A Learning Experience

           This semester has been a great learning experience. The amount of information on different materials and their uses for residential or commercial spaces is incredible. I loved having field trips that directly correlated to what we were discussing in class and helped us to all better understand the materials by being up close and speaking to those who knew the products best.

            The first field trip went into depth about the meticulous process of making the common fabrics we see every day. It was very educational and eye opening to the amount of work that goes into something so seemingly simple. Design Expo and the learning lunch with Brian Graham were great this year. It is nice to have the opportunity to see what the new products and ideas are in the design world and how we can use them. The trip to Leftwich Chapman flooring showed me something that was intriguing, beautiful, and something I have to have someday: leather flooring. The fact that it is made from recycled leather and is simple to maintain while looking amazing is something I’m very happy to have seen. The exotic materials were incredible at two of the field trips. Both the exotic wood flooring at Leftwich Chapman and the exotic granite at Collins Stone and Tile were products I had never seen before and was excited to learn about. My favorite trip was Jeff Seal Homes. He has a wonderful talent for attention to detail and giving the homes he designs unique characteristics that stand out. The lessons taught me about the different weaves of fabric, the various applications of materials, color schemes, and so much more.

            I’ve learned so much from this class and enjoyed the hands on experiences that went beyond the text and help us to understand the importance and role of materials in interior design.