Interior Design Alumni

Chair in front of a honeycomb wall

Many of our graduates leave our program and go on to work on amazing projects. Below are some of our most recent alumni’s testimonials on their experiences with us and where they’re at now.

“Attending San Jose State's Interior Design program helped me be where I am today. I had the privilege to study with stellar instructors who nourished my creativity and also introduced me to the professional side of the industry. My professors encouraged me to submit my studio project to the IIDA Interior Design Competition, which led to my winning an IIDA Student Honor Award. My win led to multiple job offers and an IIDA Best in Show Portfolio. I transitioned seamlessly from being a student to being an interior design professional because of the guidance and encouragement of my mentors at SJSU.” — Maryam Batouli, Interior Designers, IA Interior Architects

“Now several years into my professional design career, I owe a lot of my keen eye to the tools and skill sets that I learned while at San José State University. I recognize that my perspective broadened beyond just learning design skills. The program prepared me to understand and question the materials, construction, and applications of what I, as a designer, was creating. I learned how to investigate ecological approaches to design and construction and I bring a responsible, responsive and multi-sensory approach to my projects because I learned how to study and analyze my work from different points of view.” — Samantha Lewis, Associate & Interior Designer, Gensler

“If it weren’t for the professors at SJSU, I wouldn’t be the leader that I am today. The program introduced me to extraordinary new opportunities and encouraged me to immerse myself in the profession.  I attended IIDA events to shadow professionals and had the opportunity to network extensively. These opportunities have shaped me as a student and as an emerging professional allowing me to explore new ways in which design and technology affect our lives.” — Lana Alise, Project Manager, Google Advanced Technology and Projects Lab

Following are some notable companies and studios our graduates go on to work at:

  • HBA
  • DGA
  • Facebook
  • NVIDIA
  • Brereton
  • Autodesk
  • David Whitney Architects
  • Apple
  • AAI
  • Hawley Peterson Snyder
  • AP+I Design
  • Krong Design Inc.
  • Uber
  • Studio O+A
  • CAGE Design Build