DIDAA grows Lakeland College’s interior design program recognized institution status

Lakeland College’s interior design technology (IDT) program joins the Decorating and Interior Design Association of Alberta (DIDAA) as a recognized institution.
“We take great pride in the ongoing recognition our program receives from esteemed associations such as the DIDAA, further highlighting all the hard work of our alumni and solidifying our program as an example of excellence within the field of interior design education,” says Rochelle Horne, IDT program head.
Becoming a DIDAA-recognized institution propels Lakeland’s IDT students into exciting collaborations and opportunities to network within the design industry. They are eligible to participate in design competitions like their mood board competition in May, in which two Lakeland students placed second and third.
“DIDAA is excited to welcome Lakeland as one of our recognized institutions for our student and graduate members. Our association is committed to ensuring our members represent the design community with both educational and professional excellence and Lakeland’s IDT program prepares its students for just that,” says Kierstin Smyth, DIDAA president.
The DIDAA also extended a welcome to second-year student Maddie Milne, who attended DIDAA events and networked with professional and industry members through her practicum placement with Smyth’s firm, Kierstin Smyth Design. For two months, Milne was able to step into industry and unleash her knowledge and skills on real-world applications.
“DIDAA provided me with an amazing opportunity to learn directly from the supplier, as well as to do some networking with other professionals in the industry,” says Milne and adds, “Graduating from Lakeland's interior design technology program gave me a well-rounded education. Going into my practicum experience, I felt that I had the tools and expertise needed to enter the industry. I not only learned how to design a functional space, but I learned about the importance of working with different trades and understanding their part of the project as well.
The DIDAA is the third association to recognize Lakeland’s two-year IDT diploma program. The IDT program is also recognized by the Decorators and Designers Association of Canada and is accredited by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
Photos: Top–DIDAA logo. Middle–Student working on a design in a dedicated interior design computer lab. Bottom–Students working in the materials room along with instructor Charles Kimball (left).