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.
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
ANGELA BLAKE, ASID, IIDA
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design, Interior Designers Institute; Bachelor of Science, 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
Interior Designer , BA Interior Design Interior Designers Institute; CAD and Sketchup Designer, Move West Design; Freelance Designer residential projects.
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
KRISTIN PIPAL-KEEHNE
Interior Designer; BA, Interior Designers Institute; Interior Designer, Kelly Sutherlin McCleod Architecture, Inc
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.
KRISTEN WHITE-SCULLY, ASID, NKBA
Interior Designer Bachelor of Science, Interior Design, The Art Institute of CA Interior Designer, West & North West Region Made Renovation Interior Designer, Adagio Within Spaces Dealer Representative, Walker Zanger & Assoc Senior Interior Designer, Marrokal Design Consultant, Ferguson Enterprises.
MICHELE PRATA
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 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.
