Phoenix College Interior Design Team Wins "Best of Show"

(PHOENIX, Ariz., March 8, 2012) ̶ A student team from PC’s Interior Design program was awarded “Best of Show” in the student category at the International Interior Design Association Southwest Chapter’s Couture 2012.

The runway fashion show at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix on March 1 featured couture designs from 18 professional interior design teams and eight student teams. The student teams competed in Best Styling and Best in Show categories.

The teams were randomly given a theme and a limited supply of materials and resources to develop couture. The PC team received their materials, which included samples of leather, fabric strips and nylon fibers on Dec. 1, 2011.

"I learned a lot about myself as far as being able to work with people I've never worked with before," said Elizabeth Callis, one of the PC team members. "It wasn't an overnight project. I didn't realize how much time we would spend on it."

Working under a military theme, PC team members competed against students teams from The Art Institute of Phoenix, Collins College, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and other schools.

PC team members were Rachel Byrd, who also served as the group’s model, Carletta Martin, Liz Callis, Nancy Roach, Melanie Shroyer, and Lauren Mortensen.

Ken Roberts, director PC’s Interior Design program, said the benefit event gave students a chance to test their creativity for a good cause. Event proceeds went to the Ronald McDonald House.

“It was a great opportunity for students to show their creativity,” Roberts said. “Even though couture isn’t interior design, they got great exposure to what interior design is all about -- coming up with clever solutions to overcome design problems and limitations.”

The Phoenix College Interior Design program offers an Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design as well as a certificate in Interior Merchandising.