Studio Culture

For college students, doing homework means walking to the library, finding an open spot, and adjusting to the environment around them before they can begin to focus. Or maybe it means making a spot at your dining room table to study, but then their roomates come in and out cooking dinner, talking on the phone, inviting friends over, and completely destroying the chances of finishing the homework. These have both happened to me before during my freshman when we were in Wyly Tower. Once I moved over to Hale Hall, it gave me the space, the privacy, and the ability to make it my own. It's a space on campus where I can come to between other classes to work on homework and projects. It's something that no other major has on this campus. This past Sunday, the fourth year interior design students went on a trip to Houston. We got to visit firms, showrooms, a design rep., and of course, IKEA and the Galleria. What was interesting was that every office that we went to was a studio setting.


First, we went to Sue Gorman's office, where Lindsey Craig now works. Although there were only two or three people that work there, it was a loft space, and there desks were open to the showroom of all the furniture and fabric. By having everything open, it gives off a sense of honesty, because nothing is hidden or closed off. You walk in and automatically see where and how they work.


The next firm we visited was PDR. First of all we met two very friendly, helpful women that showed us around the firm. Past the receptionist an open break area and meeting area before entering the studio space. Since everything is open, you hear other people talking about projects, and know more about whats going on in the office, so everyone is on the same page. We visited Knoll as well, and their offices used their own systems furniture in a studio environment. There was also a studio environment at the biggest firm we went to, which was Kirksey.

Having been to professional settings, and seeing that the environment is very close to what we have as college students makes me feel very good about my education. A studio space in school increases our design potential, and keeps everyone communicating, and gives everyone their chance to interact with each other, while having ample space to design, and work efficiently.