When some people think of interior design, they think of Martha Stewart, "Trading Spaces" and trendy decorating catalogues. According to the director of College of Architecture's Division of Interior Design, Cheryl Myers, that is a common misconception.
"I think there's a strong misconception on what interior designers do," Myers said.
She explained that many people think of interior designers as decorators, but the truth is that as designers they deal with the whole design of the space, not just the aesthetics of it.
Persons majoring in interior design at OU are exposed more toward the architectural and bureaucratic sides of design. They learn to be creative while still meeting the requirements of form, function and staying within laws concerning public safety.
"The program here enables the students to work with architects and the more complicated side of design," Myers said. "It's the challenge to be creative when you have to meet codes and function."
Challenge is what the program is all about. Students in the College of Architecture's programs are famous for working long hours and pulling all-nighters to finish their projects.
Interior design junior Cory Middleton is finishing her first semester of design studio. She has learned about all the work that goes into interior design first hand.
"I spend about 40 hours a week doing design related homework," Middleton said. She said it is like working a full time job, something else Middleton has experience with. She had quit college to write a book, but came back because she wanted a better job.
"I came back to school because interior design is the only thing that interests me," Middleton said.
Middleton isn't put off by the amount of work that is required in the program. "For each project I've done this semester, I've had to pull all-nighters," she said. But to her, it's worth it. "You really get out what you put into it."
Kristi Bryan, interior design senior, is sold on OU's program. "I think it's a strong program. I've been to three and this is the strongest. This school helps you put together a good portfolio."
Bryan exemplifies the idea that people in Gould Hall do not sleep. "I've been up here two full days," Bryan said. She said she got two hours of sleep on the couch in her studio, but that was all she'd had in the past 48 hours.
"If it's your passion, you deal with it," Bryan said. "People don't realize how much we work."
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