Interior design students practice what they learn

^{Carson-Newman students who participated in the 4th Annual Consign to Design competition are (from left) Sarah Hopson, sophomore; Rachael Kocour, sophomore; Lindsey McVey, senior; Andrew Britton, junior; Ruth Hullette, freshman; Elly Culp, senior.}

(Sept. 21, 2018) – Students from Carson-Newman University’s interior design program recently participated in the 4th annual Student Design Competition in Knoxville.

The competition was held Sept. 11 at Consign to Design, a high-end consignment store. The five C-N students comprised one of eight teams representing regional colleges and universities. The teams had 45 minutes to peruse the 28,000 square foot furniture store, collaborate on a design plan, locate merchandise that fit their design plan and create a 12 by 12-foot vignette (room) with furniture and accessories.

At the end of their allotted 45 minutes, one representative from each design team presented a brief oral presentation about their design before a panel of design professionals judged each of the vignettes.

Competing in the event were freshman Ruth Hullette, sophomores Sarah Hopson and Rachael Kocour, junior Andrew Britton, and seniors Lindsey McVey and Elly Culp.

Culp presented her group’s design to the judges. “It was extremely rewarding to see our finished design,” said Culp. “It gave us some assurance that we really do know what we are doing and being able to apply the concepts we learn in class was encouraging as well.”

C-N Interior Design Professor Dr. Rae Dutro said, “Each year our Carson-Newman Interior Design students eagerly anticipate the Consign To Design competition knowing the evening will be filled with excitement, fellowship, and fun. This year’s contest met all their expectations.”

The competition was developed by the Interior Design of East Tennessee. Event Coordinator and ’74 alumna Judy Gooch said, “Our chapter sees value in “paying it forward” to mentor these young interior design students while in college. By creating these relationships now, we are providing opportunities for future internships and connections to job opportunities when they graduate.”

Gooch served as an adjunct faculty in interior design at Carson-Newman during the 1980’s, and currently serves on the C-N Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Board.