Toronto trip inspires interior design students

Interior design technology students took their education across Canada to Toronto for the Interior Design Show 2017.

At Canada’s premier showcase of new products, furniture, designers and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond, second-year interior design students networked and explored the latest innovations and trends at the show.

“It was really interesting to see what’s new in the industry and things I had never thought of doing or creating. Now I look at the projects I have coming up and I feel inspired to explore new ideas and designs,” says Hailey Kaspick, who was one of 16 interior design technology students to take this unique field trip.

“We got to network with industry professionals and speak with different companies about their products and work. If you wanted to connect with people about a future practicum, you could. I came home with a large stack of business cards.”

The Interior Design Show was one of many places students visited in Toronto from Jan. 17 to 24. Accompanied by instructors Rochelle Horne and Fiona McLeod, the students had a busy week of learning and exploring. “Our teachers told us there would be a lot of walking, a lot of long days and to bring our best walking shoes. ‘No six-inch stilettos,’ to quote Rochelle,” says Kaspick, with a laugh.

The students participated in a seminar with Daily Goods Design Lab: Women that Make, Create and Innovate, and toured Oben Flats, show rooms, the Distillery District and Abstract Painter’s Gallery. Students enjoyed guided tours of Regent Park, which featured three projects aimed at revitalizing the community, as well as Spadina Museum and Mackenzie House. They also visited the Aga Khan Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, OCAD University (formerly Ontario College of Art and Design), Ryerson Student Centre, Royal Ontario Museum, Trinity College, Azure Talks and the Textile Museum of Canada. Art installations and designer studio tours were on their itinerary as well. Students also visited and researched high-end retails spaces in preparation for their bookstore and retail assignments.

“It was an incredible opportunity,” says Kaspick, who’s from Yorkton, Sask. “Being exposed to the culture and seeing other artistic people who have working at their craft and their work, it inspires you to have that drive as well. Plus, the atmosphere in Toronto is a lot different than where I grew up or the places I am used to visiting. The energy, hustle and bustle of the city, it was a lot of fun.”

Before leaving for Toronto, interior design students worked together to raise $5,000 with a raffle to help with travel costs. After their whirlwind trip, students were tasked with creating a journal, complete with sketches, photos and memorabilia, about their experience.

“This trip has definitely been the highlight of my Lakeland experience, but it’s second to the people here at the college,” says Kaspick. “I think Lakeland is a very good place, our instructors are really great and so helpful. It’s a great environment to grow and learn.”

Photos: Top, during their trip to Toronto second-year interior design technology students visited the Distillery District, which is an area of mixed residential and commercial space converted from the former Goodenham and Worts Distillery, and heritage buildings from the Victorian-era. Bottom, students also visited the Sniff Bar, a Design Offsite exhibit held in conjunction with the Interior Design Show. They learned about the customization of scent for public spaces. Hosted a Oben Flats, a new concept in residential rentals, perfumer Tracy Pepe interactively shared creating a scent and considerations for interior design.