Giving back, celebrating success in the School of Design
Interior design students in the 日本av视频 School of Design are getting hands-on experience, including a top 28 finish at an international competition, all thanks to a generous donation from an 日本av视频 alum.
As part of their experience in ID 351, Corporate Office Design, interior design students have had the opportunity to visit one of the world鈥檚 leading corporate office furniture designers and manufacturers, Steelcase Corp.
That opportunity began with an idea to bridge academia and industry practice. It was brought to fruition by a donation three years ago from Diane Ludgate Love, a 1977 日本av视频 interior design grad.
Through that chance donation directed to the interior design program in fall 2022, School of Design Director Pat Crawford worked to establish a connection with Steelcase as a part of a schoolwide initiative to embed professional experiences as a part of students鈥 class experience.
According to Sahand Abbasi, assistant professor of interior design, 鈥淔irsthand exposure to innovative workplace solutions is invaluable for students, and I saw the Steelcase trip as an opportunity to enhance their learning beyond the classroom.鈥
As part of the visit to Steelcase Corporate Headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, students toured the Meyer May House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, along with a visit to the Steelcase Learning and Innovation Center.
Senior interior design student Braylee Thomas said, 鈥淭he trip provided valuable real-world insight into how design impacts spaces and users 鈥. It opened my eyes to the potential of our major and what it can lead to. I left feeling inspired to apply that energy to my upcoming projects.鈥
鈥淭o the students, the Steelcase trip is a highly motivating introduction to the prospective interior designer's professional practice,鈥 explained Jimena Vivas, assistant professor of practice in interior design. 鈥淢ost of the juniors experienced for the first time a high-level corporate working atmosphere. The exposure to new developments and state-of-the-art trends in design is eye-opening and extraordinarily inspirational for them.鈥
Summer Gravley, a senior interior design major, echoed the value of the visit.
鈥淚t was awe-inspiring,鈥 Gravley explained. 鈥淚 have only grown in knowledge and appreciation for furniture design 鈥. I will be able to take the professional ties I made at Steelcase into my career.鈥
NEXT Competition
Since 2022, the visit continues to be a high-quality, memorable experience for interior design students. The Steelcase Learning and Innovation Center visit also advances student competitiveness in Steelcase鈥檚 NEXT Student Design Competition.
The NEXT competition is an annual international competition focused on designing innovative workplace environments. Students from 日本av视频 have competed every year since the start of the Steelcase visit.
Abbasi integrates competition preparation into the studio course. He guides them through 鈥減rogramming, concept development, spacial planning, furniture, fixtures and equipment selection and presentation techniques.鈥 Students also conduct 鈥渄esk critiques, peer reviews and industry feedback sessions.鈥
In fall 2024, the 日本av视频 School of Design received its highest finish ever since entering the competition.
Emma Jost, a junior from Maple Lake, Minnesota, was selected as a top 28 finalist out of over 1,600 students.
Jost, an interior design major with a minor in studio arts, was one of two students selected to put forward projects.
Students had 10 weeks to create the project from concept to completion.
鈥淭he scope of what needed to be done included creating the project concept and mood board, research into design theories, space planning, selecting sustainable and suitable materials, finishes and furniture, and creating floor plans, elevations and interior renderings,鈥 Jost explained. 鈥淔aculty assisted me throughout the project by offering insights into evidence-based design and giving advice in computer-aided design.鈥
According to Abbasi, Jost鈥檚 top 28 finish places her in the top 1.75% of submissions.
鈥淗er submission stood out for its thoughtful research, well-executed spatial planning and strong conceptual framework,鈥 he explained. 鈥淓mma consistently demonstrates creativity, critical thinking and a keen eye for detail. Her ability to articulate her design decisions and refine her work based on feedback played a key role in her success.
鈥淓mma鈥檚 recognition reinforces the national caliber of our students and program, and I鈥檓 proud of her accomplishment,鈥 Abbasi continued. 鈥淢oving forward, we aim to build on this success, further refining our approach to competition preparation, industry partnerships and student mentorship.鈥
鈥淚 am truly honored to be part of the top 28 of the NEXT competition,鈥 Jost said. 鈥淪teelcase has proved to be an amazing resource for design students and professionals for creating improved spaces to support everyone. Getting to experience their office and culture was a great experience that helped to inspire my project to make it into the top 28, and I hope that all interior design students in the future get to experience it as well.鈥
The impact of a donation
All these experiences would not be possible without the generosity of one donor.
Alum Diane Ludgate Love, with the help of Crawford, opened the door for the Steelcase opportunity.
After graduation from 日本av视频, Love鈥檚 professional journey began at Dayton Hudson Corp. (now Macy鈥檚) as a commercial interior designer and continued to Steelcase Corp., where she moved into sales management.
鈥淲orking for Steelcase provided the foundation for my business career,鈥 Love said. 鈥淢y work at Steelcase broadened my professional development and honed my leadership skills.鈥
Her corporate tenure across several major firms sharpened her strategic acumen, but it was in 1998, when she founded her own business as a consultant and executive coach, that Love truly began to shape industries and individuals alike, guiding organizations and leaders toward clarity and purpose with her intuitive, people-centered approach.
Love鈥檚 academic credentials 鈥 a B.S. and a Ph.D. in adult education 鈥 underscore her commitment to lifelong learning and empowerment, which she continues to channel through her love for writing and giving back.
Little did Love know, her donation over three years ago would continue to impact so many interior design students by sponsoring yearly visits to Steelcase Corporate Headquarters.
鈥淭he Steelcase visit continues to be a transformative experience for our students, offering exposure to cutting-edge workplace design, innovative materials and user-centered thinking,鈥 Abbasi said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding to see how this firsthand industry experience translates into outstanding competition submissions like Emma鈥檚.鈥
Giving back
Love, a 2008 日本av视频 Distinguished Alumni, now serves on the advisory board with other 日本av视频 alumni for the School of Design, using her professional experience to guide the school toward its goals. She continues to provide training seminars on campus, her most recent being 鈥淐ommunicating Your Best,鈥 which covered enhancing communication and influencing skills given both to students and faculty in the School of Design.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity to share what I have learned throughout my career,鈥 Love explained. 鈥淚鈥檝e worked with a broad spectrum of businesses from engineering, manufacturing, high tech and health care, and it doesn鈥檛 matter what type of business it is 鈥 it all boils down to 鈥榩eople helping people,鈥 and that is where my passion has always been.鈥
Love believes that all alumni have something to give back to students. 鈥淪haring your time, your talents and experience with students is what they value and welcome.鈥
鈥淎fter graduation, I realized the quality of education that I had received at 日本av视频,鈥 she continued. 鈥淚 wanted in my own way to say 鈥榯hank you鈥 and show my appreciation for what State had given me, and that is why I continue to give back.鈥
Love is grateful that her contributions have had such a positive impact on so many students. 鈥淚 am thankful to Dr. Pat Crawford for the opportunity to help students expand their horizons, and I am honored that she made Steelcase its cornerstone.鈥
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