Florida State University Interior Architecture and Design

What a year of awesomeness for students in the Department of Interior Architecture & Design!

Another year of that first step into design, a demanding year of growth and development, and a final year of celebration and success.

Heckuva time to be a Florida State Seminole. Go Noles!

As we wrap up the spring semester, we want to extend our sincere thanks to the mentors who generously worked with Studio VI students this semester on their developing capstone projects. This year’s work spans a wide range of project types, including hospitality, sports, museum design, mixed‑use/retail, immersive entertainment, cruise ship design, and an adolescent trauma teen center, and benefited deeply from your real‑world insight and professional guidance.

Your expertise, time, and thoughtful feedback played a critical role in shaping these projects and supporting our students as they transition into professional practice.

Thank you to our Studio VI mentors:
Hannah Smith, Chandler Bonney, Maurer Architecture / Beyer Blinder Belle, Gregory Ashton, Jenn Lindner, Stacey Twigg, Amy Lowey, Ashley Becklund, Gaby Landa, and Karen Hansen.

Your willingness to engage with students, share real‑world insight, and challenge their thinking made this capstone experience truly meaningful. We are grateful for your partnership and the impact you’ve had on the next generation of designers.

The students are Sarah Tavares presenting her immersive, neuroinclusive theatre design and Nicky Valencia Arrieta presenting her play-oriented, family-friendly hotel.

🌟 Faculty of the Month: Jim Dawkins 🌟

We’re proud to recognize our department chair, Jim Dawkins, as Faculty of the Month!

An architect by passion in every sense—through education, practice, and teaching—Jim earned his BA in Design (’86) and Master of Architecture (’88) from Clemson University. After 20 years of professional experience in Atlanta, Georgia and Vail, Colorado, he followed a calling to education in 2009, joining FSU at a pivotal moment of growth and transition within the program. His expertise in hand sketching, drawing, and hospitality design continues to shape the foundation of our students’ learning.

Beyond his experience, Professor Dawkins’s positive personality and approachable nature are a defining part of our program. He is a constant source of support, a trusted guide, and always willing to lend a helping hand to students and faculty alike.

We are incredibly grateful for his leadership and the lasting impact he makes on our IAD community every day.

Thank you, Professor Dawkins, for all that you do! 👏✨

Graduate Highlight of the Month 🌟

This month, we’re proud to highlight our graduate students who attended the IDEC Annual Conference, where they engaged with emerging ideas, research, and conversations shaping the future of interior design.

Stephanie Altamirano is an MFA Interior Design candidate at FSU and a Florida native from Palm Beach, where she also earned her undergraduate degree in interior design. She shares:
“The IDEC Annual Conference challenged how I see the future of interior design and made me more aware of the purpose behind what we do. I was especially surprised by how intrigued I was by conversations around AI in design practice and education, which left me more excited to see where the field is heading.”

Sarah Aldwaikat is an MS (Thesis Track) student from Jordan, pursuing her goal of earning a PhD and building a career in academia, with a focus on how cultural perspectives in design can connect people across the world. She reflects:
“Attending my first conference in Chicago was a turning point for me. It opened my eyes to the depth and diversity of research in design, strengthened my passion for academia, and inspired me to think more critically about my own work.”

We would also like to recognize Rosemary Wagner, who attended the conference alongside them and contributed to this enriching experience.

We’re so proud of our graduate students for representing FSU and continuing to expand their perspectives within the design field! 👏✨

This week, Chris Robinson, an Associate and Senior Project Architect at Fitzgerald Collaborative, came to the CAD I class to discuss how interior designers work with architects and consultants in the profession. In addition to providing examples of how coordination happens in practice, he demonstrated a live “field” experience that simulated what can occur when projects are under construction. Students learned about how professionals use Bluebeam and were able to respond to a design change in their Revit files, prompted by a hypothetical mechanical requirement from the MEP consultant.

Thank you, Chris, and FC for sharing your time and expertise with our students! These real-world experiences bring added value to the classroom!

The Florida State University Department of Interior Architecture & Design held its annual Alumni Awards ceremony on March 26 to honor graduates who have made significant contributions to the field of interior design and related industries. The event recognized alumni across multiple categories, celebrating their professional achievements, leadership, and service to the community.

This year, we are proud to honor:
✨ Laura Rachlin – Distinguished Alumni Award
✨ Emory Johnson – Distinguished Service Award
✨ Olivia Perron – Emerging Professional Award

Don’t forget that our limited-run online merch store is LIVE! From now until April 12, you can order exclusive Interior Architecture & Design merchandise to show your spirit. From tote bags to hoodies to t-shirts with brand-new designs, you’re sure to find something you love. Visit bit.ly/4lNjuGA to shop our exclusive designs.

See a design you need to have? Be sure to tell your friends! If any design sells fewer than 15 copies, it won’t be printed, and you will receive a refund (this applies to the design only; the item it is printed on does not matter). All local student and employee purchases can be picked up on campus the week of April 27.

Congratulations to this year’s winners of our annual Charrette! This year, our teams of students were challenged to design a space that reframes traditional electric vehicle charging stations as community-oriented spaces with sustainable features.

The posters will be on display in the Student Union Art Gallery until Wednesday, March 8th, so be sure to check them out while they're on display!

The winning projects this year are:
• Best in Show: “Watts & Wellness” by Abigail Shelley, Audrey Perry, Claire Zechman, Mia Vincent [Photo 1]
• 1st Place: “Revive” by Maggie Carneli-Sanchez, Sita Persad, Mersay Phan, Alexis Maize [Photo 2]
• 2nd Place: “Verdant” by Sophie Beckham, Kelly S. Henderson, Isabelle Pettengill, Emerson Lewis [Photo 3]

Student Spotlight of the Month: Nicole Peak 🌟

We’re excited to recognize Nicole as our Student Spotlight of the Month!

Nicole graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2023 with a degree in Interior Architecture and has since gained valuable professional experience working at an interior design firm in Blue Ridge, Georgia. She moved to Florida to pursue her MFA—an experience that has expanded her knowledge and skillset while also uncovering a passion for teaching and academia.

We’re proud to celebrate Nicole’s dedication, curiosity, and willingness to take risks in shaping her path within the design field.

Congratulations, Nicole! 👏✨

Environmental Design & Wayfinding with Professor Leonardos🏟️

Students in the Wayfinding class had the opportunity to meet with Stuart Pearce, Associate Athletics Director for Facilities & Event Management, to learn about the process behind developing signage for the recent renovations at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.

Afterward, students toured the stadium to see these wayfinding strategies in action—gaining real-world insight into how thoughtful signage and environmental graphics shape user experience at a large scale.

Faculty of the Month: Rebecca Cowart 🌟

We’re excited to recognize Rebecca Cowart, Academic Program Specialist for the Interior Architecture & Design department, as our Faculty of the Month!

A Tallahassee native, Rebecca has always been a lifelong Seminole. From studying Baking & Pastry Arts and working professionally in the culinary world to holding multiple roles across Florida State University—including advising, HR, and program development—she has built a diverse and impactful career rooted in student support and academic success. Since joining IAD in 2021, Rebecca has played a vital role in guiding students, supporting faculty, and helping shape the future of the program.

We are so grateful for Rebecca’s dedication, positivity, and the incredible impact she has on our students and department every day.

Thank you, Rebecca, for all that you do! 👏✨

Undergraduate Highlight of the Month: Shayla Pankey 🌟

We’re proud to recognize Shayla Pankey, a senior in FSU’s Interior Architecture & Design program, as our Undergraduate Highlight of the Month!

Shayla’s work focuses on translating strong design concepts into clear spatial plans, thoughtful material selections, and carefully developed drawings. She is especially interested in the relationship between creative design thinking and the technical precision required to bring a space to life—an approach that reflects both innovation and attention to detail.

Shayla was also selected as one of Metropolis Magazine’s Future100 designers, an honor recognizing the top graduating architecture and interior design students across North America.

We’re excited to see how Shayla continues to grow as a designer and bring her ideas into the built environment.

Congratulations, Shayla! 👏