SPOKANE — Continuing a successful WSU record held since 2002Washington State University interior design students Kristie Morrison and Susan Schreibe walked away with second and third place for the National Institute for Store Planners (NISP) Student Design Competition.
NISP received a record number of 90 entries from 20 different colleges and universities where students were asked to design a children’s clothing retailer. In addition to designing the children’s clothing store, students were allotted extra space and were encouraged to explore a unique design in support of the retail project.
Five judges critiqued each project on presentation, originality of concept, degree of development of the design and concept, inclusion of all required elements, lighting and fixtures and practicality of design.
Both Morrison and Schreibe had a major emphasis on an experience of light in the space, but each experience was very different. “Kristie’s was beautifully donean elegant and richly layered project while mine was a bit more on the playful side, with interactive lighting elements,” noted Schreibe.
“Mother of Pearl,” Morrison’s second place design, was inspired by the pearlas stated in her project”promising to treasure mother and child, understand the preciousness, celebrate purity and protectively embrace its customers as a mother embraces her child.” Lighting, as a significant element in Morrison’s entry, “beckoned” her customers to various locations throughout the store and finally to the major focal point of the space, the “Purity Sanctuary.” This space was Morrison’s extra space used as an area where mothers and children sample fragrance and color-free skincare products.
Schreibe’s design entitled, “Sõl,” was designed to extend a warm welcome through interactivity of light and space. It was developed to make the child’s shopping experience positive, thus making it positive for those shopping with children. As stated in her entry, “By creating space that is kid-friendly and fun, there is an opportunity to create life-long customers through positive associations.” The main focal point of the store was Schreibe’s extra spacea kid’s caféwhich glows from the center of the retail space. It is customized to fit the child in both the products offered and the size of the furnishings. There is also a playscape that features an interactive light experience.
Each year an ISP Chapter develops a design challenge sent to schools as a request for proposal with the same parameters the students would deal with in the workplace. Challenges have covered a wide range of store types, with merchandise & Merchandising requirements, tenant criteria, and historic & zoning regulations. ISP gives financial awards to winning students and the winning school.
WSU utilizes this competition as a curriculum project for a senior capstone project taught by John Turpin, associate professor of interior design and Judy Theodorson, adjunct faculty member and director of the Daylighting Lab Spokane at WSU Spokane’s Interdisciplinary Design Institute.
About the Interdisciplinary Design Institute
The interior design program at WSU was ranked eighth in the nation in 2005 by Design Intelligence magazine, in their annual survey of design professionals. The program is the only undergraduate program in Washington accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research. It was also named one of the top 10 programs in the nation in 1997 by the International Interior Design Association for preparing students to enter the commercial interior design field.
WSU offers what is believed to be the nation’s only articulated bachelor’s/master’s degree program in interior design, allowing students to complete both degrees in five years with an intensive course of study. Interior design students begin their studies as undergraduates at the Pullman campus and spend their final year of studies at WSU Spokane, studying with students in architecture, construction management and landscape architecture at the Interdisciplinary Design Institute.
The design institute advances knowledge to enhance the quality of people’s lives in the built and natural environment through interdisciplinary instruction, research and community service in design and construction. Faculty and students at the Design Institute regularly win state, national, and international design competitions for their work.
