Our Graduates: Where are they now? Meet Joy Rich

Since graduating a year ago from Randolph Community College’s Interior Design program, I’ve gone to work for Sunpan Modern Home as a Showroom Design Assistant, for both their High Point and Las Vegas furniture showrooms. In addition, I assist with the design of our booth for the yearly Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas as well as international shows like the Shanghai Furniture Fair in China. It is a fast-paced environment when we’re preparing for a show, but I love the final push towards a deadline. Getting to collaborate with Rodney Smith, the showroom designer and manager (also an RCC alum), then watch our ideas transition to a completed project is terribly satisfying.

Until I started the program at RCC I had no idea that showroom design was an option for my career. As it turns out through my internship in the Hooker Furniture showroom and my previous work for a well-known furniture retailer, I learned that showroom design was the perfect career match for me. My main responsibility is to work with our product sourcing team to make sure that the items they choose to show are merchandised beautifully in our showrooms. We are constantly looking for ways to update our High Point and Las Vegas spaces to give Sunpan’s clients something fresh and unexpected when they visit. It is truly a career that keeps me looking forward to what is on trend and at the same time designing a space that helps our furnishings sell each market. I am living out my design dreams and loving every minute! 

Written and submitted by:  Joy Rich

Get To Know Our Students!

Want to know more about the Interior Design program at Randolph Community College?  What better way than to follow along with each of our student's journeys!  All of our design students maintain a blog throughout their first and second year about highlights of their projects, learning curves, favorite classes, and trend spotting at High Point Furniture Market.  This not only satisfies the writing portion of the curriculum but allows you, the reader, an inside peek at the excitement (and sometimes unique challenges) that goes on in an Interior Design Student's Career.  Just click on a student name at the right and get to know each of them a little better!             

First Year Students Going Into Second Semester

We are so excited that our first year students are entering their second semester in the Interior Design program at RCC!  We have one of the largest classes we have ever had and their talent is really beginning to shine!  Shown here, are the students working in the Cad Lab, learning many of the software programs that we use in the industry.  All of the instructors are looking forward to seeing these students progress through the program and develop their eye for design even further.