Intern Reflections: Learning Through Design | Caroline Close

Throughout my summer internship at Elevatus, I have grown as an interior designer by learning directly from experienced professionals. Although college gave me a strong foundation, I wanted a hands-on experience with real clients and projects. Seeing how the design process works in the real world has expanded my knowledge and strengthened my confidence.

I was fortunate to have two great mentors, Megan Howk and Desirae Sherry, who showed me the full design process while giving me the freedom to work hands-on. They consistently stayed in touch and created a supportive environment where I could ask for help and advice. I am especially grateful that they trusted me to contribute to projects, lead design meetings, and share my perspective on design choices. Their patience and kindness strengthened my confidence and reassured me that I can contribute meaningfully as a designer. Through these projects, I also learned how collaborative design is and had the opportunity to work with talented architects and better understand their role in the design process.

One project I have had the opportunity to work on is a yet to be publicly announced project. I have been involved with it since the beginning of my internship, and it has taught me how to communicate with my peers while giving me insight into the full design process. Although the project included stressful moments and tight deadlines, those challenges deepened my knowledge and helped me grow professionally.

Another project I have been able to touch on is The League. This project was set to follow Universal Design. Thus, I did thorough research on better ways we can design for all individuals. The interiors team and I were able to visit Special Olympics Michigan and Steelcase. They showed us in real life how universal design can be applied to space. It was a great experience to hear from people that have studied this principle for years. This project was such an impactful project to me and really showed me I want to design places that help the wellbeing of individuals.

Overall, I am grateful for my time at Elevatus and for the kindness and support I received from the people around me. The mentorship and project experience have strengthened my confidence and clarified the kind of designer I want to become. I know the lessons I learned here will guide me throughout the rest of college and into my future career.