By Emma Lee ’24 | Photos by Levi Sim

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For Utah State University’s Interior Architecture and Design students, education is more than a classroom. It is a space where creativity becomes tangible through the work they build, the places they explore, and the environments that bring new perspectives.

“Interior architecture explains what we do a little better than interior design,” explains Susie Tibbitts, associate professor of IAD. “We actually deal with the architectural aspects of interior spaces.”

The studio balances collaboration and focused work, surrounding students with tactile resources, digital tools, and inspiring design visuals that support hands-on, experience-driven learning.

Demi Harmon, a 2024 graduate and valedictorian now working at FFKR Architects in Salt Lake City, says this hands-on approach made the transition from student to professional feel seamless.

“One thing that helped me become successful at my job was just knowing how the actual building process works,” she says. “When I’m building something in Revit (design software), I’m putting together something that would actually be built in the real world. And I learned that at USU.”

The program teaches students about building systems, structure, and codes, ensuring designs aren’t just beautiful, but functional and safe. Students take on both residential and commercial projects, from high-end homes to healthcare facilities and hospitality spaces like restaurants or spas.

“Interior design is about far more than furniture,” Harmon says. “We’re considering layout, materiality, and how a space will function for years to come. The real impact comes from designing environments that work beautifully now and long term, not just decorating them.”

Current senior Abby Rasmussen says that foundation sets USU students apart in the real world.

“We’re so set up and so marketable, with a foundation that goes beyond knowing what looks good,” says Rasmussen. “We understand how things actually work.”

First-year students begin their design journey working on foundational skills like water-coloring and model-building before beginning with design software. By their second year, students embark in a year-long project where they are tasked to model a 3D, multilevel tiny home adhering to all Utah residential building codes.

“You start with an abstraction and then figure out how it could be real,” Rasmussen says. “It’s intense, but it’s the first time you realize you can actually build something.”

In their third year of school, students continue their technical skills using software like Adobe, AutoCAD, CAD and Revit. One signature experience is the Visiting Designer Project, a semester-long collaboration with practicing professionals brought in from around the country.

For senior Terin Garrard, this project stands out as a favorite since it allowed her to collaborate with classmates while gaining insight and encouragement from a designer working in the field.

“At the end of our project, we presented what we had worked on all semester to our designer,” says Garrard. “Then he presented his feedback. It was amazing. He was so complimentary, and it was a huge confidence booster.”

Harmon recalls how critiques strengthened her work and mindset.

“You get very comfortable putting yourself out there and giving and receiving feedback. In the design world, that’s how you grow.”

Tibbitts says she and the other IAD professors put a lot of energy towards making sure students feel comfortable asking for help and receiving feedback.

“Talking about all the little decisions they’re making and the perspective and concept of their design really drives the project,” she says. “It takes those discussions to make the projects come together.”

Classroom experience isn’t the only way students connect design theory with the real world. Faculty-led field trips take them across the country to see architecture firsthand in places like New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C.

“Being able to experience very different styles of design is amazing,” Garrard explains. “Pictures don’t really do them justice. You learn so much being there in person.”

Harmon felt those experiences were key to her understanding of scale and experience.

“You see these buildings in real life and think, ‘How does this make me feel? What would I want to change?’ It teaches you how people really interact with a space.”

All of these experiences prepare students well for their required internships the summer before their senior year, and for the professional world after graduation.

The program, accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, boasts a close to 100% job placement rate.

Interest in the program continues to rise. With more students applying than available studio space, the program can currently enroll only 23 students per studio, accepting just 32% of applicants through the competitive first-year portfolio review.

Art + Design Department Head Kathy Puzey says interest in this area of study has been building for years.

“There has been sustained and growing demand for this program for several years,” Puzey says. “Beyond being a highly sought-after area of study, the program itself carries a strong reputation and full accreditation, making it one of the most respected in the field.”

With interest continuing to exceed available space, the department is planning a significant expansion of the program, nearly doubling its capacity.

“We are excited to expand the program to meet this need and create more opportunities for talented students pursuing this discipline,” Puzey says.

National labor data reflects this momentum. More than 2.1 million professionals are currently employed in design-related fields in the U.S., with steady projected job growth through 2029.

With a strong job outlook and nearly 100% of USU Interior Architecture Design graduates securing employment, students are entering a growing industry.

Thanks to her time as an Aggie, Harmon remembers feeling confident during her first weeks at work at FFKR Architects.

“At FFKR, I’m working more on a blend of multi-family and hospitality projects. It’s a lot of fast-paced planning and thinking on your feet,” she says. “Learning how to solve a problem and do it quickly is something USU definitely prepared me for.”

Rasmussen echoed that feeling of preparedness while working at Looney & Associates in Texas for her summer internship.

“I learned so much, and I was able to do so many different tasks, and I didn’t feel unprepared at all,” she says. “I was doing everything pretty quickly. I was efficient with what they were giving me, because it’s what I was doing in school.”

Experiences like these have solidified why Rasmussen believes in the value of higher education in a time where many people scrutinize the cost and return of a college degree.

“You could probably learn some of these skills online, but it would take years,” she says. “Here, I can ask a professor a question and get an answer in two minutes instead of two weeks.”

Rasmussen takes pride in knowing her education distinguishes her as a true design professional.

“In our field, you can’t call yourself a designer unless you have the education and certifications behind you. Without that foundation, you’re just a decorator. This program gives us credibility and the ability to actually change spaces and lives.”

Harmon says the program not only built her skills, but shaped her identity as a designer.

“Having that degree and those credentials gives you confidence to take ownership of what you’re designing. It lets you step into the role of a true designer.”

Through this program, students graduate not only with technical skills and creative expertise, but with the confidence, vision, and adaptability to shape spaces and experiences. They become designers who don’t just decorate rooms, but improve lives, inspire others, and leave a mark on the world around them.