Boost: Elevating Experience by Design

It never really crossed my mind how interior design and social justice could walk hand in hand until I listened to the #3 Boost Podcast featuring Shelby Hicks, Director of Western Carolina University’s Design for Health Initiative. Shelby introduces WCU’s interior design students to service-learning projects in the spring of their junior year, which involves working on a team and meeting with community service providers and actual clients themselves in the underserved and aging population of Western North Carolina. This gives students the opportunity of connecting with not-for-profit agencies and a view into a different side of interior design apart from the traditional high-end residential or commercial market. In this project, community service providers gather the housing needs of their clients and procure grants to cover the costs. The students in turn, with guidance, go into the clients’ homes and listen to what is important to them, and discuss their findings with the entire team. Meeting people one-on-one has been the best way to establish trust and empowerment and it is working. After hearing this Podcast, I wish all interior design programs could offer this specialized coursework. Thanks Christine Fariss of Viibe Design for sharing this important look at social justice in interior design.

Great first episode, Christine! Perfect person to start with!