DEFINITION OF A PROFESSIONAL
INTERIOR DESIGNER

LYNN NEALL. IDI ’97 graduate, Lynn Neall, specializes in both residential and commercial design. She credits IDI for giving her a strong core of skills to draw from. “Education is everything,” she readily admits. “Having a diverse base of experience is a must for anyone contemplating a career in design.”
Lynn was recently involved with designing the Master Suite Entrance for the Pasadena Philharmonic Showcase House. Lynn says her success as a designer comes from team effort—one of the many “confidence boosting” lessons she learned while attending IDI.

MICHAEL WIENER. Kitchen designer Michael Wiener’s work was recently featured on Home & Garden Television (HGTV). A ’91 graduate of IDI, currently with Canac Kitchens, Michael credits the project and time management skills he acquired at IDI for keeping him at the top of his industry. Michael enjoys getting to know his clients’ needs and then creates kitchens that combine form, function and design.
Michael’s advice to anyone contemplating design as a career choice? “Before you have a career in design, you’ve got to get the education to back you up.”

ERIN MCNAUGHTON. Working for highly-regarded Carole Eichen Interiors is proof of Erin McNaughton’s success. The enthusiastic ’98 graduate considers the design field “the most rewarding, challenging and fulfilling job experience I could have ever imagined.”
Erin was voted “Most Creative” in her graduating class and looks back on her time at IDI with great fondness. She considers the projects she worked on at the school to have been instrumental in her learning. “The faculty were more than teachers—they were friends and mentors—and helped me in every facet of my career development.”

CHRISTOPHER GARACCI. Voted “Most Likely to Succeed” as well as Valedictorian for his graduating class in ’98, Christopher Garacci is certainly the reflection of success. He’s the owner of Garacci Interior Design which specializes in residential design. Christopher credits IDI and the passion for design they instill in students for his success.
Now an Allied Member of ASID and Associate Member of IIDA, Christopher notes that IDI not only strengthened his design abilities—they also gave him the confidence and presentation skills that he needs to continually make a lasting impression on clients.

DENISE DILLON. ’96 IDI graduate Denise Dillon is a designer with Orange County’s Hatch Design Group which specializes in restaurant design, as well as hotels and nightclubs. Here, she exercises her adept skills at working under pressure and staying focused—“real world skills” she says she acquired while attending IDI.
Denise encourages the burgeoning design student to follow his or her dreams. “Whether designing pillows or skyscrapers, IDI helps you develop—as well as provide focus for—those talents and prepares you to soar.”

LISA BRUCHMANN. One of IDI’s most recent graduates (class of ’99), set designer Lisa Bruchmann, who interned with Sony Studios, knows she’ll take the lessons, encouragement and support she gained while at IDI with her through every step of her career. Lisa credits IDI for her professional organization and presentation skills— two things that she considers to be vital to her success.
Lisa believes IDI is the right choice for any student contemplating a career in design, noting that she got more than she ever expected out of the IDI curriculum. “Being given the freedom to do non-traditional projects and being encouraged to create innovative boards have contributed to my growth as a designer.”

LYNN WHITE. As a designer with Walt Disney Imagineering, ’94 IDI graduate Lynn White’s work will be featured at Disney’s theme park, Tokyo Disney Seas. Lynn is thankful for the many lessons she learned at IDI—everything from hand drafting when necessary, to keeping an open mind when designing.
Lynn is quick to point out that there is not a single lesson she learned at IDI that hasn’t been put to use in the course of her successful career with Disney. “What they teach at IDI definitely puts its graduates ahead of other designers in this field.”