A Faculty of Design Leaders
Interior Designers Institute maintains the highest of standards for its faculty members. All professors are degreed professionals with an average of 10 years work experience in architecture and design. Leaders in their fields, many are associated with top firms, while others own successful interior design businesses. Most are professionally affiliated with ASID, IIDA or AIA. The faculty includes award-winning architects, a CBS Television set designer, ASID Designer of the year and Platinum Award winners, members of the California Board of Architectural Examiners and designers of many of the state’s most prestigious projects. Faculty also includes past presidents and board members of IIDA and ASID. In addition, the faculty includes a number of interior designers who have been published in such magazines as Interior Design Magazine, Woman’s Day, California Homes, Profiles in Architecture, Coast Magazine, and Healthcare Design. Students have the opportunity to work closely with these design leaders in learning the most current design innovations and portfolio techniques.
ASID EDUCATOR AWARD MEDALIST
Judy Deaton, ASID, IIDA, CID
The ASID Chapter Educator Medalist Award is the highest award bestowed by ASID on Society members at the chapter level in recognition of outstanding service and significant contributions to their chapter and to the body of knowledge that supports the profession of interior design. It acknowledges notable and continued contributions to the industry that have enriched the human experience through community involvement, leadership, and providing education in an innovative manner. ASID OC’s honoree, Judy Deaton has contributed outstanding and significant service to interior design education and the ASID Orange County Chapter. She is the co-founder of Interior Designers Institute (IDI) and is a professional member of ASID. Interior Designers Institute is CIDA accredited. IDI has produced countless notable design professionals and industry leaders over the years including four chapter presidents. Judy has served on numerous committees over the years and has also served as a chapter board member from 2005 to 2009. She has acted as leader and mentor to the student body as they consistently participate in chapter design events, fundraisers, and industry programs. ASID OC is proud to acknowledge Judy Deaton as the ASID Chapter Educator Medalist Award honoree.
Interior Designers Institute Faculty Profiles
CHIDIMMA ABUKA
MBA, Concordia University Irvine; MIA, Interior Designers Institute; LEED AP ID+C , Fitwel Ambassador , WELL AP, ENV SP; Member: ASID, ILFI, IIDA, ISI, IWBI, RDI, USGBC. Studio Design Resilience Leader at Gensler , Sustainability Design Coordinator at Gensler
PATRICIA BALES, EdD
Design Infusion, Interior Designer; AA, Interior Designers Institute; EdD, University of Southern California; MA, California State University, Fullerton; BA, California State University, Fullerton; ASID Allied Member; IIDA Associate Member; Member of Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; Extensive supervisory experience at the university level
AMY CREAGER, AIA, LEED AP
Principal Architect, Brion Jeannette Architecture, BA CSU, Long Beach. Designs sustainable homes by specifying earth-friendly materials and working with elements of nature to minimize the home’s energy needs; committed to the principles of Green Building.
PETE CRUZ
PETE CRUZInterior Designer, Principal SdDESIGNWORKS, AA Interior Designers Institute, Interior Designer-Nicholson Construction (Retired), Operations Manager for Glen R. Johnson Architectural Models for 16 years. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.
RICK FOX, AIA, ICC
Architect; MA, Philosophy, CSU, Long Beach; B. Arch., California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; 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 – 465,000 sq.ft.
DONALD GARDNER, IIDA
Commercial Interior Designer; BS, Interior Design, Woodbury College; Advanced Studies, UCLA; Inst. D'Architecttura, Venice, Italy; CBS Television Studio Set Designer; Canadian Consulate General Offices and Residences; Host of Foreign Studies Travel; Land Planning-Nebraska, Kansas
TAMARA GONZALEZ
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. Tamara focuses on preserving historic structures for community accessibility. Her community activism focuses on education and outreach of preservation policies, adaptive reuse, and community engagement. Tamara’s enthusiasm for preservation spearheaded the Pomona City Council to approve the reuse of the historic Stables into the Water Resources Department campus that will provide a community gathering space to enhance Pomona’s commitment to equity, inclusivity and accessibility for residents.
RACHEL HULAN, ASID, IIDA, LEED AP
Certified Green Building Professional; BA, Interior Design, Interior Designers Institute; President, Hulan Design
SAUNDRA MEYER, ALLIED ASID, ASSOCIATE IIDA
MIA, Interior Architecture, Interior Designers Institute; Recipient of Knoll Award-Valedictorian, IDI; Recipient of NEWH Scholarship; Recipient of Stone Mill Design Center Scholarship; NEWH; Rotary International Club Member; Projects include: Stone McGowan Properties, ASICS, Tommy V Restaurant, Toyota Dealership, Nekter Juice Bar Corporate Office, and Multi-million dollar Residential Projects, Saundra Meyer Designs, Owner
KRISTIN PIPAL-KEEHNE
Interior Designer; BA, Interior Designers Institute; Interior Designer, Kelly Sutherlin McCleod Architecture, Inc
PAUL J. RICE, ASID, IIDA
Interior Designer; MA, Art History, CSU Fullerton; IIDA President 2000 (So. CA Chapter); Educator for Orange County NCIDQ Study Program; Ceramic Tile Institute Award Winner; Historic Commission Board Member, West Hollywood 2015
MATHEW ROBINS, ICC
Architect; BS, Construction Management, Brigham Young University; Architect for commercial office, retail, hospitality, multifamily and residential construction
BRAD SMITH, IIDA
Interior Designer; BFA, Interior Design University of Houston; IIDA President 2001 (So. CA Chapter); Project Designer for Hoag Hospital Breast Center; Published in Interior Design Magazine; Kaiser Permanente and Antelope Valley Medical Offices, Lancaster, CA; Cover of Healthcare Design Magazine, May 2015
MARK TEALE, CID
Architect; B. Arch., Southern California Institute of Architecture; Certified Energy Auditor, State of CA; Porcelanosa Showroom, Anaheim; Custom Residence, Poppy & Seaview, Corona Del Mar; Owner, Teale Architecture; K. Hovnanian Design Gallery
TASHA THAYER
BA, California State University, Long Beach; AA Interior Designers Institute; ASID Allied; Associate ASID; CAD Designer at Erica Bryen Design, past Principal Interior Designer, LH Designs; past Interior Designer, BB Architects Inc.
