The Salt Lake Community College Interior Design Club offers students more panache than mere social gatherings and fun.
“The interior design club exists to give students enhanced learning opportunities outside of the classroom, and to introduce them to real-world contacts within the design community,” says Beth Low, SLCC Interior Design Club’s past president and a current student in the interior design program.
The group commits to developing relationships with fellow students and design professionals, increasing its members’ interior design skills through creative projects and utilizing talents in service to the regional community.
“We do this by visiting places like lighting showrooms, furniture manufacturers, green building education centers, high-end kitchen appliance showrooms and through hands-on classes such as tiling and furniture refinishing,” says Low. “We also participate in service projects that relate to our future professions.”
One highlight for the club is the annual non-profit program, which also aids the group in raising funds.
Design for Donations offers low-cost interior design advice for clients in need who otherwise might spend thousands of dollars commissioning an established firm. If the client appreciates the design, a donation to the program is encouraged. Clients receive affordable solutions and students gain valuable experience.
“In the past we have done such things as furnishing the bedroom and living room of a young cancer patient so as to easier facilitate his recovery, [and] refurnishing and refurbishing parts of The Cancer Wellness House,” says Low.
In recent years, the members of the club have toured some of the area’s more elaborate interiors, including the Grand America Hotel.
They have also visited the Utah Governor’s Mansion and several of Salt Lake’s showcase homes and visited the 2012 HGTV Dream Home, located in Midway, Utah.
“The students have done some amazing service projects,” says Jeri Eastman, a faculty co-advisor for the club and an instructor in interior design. “The one they did in the spring was for the Salt Lake Community Action Program food kitchen. They devoted many hours and labor to painting and improving the space.”
Networking abounds when the club attends the annual Deseret News Home Show, where prominent industry guest speakers present topics of interest and trades representatives host booths.
Visits to local professional offices and hosting socials have also been part of the club’s activities.
Meetings are held on Friday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. Please visit their blogsite at slccinteriordesignclub.blogspot.com or follow them on Facebook at “SLCC Interior Design Club.”
Faculty advisors to the Salt Lake Design Society include Mojdeh Sakaki, the Interior Design Program Director and Jeri Eastman.
For additional information, please contact the club’s President, Mario Varela at mjvarela8@gmail.com.
