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
Written and submitted by: Joy Rich
