Our Educators
Meet Our Faculty
Industry-connected professionals who bring decades of real-world design experience into the classroom, mentoring each student through hands-on, studio-based learning.
Excellence in Teaching
Dedicated Design Educators
At Interior Designers Institute, our faculty members are more than instructors — they are practicing designers, published researchers, and licensed professionals who remain active in the industry. This ensures that our curriculum stays current with evolving design trends, technologies, and professional standards.
With intentionally small class sizes, our faculty provide personalized mentorship, guiding students from foundational skills through advanced studio work and professional portfolio development.
Instructors
Our Faculty Members
Chidimma Abuka
LEED AP ID+C, Fitwel Ambassador, WELL AP
MBA, Concordia University Irvine; MIA, Interior Designers Institute
Studio Design Resilience Leader at Gensler and Sustainability Design Coordinator. LEED AP ID+C, Fitwel Ambassador, WELL AP, ENV SP. Member: ASID, ILFI, IIDA, ISI, IWBI, RDI, USGBC.
Angela Blake, ASID, IIDA
Principal, A. Blake Designs
BA Interior Design, IDI; BS, Azusa Pacific University
Principal, A. Blake Designs. Interior Designer with more than twelve years experience managing projects for the entertainment and electronic software industry.
Hiba Chabani
CAD/SketchUp Designer
BA Interior Design, Interior Designers Institute
CAD and SketchUp Designer, Move West Design. Freelance Designer for residential projects.
Allison Crosland, ASID
President, Crosland Designs
MIA, Interior Designers Institute
President at Crosland Designs. Vast design experience in high-end residential, commercial and hospitality design.
Pete Cruz
Principal, SdDESIGNWORKS
AA, Interior Designers Institute
Principal, SdDESIGNWORKS. Interior Designer at Nicholson Construction (Retired). Operations Manager for Glen R. Johnson Architectural Models for 16 years. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.
Reya Duenas, ASID, NCIDQ
Founder & Designer, Reya Duenas Design
MA Interior Design, New England School of Art & Design, Suffolk University
Founder and Designer, Reya Duenas Design. Interior designer with more than 13 years of experience specializing in hospitality and commercial design. Expertise spans all phases of design, from conceptual design and space planning to FF&E selection, branding and construction documentation.
Rick Fox, AIA, ICC
Licensed Architect
MA Philosophy, CSU Long Beach; B. Arch, Cal Poly SLO
Architect. Projects include: Corporate Headquarters for National Bank of Long Beach, BASF Research & Development Facility, Xerox Service Training Center, OPARC Adult Daycare Facility, AMO Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Kilroy Realty Corporation.
Tamara Gonzalez
Founder, Tamara Gonzalez Interiors
Master of Interior Architecture, Interior Designers Institute
Founder, Tamara Gonzalez Interiors. City of Pomona Historic Preservation Commission. Interior Designer with experience in historic preservation, residential and commercial design. Focuses on preserving historic structures for community accessibility. Her community activism focuses on education and outreach of preservation policies, adaptive reuse, and community engagement. Spearheaded the Pomona City Council to approve the reuse of the historic Stables into the Water Resources Department campus.
Rachel Hulan, ASID, IIDA, LEED AP
President, Hulan Design
BA Interior Design, Interior Designers Institute
Certified Green Building Professional. President, Hulan Design.
Megan Keith, ASID
Designer & Researcher
M.Arch, SCI-Arc; BA Anthropology, Scripps College; AA, IDI
Freelance designer. Rhino and Revit Researcher. Los Angeles architectural history and correspondent cultural movements.
Brandon Lopez, AIA Assoc, ASID
Architectural Designer
Master of Architecture, SCI-Arc
Architectural designer experienced in professional and freelance settings. Creates high-quality architectural drawings, 3D models, and visualizations, with a talent for mentoring others through creative and technical challenges. Currently contributing to high-end residential projects at Office Other Walls in LA.
Kristin Pipal-Keehne
Interior Designer
BA, Interior Designers Institute
Interior Designer at Kelly Sutherlin McLeod Architecture, Inc.
Michele Prata
Principal, Prata Studio Interiors
BA, CSU Long Beach; AA Interior Design, IDI
Past President ASID Orange County, CA. Began as a textile designer, decorative mural and faux painter, over 20 years as principal of Prata Studio Interiors. Featured on HGTV Designer’s Challenge, past Philharmonic Houses of Design, first residential renovation project selected for Laguna Beach’s Charm House Tour.
Cynthia Prizant, ASID, CID, LEED
Green Building Certified Designer
BS Computer Science, University of Pittsburgh; AA Interior Design, Interior Designers Institute
Served on the ASID Orange County California Board as Professional Development Director. Has worked in the field since 1989; in 2007 opened her own design firm.
Kate Saunders, Allied ASID, CID, NKBA
Design Leadership Consultant
Master of Architecture, New School of Architecture and Design
With over 20 years of industry experience, Kate has worked in construction management, architecture, and design leadership, including roles at RH and with top Southern California designers. Her outsourcing service now gives independent designers access to resources once limited to large firms.
Kristen White-Scully, ASID, NKBA
Senior Interior Designer
BS Interior Design, The Art Institute of California
Interior Designer, West and Northwest Region, Made Renovation. Interior Designer, Adagio Within Spaces. Dealer Representative, Walker Zanger & Assoc. Senior Interior Designer, Marrokal. Design Consultant, Ferguson Enterprises.
Philosophy
Our Teaching Approach
Studio-Based Learning
Students work on real-world projects from day one, developing practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge in our dedicated design studios.
Industry Connections
Our faculty maintain active professional practices and industry relationships, creating opportunities for guest lectures, site visits, and mentorships.
Personalized Mentorship
Small class sizes allow our faculty to provide individualized guidance, ensuring every student receives the attention needed to reach their full potential.
Ready to learn from the best?
Explore our programs and discover how IDI's expert faculty can help you build the skills for a successful design career.