What is your background?: I grew up as an only child in Dixon, Iowa; a small rural town most people have never heard of! I was raised on 6 acres with horses, donkeys, ducks, chickens, and goats, so I always joke that I got the full farm experience without any of the actual farming. It was a pretty unique way to grow up, and honestly I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I graduated from North Scott High School in Eldridge, Iowa before eventually finding my way to Kirkwood.
What brought you to Kirkwood and why?: I’ve always been a highly creative person, and somewhere along the way I discovered a deep love for interior design and knew I had to explore it further. This isn’t my first time at Kirkwood; I actually attended back in 2013 right out of high school, but like a lot of people at that age, I had plenty of other things competing for my attention and never finished the gen ed program. Fast forward to now, and it just felt like the perfect time to come back and pursue something I’ve realized I’m truly passionate about. I’m the kind of person who needs to feel creatively fulfilled in their work, and interior design is one of those rare careers where I can flex that creative muscle every single day and it doesn’t even feel like work.
What is your program of study and what interests you about it?: My program of study is Interior Design and Interior Architecture, and it’s something that has been a part of me since I was a kid. I used to redecorate rooms in my childhood home constantly, and I was lucky enough to have parents who supported every wild idea I came up with. Looking back, that probably says a lot about who I am today. What draws me to interior design is the way a beautiful space can make you feel. I want to create spaces that evoke a sense of wonder and cause a reaction.
Going into this program, I quickly realized it was so much more than I ever expected. A lot of people assume interior design is just picking out paint colors or deciding where to place a cool looking bowl, but it’s so much deeper than that. I continue to learn from my professor, Jillissa, that it’s about functionality, understanding people’s needs, and creating spaces where someone feels truly comfortable and at home. I was also very excited to study abroad in Italy with my program, taking place this month!
Are you involved in anything on campus?: I am actually the President of KSID (Started out as vice-president), which stands for Kirkwood Student Interior Design; a student run club here on campus. It’s been a really rewarding experience to be in a leadership role within a community of people who share the same passion that I do. Being surrounded by other creatives pushes me to think differently, and I love that Kirkwood has built a space where students can connect, collaborate and grow together outside of the classroom.
Are you involved in anything off campus?: Off campus my life is pretty full! I am a singer songwriter who performs as a solo artist under the moniker Alyx Rush, and I also have an Alternative Pop/R&B duo called Sun Centauri alongside Iowa City based artist Jim Swim. I play shows all around Iowa and beyond, and we are currently working on a new EP that should be hitting streaming platforms this fall. Follow us on social media! (sun.centauri) On top of the music, I also work in sales/marketing at Dwell Home Furnishings & Interior Design in Coralville, which has been such a perfect fit alongside my degree. Getting to work in a real interior design environment while I’m still in school has been invaluable, and it’s one of those situations where everything just kind of lines up perfectly.
What do you do for fun?: When I’m not in class or working, I’m usually making music, which as you probably gathered by now is a huge part of my life. I also love to travel whenever I get the chance, there’s something about experiencing new places and environments that honestly feeds right back into my creativity and design eye. Outside of that I’m pretty simple and love spending time with my boyfriend Blake and hanging out with my friends. At the end of the day I just try to stay as creative as possible in everything I do, whether that’s music, design, or just how I approach everyday life.
Where do you see yourself in five years?: In five years I just see myself happy. It sounds simple but I think it’s the most important thing. I would love to be traveling for interior design work, whether that looks like working for an established design firm or potentially running my own business, I haven’t ruled anything out! Music will of course still be a huge part of my life no matter where I end up. I think what excites me most about the future is the connections, both the new ones I haven’t made yet and the ones I already have that I want to continue to pour into. I feel like I’m just now really stepping into who I’m supposed to be, and I can’t wait to see where that takes me!