Designing a Future:
How EMU’s interior design program launches careers
Hannah Pickett's student work reflects real-world preparation.
When Leah Pulice graduated from Eastern Michigan University’s interior design (IDE) program, she didn’t just walk away with a degree. She walked into a career. Now designing renovations and additions for K–12 schools across Montana, Leah credits her swift transition into the field to the portfolio, networking, construction management minor, and project experience she gained through EMU’s one-of-a-kind program.
“EMU’s IDE program provides a strong foundation that really supports you as a new interior designer,” she says. “Learning various 3D software programs and taking code-related classes are the two things that have most clearly carried over into my job.
“Especially working within an architecture firm, I do a lot of things besides choosing colors and furniture, like a lot of people may think sum up what designers do. Having knowledge in software programs and building codes helps me to design functional, creative, and code-compliant spaces that result in a detailed set of construction documents for each project.”
Leah’s story is far from unique.
Ready to Launch
According to Dr. Diane Guevara, assistant professor of interior design, IDE program coordinator, and a longtime industry professional, nearly all IDE students are working in the field within a year of graduation, with many achieving this goal within just six months. That kind of job placement rate is no accident. It’s the result of a curriculum designed not just to teach, but to launch.
“We all teach the same 120 Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) competencies,” Guevara says, referring to the U.S. and Canadian CIDA standards for interior design university degree programs. “What sets EMU apart is the class size of our studios, the relationships we build with students and alumni, and how we connect them with the industry before they even graduate.”
Leah Pulice turned her EMU experience into a full-time role at a commercial architecture firm in Montana.
A Network That Works
Hannah Pickett, another recent graduate, echoes those sentiments. Today, she serves as Creative Director at Kurtis Kitchen & Bath, a full-service design-build firm specializing in residential spaces. She credits her role, where she oversees everything from concept design to construction documentation, to the real-world experience she gained at EMU.
While still a student, Hannah interned with EMU’s physical plant and worked on campus housing renovations. The opportunity came through a fellow IDE student, and it set the tone for how networking would continue to shape her career. “Building my network through fellow alumni, past roles, and friends helped me find opportunities I might not have otherwise known about,” she says.
When she was looking for a better fit after graduation, that same alumni network came through again—this time with a recommendation to Kurtis. One interview later, she landed the job.
Hannah Pickett is a creative director at Kurtis Kitchen and Bath.
Design with an Edge
In a competitive industry, EMU’s IDE students stand out thanks to a number of unique advantages. First, students can pair their interior design degree with a minor in construction management, giving them a competitive edge in job markets that value construction expertise alongside creativity.
Second, EMU covers the exam fee for their IDE seniors to take either the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) Part I or the LEED Green Associate exam, providing students with a head start on certifications that many employers require.
Third, every senior completes a comprehensive portfolio course, guided by Guevara, that showcases not only their technical work but also their creativity, software fluency, and personal interests.
“My digital portfolio and resume have been updated since graduation,” says Hannah, “but I still get kudos thanks to what I learned in those classes about resume building and interviewing. IDE 325, 326, and the internship course were pivotal in preparing me for the real world of design.”
A Web of Connections
Much of the IDE program’s success hinges on a strong alumni network and on Guevara’s professional network, cultivated over 28 years working in corporate interior design across multiple cities. She helps place students in internships, often tailoring placements to their interests.
“I ask my students, ‘Where does your aunt live? Where’s your grandma? Go stay there for the summer and intern somewhere new. Just try it,’” Guevara says. “Then come back and tell me all about it.”
She’s placed interns across the U.S. and even internationally, helping students find meaningful fits from Shanghai, Dallas, and Portland to suburban Detroit.
“The curriculum was so broad and well-structured, I’ve used knowledge from nearly every class in my role,”
— Hannah Pickett
Transfer-Friendly, Future-Ready
The IDE program has also expanded access through articulation agreements with Henry Ford and Oakland community colleges, making it easier for students to transfer in and finish their degrees. This has helped sustain strong enrollment and diversify the program's talent pool.
Whether students are coming from a community college, switching majors, or pursuing a second bachelor’s degree, Guevara ensures they’re placed in courses that match both their ability and experience level.
Designing Success
Back in Montana, Leah reflects on what made EMU’s IDE program so valuable: the balance of creativity, professionalism, and real-world application. “EMU offers great career fairs and helpful resources, and the Interior Design Student Organization brings in guest speakers who share insights and advice about the day-to-day life of working designers,” she says.
Hannah, too, looks back with appreciation: “The curriculum was so broad and well-structured, I’ve used knowledge from nearly every class in my role,” she says. “The best advice I can give to future designers is to get experience outside the classroom. Shadow someone. Take an internship. Reach out. That’s how I found my niche and my job.”
Now working on multimillion-dollar education and residential projects, Leah and Hannah are part of a growing network of EMU alumni proving that good design is both an art and a career, and that the right program makes all the difference.
By Darcy Gifford