Student Activities

The program has a very active student organization ‐ IDC (Interior Design Club), as well as opportunities for student memberships in ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and IIDA (International Interior Design Association). The student organization regularly conducts meetings, hosts professional lectures, views films, and sponsors program activities such as field studies and portfolio exhibits. Many opportunities exist for students at Appalachian State to interact with professionals in the field. The faculty maintain strong ties to the professional design community and guest speakers from a variety of backgrounds visit the classroom on a regular basis. Professionals also serve as critics in course critiques and during portfolio reviews. Additionally, the proximity to the furniture manufacturing industry provides many opportunities for students to learn first‐hand about the industry. Students in the program are provided with other opportunities including field studies, trips or conferences in locations such as Europe, Costa Rica, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago/NeoCon – The Merchandise Mart, the High Point Furniture Market, New York, and Washington D.C. Additionally, students participate in field trips to visit local and regional design firms, corporate design departments, showrooms, fabricators, and other new interior architectural and design installations. The Interior Design program selects student Ambassadors annually. The Ambassadors must maintain a minimum grade point average and be willing to help the program with internal and external events and program goals.

 

Interior Design Club (IDC)

President: Alani Chavarria

Advisor: J. Alex Poorman

Description/Purpose:

  •  Provide helpful and fun meetings and events to help students succeed in class and prepare for careers
  • Connect students to local ASID and IIDA chapters and promote membership within those professional organizations
  • Inform students about upcoming professional events and networking opportunities

International Interior Design Association (IIDA)

 Student Contact: Kathryne Jamison

Advisor: J. Alex Poorman 

Description/Purpose: The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is a professional networking and educational association of more than 13,000 members in nine Specialty Forums, nine Regions, and more than 30 Chapters around the world committed to enhancing the quality of life through excellence in interior design and advancing interior design through knowledge. The International Interior Design Association:

  • Advocates for design excellence
  • Nurtures a global interior design community
  • Maintains educational standards
  • Responds to trends in business and design
  • Provides superior information about interior design and related issues, using its own rapidly developing body of knowledge as a resource

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

Student Chapter Liaison: Carly Lawing
Advisor: Ingrid Schneider

Description/Purpose: The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a community of people — designers, industry representatives, educators and students — committed to interior design. Through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, we strive to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives. More than 25,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.