Shelby Simmons

Shelby Simmons, portrait, black and white

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Portrait photo by Ren Morrison

 

What led you to pursue Interior Design?
If you asked five-year-old me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would have told you I wanted to be a Strawberry Shortcake princess rodeo queen. If you had asked me again in high school, I would have said a marketing specialist or a special needs teacher. Somewhere between five and 18, we seem to lose the ability to dream big. We get “realistic” and lose track of what makes our hearts sing. But in those moments, I dreamed, like a kid, I wanted to be an Interior Designer. When I came to UNT, God blessed me with the opportunity to pursue my dream. A lot of chance incidents had to happen to get me where I am now, and I believe that is part of a bigger plan. The best part is I didn't have to abandon the reasons I wanted to be a special needs teacher or a marketing specialist. I wanted to help people who aren't always heard, and interior design allows me to do that.

What are your hopes for the future of design?
The importance of interior design is growing in the world. This profession is needed to support the community that we live in through the physical environment. Interior design is important to marketing, branding, acceptance, health, community, and more. In the future, I see a world that understands these needs and interior design becoming more of a standard on the front end of all new spaces.

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Slide 1: The Bee Hive Project

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Slide 2: Creative Co-op

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Slide 3: Universal design kitchen