Impressive Student Profiles
Joshua Brewinski, Student Member ASID
SRB, Colorado Chapter
“I can’t imagine my life without creativity and design,” says Josh, now a senior in the Interior Design program at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. From the countless hours spent building with Legos as a kid, to the hours now spent designing and modeling in 3D, hands-on creativity continues to be a part of everyday life for Josh. After a quick stint in the visual arts program at the University of North Dakota (located in his hometown of Grand Forks, ND), Josh wandered south to Colorado to immerse himself in a new culture and way of life, pursuing music with his fellow band mates. “I wouldn’t trade the touring and gigs for anything,” Josh adds, “but the time came to move on from that experience and to focus on some new career goals.” A good friend introduced Josh to the Interiors program at CSU. He knew he wanted to remain in a creative industry and it seemed like Interiors offered a plethora of avenues to pursue. “The more I got into it, the more I realized how big the ‘design bubble’ really is and how I now had a use for all of these things that I love: drawing, photography, computer arts, exploring architecture, and being creative with others.”
Another friend in the program introduced Josh to ASID and quickly connected him with students and practitioners from all over Denver. He immediately recognized the benefits of being involved with such a great number of designers and signed up to be the Historian and Publicity Chair on the ASID-CSU board. He also began to participate on the ASID Colorado Membership Committee and Student Affairs Committee, helping out with membership drives, awards galas, charitable events, and student gatherings. Josh was elected to serve as SRB for the 2007-08 term and has continued to serve as Publicity Chair at CSU. He had the privilege of taking part in a conference task force, led by Robert Wright, FASID, this past fall at ASID headquarters in Washington and has continued to take part in planning membership drives, educational seminars, tutoring sessions, and volunteer activities, all sponsored by ASID. “I owe my experiences with ASID to the members who reached out to me, particularly Cheree Sulcer (Student Member, ASID) and Mark David Uscier (Allied Member, ASID). It’s now my turn to reach out to others and share those same experiences.” I am very proud of what Josh has accomplished in just his first few months as the Colorado SRB. Josh has shown tremendous leadership, organizational and communication skills right from the start.
-Sam Sobh, Allied Member ASID
Student Advisory Council Member
Leela Brightenberg, LEED AP
SRB, Oregon Chapter
One thing that seems to surprise long-time practicing professionals is the maturity and sophistication of today’s design students. Those entering the field of interior design nowadays not only come from a myriad of backgrounds, but are also extremely aware of design’s influence on today’s society, much more than aesthetic appeal. Leela Brightenberg, the Student Representative to the Board from the Oregon chapter, is the perfect example of today’s enlightened design student.
Engaging, intelligent and creative, Leela knew even as a child that she wanted to work in the arts, but unsure how to turn her interests into a stable career. After graduating from high school a year early, she spent a year studying in Italy. It was there that she first became interested in interior design. As she puts it, “I found that Interior Design could combine me interests in color, texture, form, sculpture and creating environments that really benefit people. The diversity within the industry was also very appealing to me because i found that there were numerous avenues and specialties within interior design that would allow me to change and grow throughout me career.”
Leela chose the Art Institute of Portland for its academic excellence as well as for the background of its instructors – many of the faculty are practicing professionals, which Leela felt kept the program timely and relevant. Portland’s thriving artistic community and its accessibility to outdoor sports was also appealing. And, the fact that Portland is at the forefront of green design was an especially important consideration to her.
Somehow Leela carved out time amid studio class deadlines and ASID activities to study for –and pass! -- the LEED exam, so even before graduating, she can now proudly call herself a LEED Accredited Professional. I am personally inspired by Leela’s commitment to sustainable design and know that she will be making great contributions to this field and to ASID in the years to come.
-Charrisse Johnston, ASID, LEED AP Member
Student Advisor Council Member
Judith King-Harmon, Student Member ASID
Student Chapter President, Anne Arundel Community College
As a Student Member of ASID Judith King-Harmon has served on the board of the Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) Student Chapter for the past two years and plans to continue into an Advanced Interior Design Program. As Chapter President for the 2007/2008 academic year, Judith led the organization through many endeavors, including upgrading the chapter’s website, increasing student membership, and orchestrating numerous service projects. The chapter was inducted into the “Volunteer Project Hall of Fame” in 2007 for “Sarah’s House”, a shelter for battered women and children. Judith’s artistic leadership played an instrumental role in the creation of a botanically inspired dining facility winning the “Innovation Award of 2007” for Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Judith King-Harmon interned under a Certified Interior Designer in Annapolis, MD gaining significant residential experience. Additionally, Judith was a member of a select student team chosen to redesign two high profile public spaces at Anne Arundel Community College. Judith wants to not only take the “road less traveled”, but also the well worn highway accepting new challenges and creating her own individual path.
-Ashley Fruits, Allied Member ASID
Student Advisory Council
Interior Designers Institute's Students Volunteer Design Talents to Habitat for Humanity by Marlene Bridges, IDI Student
Upon hearing the exciting news that Interior Designers Institute had been selected to design and help furnish the interior of a brand new Habitat for Humanity house, over 50 enthusiastic students came to the first meeting, ready
to roll up their sleeves. The three bedroom house, currently being built in Anaheim, California, is expected to be completed sometime in 2008. As soon as the inspection is complete and in partnership with Furnishing Hope, the IDI design team headed by faculty advisors, Sandra DeLaura and Taylor LeClaire, and student leaders, IDI-ASID Student President John Herrington and first-year student and experienced Habitat volunteer, Marlene Bridges, will arrive to transform the interior in only six days. During the evening of the sixth day, students will join in celebration with the family who will be seeing their custom
designed interior for the first time at the House Dedication.
The Anaheim house will be the second Habitat house that will showcase the creative talents of Interior Designers Institute students. Student volunteers on the first house, located in Garden Grove, Ca., worked right through Christmas holidays, ensuring the house would be completed in time for Christmas Day.
With so many IDI students eager to participate, this volunteer activity is likely to become a much anticipated yearly tradition.