Beyond the Studio: Rethinking Interior Design Education in Houston
As the only interior design program in Houston, Houston Community College (HCC) has the unique responsibility and privilege of shaping the city’s next generation of interior designers. In this presentation, we’ll share how our program goes beyond traditional design education, embracing innovation and industry relevance. At HCC, interior design education isn’t limited to interiors. Our students are designing for emerging platforms like the Metaverse, exploring digital twin environments, and creating immersive spatial narratives. They also learn to design and fabricate furniture and objects using the cutting-edge tools of the IDEAStudio at WHI, bridging the gap between concept and construction, through our interactive, innovative and experiential platform: seed. Experiences prepare students for real-world practice and empower them to be agile, future-ready designers. This session will take the form of a conversational presentation between our Chair and Program Coordinator, highlighting key program initiatives, student work, and collaborative industry projects. We will also invite feedback from the audience of practitioners, leaders, and educators, to help answer: What else should HCC be doing to prepare students for our profession’s future? Join us for an inside look at how interior design education in Houston is evolving, and how a community college is pioneering that evolution.
About the Speakers
Shasta Beveridge is a seasoned educational professional and interior designer with two decades of experience. She founded and led Beveridge + Beveridge, a full-service interior design firm specializing in residential, kitchen, and bath design, from 2005 to 2019, highlighting her expertise in project management, client relations, and design presentations. Shasta’s career at Houston Community College has seen her in various pivotal roles from full-time faculty to Program Coordinator, and Faculty to Division Chair.
Shasta has played a crucial role in curriculum design, embracing innovative technologies and teaching methodologies to align content with industry standards. Most recently, Shasta has focused on virtual reality integration within online courses and has presented VR (Virtual Reality) projects at various conferences in the U.S. With a master’s degree in digital Learning and Leading from Lamar University and an in-progress Ed.D in Educational Technology Innovation from the University of Louisiana, Shasta’s blend of design insight and educational expertise positions her as a thought leader in both fields.
Jackie Barry has over 30 years of experience in the design industry, and her passion for design is evident in her extensive career and educational background. She began her academic journey at the University of Houston, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design. She then furthered her education at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Architecture in 1992.
Professionally, Jackie has made significant contributions as a licensed Interior Designer within Houston’s Architecture and Design community. She specialized in Corporate Design, beginning her career at WHR and concluding it at PDR. Jackie was a part of several design award winning teams during her tenure at both firms. In 2006, Jackie transitioned from interiors to exteriors by founding Wildflower Landscape Design, a landscape design firm, where she merged her expertise in design with her passion for nature. Jackie’s academic experience spans time at the University of Houston, The Art Institute and HCC as Program Coordinator and Full-Time Faculty.
