We are happy to share this post from our design intern and valued associate, Kassidey C., a student at UMass Dartmouth referred to us by her professor.

Over the course of my college education I have chosen to pursue an Interior Architecture and Design degree at The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. My studio courses at UMass have provided me with the foundation of knowledge and skills necessary to understand the concept of design.. While learning by textbook definitions and having creative freedom in the classroom definitely offers the fundamentals of design itself, I was ready to further my education of this intricate practice within an internship setting.

During the past few months I had the opportunity to intern for Dane Austin Design; an award-winning, luxury residential design firm headquartered in Boston. Throughout the summer I began to learn the drastic difference between studying a textbook and valuing the spontaneity of working in the field. It’s ironic in a way that the things that prepare you to enter this profession really only grant you so much knowledge. While I might have known color theory and art history, being a designer is much more than that. The term Interior Designer truly encompasses a variety of job and responsibilities. In addition to aesthetics, the responsibilities of the interior designer include coordination and communication. You cannot have a successful project without paying attention to these matters.

Dane Austin and his Creative team provided me with more experiences than I could have ever hoped for. By trusting me to assist with renderings, consultations, and business promotion, the team gave me a great understanding of the day to day life of an interior designer. I spent the summer shadowing Dane and Caitlin assisting with various tasks. They included me in the processes of choosing materials, writing cards to clients, and even meeting with clients to begin projects.

One of my favorite experiences this summer was having the opportunity to assist on a live photoshoot. Witnessing the production of a picture perfect space puts the importance of details into perspective. The days leading up to the photoshoot were filled with preparations such as staging spaces, painting trim, and everything necessary to finalize each area before photographing. In the following days I was able to meet new people and work with the entire team to ensure the perfect outcome. This experience is something I will truly value forever. Not only did it emphasize the importance of detail but also how much time and patience it takes to finalize a project.

While I do wish that I had the opportunity to see a project through from beginning to end, one summer alone is simply not enough time. These intense projects take years to unfold and complete. This will come with more experience as I graduate and move forward in the profession. This summer truly exceeded all of my expectations!. As I start my senior year, I now have a better understanding of what being an interior designer entails. I am beyond thankful to the DADI team for encouraging me each day and teaching me to focus on details, value the spontaneity of the field, and to never fear bold design choices.

The Process Beyond Design