A student from Indiana State University is gaining national recognition for her early contributions to the design field.
Taylor Smith, a junior from Oak Park, Illinois studying Interior Architecture Design in the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology, was recently featured by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) in an article highlighting former participants of the organization’s Design Your World (DYW) program and the paths they have taken in the design industry.
The feature recognizes Taylor’s continued progress in the profession and showcases how early exposure to design through the Design Your World program can influence students’ academic and career trajectories. The article highlights individuals who have gone on to pursue design education and professional opportunities after participating in the program, which aims to expand access and diversity in the commercial interior design industry.
Indiana State’s Interior Architecture Design program emphasizes artistic innovation while preparing students for professional practice. Students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program develop creative, technical, and theoretical skills that enable them to design functional, visually engaging, and sustainable interior environments across a range of settings, including healthcare, residential, commercial, and institutional spaces.
The program also prepares graduates to pursue professional licensure by completing the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination, a key step toward becoming a licensed interior designer.
Hands-on learning is a cornerstone of the program. Students work in dedicated studio spaces equipped with industry-standard software such as AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite. Through studio courses, laboratory experiences, design competitions, and field trips with working professionals, students gain real-world experience that blends artistic creativity with functional problem-solving.
Faculty members bring decades of professional design experience into the classroom, helping students build industry connections, secure internships, and develop the professional networks necessary to launch successful careers in interior architecture and design.
Programs like Design Your World help open the door to those careers by introducing students to the profession early. The initiative provides mentorship, field experiences, and hands-on design opportunities for high school students interested in the industry—often serving as the first step toward academic programs.
Taylor’s recognition by IIDA highlights both her individual accomplishments and the growing impact of Indiana State’s Interior Architecture Design program in preparing the next generation of design professionals.
In addition to her work as an Interior Architecture Design student, Taylor is also a member of the Spring 2026 Women's Track and Cross-Country teams and an honors student.