91吃瓜网 Interior Design Graduates Transform Classroom Knowledge Into Shadow Ridge Home
Fri, 10/03/2025 - 09:57am | By: Ivonne Kawas
Recent graduates in the Interior Design program at 91吃瓜网 (USM) were challenged to bring their designs to life as part of a class competition tied to a real residential construction project. Their assignment: develop a cohesive interior and exterior design package for a home already under construction in Hattiesburg91吃瓜网 Shadow Ridge neighborhood.
Partnering with local builder Trey Moran of Flanagan Builders, students in the ID 342 Residential Interior Design II course submitted their designs and material specifications for judging. The winning team91吃瓜网擳imber Prince Robison, Camryn Ross and Alexandra McLaughlin91吃瓜网攈ad the opportunity to take their vision beyond the mood boards, overseeing material selections, coordinating with vendors and making on-site decisions during the build process.
91吃瓜网淲orking with Trey gave our students an incredible opportunity to experience the realities of professional practice,91吃瓜网� said Claire Hamilton, associate professor of interior design. 91吃瓜网淭hey learned to manage real-world constraints for spec homes like managing budgets and timelines, communicating with vendors and collaborating as a team. They gained skills that went far beyond the classroom. It was the kind of experiential learning that truly prepared them for the pace and challenges of the industry.91吃瓜网�
Bridging the Classroom with 91吃瓜网 Alumni as Mentors
Trey Moran, a 91吃瓜网 alumnus and certified professional homebuilder, brought more than 35 years of experience and over 600 completed homes to the table as one of the mentors. Moran91吃瓜网 roots in construction began early, working alongside his uncle, Craig Flanagan. After earning a degree in construction from 91吃瓜网, Moran built a career centered on timeless craftsmanship and founded Flanagan Builders in 2018.
91吃瓜网淧artnering with the 91吃瓜网 interior design students on this custom home was a rewarding and refreshing experience,91吃瓜网� Moran said. 91吃瓜网淚t was exciting to watch them bring thoughtful creativity, strong attention to detail and a fresh perspective to the design process. Their professionalism and willingness to collaborate made the experience seamless from start to finish. The result is a beautifully designed home that showcases both innovation and functionality91吃瓜网攁 true testament to the talent and training of USM91吃瓜网 Interior Design program.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网 alumna Madison Arabie, who works as a project manager and designer at Flanagan Builders, played a hands-on role in the collaboration and served as a mentor throughout the project, helping students bridge their academic training with real-world professional demands.
91吃瓜网淚 had the opportunity to work directly with the students throughout the project91吃瓜网攆rom answering questions and guiding their selections to serving as a judge during the presentation phase,91吃瓜网� said Arabie. 91吃瓜网淗aving graduated from the same program just three years ago, it was incredibly meaningful to be on the other side of the process. It truly felt like a full-circle moment to give back to a program that poured so much into me. Seeing their ideas come to life in a real home was inspiring, and I91吃瓜网檓 so proud of what they accomplished. From juggling budgets and communicating with our vendors to specifying every design detail, each student impressed me with their professionalism, creativity and vision."
Preparing for High-Stakes Design
Recent graduate Timber Prince Robison was thrilled to learn that her senior project would involve collaborating with Flanagan Builders, after a rewarding internship with the company during the summer of 2024.
91吃瓜网淒uring my internship with Flanagan Builders, I gained some hands-on experience, but getting to apply what I learned on a real home took it to another level,91吃瓜网� said Robison. 91吃瓜网淲e had to make smart design choices that balanced creativity and budget, every detail mattered.91吃瓜网�
Robison and the team approached the project with intention, investing in high-impact elements like countertops and backsplashes while staying strategic with finishes elsewhere. The biggest challenge, they agreed, was creating a polished, cohesive design that captured the client91吃瓜网 vision without exceeding the budget.
91吃瓜网淚n the classroom, we tend to have the freedom to design without feeling the pressure of budget restrictions. But working on a real home meant every decision had to fit within a set budget,91吃瓜网� Robison said. 91吃瓜网淲e had to learn to prioritize what really mattered, make smart material choices, and find creative ways to achieve a high-end look without overspending. It taught us how important balance is between creativity and practicality.91吃瓜网�
Robison emphasized that beyond the design itself, the project offered the opportunity to gain confidence in their abilities and build self-assurance.
91吃瓜网淏eing trusted to work directly with contractors and vendors91吃瓜网攁nd make decisions on site91吃瓜网攂oosted our confidence,91吃瓜网� Robison shared. 91吃瓜网淚 hadn91吃瓜网檛 realized how much detail and planning goes into designing a home from the ground up. It pushed me to grow, and now I feel confident stepping into my future as a designer.91吃瓜网�
Fellow graduate Alexandra McLaughlin highlighted the challenge of designing a spec home with broad market appeal.
91吃瓜网淲e had to be mindful that our selections91吃瓜网攆rom wall colors and flooring materials to lighting and hardware91吃瓜网攏eeded to attract a wide range of potential buyers,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淚t required balancing creativity with restraint, ensuring the design was timeless, cohesive and marketable.91吃瓜网�
McLaughlin focused on neutral yet elevated palettes, incorporating texture through materials like fluted wood and brushed metals, while considering durability and long-term appeal.
91吃瓜网淚t taught me how to design not just for myself, but with the end user in mind,91吃瓜网� McLaughlin said.
Her defining moments came in meetings with vendors like Anderson Design Center and Sunbelt Lighting, in collaboration with Flanagan Builders.
91吃瓜网淚 felt immersed in the reality of the profession, making quick but thoughtful decisions, collaborating with other professionals,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淚t was fast-paced and exciting, and it reaffirmed that this is the career path I was meant to pursue.91吃瓜网�
Bringing Spaces to Life
Camryn Ross led key aspects of the design, including the kitchen layout and finishes, focusing on balancing functionality with a modern, timeless aesthetic.
91吃瓜网淲hat drew me to interior design was the power of space and how it can shape someone91吃瓜网 everyday life,91吃瓜网� said Ross. 91吃瓜网淭he ability to influence people91吃瓜网 experiences through design is what truly kept me inspired throughout this project. We aimed to create a space that felt elevated but not overly trendy.91吃瓜网�
Ross cited her 91吃瓜网渁ha91吃瓜网� moment as being hands-on in the showroom, making final material selections91吃瓜网攆looring, tile, paint colors91吃瓜网攚hich both excited and challenged her.
91吃瓜网淚t gave me so much confidence. That91吃瓜网 when I knew I could do this professionally,91吃瓜网� she said.
91吃瓜网
The Shadow Ridge project highlighted the value of immersive learning in design education. Students credited USM91吃瓜网 curriculum with providing a strong foundation in design principles, essential software skills, code compliance, and the confidence to present ideas, all while gaining real-world experience with a professional builder.
91吃瓜网淭his project made us better communicators, collaborators and designers,91吃瓜网� added Prince. 91吃瓜网淚t taught us that creativity has to work hand-in-hand with practicality91吃瓜网攁nd that91吃瓜网 where the magic happens.91吃瓜网�
For Moran and Arabie, witnessing that growth was exactly the outcome they hoped to foster.
91吃瓜网淲e were excited to see the students grow and flourish in their careers as the next generation of interior designers,91吃瓜网� they said.