uncommon within studios, and are always fun and informative. The building’s interior is in a state of disrepair, yet the building still has many interesting features. These original features include doors and hardware, two original elevators with their machinery and original vaults from the days the building served as a bank.

Looking forward into the semester’s project, the building is to contain apartments on the upper floors and commercial and retail spaces on the lower floors, making it a central part of downtown Greensboro once again. It is up to each student to decide how to restore the facade of the building and with what type of commercial and retail spaces to fill the lower floors. The students are required to maintain the original features, incorporating these unique items into their project. Midterm critiques for this project will be held February 27th and March 1st.

Contributed by Cassandra Gustafson

The owner of the building tells it story, displaying a 1930s photograph

Original plans from the 1927 addition to the buildling

The basement, which contains the vaults and boardroom. These are considered historic and must stay.

The [4th] year IARc design studio in fall 2011, directed by Associate Professor Tina Sarawgi, participated in Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) 2011 Annual Student Design Competition, sponsored by Sephora. The competition’s design challenge was to design a 1,000 sq.ft. pop-up retail environment for Sephora conceived as a more temporary and concentrated brand experience. The location for the pop-up concept was open for consideration, and could be intended for an unoccupied retail venue, a public space, a freestanding pavilion, or be a seasonal retail concept.  Sephora’s distinctive branding elements were to be infused into the pop-up design.

Two student entries won awards: Tracey Wright won the $1500 third place and Hope Talley won a $500 honorable mention out of 427 entries received by PAVE and the Department of Interior Architecture received $1000. Tracey and Hope were recognized at the 15th Annual Gala in New York in December.

To read more about the retail design competition, visit
http://www.paveinfo.org/competition/comp_2011winners.cfm

And to view Tracey and hope’s projects, visit
http://www.paveinfo.org/competition/comp_2011winnerimages.cfm

IAR would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their involvement in the studio!

Paula Carr, Mark Carter, Donna Childs and Diana Stanisic (tvsdesign, Atlanta)
Will Harrison, Rich Glenny, Nicole Dreyfuss and Todd Rowland (Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, Durham and Charlotte)
Alison Steele (A+S Design Inc., Durham)
Rebekah Hill (Sephora, Durham)
Scott Richardson (Light Defines Form, Inc., Greensboro)
Michael Clapp (PNP Design Group, Greensboro)
Jennifer Yurchisin (Department of Consumer Apparel and Retail Studies, UNCG

Photos and contribution by Tina Sarawgi

Starting our group is Angela Glorio,   previously an art major at UNCG with experience in general design. Before attending UNCG she was enrolled in the Architecture program at UNC Charlotte but something didn’t feel quite right. As she tried to explore different areas, she always found herself coming back to architecture. She is very interested in set design for both theater and film. She is excited to be a part of this program. As her first few days have already taken place she “doesn’t feel too stressed quite yet but I’m very interested in learning new skills.”

Cat Wilson joins us as she concentrates on her second degree. Cat graduated in 2008 with a Psychology major but finding a job afterwards was not that easy. After working two years for an online company doing image editing she decided she was ready to come back and conquer another major. Art had been her minor, and she realized that she “loved design and always found myself doing it in my spare time”. This lead her to come back to UNCG for Interior Architecture. Cat hopes to be able to develop individualized spaces and learn skills for the field.

Rounding out the group is Ana Dimeo. She is a transfer freshman from Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina where she was studying to become a graphic designer. After going through a few of the courses there she felt the field was not suited for her. She had “heard that the Interior Architecture program was very good here at UNCG” and she had always aspired to be an interior designer.  Ana aspires to learn how to design rooms adding a kick of her own style.

Welcome to all the new students!

Contributed by Tania Miron