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Jadyn
Student
Hueytown, Alabama
2
Questions
Asked
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What types of out of school extracurricular activities should I do for a high school junior wanting to get into interior design?
After a college advisor meeting I was told I needed more activities that coincide with interior design, I already do band so that takes up most of my time and also prevents me from taking any art classes at my school due to schedule complications. What types of things can I do outside of school not including online courses that could help me build up for showing colleges my interest in interior design?
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3 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1327
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Jadyn!
Thanks for reaching out. Since you're passionate about interior design but have a packed schedule with band, here are some ideas to build up your portfolio and show colleges your interest without needing extra art classes. ✨
One idea is to take on small projects at home or for friends and family. You could offer to help redesign a room, rearrange furniture, or even tackle a simple DIY project like repainting an old chair or creating a mood board for a space. These hands-on experiences not only build your design skills but also give you tangible work to show off.
Another option is to look for local workshops or community classes related to home décor and design. Even if they’re one-day events or short sessions, they can offer you practical tips and a chance to meet people in the industry. Volunteering at local design events or home shows can also be a great way to see real-world projects in action and learn from professionals.
You might also consider shadowing a local interior designer if possible. Even spending a few hours observing how they plan a project, choose color schemes, and work with clients can be incredibly insightful and will add real-world experience to your portfolio.
The goal is to capture your creative process through these projects—whether you document before-and-after photos or jot down notes on your design decisions, every bit of evidence helps show your passion. Remember, it’s not about formal art classes; it’s about building your unique style and demonstrating your commitment to design.
Keep exploring and experimenting, Jadyn. Your creativity is your greatest asset, and every project you take on is a step toward a bright future in interior design. Good luck!
One fun way to get started right now is to create a design Instagram or Pinterest account where you share your room makeover ideas, mood boards, or even dream spaces you design for fun. It’s a chill way to build a little portfolio, show off your creativity, and let colleges see your eye for design in action!
Another fun idea is to explore thrift flipping! Hit up second-hand stores, grab some old furniture or decor pieces, and give them a makeover with your own creative twist. It's budget-friendly, great for building a portfolio, and shows colleges you're serious about turning ideas into reality. Plus, who doesn't love a good before-and-after glow-up?
You could volunteer to help decorate spaces for community events or local businesses. It could be anything from setting up a cozy corner at a library event to helping a small café refresh their seating area. Real spaces, real experience — and it shows you're ready to bring design ideas to life outside the sketchbook!
Thanks for reaching out. Since you're passionate about interior design but have a packed schedule with band, here are some ideas to build up your portfolio and show colleges your interest without needing extra art classes. ✨
One idea is to take on small projects at home or for friends and family. You could offer to help redesign a room, rearrange furniture, or even tackle a simple DIY project like repainting an old chair or creating a mood board for a space. These hands-on experiences not only build your design skills but also give you tangible work to show off.
Another option is to look for local workshops or community classes related to home décor and design. Even if they’re one-day events or short sessions, they can offer you practical tips and a chance to meet people in the industry. Volunteering at local design events or home shows can also be a great way to see real-world projects in action and learn from professionals.
You might also consider shadowing a local interior designer if possible. Even spending a few hours observing how they plan a project, choose color schemes, and work with clients can be incredibly insightful and will add real-world experience to your portfolio.
The goal is to capture your creative process through these projects—whether you document before-and-after photos or jot down notes on your design decisions, every bit of evidence helps show your passion. Remember, it’s not about formal art classes; it’s about building your unique style and demonstrating your commitment to design.
Keep exploring and experimenting, Jadyn. Your creativity is your greatest asset, and every project you take on is a step toward a bright future in interior design. Good luck!
Dr recommends the following next steps:
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1774
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Jadyn here are some specific extracurricular activities to consider.
1️⃣ ART CLUB — Joining an art club can be a valuable extracurricular activity for someone interested in interior design, as it provides a space to develop fundamental artistic skills like color theory, composition, and visual perception, which are crucial aspects of interior design, while also allowing you to experiment with different creative mediums and potentially focus on design-related projects within the club itself.
2️⃣ SUMMER DESIGN PROGRAMS — Look for pre-college summer programs at design schools that offer workshops in interior design, allowing you to explore different design styles and work on real projects. There are several summer programs for high school students interested in interior design, including programs at Georgia Tech, Cornell, Pratt Institute, and Boston Architectural College.
• GEORGIA TECH DESIGN PROGRAM
This program is for rising juniors and seniors and offers the chance to work with faculty and current students.
• CORNELL UNIVERSITY SUMMER COLLEGE
This program offers a taste of college life through lectures, workshops, and studio work.
• PRATT INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
This four-week program is focused on art and design and offers two studio courses.
• BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE
This program is for high school students interested in interior design, architecture, landscape design, and more.
3️⃣ DESIGN COMPETITIONS — Participate in local or regional design competitions where you can showcase your creativity. There are several design competitions for high school students, including the National High School Design Competition, the High School Architecture Design Competition, and the IIDA Student Design Competition.
4️⃣ JOB SHADOWING — Reach out to local interior design firms to shadow professionals and gain hands-on experience in the field. Observing client meetings, site visits, creating mood boards, sketching floor plans, selecting finishes and furniture, working with contractors, and reviewing design proposals.
5️⃣ INTERNSHIPS — Internships can be compelling opportunities to explore your area of interest in a real-world setting, and beyond the standard school curriculum. If you’re considering pursuing interior design in college and further, you should consider a design internship. As a vast, dynamic and ever-evolving field, design has a lot to offer to high school students and professionals alike. Design is more than just aesthetics — its practical applications can help solve problems, build structures, or be the key to marketing a business.
1️⃣ ART CLUB — Joining an art club can be a valuable extracurricular activity for someone interested in interior design, as it provides a space to develop fundamental artistic skills like color theory, composition, and visual perception, which are crucial aspects of interior design, while also allowing you to experiment with different creative mediums and potentially focus on design-related projects within the club itself.
2️⃣ SUMMER DESIGN PROGRAMS — Look for pre-college summer programs at design schools that offer workshops in interior design, allowing you to explore different design styles and work on real projects. There are several summer programs for high school students interested in interior design, including programs at Georgia Tech, Cornell, Pratt Institute, and Boston Architectural College.
• GEORGIA TECH DESIGN PROGRAM
This program is for rising juniors and seniors and offers the chance to work with faculty and current students.
• CORNELL UNIVERSITY SUMMER COLLEGE
This program offers a taste of college life through lectures, workshops, and studio work.
• PRATT INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
This four-week program is focused on art and design and offers two studio courses.
• BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE
This program is for high school students interested in interior design, architecture, landscape design, and more.
3️⃣ DESIGN COMPETITIONS — Participate in local or regional design competitions where you can showcase your creativity. There are several design competitions for high school students, including the National High School Design Competition, the High School Architecture Design Competition, and the IIDA Student Design Competition.
4️⃣ JOB SHADOWING — Reach out to local interior design firms to shadow professionals and gain hands-on experience in the field. Observing client meetings, site visits, creating mood boards, sketching floor plans, selecting finishes and furniture, working with contractors, and reviewing design proposals.
5️⃣ INTERNSHIPS — Internships can be compelling opportunities to explore your area of interest in a real-world setting, and beyond the standard school curriculum. If you’re considering pursuing interior design in college and further, you should consider a design internship. As a vast, dynamic and ever-evolving field, design has a lot to offer to high school students and professionals alike. Design is more than just aesthetics — its practical applications can help solve problems, build structures, or be the key to marketing a business.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1327
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Jadyn!
Thanks for reaching out. Since you're passionate about interior design but have a packed schedule with band, here are some ideas to build up your portfolio and show colleges your interest without needing extra art classes. ✨
One idea is to take on small projects at home or for friends and family. You could offer to help redesign a room, rearrange furniture, or even tackle a simple DIY project like repainting an old chair or creating a mood board for a space. These hands-on experiences not only build your design skills but also give you tangible work to show off.
Another option is to look for local workshops or community classes related to home décor and design. Even if they’re one-day events or short sessions, they can offer you practical tips and a chance to meet people in the industry. Volunteering at local design events or home shows can also be a great way to see real-world projects in action and learn from professionals.
You might also consider shadowing a local interior designer if possible. Even spending a few hours observing how they plan a project, choose color schemes, and work with clients can be incredibly insightful and will add real-world experience to your portfolio.
The goal is to capture your creative process through these projects—whether you document before-and-after photos or jot down notes on your design decisions, every bit of evidence helps show your passion. Remember, it’s not about formal art classes; it’s about building your unique style and demonstrating your commitment to design.
Keep exploring and experimenting, Jadyn. Your creativity is your greatest asset, and every project you take on is a step toward a bright future in interior design. Good luck!
One fun way to get started right now is to create a design Instagram or Pinterest account where you share your room makeover ideas, mood boards, or even dream spaces you design for fun. It’s a chill way to build a little portfolio, show off your creativity, and let colleges see your eye for design in action!
Another fun idea is to explore thrift flipping! Hit up second-hand stores, grab some old furniture or decor pieces, and give them a makeover with your own creative twist. It's budget-friendly, great for building a portfolio, and shows colleges you're serious about turning ideas into reality. Plus, who doesn't love a good before-and-after glow-up?
You could volunteer to help decorate spaces for community events or local businesses. It could be anything from setting up a cozy corner at a library event to helping a small café refresh their seating area. Real spaces, real experience — and it shows you're ready to bring design ideas to life outside the sketchbook!
Thanks for reaching out. Since you're passionate about interior design but have a packed schedule with band, here are some ideas to build up your portfolio and show colleges your interest without needing extra art classes. ✨
One idea is to take on small projects at home or for friends and family. You could offer to help redesign a room, rearrange furniture, or even tackle a simple DIY project like repainting an old chair or creating a mood board for a space. These hands-on experiences not only build your design skills but also give you tangible work to show off.
Another option is to look for local workshops or community classes related to home décor and design. Even if they’re one-day events or short sessions, they can offer you practical tips and a chance to meet people in the industry. Volunteering at local design events or home shows can also be a great way to see real-world projects in action and learn from professionals.
You might also consider shadowing a local interior designer if possible. Even spending a few hours observing how they plan a project, choose color schemes, and work with clients can be incredibly insightful and will add real-world experience to your portfolio.
The goal is to capture your creative process through these projects—whether you document before-and-after photos or jot down notes on your design decisions, every bit of evidence helps show your passion. Remember, it’s not about formal art classes; it’s about building your unique style and demonstrating your commitment to design.
Keep exploring and experimenting, Jadyn. Your creativity is your greatest asset, and every project you take on is a step toward a bright future in interior design. Good luck!
Dr recommends the following next steps: