SAMFORD AIC
Samford University’s interior design student organization is called AIC and stands for Architecture and Interior Design Collective. This is a unique student organization because the interior design and architecture departments work closely together, as we would in the industry, and are in this student organization together. This organization consists of an executive board, officers, and members.

CHICAGO TRIP
In the Fall semester, students had the opportunity to take a trip to Chicago with the department. They were able to visit the Merchandise Mart and various showrooms in the Fulton Market District. Students also got the chance to tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s home as well as his studio.

LAKESHORE CHARETTE
In March, Samford architecture and interior design students were asked to participate in a charette with local professionals to help with a project for the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, AL. The Lakeshore Foundation is a non-profit organization that is a rehab facility for people with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions, they are also one of the largest special olympics training facilities in the U.S. Students were able to work together, alongside professionals, to propose solutions for a new accessible pathway.

RURAL STUDIO
In February, third-year interior design and architecture students took a field trip to Auburn’s Rural Studio in Newburn, AL for their Creative Investigation class. They got to tour the area where the students live, the studio where they have class and work, as well as many different projects completed by the Rural Studio students.

PIE THE PROFESSOR
In the Fall semester, AIC held a fundraising event for the organization called Pie the Professor. This was held on Samford’s Ben Brown Plaza and consisted of students paying $5.00 to “pie” their professors with whipped cream. This was a fun event for students to laugh with their professors in a different environment, and raise money for their organization at the same time.

PIZZA WITH PROFESSIONALS
In the Fall semester, AIC hosted the ASID Alabama Pizza with Professionals event. Local interior designers came to Samford to talk to interior design students about different paths they could take in design, and answer their questions. This was a great opportunity for students to have casual conversations with designers.

AIC GIVES BACK
AIC members will be serving at a give back event on April 12th with ELI Thrive Ministry. They will be helping plant a community garden.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC PROJECT
In the Fall, 4th year interior design and architecture students worked together in groups to create design proposals for a tropical plaza in the Dominican Republic for Fundacion Red Misericordia. This is a local non-profit organization. Twelve students got the chance to go to the Dominican Republic, visit the site, meet the client, and learn more about the culture and the island as a whole. Third year students are currently learning about design research and culturally informed design to prepare for the next phase of work for the foundation that will take place in Fall of 2025.

ATLANTA DECORATIVE ARTS CENTER
Second year interior design students got the chance to visit ADAC for their residential studio project. They visited various showrooms such as Schumacher, Fabricut, Design Galleria, Perennials, and more. This was a great opportunity for them to meet design professionals and learn more about the industry.