IID Students Take First and Second Place

Estero, Fla., (October 1, 2009) – Two interior design students from the Institute of Interior Design at Southwest Florida College won first and second place prizes at the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) 30th annual Florida Student Design Award ceremony held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Naples, Fla., on Friday, September 25.

"This is the first competition our students have been entered in, and the first of many they will win," said Linda Petersen, Program Manager of Interior Design for the Institute of Interior Design.

The competition was open to all interior design students in the state of Florida. Contestants included students from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Miami International University, American InterContinental University, International Academy of Design, Ringling College of Art and Design and Florida State University.

Contestant’s work consisted of client profiles and design concepts. Students of the Institute of Interior Design at Southwest Florida College submitted projects that were completed in their Sophomore Project class, which consisted of an all inclusive design job. Students met with clients, presented their scope of work, provided contracts and budget requirements then completed their jobs by providing architectural changes and drawings, lighting plans and design and decorating specifications.

First place winner, Tina Spaulding, from the Institute of Interior Design earned a check for $750. Sandra Dressler, also from the Institute of Interior Design, received a check for $500. Third place winner was Maria Martinez DeCampo, from Florida State University, who received a check for $250. All winners were presented with their checks and certificates of achievement by Susan Morgan, President of the ASID. The winner’s work will be published in the national ASID magazine.

Petersen said she was proud to be associated with the "visionaries" at the International Design Center, where the Institute of Interior Design campus is located. "Our students are truly inspired every day, and they are showing it."

Southwest Florida College is an accredited, private institution of higher learning centrally located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte, and includes the Institute of Interior Design located within the Miromar Design Center in Estero. The College has been providing post secondary education to Floridians since 1974 and offers programs in Allied Health, Business, Design, Education, Information Technology and Legal Studies. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities for individuals to acquire knowledge and skills that will help prepare them for rewarding careers in fields with high growth potential. For more information call toll-free 888-526-7973 or visit http://www.instituteofinteriordesign.com/.